My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
A Chaotic, Heartwarming Mess That’s Impossible to Hate

Let’s be real—most isekai anime these days follow the same tired formula: protagonist dies, wakes up in a fantasy world, gets OP powers, and becomes a hero. But My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (or HameFura for short) flips that script so hard it’s a wonder the pages don’t tear. This isn’t about saving the world—it’s about a girl named Katarina Claes trying not to die. And honestly? It’s the best thing to happen to the genre in years.

First off, let’s get the basics straight. The anime, produced by Silver Link, premiered in 2020, with a second season in 2021 and a film in 2023. It’s based on Satoru Yamaguchi’s light novel series, which started as a web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in 2014. The premise? Katarina, a spoiled noblewoman, hits her head and remembers she’s been reincarnated as the villainess in an otome game she played in her past life. In the game, Katarina is the mean girl who bullies the heroine and triggers one of several “doom flags”—think exile, death by monster, or even execution. So her mission? Avoid all those flags at all costs.

Sounds simple, right? Wrong. Katarina is… well, she’s a himbo. A noble himbo. She’s dense, loves eating, and has zero game when it comes to romance. But that’s exactly why fans adore her. Instead of scheming to take down the heroine, she accidentally befriends everyone—including the game’s capture targets (the prince, the tsundere mage, the quiet butler) and even the original heroine, Maria. She turns the game’s love triangle into a full-blown harem, and none of them are safe from her chaotic charm.

Take the first season’s picnic episode, for example. Katarina decides to host a picnic to “bond” with everyone (read: avoid fighting). But instead of a peaceful afternoon, she accidentally starts a food fight, climbs a tree to get apples, and ends up falling into the lake—only to be rescued by every single character. The scene is pure chaos, but it’s also weirdly sweet. As one fan on MyAnimeList put it, “Katarina doesn’t just break the game’s rules—she breaks the fourth wall of isekai tropes. She’s not trying to be perfect; she’s just trying to survive, and that’s relatable.”

Another thing that makes HameFura stand out is its humor. The show leans into Katarina’s obliviousness hard. When the prince confesses his love, she thinks he’s talking about her gardening skills. When the mage blushes around her, she assumes he’s allergic to her cat. It’s the kind of comedy that makes you snort-laugh into your popcorn. And let’s not forget the supporting cast—each character has their own quirks, and their interactions with Katarina are gold. The tsundere mage, Keith, starts off hating her but ends up being her overprotective brother figure. The butler, Geordo, goes from being a cold aristocrat to a softie who can’t say no to her.

But it’s not all laughs. The series has its emotional moments too. In Season 2, Katarina starts to realize that her actions have changed the game’s story more than she thought. When Maria is bullied by other nobles, Katarina steps in—not because she’s trying to be the hero, but because Maria is her friend. It’s a small moment, but it shows that Katarina’s kindness isn’t just a survival tactic; it’s who she is. As another fan wrote on Reddit, “The best part about Katarina is that she doesn’t have a hidden agenda. She’s just a good person, and that’s rare in isekai.”

Of course, no anime is perfect. Some critics argue that the plot can feel repetitive, and Katarina’s denseness might get old for some viewers. But honestly? That’s part of the charm. HameFura isn’t trying to be a masterpiece—it’s trying to be fun. And it succeeds. The animation is bright and colorful, the voice acting is top-notch (shoutout to Maaya Uchida for bringing Katarina to life), and the soundtrack is catchy as hell.

The 2023 film, My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! The Movie, takes things to the next level. It’s a standalone story where Katarina is transported to a parallel world where she’s the heroine instead of the villainess. The film is a love letter to fans, with all the chaos and heart we’ve come to expect. It even adds a new character, a mysterious prince who’s determined to win Katarina’s heart—though she’s too busy eating cake to notice.

So, who is HameFura for? If you’re tired of isekai protagonists who are perfect and powerful, this is the show for you. If you love slice-of-life comedies with a side of romance, you’ll eat this up. And if you just want something that makes you smile, look no further. As one fan summed it up, “My Next Life as a Villainess isn’t just an anime—it’s a mood. It’s the kind of show you watch when you’re having a bad day, and suddenly everything feels a little better.”

In a world full of generic isekai, HameFura is a breath of fresh air. It’s silly, it’s sweet, and it’s unapologetically itself. Katarina Claes may be a villainess in the game, but in our hearts, she’s the hero we never knew we needed. So grab your favorite snack, sit back, and watch as she turns “all routes lead to doom” into “all routes lead to friendship (and maybe a little romance).” You won’t regret it.

Final Verdict: 9/10. A must-watch for anyone who loves isekai, comedy, or just good old-fashioned chaos. Katarina Claes, we salute you. 🎉