The yuri anime of the season, Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou also known as I’m in Love with the Villainess is one of the new promises of the Yuri romance genre. It began as a successful series of light novels that was later adapted into manga and translated into other languages, including Spanish.
Now it will be adapted to anime by Platinum Vision studio, with its premiere date scheduled for October 2 and broadcast by Crunchyroll for America.
This is a really funny and adorable Yuri romance novel, quite different from other series within the genre and which found enormous popularity, especially outside of Japan such as America.
This work tells the story of Oohashi Rei, an ordinary office worker who one day appears reincarnated as Rae Taylor, the protagonist of her favorite video game “Otome”, and takes the opportunity to conquer the antagonist of the adventure, Claire François.
Anmo Sugoi had the opportunity to talk to Inori, the author of I’m in Love with the Villainess, who told us about her work and its corresponding anime adaptation.
Creating a Successful Yuri – Inori
First of all, it is an honor to be able to talk to you Inori sensei, thank you for giving us a few minutes of your time.
ANMO Sugoi – It’s only a few days until the premiere of the anime Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou, how do you feel about it?
Inori: First of all, I still don’t realize that my work will become an anime. I’m working hard right now preparing for the broadcast, and maybe that’s one of the reasons why it hasn’t sunk in yet. On the day of the broadcast, my partner Aki and I will watch it live, and maybe that’s when I’ll finally feel like “it’s really become an anime”.
ANMO Sugoi: Talking a bit about the work, what led you to write a Yuri (Girls Love) generated novel about other genres, are there any characters you identify with?
Inori: Since I was young, most of the time my stories are based on relationships between women. I’ve had some experience writing about heterosexual relationships, but I don’t feel comfortable doing it. So it’s not that I consciously decided to write Girls’ Love novels, but this style is natural for me.
As for the characters in I’m in Love with the Villainess, I identify most with Rei (Rae). She is a character that was based on my partner, but she also has many elements of myself. Some of the trials and tribulations that Rei faces in the story are also based on my own experiences. In that sense, Rei is the one that is easiest for me to identify with.
ANMO Sugoi: Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou has been translated into several languages. How does it feel to know that your work is shared by many people around the world?
Inori: I feel very honored. At the same time, I think the fact that our work is supported by so many countries means that it has managed to convey some kind of universal value or raise some kind of issue. I feel very proud of that.
Adapting to anime – Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou
ANMO Sugoi: Now, speaking of the anime, how did you feel when you heard that Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou would be adapted into an anime?
Inori: I first received the news by email, but my first thought was “Isn’t it a fraudulent email?”. But it was real, and the anime offer was also real. That day, I really got excited, but due to the restrictions of the non-disclosure agreement, I couldn’t say anything to anyone, so I asked my partner Aki, “I don’t want you to ask me why, but I want to celebrate.” A meaningless request, if I think about it now. I later found out that Aki already suspected that there was an anime offer at that time. I can’t express how grateful I am for her, who has continued to care for me warmly all this time.
ANMO Sugoi: How did you balance the fidelity of the novel when the anime was being produced? Are there aspects of the characters or story that you had to modify or expand to make them work in the anime?
Inori: This anime adaptation has a strong focus on adapting the manga version, rather than the novel. This is because due to its characteristics, the manga is easier to adapt to anime. Of course, the manga is based on the novel, so there is not much deviation from the original story, so don’t worry.
In adapting it to anime, some changes have been made to the dialogues to make them more aurally understandable and some episodes were rearranged for time reasons, but I think the adaptation is basically faithful to the original work.
ANMO Sugoi: What did you feel when you heard Yuu Serizawa and Karin Nanami’s interpretation, the voices of Rae and Claire?
Inori: I felt that they brought them to life. Both Yū Serizawa, who plays Rei, and Karin Nanami, who plays Claire, I felt were perfect for their roles. They are both very talented voice actresses, so they give us comedic performances at the right moments and dramatic ones when needed. Especially the interaction between Rei and Claire is very engaging, so you should definitely pay attention to that, (don’t miss it).
ANMO Sugoi: In your opinion, how do you think the anime will succeed in expanding the audience for the show?
Inori: Compared to overseas, the recognition of the novel of “Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou” in Japan is still low, so I think many people will be interested in the novel thanks to the anime. In particular, I hope that people who have not been very familiar with reading so far will approach the novel through the anime and manga.
ANMO Sugoi: Finally, do you have any words for the Latin American audience?
Inori: Thank you for your always passionate messages of support. I hope this anime adaptation will be a way to return the favor. All of us involved have done our best, so I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for this valuable opportunity.
From ANMO Sugoi, we appreciate the time that Inori sensei, has given us to know a little more about his work and the anime adaptation of his work I’m in Love with the Villainess (Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou).
The anime will premiere its first episode this October 2 through the Crunchyroll platform for all of Latin America, so don’t miss it.
Staff members of I’m in Love with the Villainess
- Hideaki Oba is in charge of directing the anime
- Platinum Vision Animation Studio is in charge of the anime’s production.
- Ayumu Hisao is in charge of supervising the anime scripts.
- Youko Satou is in charge of adapting Aonoshimo’s designs and Hanagata is in charge of the anime’s character designs.
- Usagi to Uma is in charge of composing the anime’s soundtrack.
