When it comes to manhwa, much like anime and manga, the medium has something to offer for fans of every genre, niche, and trope. One such genre within the manhwa and webtoon medium is otome isekai, better known as the villainess genre due to its extensive use of the popular villainess trope. While such stories are no doubt a dime a dozen and often blend into each other, the otome isekai genre is what made me fall in love with manhwa, and it's all because of one main reason that sets the genre apart.

Isekai fantasy manhwa like Solo Leveling and Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint were some of the first manhwa I read when I first discovered manhwa. While I undoubtedly enjoyed reading these series and was enamored by the bright and beautiful artwork of the medium, it wasn't until I came across villainess manhwa that I truly began devouring manhwa left and right.

On the surface, otome isekai may seem like frivolous romances, especially to those hesitant to embrace shoujo and josei series. However, after reading many of the best manhwa the otome isekai genre has to offer, it is clear that these manhwa offer their protagonists much more character depth than their shonen counterparts while also exploring complex, mature issues that happened to deeply resonate with me.

What Is Otome Isekai, and How Does It Compare to Regular Isekai Manhwa?

Otome Isekai and Shōnen Isekai Manhwa Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

Down to their bare bones, otome isekai manhwa are not very different from other fantasy isekai in that the general premise is that the protagonist(in this case female) gets transported to another world and must adapt to it. In the case of shōnen series, this new world usually takes the form of a high fantasy novel or role-playing game.

In light of Solo Leveling's popularity, many manhwa have also begun employing the concept of reverse isekai, wherein the fantastical world is imposed on a seemingly normal world through the appearance of some form of gate or portal. Meanwhile, otome isekai settings usually take the form of a historical novel or otome game wherein characters are thrust into aristocratic society.

While otome isekai mostly see their protagonists reincarnated as the villainesses of the story, shōnen isekai generally have their protagonists reincarnated as weak characters who are then given some extraordinary skill that helps them grow stronger. In both cases, the main goal is usually survival, but while shōnen isekai protagonists avoid death at the hands of monsters and magical beasts, otome isekai protagonists must navigate through the elaborate protocols and social conventions of noble society where, as the antagonists of the story, death, and ruin are an inevitable fate.

In this sense, both sides of the isekai genre are arguably very similar but also very different at the same time with very prevalent yet enjoyable writing tropes found in each. However, there is one area where the otome isekai genre edges out the rest, which is its strong character-driven writing.

Otome Isekai Manhwa Better Flesh Out Their Protagonists

The Genre Explores Surprisingly Mature Themes

While shōnen isekai manhwa protagonists no doubt have their quirky traits and comedic moments, very few are given much of a personality beyond that. As much as I love Solo Leveling, Jinwoo arguably has just as much personality as a sheet of cardboard, and though him losing his emotions is arguably an important plot point, his character seems shallow even before the fact. Most shōnen isekai manhwa do not give their protagonists memorable or unique backstories either. Most character origins revolve around the protagonist being bullied or looked down on in some form or another, which then becomes the basis for a generic power fantasy.

While I could enjoy these stories, I wasn't inclined to read more of them until I discovered otome isekai manhwa.

This isn't to say that all shōnen isekai manhwa or power fantasy manhwa are bad, as I have found myself enjoying series like The Greatest Estate Developer, Teenage Mercenary, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, and even The Beginning After the End. The fact that I could not see myself in these protagonists did not have anything to do with gender or demographics but simply the fact that these characters lacked conviction. While I could enjoy these stories, I wasn't inclined to read more of them until I discovered otome isekai manhwa.

The otome isekai genre did not shy away from tackling more mature, complex themes like abuse, trauma, and even eating disorders. For example, Ruby from How to Win My Husband Over is shaped through and through by the abuse she suffers both in her past and current life. Her difficulty trusting people and her constant need for reassurance arising from her abusive past can be seen in every one of her relationships throughout the series, making for a mature, grounded portrayal.

Otome Isekai Embraces Diverse and Even Flawed Characters

Another aspect that truly surprised me was how the otome isekai genre wasn't afraid of embracing flawed protagonists. Penelope from Villains Are Destined to Die is a prime example of a protagonist who is inherently flawed and constantly toes the line of frustration with the decisions she makes. Her inability to see the characters around her as real people with feelings instead of game characters and her own desperation to survive end up warping her judgment and lead her to make questionable choices throughout the story.

As such despite many protagonists typically being incarnated as the villainesses, each manhwa arguably takes a different route. Some protagonists like Meldenique from The Villainess' Stationery Shop choose to avoid a life of villainy and chase their dreams, while others like Roxana Agriche from Roxana find out for themselves what it is that truly makes a villain and embrace their role as the anti-hero or go down a path of vengeance.

Otome Isekai Manhwa Offer Much More Than Simple Romance

As the word otome implies, many of these stories include romance, but it isn't always the focus nor is it ever the sole goal. Some protagonists choose to use their new lives to follow their dreams like in The Villainess' Stationery Shop where Meldenique the titular protagonist turned villainess decides to use her second chance at life to start her own shop and make little children happy with unique snacks and sweets.

Meldenique remembers a rare kindness she was shown in her previous life at such a shop when she was a child and wishes to spread that happiness. In this case, as with many other manhwa, love is something that otome isekai protagonists simply find along the way, often in the most unexpected ways.

From toxic relationships like those in I Tamed My Ex-husband’s Mad Dog and Wished You Were Dead to romances full of healthy communication like Bring the Love and Villainess in Love, otome isekai manhwa explore such a diverse range of relationships and romances that it is impossible to not find a story you find yourself relating to.

Overall, the otome isekai genre is still grossly underappreciated for what it offers, but thankfully, anime adaptations of series like Doctor Elise have begun to draw attention to the genre, which is honestly much more than the villainess trope. Otome isekai manhwa turned me into an avid manhwa reader and might just do the same for you as well.