I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss

Kadokawa Shoten
Industry	Publishing
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Light novels, manga
Parent	Kadokawa Corporation

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 10 August 2025

is a Japanese light novel series written by Sarasa Nagase and illustrated by Mai Murasaki. The story first appeared online in May 2017 on Shōsetsuka ni Narō before being picked up by Kadokawa Shoten, which has released ten volumes since September 2017 under the Kadokawa Beans Bunko label. A manga version, drawn by Anko Yuzu, was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's seinen manga publication Comp Ace from June 2018 through August 2019 and compiled into three tankōbon volumes. Both the light novel and manga have been licensed for North American distribution by Yen Press. An anime TV adaptation produced by Maho Film aired between October and December 2022.

Characters

: The youngest child of Duke d'Autriche, Aileen lived in the shadow of her brothers until she became engaged to the Crown Prince of the Ellemeyer Empire. This engagement gave her a new sense of direction, motivating her to excel academically and athletically. Originally a terminally ill Japanese teenager obsessed with the otome game Regalia of Saints, Demons and Maidens, she applies her knowledge of the game’s storyline to escape her foretold demise by winning over the final boss. Politically astute and entrepreneurial, Aileen repeatedly revitalizes her family’s enterprises. Although labeled as the villainess in the original game, she shows compassion and strives for equality between humans and demons. She is discerning in friendships but deeply loyal, also utilizing her culinary talents as part of her business strategies.

: Claude, the Emperor’s eldest son, was disinherited due to his half-demon heritage and subsequently exiled. He rose to become the leader of demonkind, offering protection that drew demons to his cause. Initially cast as the final boss destined to kill Aileen, Claude is a shrewd and capable ruler who seeks peaceful coexistence between humans and demons. While he distrusts most humans aside from his aide Keith, Claude gradually softens under Aileen’s influence.

: Cedric, Claude’s younger half-brother and successor after Claude’s removal, is charismatic yet harbors insecurity and resentment. He publicly ended his engagement to Aileen to assert dominance but later conspired against both Aileen and Claude out of wounded pride. After his plans fail, Cedric gains self-awareness and reconciles with them.

: Keith serves as Claude’s trusted aide overseeing finances and administration. His early discovery of Claude’s demonic nature came when Claude saved him from drowning. Under secret blackmail forcing him to trade demons to protect Claude’s castle rights, Keith struggles with this moral dilemma but prioritizes demon welfare. Aileen later assists him in seeking atonement.

: Beelzebuth is Claude’s demon aide and protector, known for his fierce loyalty and rough demeanor but complex emotions. Through Aileen’s guidance, he learns proper manners and becomes a valuable ally.

: Lilia is the Holy Sword Maiden and principal antagonist in the narrative. Outwardly charming yet secretly manipulative and cruel, she uses her knowledge of the game—like Aileen—to control suitors and maintain power. She attempts to sabotage Aileen while pursuing her own agenda to enforce the game’s fatal plotline despite real-world consequences. After multiple failed schemes, she is ultimately exposed and imprisoned for life.

: Almond is a crow serving Claude who initially views Aileen with hostility but becomes a devoted ally after receiving bribes of Aileen’s homemade sweets.

: Isaac is a cautious childhood friend supporting Aileen’s daring actions. Previously employed by Cedric but dismissed, he joins Claude’s service through negotiations arranged by Aileen. He harbors unspoken feelings for her while encouraging her relationship with Claude.

: A journalist allied with Aileen whose newspaper promotes justice and truth through an extensive network of reliable contacts.

: A young prodigy architect formerly working for Cedric who is hired by Aileen under Claude’s name to renovate the demon lord’s castle. He also contributes inventions supporting medical advancements.

: A clinical doctor dismissed by Cedric but later rehired by Aileen for Claude’s service. He shifts focus from pharmaceutical competition with Cedric to developing new medicines derived from local flora.

: A botanist once employed by Cedric who regains purpose under Aileen at Claude's castle after losing his plants due to Cedric's actions.

: James is Mische Academy's school council president and a half-demon concealing his identity because of political sensitivities. Targeted as a final boss in Regalia of Saints, Demons and Maidens 2, he is fated to lead a demon uprising unless saved by Aileen, who investigates demon attacks at the academy disguised as a boy.

: The vice-president of Mische Academy council and popular romance option in the sequel game. An expert swordsman second only to Claude, he supports Aileen's mission for peace between humans and demons while opposing sexism in the region.

: Walt serves on Mische Academy council known as both a flirt and gentleman. As a demon hunter aware of Aileen's true identity, he assists her investigations into vampire attacks linked to church missions.

: Kyle is another Mische Academy council member often seen as cold but actually polite and well-liked. Like Walt, he is a demon hunter assigned to investigate supernatural occurrences at the academy.

: Selena is an esteemed yet arrogant upperclassman at Mische Academy who initially opposes the disguised Aileen out of loyalty to Lilia. Manipulative and haughty, Selena later turns against Lilia after uncovering plots involving demon exposure schemes.

: A submissive student at Mische Academy whom Aileen defends early on from abuse. Previously portrayed as villainous in the sequel game but sympathetically here, she gains confidence through Aileen's influence and later joins her household staff while harboring feelings for Isaac.

: Elephas is a mage from the Levi tribe and final boss from the original game's fan disc who pledges allegiance to Aileen and Claude early on. Secretly allied with Lilia before being betrayed and imprisoned, Elephas seeks redemption by aiding Aileen against looming threats.

Light novels

Sarasa Nagase's series initially appeared on the user-submitted novel platform Shōsetsuka ni Narō starting in May 2017. Subsequently, Kadokawa Shoten acquired the rights and began issuing it as a light novel featuring artwork by Mai Murasaki under the Kadokawa Beans Bunko label on September 1, 2017. The light novel series is distributed in North America through Yen Press. By December 2022, a total of eleven volumes had been published.

Manga

The manga version, illustrated by Anko Yuzu, ran in Kadokawa Shoten's Comp Ace magazine from June 2018 until August 2019, and was collected into three tankōbon volumes. This manga adaptation is also licensed for North American release by Yen Press.

Anime

On October 1, 2021, an anime adaptation was officially revealed. The production was handled by Maho Film, with Kumiko Habara serving as director, Kenta Ihara writing the scripts, and character designs created by Momoko Makiuchi, Eri Kojima, and Yūko Ōba. The soundtrack featured contributions from Natsumi Tabuchi and others. The anime aired from October 1 through December 17, 2022, across several Japanese channels including Tokyo MX and BS-TBS. The opening song was performed by Rie Takahashi, while ACCAMER provided the ending theme. Outside of Asia, Crunchyroll streamed the series and launched an English dub on October 15, 2022. Additionally, Medialink secured distribution rights throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Reception

Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network commented that although the debut light novel volume "does not break entirely new ground," the protagonist Aileen’s increasing realization of her influence over the narrative adds an intriguing dimension. She commended both the illustrations and Aileen's proactive involvement in altering the storyline but pointed out the reliance on conventional plot elements and the use of present tense narration as drawbacks. In her reviews of volumes two and three, Silverman emphasized their comedic aspects—particularly scenes involving ducks—and described volume three’s epilogue as a "charming comedy of errors," portraying Aileen as a captivating lead despite moments of complexity.

External links

at Shōsetsuka ni Narō