Is I'm in Love with the Villainess a Yuri Anime?

I'm in Love with the Villainess has finally arrived! Fans of female-led isekai romances have been looking forward to this for a while, and the strong yuri themes in I'm in Love with the Villainess' trailers are also catching a lot of eyes.

How much does the relationship between Rae and Claire play a role in the show? For anyone who's not sure, here's a quick guide to the show before you decide whether to watch.

I'm in Love with the Villainess: An Otome Isekai Romance

I'm in Love with the Villainess is the latest in a growing list of otome game isekai, following on from shows like Trapped in a Dating Sim and My Next Life As A Villainess.

This series follows Rae, an exhausted office worker who wakes up in the body of the protagonist of her favourite otome game. However, she doesn't have much interest in the game's potential male love interests; her heart already belongs to the villain, Claire!

While Claire continues to treat her with disdain, Rae is determined to do everything to please her.

Just How Yuri is I'm in Love with the Villainess?

The short answer is that I'm in Love with the Villainess is most definitely a yuri anime. I mean, the trailer and official poster should be enough to confirm that, but it's also not just for the sake of having a cute romance.

The original author, Inori, based a lot of the story on her own experiences as part of the LGBT+ community growing up in Japan. As she explained in an interview, the protagonist Rae is based on her real-life partner.

While some romance anime are sweet but don't address the issues faced by yuri (and BL) couples, I'm in Love with the Villainess does try in places. For example, there is a point in the story where Rae worries that Claire may not ultimately be attracted to other women.

It's worth mentioning that this is also meant as a comedy anime. There are a lot of the classic isekai otome tropes, including a slightly delusional – and, in this case, potentially masochistic – main character.

However, it's also correct to say that this is a fully-fledged yuri anime. It's not a case of underlying feelings or 'will-they-won't-they' – this is a show with a lesbian lead, and yuri romance is at the heart.

If that sounds like the perfect show for you, then stay tuned to Epicstream as we cover the series! Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news.