Being reincarnated into a fantastical new world sounds amazing to most people, as is often the case in both manga and manhwa stories. Characters get to be a part of entirely different, often magical culture, and get to truly live their lives however they want for the first time. Some characters, however, don't exactly have the easiest transition into their new environment, causing all kinds of adventures for them to contest with.

One theme that is rising in popularity in both manga and manhwa is people who are reincarnated as villainesses. In manga, one of the more popular titles is My Next Life As A Villainess, which also has an anime adaptation. The series is the godmother of the villainess isekai subgenre, with many seeing it as one of the best isekai of all time. However, there are many more funny and enjoyable "reincarnated as a villainess" manhwa that are a must-read for fans of the genre.

Updated by Timothy Blake Donohoo on March 6, 2024: Villainess isekai has become an increasingly popular subgenre, and that isn't only the case in manga and anime. Villainess manhwa is just as popular in the Korean comic book medium, and they offer similar entertainment value as villainess manga. Showcasing reincarnations and romance, the subgenre is rife with twisted and tantalizing takes on familiar tropes and old fairy tales.

20 The Perfect Plan For A Fairy-Tale Ending Is A Classic Storybook Romance With A Twist

The Perfect Plan for a Fairy-Tale Ending begins when a young woman reincarnates into Marcia Blick, the evil sister of a fairytale heroine. In the original story, Marcia is slain by the prince for her misdeeds, and her sister rides off into the sunset to live happily ever after. To prevent her tragic end, Marcia decides to abandon her villainous family and take her sister along with her, hoping to set her up for an early happily ever after with the prince.

The Perfect Plan for a Fairy-Tale Ending is a fun and lovable fantasy manhwa, starring a well-written female protagonist who breaks many of the typical stereotypes of the genre. With its easygoing pace, wholesome family dynamics, and hilarious humor, this villainess manhwa is far more than a basic romance story.

19 The Villainess Is A Marionette Features A Protagonist Who Was Once A Villainess In Her Past Life

The Villainess is a Marionette is a rare villainess manhwa story where the protagonist has already reincarnated once before. The series follows a young woman, who finds herself mysteriously drawn to a villainess character named Kayena Hill in a fantasy novel she's read. After meeting an untimely death, she reincarnates into Kayena and realizes she already lived as this villainous princess once in a past life.

Now armed with knowledge of the future, Kayena is determined to take control of her life, refusing to let those around her manipulate her a second time. A classic reincarnation isekai story, The Villainess is a Marionette can be a bit cliché at times. However, it's still an enjoyable read, with a lovable cast and a gorgeous art style that makes the villainess manhwa all the more worth checking out.

18 Master Villainess The Invincible! Features A Power Female Lead

Master Villainess the Invincible! starts like most typical villainess manhwa does, with a modern heroine who wakes to find herself reincarnated into a new life. Yeoju is a struggling author who becomes a fearsome villainess from a best-selling novel in her second life.

Now living as Haewon Tang, she embarks on a journey to change her fate and avoid yet another gruesome death. Inspired by real-life martial arts, Master Villainess the Invincible! is full of action and adventure. Unlike many other female leads in the genre, Haewon Tang is a strong and capable heroine who learns the art of fighting and uses it to save herself.

17 The Villainess's Stationery Shop Stars A Villainess Who Defies Fate & Chases Her Dreams

In The Villainess' Stationery Shop, a modern-day girl wakes to find herself in the body of Meldenique Babelloa, the jealous villainess of a romance novel. Though in the original story, Meldenique suffers a tragic death, she's determined to avoid this horrible fate. Thus, she abandons her old life and sets out to start a small stationery shop.

The manhwa is a wholesome and fun adventure following Meldenique's journey as she works to make her dreams come true. Despite its typical premise, The Villainess' Stationery Shop is a breath of fresh air within the genre, turning many of the tired old tropes on their heads in the best way.

16 Your Throne Is A Villainess Story With A Body Swap Twist

Your Throne is one of the more unique villainess manhwa to date. While most titles in the genre follow the usual reincarnation isekai format, the series breaks the mold by introducing a lead female who lives as a villainess from the start and follows her wicked schemes. Through this originality, it's easily one of the best villainess manhwa recommendations.

The story begins with Lady Medea Solon, a ruthless noble who dreams of becoming the princess of Vasilios Empire and will do whatever it takes to make that happen. When the Crown Prince becomes engaged to the kindhearted and naive Psyche Callista, Medea plots her demise and ultimately switches bodies with the girl, in hopes of claiming the throne through her. Twisted, thrilling, and complex, Your Throne is a true villainess story through and through.

15 Roxana Follows The Dramatic Journey Of The Daughter Of A Notorious Villain Family

In Roxana, a young girl finds herself reincarnated into the world of a novel known as "The Abysmal Flower." Here, she's reborn as Roxana Agrece, daughter of the story's villain. Now living in an unknown world with a treacherous new family, Roxana must do whatever it takes to survive and escape her family's fate.

When the heroine's brother, Cassis Pedelian, is captured by the Agrece family, Roxana takes matters into her own hands. Hoping to grant herself a pardon, she latches onto Cassis and assists him in any way she can. With his help, Roxana goes up against her villainous family and tries to turn her life around. Full of drama and many twists and turns, this unique villainess manhwa is perfect for those who enjoy a good thriller.

14 How To Win My Husband Over Is A Heartwarming Romance Story

How to Win My Husband Over puts a twist on romance tropes. After a horrific plane crash brings her first life to an end, a young woman wakes to find herself reincarnated into the body of Rudbeckia de Borgia, a minor villain from a historical novel who's destined to die by the end of the story. Refusing to die once again, Rudbeckia does whatever it takes to change her fate — including getting married.

Now under the care of her new husband, Rudbeckia needs to use her charms and hopefully win his affection and protection. Using the status of a villainess manhwa to a T, it explores the status of a villainess who's not the most prominent. With gripping drama and intense, bittersweet romance, How to Win My Husband Over is perfect for fans who love a twisted love story.

13 The Villainess Turns The Hourglass Has A Unique Time Travel Plot

While most villainess stories feature a nameless heroine who reincarnates into the life of a villainess, The Villainess Turns the Hourglass is different. In this story, Aria Roscente lives a lavish life after her mother remarries. She takes advantage of her new status and develops a reputation as a vile villainess, which ultimately leads to her death by execution.

However, after her death, Aria Roscente learns the truth of her demise and earns a second chance at life. Aria then reawakens in the past, and now that she's armed with the knowledge she lacked in her old life, she's set to do whatever it takes to keep from suffering the same fate again. The use of time travel makes this into a unique villainess manhwa, as well as an interesting spin on reincarnation stories.

12 The Perks Of Being A Villainess Features A Villainess Who Revels In Her Villainy

Villainess manhwa often have one thing in common: they feature a reincarnated protagonist who wants to change her fate as the villainess, often to avoid a harsh punishment or even death. However, in the series The Perks of Being a Villainess, the villainess heroine aims for the exact opposite.

After reincarnating as Deborah Seymour, the villainess of a novel, The Perks of Being a Villainess' protagonist soon realizes that changing her wicked ways might not be worth it. Instead, Deborah carries on with her villainy. Though, rather than acting as a cruel and petty monster, she uses her new status to become a cutthroat businesswoman. This unique spin on the villainess trope is a welcome departure from the usual stories found, and for those who love a strong and capable lead female, it's well worth a read.

11 Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom Is A Delightful Spin On A Fairytale Classic

Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom is a unique addition to the villainess genre, following the journey of a woman who reincarnates into the wicked stepmother of a fairytale story. Now known as the evil queen Abigail Freidkin, she must navigate her new life and try to befriend her new stepdaughter, Blanche.

Rather than accepting her role as a wicked stepmother, Abigail does her part to mend the broken relationship of the royal family and uses her talent for sewing and dress-making to bring joy to those around her. Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom is simple in its story, but the wholesome relationship between Abigail and her new family is nothing short of a delight.

10 Villains Are Destined To Die Stars The Villainess Of An Otome Game

Villains are Destined to Die is a classic villainess manhwa, featuring a premise very similar to the ever-popular My Next Life as a Villainess. The series begins after a university student wakes up in the world of the otome game she had been playing. However, she's hardly the heroine of the story. Instead, she's been reborn as Penelope Eckhart, the villainess of the game who suffers a tragic fate by the end.

Now, Penelope must navigate her new life and avoid various death flags to change her fate. It's far from a groundbreaking concept, but Villains are Destined to Die is still a fun and enjoyable read, filled with drama, romance, and reverse harem antics. Those who loved My Next Life as a Villainess are sure to adore this title as well.

9 This Villainess Wants A Divorce! Is A Classic Villainess Romance Series

In This Villainess Wants A Divorce!, Carnelia Easter is reincarnated as a popular novel series villainess. In the novel, she is the evil Empress' underling and marries Prince Cesear for political gain. Carnelia wastes her time spending money, bullying the prince, and abusing her position as the prince's wife. However, she is later executed for her crimes at the hands of her own husband.

Knowing what’s in store for her, Carnelia decides to change her future. She must convince the prince to divorce her peacefully. However, this all changes when Cesear develops affection for his villainess wife. Familiar yet still going against the grain, This Villainess Wants A Divorce! is a delightful read, featuring a lovable cast and tons of heart-stopping romance.

8 What It Takes To Be A Villainess Is A Unique Take On The Villainess Trope

At the start of What It Takes to Be a Villainess, Hwayoung is dumped by her boyfriend, who has been cheating on her with her best friend. While drinking her sorrows away at this news, she accidentally falls into the river and drowns. Before going to heaven, she is reincarnated as Satiana Altisee Kaylon, House Kaylon's sole daughter and an infamous villainess throughout the land.

Soon after, Hwayoung is selected to be a candidate to become the next Empress. She has to learn to survive alongside scheming and devious candidates to win her place or else her family will suffer a terrible fate. A unique spin on the typical villainess manhwa plot, What It Takes to Be a Villainess features a protagonist who must embrace her new villainess identity to survive.

7 The Tyrant's Only Perfumer Is A Dramatic Fantasy Romance

Before being reincarnated, The Tyrant's Only Perfumer's protagonist was a girl who loved flowers but was incredibly sickly. Unfortunately, she ended up dying but was reincarnated into the body of the villainess in a novel she was reading before her death. Ariel Winston is a genius perfumer and the only one capable of creating the scent her cursed fiancé needs.

However, now that she knows the terrible fate that awaits her, Ariel is determined to break things off with the Duke and live her new life to the fullest. With its dramatic storyline, heart-pounding romance, and gorgeous art style, The Tyrant's Only Perfumer is a perfect read for fans of the genre. Said art is one of the series' greatest strengths, as it brings the flowery story to life in a way that most villainess manhwa can't.

6 Beware The Villainess! Is A Hilarious Comedy Starring A Strong Female Protagonist

Beware the Villainess! is a brilliant isekai romantic comedy about a woman who died in a car accident, only to find herself reincarnated into Melissa Podebrat, the infamous villainess of a fantasy novel. Though her character doesn't suffer a tragic death like most villainesses, Melissa doesn't exactly relish the idea of being cruel to others. As a result, she lives her new life her way, forsaking any and all forms of noble etiquette along the way.

While most villainess manhwa follow a protagonist determined to befriend all in hopes of saving themselves, Melissa is just here to have a good time no matter what. It's somewhat similar to the iyashikei genre, which features characters relaxing and enjoying themselves. With its fun and interesting plot, hilarious humor, and strong female lead, Beware the Villainess! is a welcome addition to the genre.

5 When The Villainess Is In Love Tells The Wholesome Tale Of A Villainess Who Hopes To Become A Heroine

In When the Villainess Is in Love, a young girl is reincarnated as the villainess, Princess Libertia. As she knows what's going to happen in the novel, Libertia decides to change everyone's fate and find a way for them to live happy lives instead of dying. As she changes her ways and tries to help people, Libertia hopes to go from villainess to heroine and does various good deeds to make this happen.

Wholesome, compelling, and heartfelt, When the Villainess Is in Love showcases the power of a fangirl's love for her favorite characters in an adorably fun way. Though the series at times feels fairly typical for the genre, it's still an enjoyable read that villainess fans will all love. Helping to keep things fresh is the protagonist's own love of the novel in question, making it a villainess manhwa with a lot of heart.

4 The Villainess Is Retiring Is A Relaxing, Character-Driven Romance Story

In The Villainess is Retiring, an everyday office worker is reincarnated as Everia Oberon after dying in an airplane crash on a business trip. Unfortunately, Everia is a villainess destined to die a tragic death in a romance novel. Everia wants no part in that ending and decides to live a quiet and peaceful life in the countryside instead.

Everia then settles in the cold region and calls upon the Archmage Theoharis to warm her home with his blue flames. What she didn't expect, however, is that by calling upon him, they are now bound together for life and her hopes of living peacefully have become nonexistent. With its character-driven storyline, lovable main characters, and compelling romance, The Villainess is Retiring makes for a relaxing read and a great addition to the genre. The villainess manhwa also has a good use of magic and worldbuilding, making it both relaxing and well-constructed.

3 Father, I Don't Want This Marriage! Is A Cliché Villainess Story In The Best Way

Father, I Don't Want This Marriage! begins when a young girl is reincarnated as Jubellian Eloy Floyen, the villainess in a novel she was reading. In the story, Jubellian is framed for murder and abandoned by her father and fiancé, meeting a tragic and painful end due to their cruelty. To stop this horrible fate from happening, Jubellian breaks off her engagement with her disinterested lover.

However, things only go from bad to worse when Jubellian's cruel father tries to marry her off to an even worse suitor. Now Jubellian must do whatever it takes to prevent her marriage with the evil crown prince. Though the series is a cliché villainess story, its dramatic plot and enticing romance make it well worth the read. The villainess manhwa also plays with the idea of arranged marriage, making it a bit more unique.

2 Villainesses Have More Fun Follows The Villainess' Journey To Live Life To The Fullest

Villainesses Have More Fun stars a young woman who's always lived a hard life. From growing up in a dysfunctional family to being cheated on, Sojin has dealt with one struggle after the next. But when she wakes up to find herself reincarnated into Reilynn Candmion, a wealthy villainess, she's determined to use her new status to live it up like never before.

However, it won't be easy, since everyone around Reilynn wants to cause drama and fights. Fed up with cheating and lies, Reilynn refuses to let their antics stop her from living a carefree life of luxury. Villainesses Have More Fun is simple but fun, featuring a slew of well-written and likable characters, including a strong and capable female lead fans are sure to adore.

1 Villainess In Love Features A Dramatic & Enthralling Romance Story

In Villainess in Love, a young woman is reincarnated as Yunifer Magnolia, a jealous villainess who can't stand the blooming love between Duke Ishid Lucrenze and Raelle, Yunifer's supposed best friend. In her jealousy, she constantly torments Raelle, until it ultimately leads to Yunifer's own downfall and death.

Upon her reincarnation, Yunifer plans on doing everything possible to avoid her death and help Raelle and the Duke get together. However, Yunifer's plans are ruined after a drunken night brings herself and the Duke together, reigniting this deadly love triangle. Full of drama, thrills, and a surprisingly deep and well-written cast, Villainess in Love is far more than a typical villainess manhwa love story.