I only bought this on Amazon on a whim, and it was delivered to me today, and I immediately read it, just now.
I have not liked any other manhwa before; not any other Korean isekai manga; not any other role playing game/dating sim/fairy tale role/villainess otome game isekai manhwa/webcomic. I was about to chalk it up to the whole genre and reading category not being for me. But with 'Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 1', I found I was actually invested, that I actually cared. That I kind of loved it, even.I think it's because 'Villains Are Destined to Die' has actual stakes, and a real sense of urgency, intensity and direness. It's because it is made simple, accessible and easy to follow for non-sim game players like me. It's because it is genuinely smart, well thought-out, and it stays on a straight line and single, clear goal entirely from the trapped protagonist's point of view, never straying and losing focus. She seeks survival and escape, and nothing else. Everything happens logically and naturally, with no awkward editing, distractions and detours (and superfluous side characters) that which is typically founded in webcomics/webtoons published in physical form.
It's because it understands so many levels and dynamics of real life abuse - domestic abuse - and how it works and thrives unbroken, in a vicious, venomous, corrupt cycle. Especially in the most privileged class of families. Though of course the word "family" doesn't apply when there is no love amongst the people in it, and only hate and bitterness, and its system only operates on abuse.
Privilege cannot save you from abuse. It will only make it worse, in fact. Privilege, riches, they will not make you happy, only hollow, unfulfilled, miserable, stressful, apprehensive, fearful, vulnerable, twisted and hateful; this goes both ways, for both perpetrator and victim.
'Villains Are Destined to Die' might be the scariest manga/manhwa I have ever read for this reason alone. But I love and applaud the heroine's strength, bravery and ingenuity through it all, in the hellhole of a "lighthearted romance" dating sim game she's suddenly, inexplicably confined in, as the abused "villainess" in a nobleman's mansion, so it wasn't too depressing and melancholy. She's experienced similar abuse in her real life before, so she knows how to navigate it to survive as a duke's unwanted villainess daughter, a "fake heroine". A spoiled, nasty, bitter, jealous, violent stepsister type who everybody hates and wishes dead. She's vulnerable and frightened, and her thoughts, actions and words are understandable - she's human and a victim, and she's going through this impossible situation as best she can.
For one misstep, one mistake, could lead to her literal death.
The manhwa touches on the pervasive systematic misogyny, as well.
As expected in a manhwa, the artwork is gorgeous, colourful, manga-esque and expressive. 'Villains Are Destined to Die' knows how and when to set the right mood and tone of a situation brilliantly.
There is so much substance here. So much to satiate. So many thrills and clever twists.
It's still not perfect for me, especially towards the end of the volume, and so far all the male "love interests", bar one - in fact, all the male characters - are fucking awful and abusive psychopaths, and I don't want the heroine, who has suffered so much and continues to suffer because of the shitty men in her life, to be with any of them.
While I remain in my conviction that most manhwas are not for me, 'Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 1' has quickly earned its place in my heart. For someone like me, who is not really in its target demographic, to recommend it, that must say a lot about its quality. So yeah, go read 'Villains Are Destined to Die', and its sequel volumes, if you are the least bit intrigued and interested.
It's the smartest, most harrowing and beautiful, and appropriately morbid "villainess" isekai story I have ever come across.
Final Score: 4/5
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