I, Who Was Reincarnated as the Target of a Otome Game, Ignore the Romance Elements and Overpower Everyone. However, I Will Help the Villainous Young Lady Because Deep Down, She’s Actually a Good Person

My Thoughts on I, Who Was Reincarnated as the Target of a Otome Game, Ignore the Romance Elements and Overpower Everyone. However, I Will Help the Villainous Young Lady Because Deep Down, She’s Actually a Good Person

Okay, that title is a mouthful, isn't it? I went into this novel with a certain set of expectations, and while it delivered on some of them, I definitely walked away feeling a bit… conflicted.

First Impressions

The premise is undeniably intriguing. Reincarnation into an otome game world, a protagonist who actively avoids romance in favor of getting ridiculously strong, and a villainess that needs saving? Count me in! Initially, I was hooked by the idea of a power fantasy that subverts the usual tropes.

What Works Well

There's a certain charm in the MC's dedication to self-improvement, even if it borders on obsession. I can appreciate that he's not just another dense protagonist blindly stumbling into a harem. He knows what's going on, and he actively chooses a different path. Some readers seem to have enjoyed the villainess character and the familial love that the MC has. The initial concept of the story and the world has potential.

Areas of Concern

However, the execution is where things start to fall apart. The biggest issue, for me, is the pacing. The MC becomes overpowered incredibly quickly, and the story then focuses on dungeon diving, which, while potentially exciting, becomes repetitive and frankly, boring. The otome game aspect, which is a significant part of the title, feels almost like an afterthought.

The characters, outside of the MC's immediate family, felt a little flat. The harem aspect, while present, is handled in a way that can feel frustrating. He repeatedly tells the girls he doesn't understand love and only sees them as friends, while the girls continue to throw themselves at him.

The translation has some consistency issues, with the translator mistaking people's names and occasionally writing word salads.

Final Verdict

"I, Who Was Reincarnated as the Target of a Otome Game..." had the potential to be a fun, trope-subverting power fantasy. However, the slow pacing, repetitive dungeon diving, and somewhat shallow character development ultimately hold it back. If you're looking for a light read with an overpowered protagonist and don't mind a story that meanders, this might be worth a try. But if you're expecting a compelling otome game narrative or intricate character development, you might be disappointed. I'm giving it a 2.5/5. It's not terrible, but it could be so much more.