Reincarnated as the Hated Villainous Prince, I Thought I Could Live Freely in This Life, but Unconsciously Acted Like a Saint ~Trying to Create an Evil Kingdom, but for Some Reason I’m Highly Respected by Everyone~

My Thoughts on Reincarnated as the Hated Villainous Prince, I Thought I Could Live Freely in This Life, but Unconsciously Acted Like a Saint Trying to Create an Evil Kingdom, but for Some Reason I’m Highly Respected by Everyone

Okay, let's dive into this long titled web novel. "Reincarnated as the Hated Villainous Prince..." you know the one. It definitely hooked me with its premise – a reincarnation story where the protagonist aims to be a true villain but hilariously fails at every turn, accidentally becoming a saint instead. The core concept is ripe for comedy and some interesting world-building.

First Impressions

Right off the bat, I was intrigued. The idea of a protagonist who thinks he's crafting an evil empire while inadvertently doing good deeds is genuinely funny. I was expecting a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor and maybe some clever subversions of the typical isekai tropes. The tags also promised a strong protagonist from the start, which is always a plus.

What Works Well

The core of the story – the misunderstandings and the protagonist's constant failure to be evil – is genuinely entertaining. The author clearly has a knack for comedic timing, and the situations the protagonist finds himself in are often absurd and laugh-out-loud funny. I also appreciated the multiple points of view, which allowed for a broader understanding of the world and the impact of the protagonist's actions (or rather, misinterpretations). The world-building is also decent, with the elements of sword and magic and the inclusion of elves adding a classic fantasy feel.

Areas of Concern

My biggest issue lies with the protagonist's supposed "villainous" nature. While the story hinges on him trying to be evil, his actions often feel…well, not very villainous. I feel like he's more talk than action, which can be a bit frustrating. I wanted to see more genuine attempts at villainy, even if they ultimately backfire. This disconnect makes it difficult to fully invest in his character and his supposed goals. The harem aspect, while present, doesn't feel particularly well-integrated either.

Final Verdict

"Reincarnated as the Hated Villainous Prince..." has a lot of potential. The comedic premise is strong, and the misunderstandings are genuinely funny. However, the protagonist's lack of actual villainy and the somewhat underdeveloped harem elements hold it back. If you're looking for a lighthearted, comedic read with a unique twist on the isekai genre, this might be worth checking out. Just don't expect a truly evil protagonist. I'd give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.