In Next Life Novels & Stories

The web novel 'In My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!'—often shortened to 'In My Next Life'—is a hilarious isekai twist where the protagonist, Catarina Claes, gets reborn into the world of an otome game she played before her untimely death. But here’s the catch: she realizes she’s now the game’s villainess, destined for exile or death in every possible storyline! The plot kicks off with Catarina, as a child, recalling her past life and the game’s tragic endings for her character. Instead of resigning herself to fate, she decides to rewrite her destiny by befriending every potential love interest and rival, turning the game’s tropes upside down.

What makes this story so charming is Catarina’s obliviousness to the chaos she creates. Her earnest, food-loving, and slightly dense personality accidentally wins over everyone around her, from the game’s original heroine to the brooding love interests. The plot isn’t just about avoiding doom—it’s a slice-of-life comedy with romantic undertones, as Catarina’s harem grows without her even realizing it. The light novels and anime adaptation expand on her misadventures, like her farming obsession (a survival tactic gone wholesome) and her utter confusion when characters fall for her. It’s a refreshing take on isekai where the 'villainess' isn’t just redeemed but becomes the heart of the story.

I stumbled upon 'In the Next Life' during a random bookstore crawl, and its premise hooked me instantly. It's a speculative fiction novel that explores reincarnation with a twist—rather than a linear progression, souls 'loop' through parallel lives, each influenced by choices from past iterations. The protagonist, a disillusioned artist, starts remembering fragments of other lives after a near-death experience. The narrative shifts between their current struggles (creative burnout, a failing relationship) and vivid flashes of alternate selves—a medieval apothecary, a climate scientist in a dystopian future, even a sentient AI. What gripped me was how the author wove existential questions into intimate moments: a conversation about regret over burnt toast suddenly mirrors a life-altering decision from a past loop.

The book’s structure feels like solving a puzzle where every chapter adds a piece. By the midpoint, you realize the 'next life' isn’t just about death—it’s about the tiny rebirths we undergo daily. The ending left me staring at my ceiling for hours, wondering if my 'past selves' would approve of my coffee choices today.

The light novel series 'In My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!' by Satoru Yamaguchi has indeed expanded beyond its original run! After the first arc wrapped up, the author continued with a sequel series titled 'In My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! ~Pirates of the Disturbance~', which picks up with Catarina Claes navigating new chaotic adventures. The sequel retains the same hilarious misunderstandings and romantic entanglements but throws in fresh settings like high seas escapades and pirate shenanigans. The anime adaptation even teased this direction in its second season, though it hasn’t fully adapted the sequel yet.

What’s fascinating is how the sequel deepens the lore—characters from the original get more development, and new faces like the charming pirate Rodrick add spice to the mix. The manga adaptation of the sequel is also underway, with gorgeous art that captures the swashbuckling energy perfectly. If you loved the original’s mix of isekai tropes and reverse-harem comedy, the sequel delivers more of that signature chaos. I’ve been savoring each new volume; it’s like reuniting with old friends who somehow keep topping their own absurdity.