Akuyaku Reijou Tensei Oji-san

From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad's Been Reincarnated!

Characters

Grace Auvergne

MAIN

Anna Doll

MAIN

Leopold Auvergne

SUPPORTING

Josette

SUPPORTING

Virgile Vierge

SUPPORTING

Francette Mercure

SUPPORTING

Auguste Lion

SUPPORTING

Hinako Tondabayashi

SUPPORTING

Richard Verseau

SUPPORTING

Mitsuko Tondabayashi

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Pierre Gemeaux

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Garnet

SUPPORTING

Lambert Balance

SUPPORTING

Gakuen-chou

SUPPORTING

Lucas Vierge

SUPPORTING

Narrator

BACKGROUND

From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! Season 1 – A Heartwarming Twist on the Isekai Genre

By SON HAK, AnimeXSub Enthusiast

When you think of isekai anime, you might imagine a young otaku or a disillusioned teen being whisked away to a fantasy world. But From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! flips the script with a delightful premise: a 52-year-old Japanese bureaucrat, Kenzaburo Tondabayashi, finds himself reincarnated as the villainess of his daughter’s favorite otome game. Season 1 of this quirky, heartwarming series, which aired from January 10 to March 28, 2025, on the Super Animeism Turbo block, delivers a fresh take on the villainess isekai subgenre with humor, charm, and unexpected depth.

A Unique Premise with Big Dad Energy

Based on Michiro Ueyama’s manga, serialized in Shōnen Gahōsha’s Young King Ours GH since March 2020, the anime follows Kenzaburo, a disciplined civil servant who dies in a tragic accident after saving a boy from a truck. Instead of the afterlife, he wakes up in the body of Grace Auvergne, the haughty, drill-haired villainess of Magical Academy: Love & Beast, an otome game he barely understands. Unfamiliar with the romantic intricacies of the genre, Kenzaburo tries to play the part of the cruel, aristocratic Grace, but his polite demeanor, fatherly instincts, and bureaucratic efficiency keep getting in the way.

What makes this series stand out is Kenzaburo’s earnest attempt to navigate the game’s storyline while inadvertently rewriting it. His “Elegance Cheat” skill turns every action into a graceful display, making Grace the most admired student at the academy instead of a despised rival. Rather than antagonizing the game’s heroine, Anna Doll, Kenzaburo treats her like a daughter, forging an unlikely friendship that defies the original plot. This dynamic, combined with Kenzaburo’s wholesome “dad energy,” creates a narrative that’s as heartwarming as it is hilarious.

A Cast of Endearing Characters

The voice acting, led by Kazuhiko Inoue as Kenzaburo and M.A.O as Grace, brings the characters to life with perfect comedic timing and emotional nuance. Anna Doll, voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa, shines as the game’s plucky heroine who benefits from Grace’s newfound kindness. The student council, including Virgile Vierge (Kaito Ishikawa), Grace’s fiancé and the crown prince, and Richard Verseau (Yūichirō Umehara), the vice president, add layers of charm and romantic tension—though Kenzaburo’s obliviousness to “love flags” keeps the focus on humor over romance.

Outside the game world, Kenzaburo’s otaku daughter, Hinako (voiced by Ayaka Asai), and wife, Mitsuko (Takako Honda), play a crucial role. They discover Kenzaburo’s consciousness is trapped in the game and work to guide him by controlling Orion, Grace’s familiar. Their efforts to bring him back from his real-world coma add an emotional undercurrent to the series, grounding the fantasy in a relatable family dynamic.

Animation and Music That Pop

Produced by Ajiado Animation Works and directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi, From Bureaucrat to Villainess boasts vibrant visuals that capture the otome game aesthetic—think sparkling backgrounds and elegant character designs by Haruka Matsunae. The monster designs by Yuki Miyamoto add a touch of whimsy, especially during scenes involving the students’ familiars. The music, composed by Natsumi Tabuchi and others, complements the show’s lighthearted tone, with the opening theme earning praise from fans on social media for its “peak” energy.

The series doesn’t take itself too seriously, leaning into its comedic premise without overdoing the dramatics. As one IMDb reviewer noted, “The show doesn’t try to take itself seriously and that’s what makes it so much fun to watch.” The pacing, however, picks up significantly during the School Festival arc, covering roughly four manga volumes by the season’s end (up to Volume 5, Chapter 29).

Unanswered Questions and a “Soft” Ending

While Season 1 wraps up with a satisfying “soft” ending centered on the student council’s play, it leaves several mysteries unresolved, fueling speculation for a potential second season. Fans are particularly curious about the original Grace, who appears trapped in a birdcage within her own mind, hinting at a deeper magical force at play. The orb, possibly a fairy, and its connection to Kenzaburo’s reincarnation remains a tantalizing puzzle. Additionally, the backstories of Grace’s mother, Jacqueline Auvergne, and Anna’s mother, Audrey Doll, suggest hidden noble ties and magical secrets that could reshape the narrative.

As Otaku USA pointed out, the series raises intriguing questions: What happened to the real Grace to make her so cruel? Who or what orchestrated Kenzaburo’s reincarnation? And how will his family’s efforts to bring him back tie into the game’s outcome? These loose ends, combined with the show’s fresh take on the villainess trope, have fans clamoring for more.

Why It’s a Must-Watch

From Bureaucrat to Villainess Season 1 is a standout in the crowded isekai landscape, blending humor, heart, and a subversive take on otome game tropes. Kenzaburo’s journey as a middle-aged man in a young noblewoman’s body is both absurd and endearing, offering a refreshing perspective on reincarnation stories. As Anime Feminist put it, “This might just be the best villainess isekai anime we’ve had in years.”

Available for streaming on HIDIVE, Crunchyroll, and Amazon Prime Video, the 12-episode season is a breezy, feel-good watch that appeals to fans of My Next Life as a Villainess and anyone who loves a good fish-out-of-water comedy. While there’s no official word on a second season, the manga’s ongoing run (with eight volumes as of March 2025) suggests more adventures await—though the anime may need to wait for additional source material.

Whether you’re drawn to the quirky premise, the lovable characters, or the tantalizing mysteries, From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! Season 1 is a delightful romp that proves even a bureaucrat can steal the spotlight as a villainess. Here’s hoping we see Kenzaburo and his newfound friends return to continue rewriting the game’s rules!

Where to Watch: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Rating: 7.2/10 (MyAnimeList, based on 75 user ratings)
Recommendation: Perfect for fans of isekai, comedy, and villainess redemption stories.

Have you watched Season 1? What did you think of Kenzaburo’s villainess glow-up? Let us know in the comments!