The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor Season 1: A Whimsical Yet Polarizing Time-Travel Rom-Com

The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor (Japanese: Yarinaoshi Reijō wa Ryūtei Heika o Kōryaku-chū), a Fall 2024 anime adapted from Sarasa Nagase’s light novel series, is a chaotic blend of shoujo romance, fantasy, and time-travel comedy that both captivates and unsettles. Produced by J.C.Staff, Season 1 (airing October 9 to December 25, 2024) introduces viewers to a vibrant world of dragons, political intrigue, and a bold heroine determined to rewrite her tragic fate. However, its controversial age-gap romance and uneven pacing make it a divisive entry in the isekai and shoujo genres. This review dives into what makes the series unique, its strengths, its flaws, and why it’s worth a watch—despite its quirks.

A Fresh Spin on Time-Travel Tropes

The story follows Jill Savelle, a magically gifted noblewoman and warrior known as the “Lady Goddess of War.” Betrayed by her fiancé, Crown Prince Gerald der Kratos, and framed as a traitor, Jill meets a grim end at 16. In a twist of fate, she awakens six years in the past, now a 10-year-old, at the moment of her engagement to Gerald. Determined to avoid her doomed path, Jill impulsively proposes to Hadis Teos Rave, the 19-year-old Dragon Emperor of the rival Rave Empire, who was her enemy in her original timeline. To her surprise, Hadis accepts, sparking an unexpected partnership that blends romance, comedy, and a mission to prevent Hadis’s descent into madness.

What sets The Do-Over Damsel apart from other time-travel anime is its shoujo lens. Unlike heavyweights like Re:Zero or Steins;Gate, which focus on intricate time mechanics, this series prioritizes emotional stakes and romantic chemistry over temporal complexity. Jill’s time leap isn’t a repeatable mechanic but a singular second chance, grounding the narrative in her personal growth and relationships. The premise of a battle-hardened heroine choosing her kingdom’s greatest enemy as her ally is inherently juicy, offering a mix of enemies-to-lovers tension and fish-out-of-water humor.

Strengths: A Vibrant Heroine and Playful Chemistry

Jill Savelle is the heart of the series, and her dynamic personality makes her one of its strongest assets. Voiced by Shû Uchida, Jill is a delightful contradiction: a magically overpowered 10-year-old with the mind of a battle-scarred 16-year-old, blending snarky wit, strategic cunning, and an endearing obsession with food. Her proactive nature—whether she’s punching dragons or infiltrating knight orders—sets her apart from passive shoujo leads. Her resolve to “reform” Hadis and rewrite history feels empowering, and her expressive reactions to the absurdity around her keep the tone light.

Hadis, voiced by Kikunosuke Toya, is equally compelling. Far from the tyrannical figure of Jill’s memories, this younger Hadis is a sheltered, dorky emperor who bakes cakes and fawns over Jill with puppy-like devotion. His duality—oscillating between wholesome homemaker and potentially ruthless ruler—adds depth, hinting at the tragic future Jill aims to prevent. Their chemistry, fueled by Hadis’s earnest affection and Jill’s exasperated attempts to keep him in check, creates moments of genuine warmth and humor. The series leans into farce, with Hadis’s domestic antics (like cooking for Jill) subverting his fearsome reputation, making their dynamic both chaotic and endearing.

J.C.Staff’s animation elevates the experience, particularly in the early episodes. Episode 1 dazzles with dynamic cuts, vibrant character designs by Sana Komatsu, and creative visual flourishes like on-screen text and exaggerated expressions that amplify the comedic tone. The opening theme, “Awaku Kasuka” by sajou no hana, and ending theme, “Gradation” by HaNaTan, complement the series’ whimsical yet emotional vibe. The sound design, from dragon roars to clashing swords, enhances the action-packed moments, making scenes feel more impactful.

Unique Elements: A Farce with Depth

The Do-Over Damsel stands out for its bold embrace of absurdity. The series doesn’t shy away from its outrageous premise—a 10-year-old proposing to a 19-year-old emperor—and plays it for laughs, with characters frequently poking fun at the age gap. This self-awareness, particularly in later episodes, helps mitigate some discomfort, framing the romance as a comedic farce rather than a serious love story. The inclusion of a cute dragon only Jill and Hadis can see adds a quirky, fantastical layer, tying into the lore of Hadis’s curse and the divine forces at play.

The series also weaves in political intrigue and world-building that enrich the narrative. The Rave Empire and Kratos Kingdom are embroiled in complex power struggles, with betrayals, false royals, and divine machinations driving the plot. Jill’s mission to save Hadis involves navigating these conflicts, from infiltrating the Dragon Knights to confronting Gerald’s schemes. The exploration of Hadis’s curse—linked to a dragon god and a yandere goddess—adds a mythological depth that hints at larger stakes for future seasons.

Flaws: Pacing and a Controversial Romance

Despite its strengths, The Do-Over Damsel stumbles in execution. The pacing is a rollercoaster, often described as running at “1.5x speed.” Early episodes blitz through setup and world-building, which can feel disorienting, while later episodes slow down with exposition dumps that disrupt the flow. This inconsistency makes it hard to fully invest in the political or emotional stakes at times.

The elephant in the room is the age-gap romance. Jill, physically 10 but mentally 16, and Hadis, 19, create a dynamic that’s intentionally played for laughs but remains deeply uncomfortable for many viewers. The series attempts to justify this with in-universe explanations—Hadis must marry a girl under 14 to avoid possession by a goddess—but these feel like flimsy excuses. Critics argue the age gap could have been adjusted (e.g., making Jill 13 or Hadis younger) to lessen the unease without altering the story’s core. The narrative’s insistence on doubling down on this controversial element, seemingly to provoke reactions, alienates some audiences, especially when coupled with other taboo themes like Gerald’s implied incestuous behavior.

Additionally, the series struggles with character development for its supporting cast. Gerald is a one-dimensional villain, and other characters, like the Rave family or Dragon Knights, feel underutilized, serving as plot devices rather than fully realized figures. This limits the emotional weight of betrayals and alliances, making some plot twists feel contrived.

Reception: A Polarized Response

Fan reactions are split. On platforms like MyAnimeList and Reddit, Jill’s badassery and the series’ humor earn praise, with some calling it a refreshing take on shoujo tropes. One reviewer dubbed it “Redo of Healer for females,” highlighting its appeal to fans of strong female leads and chaotic romance. However, the age-gap issue dominates criticism, with some dropping the series after a few episodes, labeling it “horrid” or “pedo bait.” Others defend it, arguing that the fantasy setting and Jill’s mental maturity mitigate the discomfort, and the farce-like tone makes it clear the romance isn’t meant to be taken too seriously.

Animation quality also draws mixed feedback. While early episodes impress, later ones show a dip in consistency, with some fans noting that the fast-paced plot sacrifices visual polish. Still, the voice acting and music remain consistent highlights, keeping viewers engaged even during slower moments.

Why It’s Worth Watching

Despite its flaws, The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor Season 1 is a unique addition to the Fall 2024 lineup. Its blend of shoujo romance, time-travel fantasy, and farcical comedy sets it apart from more conventional isekai or romance anime. Jill’s strength and Hadis’s quirky charm make for an engaging duo, and the series’ willingness to lean into its absurdity—dragons, divine curses, and all—creates a chaotic, entertaining ride. For fans of I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss (another Nagase work), the mix of humor, romance, and political drama will feel familiar yet fresh.

However, the age-gap romance and uneven pacing may be dealbreakers for some. Viewers sensitive to problematic tropes should approach with caution, though the series’ self-aware humor helps soften the blow. Those who can overlook its controversies will find a fun, if flawed, story with a lot of heart.

Final Verdict: A Guilty Pleasure with Potential

The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor Season 1 is a bold, messy, and undeniably unique anime that swings big and doesn’t always hit. Its strong heroine, playful chemistry, and vibrant animation make it a standout, but its controversial romance and pacing issues hold it back from greatness. It’s a guilty pleasure best suited for fans of shoujo and isekai who don’t mind a bit of discomfort for the sake of a wild ride. With hints of deeper lore and unresolved conflicts, Season 2 (yet to be confirmed as of July 2025) could refine its formula—if it learns from its missteps.

Rating: 7/10
Stream it on Crunchyroll and decide for yourself if Jill’s do-over is worth rooting for.

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Sources: This review draws on information from web sources, including Wikipedia, MyAnimeList, IMDb, and community discussions on Reddit and Anime-Planet, as well as critical reviews from sites like Draggle’s Anime Blog and Beneath the Tangles. All opinions are critically evaluated to provide a balanced perspective.