#i favor the villainess

[elainiisms]

[ladyloveandjustice]

I'm really glad the anime kept this in. I was worried they might not. This is the turning point for I'm in Love with the Villainess, where it becomes clear it's not just a silly isekai comedy, but a story that also earnestly discusses queer issues.

It's still fairly unusual for the kind of yuri that gets adapted to anime to outright have characters say "I'm gay", so the fact Rae frankly discusses her sexuality here is refreshing-- but on top of that, the show goes on to directly challenge homophobia.

Rae's behavior with Claire before this has been inappropriate (and they really should have toned it down in adaptations to make this convo work better, but alas) and that is acknowledged here. However, Claire moving away from Rae specifically because Rae states that she's gay is what's pointed out wrong, and the stereotype of "lesbians just can't control themselves and will creep on every woman they meet" is pointed out as wrong. This is a common stereotype that persists pretty much everywhere--the idea that it isn't "safe" for women to be around lesbians--and it is valuable that it's called out here. Gay people aren't more likely to be predatory that straight people, and that's something everyone should get through their heads.

What's more, the idea of "oh she's not gay or bi she just happened to fall in love with a woman" or "it's just a love that transcends gender" isn't a super common stereotype in the US and a lot of other countries, but it is one that pops up constantly in anime and manga, because it's seen as somehow "more okay" for a character to kiss girls if she goes out of her way to say it doesn't make her a lesbian or bi/pan. (In the novel Rae does internally mention that bisexual people exist, btw, but she's just not one of them).

So Rae bluntly saying "no gender does matter to me. I'm a lesbian. I'm only attracted to women" is refreshing. "Oh she just fell in love with that one special girl, no reflection on her sexuality whatsoever" being called out as it's own form of prejudice is a pretty big deal.

[fanjiansaa]

iminlovewiththevillainess.jpg

[dancinglifeboat]

IILWTW as text posts<3 Pt1/?

[yonae]

"Since we have this opportunity, why don't we go explore the fair? I'll do my very best to escort you."

[lostacelonnie]

It Has Been Animated.................

[jjs-brainrot]

Finally... I have them all...

The Question Collection

[cyhaino]

"Congratulations to you, Ms. Claire."

[lampbroby]

I redrew the volume 2 alternative cover because im so sane and normal

Original below!

[nakamatoo]

I'm in love with a villainess legit having one of the best gay representations by having Rae explain the importance of differentiating between liking someone regardless of gender and acknowledging that sometimes gender does play a huge role in terms of personal attraction towards someone. Rae flat out saying " I know I am gay and that I will never be attracted to men" is just so important to me and it makes me love her character even more.

[paradiseyuri]

Created by : ☆nyoro☆ Respective credits to the creator ⓟⒶⓇⒶⒹⒾⓈⒺ♡ⓎⓊⓇⒾ

[tgvelvet]

Dads after getting a pet they didn't want

[ladyloveandjustice]

This is also the point of the story where Rae's character deepens a whole lot. Her behavior with Claire has been over the top and at times deeply inappropriate. But in a way, that's a defense mechanism for her. Because she's so used to being rejected for her sexuality, she's given up on earnestly pursuing Claire from the beginning. She doesn't think she has a shot and she doesn't want to risk being rejected. However, if she's loud and obnoxious about her love for Claire, the inevitable rejection doesn't hurt so much. She makes it so Claire's rejecting her for being a weirdo, not because she's gay. Claire's rejecting her over the top declarations of love and cries of "step on me harder", not her real earnest feelings. It's so much easier to make a joke out of her love. That way, when everyone laughs at it and dismisses it, it doesn't hurt...and she can still be honest about who she is and stay around Claire without any of that heartbreak and awkwardness that destroyed relationships the other times she confessed her love.

In the original novel (and this was originally taken out of the 7seas translation for whatever reason) she even compares herself to some gay Japanese celebrities that might play up gay stereotypes for the media, saying it's easier to laugh at yourself than to be hated and rejected, and that goes for her too.

It doesn't excuse her previous behavior, but it does give it some context and introduces an interesting character flaw Rae will have to struggle with-- if she's already "given up" on Claire, how can their relationship move forward? Can she actually face her real feelings and actually put herself out there? Can she let herself be vulnerable and actually try to win Claire's heart?

[mimikyuno]

sorry for the long clip but this whole scene needs to be in a yuri museum

[toxins-very-gay-thoughts]

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗ wives ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

[yonae]