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Villainess Level 99
Villainess Level 99
Villainess Level 99
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Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord
First light novel volume cover
悪役令嬢レベル99　～私は裏ボスですが魔王ではありません～
(Akuyaku Reijou Reberu 99: Watashi wa Ura Bosudesuga Maou de wa Arimasen)
GenreFantasy, Isekai[1]
Novel series
Written bySatori Tanabata
Published byShōsetsuka ni Narō
Original runJune 15, 2018 – present
Light novel
Written bySatori Tanabata
Illustrated byTea
Published byFujimi Shobo
English publisher
ImprintKadokawa Books
Original runMay 10, 2019 – present
Volumes6
Manga
Written bySatori Tanabata
Illustrated byNokomi
Published byEnterbrain
English publisher
  • NA: One Peace Books
MagazineB's Log Comic
Original runFebruary 5, 2020 – present
Volumes5
Anime television series
Directed byMinoru Yamaoka
Written byFumihiko Shimo
Music byKana Utatane
StudioJumondou
Licensed by
Original networkTokyo MX, MBS, BS11, AT-X
English network
Original run January 9, 2024 – March 26, 2024
Episodes12
icon Anime and manga portal

Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord[a] is a Japanese light novel series written by Satori Tanabata with illustrations by Tea. It initially began serialization as a web novel published on the user-generated novel publishing site Shōsetsuka ni Narō in June 2018. It was then acquired by Fujimi Shobo who began to publish it as a light novel under their Kadokawa Books imprint in May 2019. A manga adaptation illustrated by Nokomi began serialization in Enterbrain's B's Log Comic magazine in February 2020. An anime television series adaptation produced by Jumondou aired from January to March 2024.

Premise

[edit]

Yumiella Dolkness was a college student who reincarnated into another world after dying in an accident. Unfortunately for her, she is now in a world where her dark hair and dark magic are reviled and feared by the country. Yumiella recognizes her new self as the secret boss of an otome RPG, Light Magic and the Hero, which she played before she died. Hoping for a peaceful life away from her absent family, she decides to level grind in order to survive, spending her childhood doing so. However, upon entering the country's academy at age fifteen, Yumiella discovers that she went overboard; Level 10 was the highest expected from students, but she maxed out at Level 99, making her the most powerful person in the country. With her plans turned upside-down, Yumiella must navigate everyone's wariness and the country's politics to find her place in the world and join the original game's heroes in defeating the Demon Lord, all while attempting to dispel the negative preconceptions regarding her dark hair and magic.

Characters

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Main characters

[edit]
Yumiella Dolkness (ユミエラ・ドルクネス, Yumiera Dorukunesu)
Voiced by: Fairouz Ai (drama CD, voice comic, anime)[2][3]
The main character. She was a Japanese college student who died in an accident and reincarnated as the secret boss of the otome game following the Demon Lord's defeat, possessing extremely powerful dark magic. She planned to live a peaceful life; however, her "gamer soul" became fired up after practicing using her powers in a dungeon and spent the remainder of her childhood level-grinding, becoming level 99 in the process. Yumiella attempts to befriend the game's original protagonist Alicia, but the capture targets keep interfering on most occasions, as they consider her a threat. She's intensely dedicated to her method of leveling up, and has trouble expressing herself or her feelings, but she means well and is quite kind-hearted. Yumeilla holds no loyalty to the kingdom (having no interest in politics) nor her family (who shunned and ignored her); only having a bond with Patrick, which later develops into romantic feelings.
Patrick Ashbatten (パトリック・アッシュバトン, Patorikku Asshubaton)
Voiced by: Yuma Uchida (drama CD, voice comic, anime)[2][3]
The son of a lord on the frontier, who is quite good at wind magic. He is a childhood friend of Prince Edwin and one of the only students who didn't fear Yumiella. At first, he approached her after realizing her peculiar method of doing things is going to get herself or others killed. He soon develops feelings for her, but isn't able to get them across for the longest time. He does later become Level 99 like Yumiella, meeting her (fake) standard for a marriage partner.
Patrick is the straight man in the story's comedy, who has to rein in Yumiella's asinine antics, though he has comedic moments of forgetting Yumiella is near-invincible and of being overprotective.
Ryu
Yumiella's pet dragon. Originally meant to found by Alicia during an event. Yumiella nurtured Ryu's egg with her dark magic, resulting in a full grown black dragon hatching within days. He's quite tamed and affectionate, acting more like a dog than a ferocious beast, but he's still feared by mostly everyone, except Yumiella, Patrick and Eleonora.
Yumiella affectionately refers to Ryu as her child, with Ryu considering her and Patrick his parents. He is fond of Eleonora for giving him sweets.
Alicia Ehnleit (アリシア・エンライト, Arishia Enraito)
Voiced by: Azumi Waki (drama CD, voice comic, anime)[2][3]
The heroine of the game. She is fearful of Yumiella, due to her weak level light magic making her perceive the latter as a dark smoke with glowing eyes; however, she soon began to warm up to her. Alicia attempts to meet Yumiella halfway in order to befriend her, but at some points, the capture targets block her due to their distrustfulness of Yumiella, even hindering Alicia from leveling up and gaining confidence.
Once Alicia finally levels up some, she finally is able to see Yumiella and finds her black hair beautiful.
Eleonora Hillrose (エレノーラ・ヒルローズ, Erenōra Hirurōzu)
Voiced by: Rina Hidaka[4]
The daughter of Duke Hillrose, the leader of the radical nobles. She initially approached Yumiella to have her join her faction, but ends up revealing herself to be a lovestruck, naïve girl hopelessly in love with Prince Edwin. Her "friends" use Eleonora as a scapegoat to pick on Alicia, though she is unaware that their actions are making her look bad in Prince Edwin's eyes. Like Patrick, she does not fear Yumiella and desires to be her friend.
Eleonora befriends Yumiella over their shared love of dragons and the fact that Yumiella is blunt with her opinions. Unfortunately, this makes Eleonora clingy whenever she has trouble; vexing Yumiella to no end.
Demon Lord
The game's final boss, whom Alicia will later fight in the future; however, Yumiella is ultimately the one to defeat him. He seeks revenge against the royal lineage for being sealed; he has no aspirations for world domination.
In truth, he and the saint were generals who helped win the war that founded the kingdom. He was betrayed and vilified by the king and saint, causing the prejudice against people with dark magic; to keep anyone like him from being a threat.

Capture targets

[edit]

The original love interests of the otome game. Unlike the original Light Magic and the Hero, they are very stuck up and immediately flock to Alicia, thinking Yumiella cheated on the level test and constantly antagonize her and even prevent her from interacting with Alicia (there are some occasions where they are unable to interfere); however, they soon begin to warm up to her. While harassing her over her level, the boys inadvertently revealed the state secret about the Demon Lord's revival to the public. Because of their quick, but coddling relationship with Alicia, she is falling behind and unprepared to face the Demon Lord, which is partly why Yumiella is chosen to join them as a party to defeat the Demon Lord.

Edwin Valschein (エドウィン・バルシャイン, Edōwin Barushain)
Voiced by: Taku Yashiro (drama CD, voice comic, anime)[2][3]
The second prince of the kingdom. He is a magic swordsman able to wield the four classical elements (fire, wind, earth, and water). At the start, he attempts to get Yumiella expelled for lying about her level 99, unaware that she curbstomped the other two love interests beforehand. Once she demonstrated her ultimate black hole spell, he gave up and focused exclusively on wooing Alicia, but still bears a degree of resentment towards Yumiella. Unlike the others, he eventually sees that mistreating and distrusting Yumiella was foolish after learning of her true character from his childhood friend Patrick who got close to her (Edwin himself even giving blessing for their relationship), but is unable to sway the others from not harassing her; however, they soon begin to change their perspective of her.
Oswald Grimsarde (オズワルド・グリムザード, Ozuwarudo Gurimuzādo)
Voiced by: Kōhei Amasaki (voice comic, anime)[2][3]
A magic prodigy, able to wield the four classical elements even better than Edwin can. Yumiella gave him an inferiority complex by destroying a target dummy Oswald could only put a dent in, leading him to swear revenge. However, his resentment of Yumiella begins to fade as the story progresses.
William Ares (ウィリアム・アレス, Wiriamu Aresu)
Voiced by: Haruki Ishiya (voice comic, anime)[2][3]
A master swordsman who also doesn't believe that Yumiella is level 99. He constantly challenged Yumiella to fights despite being outclassed. He even believed she was the Demon Lord at first, thinking she would commit wicked deeds in the future, despite the fact that it was confirmed that she definitely wasn't due to the Demon Lord being a man. As the story progresses, he slowly loses his dislike of Yumiella.

Other characters

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Duke Hillrose
The leader of a group of radical nobles who oppose the King. He is Eleonora's father.
Rita
A maid who works for Yumiella at her house. She doesn't hold much distance towards her mistress, but is annoyed with her harebrained thinking. She attempted to poison Yumiella, under threat; it doesn't work due to her level giving high resistance.
After Yumiella puts an end to the threat, Rita swears undying loyalty to her alone.
Sara
Rita's younger sister, who is held hostage by Count Dolkness to force Rita to poison his daughter. Yumiella soon rescues her and hired her to help Rita.
Ronald
The school principal, who took over on the King's orders after the Headmaster resigned. Unlike the Headmaster, he is supportive of Yumiella.
Jessica Monford
A student who once requested Yumiella for her help in saving her town from a dragon.
Baron Monford
Jessica's father.
Linus
A spy from the Kingdom of Remlest who once tried to get Yumiella to move to his kingdom; largely due to his superiors not taking a hint. However, he gave up when Yumiella bluntly points out she doesn't care for wealth or status.
He unintentionally revealed to Yumiella that the Demon King is solely a threat to the kingdom.
Captain Adolf
A general who works for the King.
Count Dolkness
Yumiella's father, who despises his daughter along with his wife. He hired assassins to go after Yumiella for seemingly joining the King's faction, but wasn't aware she was Level 99; thinking they were just incompetent.
Yumiella threatened him and her mother into house arrest in Dolkness territory; bluffing she would kill them with Black Hole.
Headmaster
The former unnamed school principal who, like Edwin, is doubtful of Yumiella and threatens to expel her unless she proves that she's at level 99. After she does so, he eventually decided to resign and his role is taken over by Ronald.
King
The Kingdom's ruler and Edwin's father. Unlike his son, he is more supportive of Yumiella and intends to use her to help in their fight against the Demon Lord. Yumiella pretends to agree as she really isn't interested in serving him.
Queen
The King's wife and Edwin's mother. Like her husband, she is more respectful to Yumiella. Yumiella attends tea parties held by the queen, whom bribes her with yummy sweets.

Media

[edit]

Light novel

[edit]

Written by Satori Tanabata, the series began serialization as a web novel on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on June 15, 2018. It was later acquired by Fujimi Shobo, which began publishing it as a light novel with illustrations by Tea under their Kadokawa Books imprint on May 10, 2019. It has been collected in six volumes as of January 2024. The series is licensed in English by J-Novel Club.[5]

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1May 10, 2019[6]978-4-04-073172-8May 29, 2023[1]978-1-71-838062-2
2November 9, 2019[7]978-4-04-073379-1September 11, 2023[1]978-1-71-838064-6
3May 9, 2020[8]978-4-04-073642-6November 24, 2023[1]978-1-71-838066-0
4April 9, 2021[9]978-4-04-073862-8February 22, 2024[1]978-1-71-838068-4
5June 10, 2022[10]978-4-04-074407-0May 30, 2024[1]978-1-71-838070-7
6January 10, 2024[11]978-4-04-075251-8July 31, 2024[1]978-1-71-838072-1

Manga

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A manga adaptation illustrated by Nokomi began serialization in Enterbrain's B's Log Comic magazine on February 5, 2020.[12] It has been collected in five volumes as of August 2025. The manga series is licensed in English by One Peace Books.

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1October 1, 2020[13]978-4-0473-6216-1August 15, 2023[14]978-1-6427-3302-0
2November 1, 2021[15][16]978-4-0473-6681-7
978-4-0473-6793-7 (SE)		January 16, 2024[17]978-1-6427-3303-7
3February 1, 2023[18]978-4-0473-7355-6June 18, 2024[19]978-1-6427-3329-7
4March 1, 2024[20]978-4-0473-7808-7February 18, 2025[21]978-1-6427-3440-9
5August 1, 2025[22]978-4-0473-8536-8——

Anime

[edit]

An anime television series adaptation was announced on March 24, 2023.[23][24] It is produced by Jumondou and directed by Minoru Yamaoka, with scripts written by Fumihiko Shimo, character designs handled by Hitomi Kaiho and Lo Ho Kim, and music composed by Kana Utatane.[3] The series aired from January 9 to March 26, 2024, on AT-X and other networks.[25] The opening theme song is "Love or Hate?", performed by Mayu Maeshima, while the ending theme song is "Love on a Different Level" (好きがレベチ, Suki ga Rebechi), performed by Fairouz Ai and Rina Hidaka as their respective characters.[4] The first episode features an insert song titled "Ray of Light" performed by Hanatan, which serves as opening of Light Magic and the Hero.[26] Crunchyroll streamed the series.[27] Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia.[28]

Episodes

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No.Title [29][b]Directed by [29]Storyboarded by [29]Original release date [31]
1"The Hidden Boss Enrolls in the Academy"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Gakuen ni Nyūgaku Suru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、学園に入学する)		Shunji YoshidaMinoru YamaokaJanuary 9, 2024 (2024-01-09)
Alicia Ehnleit is late for her first day at the Royal Academy after using her light magic to heal an old lady. Because the gate cannot reopen, she is forced to use a hole in the wall to get in. She meets three guys, Oswald Grimsarde, William Ares, and prince Edwin Valschein. Later at orientation, she meets a girl whom she sees a strange dark aura around and who knows her name. It is then revealed that this is all an Otome RPG. The focus then switches to the other girl, Yumiella Darknet, who is the game's hidden boss. Her narration explains that she was a Japanese college student who was hit by a truck and reincarnated in the game's world as Yumiella. In her youth, Yumiella spent a lot of time level grinding. She realizes she doesn't know what her level is now. At orientation, the Academy instructors check all the student's levels. To everybody's shock, Yumiella is revealed to be Level 99.
2"The Hidden Boss Shows Her True Strength"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Jitsuryoku o Miseru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、実力を見せる)		Choi In-seop & Kim Cheng-deRyoji FujiwaraJanuary 16, 2024 (2024-01-16)
Nobody believes Yumiella is Level 99, even after checking it again. Yumiella decides to just own it and insists it's true while people start accusing her of cheating. She is harassed by Edwin and the captured targets, but she directs them to talk to Alicia. Later in a swordsmanship class, Yumiella faces William in a mock swordfight and sends him flying with one hit. Then in a magic class, the students take turns shooting a suit of armor with magic attacks. Yumiella disintegrates it with her dark magic. Edwin and the Headmaster arrive with expulsion paperwork, threatening to expel Yumiella unless she can prove she's truly Level 99. In response, Yumiella creates a black hole in the sky and then makes it disappear, leaving them traumatized.
3"The Hidden Boss Is Summoned to the Castle"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Oshiro ni Manekareru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、お城に招かれる)		Kiyoto NakajimaNagisa MiyazakiJanuary 23, 2024 (2024-01-23)
Following the black hole incident, Yumiella is summoned before the King and Queen, where she pledges her service to the Kingdom's defense after the knight captain Adolf challenges her to prove her strength. That's a lie, of course, as she thinks to herself that she's totally planning to flee the Kingdom if things ever go bad. Later, she meets the Queen in her chamber, who asks her to assist in defeating the Demon Lord who will be returning in two years (which she was preparing to do anyway), although it would be bad for the Royal Family's legitimacy if they aren't the ones to actually defeat him. She explains that there's an extremist faction working against the King, led by Duke Hillrose, and Yumiella's parents are part of it. Back at the Academy, the other girls begin to warm up to Yumiella as she starts getting marriage offers from several men, none of whom she's interested in. She also attracts the attention of Duke Hillrose's daughter, Eleonora. They become friends and after learning that she has a crush on Edwin, Yumiella agrees not to intervere as she has no interest in him. Later at lunch, Alicia approaches Yumiella and asks if she is the Demon Lord.
4"The Hidden Boss Attends Field Lessons"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Yagai Enshū ni Deru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、野外演習に出る)		Kenichiro WatanabeKenichiro WatanabeJanuary 30, 2024 (2024-01-30)
Yumiella denies being the Demon Lord, but the capture targets arrive and start accusing her of it, or at least of doing something evil. Yumiella chides them for being too weak to face the Demon Lord, and gives everyone present some advice on how to most efficiently level up. However, they all consider her advice insane and reckless and as a result, the girls all begin distancing themselves from her again. Yumiella starts to wonder if Alicia is also a reincarnated person from her world, but after observing her for a day, she concludes that's not the case at all. Later, while studying with Edwin, Alicia reveals that Yumiella doesn't look human to her; she sees Yumiella as some kind of shadowy entity. Animals also seem to be frightened by her. Yumiella meets the new principal; the previous having resigned presumably due to him underestimating Yumiella, who assigns her to oversee a field lesson where a bunch of students go out and fight monsters to level up. She and a male student, Patrick Ashbatten, discuss how to make the process more efficient. Yumiella uses her Monster-Calling Flute to summon more monsters for her classmates to fight, despite Patrick's protests. After the battle, she uses the Flute again, but uses a Dark Bind spell to immobilize the monsters so the students can kill them safely. One monster attacks Yumiella and Patrick blocks it, injuring his arm. Yumiella heals him with dark magic, admitting that dark magic healing looks really gross. Then she uses the Flute and Dark Bind several more times, to her classmates' chagrin.
5"The Hidden Boss Finds a Conversation Partner"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Hanashiaite ga Dekiru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、話し相手が出来る)		Yui KobeJames HongFebruary 6, 2024 (2024-02-06)
Yumiella starts spending more time with Patrick during training. Later, Yumiella starts wondering about the real Yumiella's motivations and reasons for having dark magic. Later, at another field lesson, Yumiella gets put on medic duty and told not to use the Flute again. Of course, she uses the Flute again after making the students choose between it or getting physically injured and healed with dark magic. She finds herself growing concerned about what Patrick thinks about her. Later, Alicia arrives and apologizes to Yumiella for thinking she was the Demon Lord. Edwin, having learned about her earlier actions using Flute and endangering the students, accuses her of being a threat to the Kingdom, but Patrick shows up and defends her actions. In response, Edwin leaves with Alicia. Yumiella realizes she wants to be friends with Patrick, but figures that might be asking too much.
6"The Hidden Boss Participates in the Martial Arts Competition"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Bujutsu Taikai ni Deru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、武術大会に出る)		Lee Ji-ho & Kim Cheng-deJames HongFebruary 13, 2024 (2024-02-13)
Yumiella spends the entire summer break practicing sword fighting with Patrick and giving advice to female students. At one point, she is able to talk to Alicia without the capture targets getting in the way. She gives Alicia advice on handling her light magic. Later, she and Patrick begin to spend more time with each other, which the other female students notice. After summer break ends, the Academy holds a martial arts tournament. Even though the real Yumiella didn't take part in it, she decides to enter it when she finds out the grand prize is an amulet that amplifies dark magic. Ronald allows her to, but it is revealed that he expected her to enter it in hopes of showing her off to the nobles in the audience; however, she is very well aware of his motive. As the competition begins, she discovers that the capture targets are also taking part in it. William, having been training for the entire summer break, reveals that he wants to be stronger than Captain Adolf. During the sword fighting portion, all of Yumiella's opponents withdraw, except for William, who fights her with a powerful sword, but she beats him by destroying his sword with a "Yumiella Punch"; Adolf is the only one who notices this. During the magic portion, Oswald is able to score a perfect 100 points, confident that Yumiella won't be able to beat him. Alicia also performs well thanks to Yumiella's advice, debuting her new spell, "Sun Rain". When it is Yumiella's turn, she uses the same black hole spell from earlier, but unintentionally creates a typhoon. The coach gives her 300 points just to get her to stop, making her the winner of the competition, to Oswald's dismay. Once the typhoon is gone, she is awarded the amulet, making her even more powerful than she was before.
7"The Hidden Boss Attempts Dancing"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Dansu ni Idomu" (Japanese: 裏ボス、ダンスに挑む)		Minoru YamaokaTetsuji NakamuraFebruary 20, 2024 (2024-02-20)
Close to the end of school year, students have once again been distancing themselves from Yumiella after the events of the martial arts tournament, except for Patrick. When Alicia's things go missing, Edwin accuses Yumiella, but Patrick defends her as there is no proof; Yumiella remembers that her real counterpart usually bullies Alicia. Later, Yumiella discovers that one of Eleonora's friends is the culprit, having been doing this without her knowing. She warns Eleonora to not let anyone know about this for the sake of her winning Edwin's heart. Yumiella later tells Patrick of her questionable decisions to help Alicia. Eleonora starts to follow Yumiella, annoying her so much that she tries several attempts to end her friendship with her, to no avail. Later, Yumiella at first does not wish to attend the upcoming party at the end of the year, but after remembering an event that involves Alicia spending time with one of the capture targets, she changes her mind. She reluctantly agrees to wear a dress at her maid and Eleonora's insistence. At the party, she dances with Patrick, who struggles to confess his feelings towards her, even after she turns down the offer of another man asking her to dance with him, as she tells him she is only into men that are stronger. Meanwhile, Alicia drags Edwin outside to view the stars together, leaving the other capture targets behind as they both go looking for them.
8"The Hidden Boss Meets a Dragon"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Doragon ni Deau" (Japanese: 裏ボス、ドラゴンに出会う)		Shunji YoshidaKoichi OhataFebruary 27, 2024 (2024-02-27)
Patrick tries to invite Yumiella on a date and she reluctantly agrees; it is revealed that Patrick has been training in the dungeons for some time to impress her. At the start of the second school year, Yumiella turns up with a strange egg. The episode then goes through a flashback that explains how she found it. Yumiella is approached by a student named Jessica Monford, who is meant to become one of Alicia's friends. She requests her help in dealing with a dragon that is threatening her town and Yumiella agrees. After meeting Jessica's father Baron Monoford, Yumiella goes with two of the Baron's guards. After finding the dragon, the guards hide, but Yumiella was able to easily defeat it, only for another one to appear. She defeats this dragon too. Entering their cave, she finds a dragon egg, ending the flashback. She tells Patrick about the egg, who then explains its purpose. It is revealed that the egg was originally meant to be found by Alicia. As she takes care of the egg, Alicia becomes more frightened of Yumiella. When the egg is about to hatch, she and Patrick go to her mansion. They name the baby dragon Ryu; its appearance and power frightens Patrick and Yumiella's maid while Yumiella bonds with it. Ryu grows bigger overnight and his presence scares many of the students, especially Edwin, who is humiliated when Ryu harmlessly bites him and vows revenge. Eleanora is however not scared of Ryu and also bonds with him. They then provide Ryu a home in the school's storehouse. As the students' fear of Yumiella increases, Patrick again fails to confess his feelings to Yumiella after learning that she is a bit scared of flying. She decides to take her first flight with Ryu, but soon lets herself freefall back on the school grounds, but not before sending Ryu back on his own. Patrick quickly takes her to the clinic despite her claims that she isn't hurt. A few days later, as Yumiella walks through town to buy supplies for Ryu, she is approached by a spy from the Kingdom of Remlest, who requests a private chat with her.
9"The Hidden Boss is Solicited by an Enemy Nation"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Tekkoku ni Kanyū Sareru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、敵国に勧誘される)		Yun Neung-tae & Kim Cheng-deJames HongMarch 5, 2024 (2024-03-05)
At a restaurant, the spy introduces himself as Linus and invites Yumiella to live in his kingdom after revealing that he had known a lot about her history, but she turns it down. They then notice that a group of soldiers, who have been tailing them, coming into the building, but they escape. Yumiella later talks to Patrick about their relationship and helps Eleanora pass a make-up exam. Patrick then spends his time fighting in the dungeons, which leads Yumiella to believe that he already has a girlfriend. After Edwin talks to Patrick, he apologizes to Yumiella for his antagonism. Ronald tells Yumiella that Edwin has changed his opinion on her due to talking to Patrick, since they are both princes of their country. He also informs her that Alicia hasn't been able to level up thanks to the capture targets, so she invites Alicia to train in the dungeons with her, but she declines out of fear and leaves. The next day, Alicia has disappeared and the capture targets believe that she was kidnapped. Alicia is then seen walking into the woods, seemly in a trance.
10"The Hidden Boss Enters a Dungeon"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Danjon ni Moguru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、ダンジョンにもぐる)		Yui KobeTetsuji NakamuraMarch 12, 2024 (2024-03-12)
Yumiella and Ryu find Alicia and bring her back to her senses. She explains that something keeps taking control of her body and makes her do things without her thinking about it, such as enrolling in the Academy, showing off her Sun Rain spell at the tournament, and taking Edwin outside at the dance. Yumiella realizes that these were all important events to the game's plot, and surmises that since Alicia is the protagonist of the game, the world itself is making her play out the important parts of the plot. Since the world now wants Alicia to level up, Yumiella takes her to that dark-type dungeon. They are denied entry, but Ryu scares away the guards, allowing them to pass. Alicia struggles to make her way through the dungeon compared to Yumiella, who is very well experienced. When they reach the final floor, Alicia can't beat the boss, forcing Yumiella to defeat it herself. Alicia survives thanks to a protection amulet that Yumiella gave her earlier, but it can only be used once. For beating the boss, they are rewarded with more protection amulets that Yumiella gives to Alicia before a teleportation function sends them back outside. They go through the dungeon several more times, as Alicia levels up a lot and gains a bunch of new spells. On one run, they get a dark-type sword that Alicia can't use, so Yumiella takes it. After many runs, Alicia finally manages to defeat the boss without Yumiella's help and they are given a light-type sword, which Yumiella cannot touch due to its powerful light magic. Giving the sword to Alicia, they decide to go to the Demon Lord's domain, but thick fog prevents them from going any further; the game world won't let them go there until the right time, so they decide to go back to the Academy. Once back, Alicia reunites with the capture targets, who finally show Yumiella some respect. Yumiella also gives Patrick a wind-type spear that she got from the dungeon. As Alicia shows off her newly upgraded skills, this inspires the capture targets to train harder so they can level up too. Yumiella considers taking Alicia to a harder dungeon next time, which worries Patrick; the latter having known about Yumiella's actions.
11"The Hidden Boss Is Confessed To"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Kokuhaku Sareru" (Japanese: 裏ボス、告白される)		Kenichiro WatanabeKoichi OhataMarch 19, 2024 (2024-03-19)
In the afternoon, Yumiella watches Alicia and the capture targets train. Later, a stranger invites her to a classroom to perform an experiment that requires for Yumiella to wear anti-magic cuffs that disables her powers. The stranger then reveals himself to be an assassin who is also accompanied by other assassins who plan to kill her, but she easily breaks free with her immense strength (which the anti-magic cuffs could not disable) and defeats them. After they are arrested, Ronald suspects that someone hired them. Two days later, another assassin tries to kill Yumiella while she's sleeping, but fails as her body is unbelievably durable. While telling Patrick about the attempted assassinations, another assassin shoots arrows at them, but Yumiella intercepts the attack and takes down the assassin. To avoid endangering students, Yumiella goes into town in disguise and helps convince a young boy, who also has dark hair, to try and make friends. Another group of assassins try to kill her, but she easily defeats them and hands them over to the authorities after failing to get any information out of them. After learning that Rita has been poisoning her tea (which proves ineffective on her), she learns that Rita's sister Sara is being held hostage by Yumiella's father Count Dolkness to bribe her into murdering his daughter; it turns out he was the one who hired the assassins from earlier. Heading to the Dolkness estate, Yumiella rescues Sara and goes to confront her parents, learning that the reason why they tried to kill her because she was deemed a traitor due to her supporting the king and also because of her black hair, as well as refusing past arranged marriages. Yumiella then forces her parents to give the estate to her and threatens to unleash her black hole spell if they refuse. Now countess, Yumiella informs the situation to the king and plans to end the discrimination against those who have black hair, and later offers Patrick to be her adoptive son, to his confusion. The king soon learns that the Demon Lord is preparing for an attack on the kingdom and arranges an army, with Captain Adolf, Alicia, the capture targets, and Yumiella taking part in it. That night, Patrick (now at Level 60) talks with Yumiella about the upcoming war and, after some struggle with confessing his feelings towards her, kisses her as the fireworks begin. The next day, the war begins as the Demon Lord sends his army to attack the kingdom. The king's army and some of the students from the academy prepare for battle while Yumiella, Alicia, and the capture targets travel to the Demon Lord's domain on Ryu.
12"The Hidden Boss Battles the Demon Lord"
Transliteration: "Ura Bosu, Maou to Tatakau" (Japanese: 裏ボス、魔王と戦う)		Minoru YamaokaKoichi OhataMarch 26, 2024 (2024-03-26)
In a flashback before the war, Patrick gives Yumiella a protection amulet for a precaution. During the war, Patrick leads a squadron of the king's army against the Demon King's forces. Meanwhile, Yumiella's group arrive at his castle. Yumiella sends Ryu to be with Patrick so that he won't fall under the Demon Lord's control. Reaching the throne room, Alicia and two of the capture targets are caught in a trap, but Yumiella frees them. The group then fight the Demon Lord, but he proves to be a strong foe, resulting in their protection amulets being destroyed (except for Yumiella's). When Yumiella breaks off his helmet, it reveals a human face with black hair. The Demon Lord reveals that he was once a human who served a past king, but was exiled out of people's fear of his capabilities (which was actually part of the king's plan to use him for his own means), eventually becoming the Demon Lord and developing a hatred towards humans; Yumiella is very well aware of his backstory as she had played the game many times in her past life. After failing to reason with him and turning down his offer to join forces, the Demon Lord summons multiple black holes and fights Yumiella one on one, but she defeats him. The Demon Lord expresses graduate of her for putting him out of his misery as he is pulled into his own black holes. Everyone escapes as the black holes destroy the castle. However, Alicia suddenly stabs Yumiella, but she survives thanks to her protection amulet. The game world is again making Alicia play out its plot, to which she must now fight Yumiella right after the battle against the Demon Lord. The capture targets try to stop her, but are overpowered. Yumiella falsely claims that the Demon Lord put a curse on Alicia as a final ploy against them. Alicia is still unable to control herself, but as Edwin tries to stop her, he confesses his feelings to Alicia before the other capture targets can, breaking her "curse". The group then proceed to fight the Demon Lord's approaching army, defeating them just as Patrick arrives on Ryu. The group reunite with the king's army, where they find Eleonora helping to tend the injured. Yumiella, Alicia, and the capture targets are hailed as heroes. In the aftermath, the group return to the kingdom. Yumiella presents her cover story of the Demon Lord cursing Alicia to the king to ensure that she doesn't get severely punished, and later spends time with Patrick, the capture targets, and Eleonora. The story ends with Yumiella traveling with Patrick and Ryu to a newly discovered dungeon.

See also

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Villainess Level 99

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Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord (Japanese: Akuyaku Reijō Level 99: Watashi wa Ura-Boss desu ga Maō dewa Arimasen) is a Japanese series written by Satori Tanabata and illustrated by Tea. It originally began serialization as a web novel on the user-generated platform in June 2018, before being acquired for print publication by Kadokawa's Fujimi Shobo imprint under the Kadokawa Books label starting in May 2019. The series follows Yumiella Dolkness, a reincarnated college student who becomes the overpowered in an otome role-playing game world, aiming for a peaceful life but inadvertently reaching the maximum level of 99, causing others to fear her as the Demon Lord. The narrative blends elements of isekai, fantasy, and comedy, centering on Yumiella's dark hair and rare dark-type magic, which stigmatize her in a kingdom where such traits are associated with evil. Despite her intentions to avoid attention, her immense power draws misunderstandings and challenges, including enrollment in a magic academy where she encounters the game's heroine and capture targets. The light novels explore themes of social prejudice, overpowered protagonists, and subversion of villainess tropes common in otome isekai stories. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Nokomi, began serialization in Enterbrain's B's-LOG Comic magazine in February 2020 and is also published by Kadokawa. The series received an television adaptation produced by studio Jumondou, directed by Minoru Yamaoka, with series composition by Fumihiko Shimo and character designs by Hitomi Kaiho and Lo Ho Kim. The 12-episode aired from January 9 to March 26, 2024, on networks including AT-X, , and BS11, and was streamed internationally by . It features voice acting by as Yumiella and theme songs including the opening "LOVE or HATE?" by Mayu Maeshima. As of November 2025, multiple volumes of the light novels have been released in English by , and the by One Peace Books.

Synopsis

Plot overview

In the Kingdom of Varschein, where dark hair and magic are stigmatized as signs of evil, Yumiella Dolkness is born as the daughter of a noble count, perceived as a potential due to her black locks and affinity for dark magic. At the age of five, she regains memories of her previous life as a Japanese college student who frequently played the otome RPG Light Magic and the Hero, realizing that she has been reincarnated into its world as the minor antagonist destined for a tragic end after the heroine, Alicia. To evade this fate and live peacefully, Yumiella avoids social interactions and dedicates herself to solitary training in remote dungeons, rapidly leveling up her dark magic skills until she unknowingly reaches the maximum level of 99, positioning her as the game's secret final boss. Upon enrolling at the Royal Academy, Yumiella encounters the game's heroine, Alicia, a light magic user with blonde hair who quickly befriends the capture targets—noble princes and knights—while Yumiella's overwhelming power during entrance exams sparks widespread fear and rumors that she is the Demon Lord in disguise. These misunderstandings exacerbate her isolation, as students and faculty shun her, leading Yumiella to further withdraw while inadvertently aiding the main plot by clearing high-level threats in secret. As the story progresses, the academy group, including Alicia and her companions, embarks on a quest to defeat the encroaching Demon Lord, drawing Yumiella into conflicts where her hidden strength proves essential despite her desire for obscurity. A major arc of the narrative builds to a direct confrontation with the Demon Lord, where Yumiella's level 99 abilities are fully revealed, allowing her to overpower the threat single-handedly and dispel the prejudices against her, ultimately forging tentative alliances and affirming her non-villainous nature.

Setting and themes

The story unfolds in a fantasy structured as an otome game, incorporating a game-like where characters gain levels, acquire skills, and wield various types of magic, such as light and dark variants. Dark magic, in particular, is portrayed as exceptionally rare and heavily stigmatized, often equated with demonic influences due to historical associations with the Demon Lord, which fosters widespread fear and discrimination among the populace. This emphasizes grinding and progression, allowing individuals to amass power through repeated challenges, though it creates inherent imbalances where overleveling can disrupt social and narrative expectations. The primary setting is the Kingdom of Varschein, a feudal society dominated by , where the Royal functions as a pivotal for training young in , , and etiquette. The kingdom grapples with existential threats from the and invading forces, reinforcing a culture of vigilance and hierarchy that privileges light users while marginalizing those aligned with darker affinities. Societal norms extend to physical appearances, with regarded as an ill omen signaling potential villainy or demonic heritage, perpetuating cycles of prejudice and exclusion from birth. Central themes revolve around the subversion of villainess archetypes in isekai narratives, where the protagonist's unparalleled competence and isolation challenge the genre's conventions of inevitable downfall and romantic . Rather than embracing antagonism, the overpowered status amplifies comedic elements through persistent misunderstandings, as her capabilities are misconstrued as threats to the realm's stability. The work also delves into power imbalances within frameworks, highlighting how systemic biases against "villainous" traits exacerbate isolation, yet underscore the potential for genuine bonds to transcend fear and societal judgment. Yumiella's rapid leveling process illustrates these mechanics, underscoring the humor in her unintended dominance.

Characters

Protagonist and companions

Yumiella Dolkness serves as the central protagonist of Villainess Level 99, a reincarnated individual from modern who was an avid and college student before her death. Upon into the world of the Light Magic and the Hero, she awakens as the minor villainess character Yumiella Dolkness, the eldest daughter of Count Dolkness, destined for a tragic end unless she avoids drawing attention. Driven by her gaming instincts, she obsessively levels up in solitude, reaching the maximum level of 99 as a dark mage long before entering the Royal Academy, which isolates her socially and fosters an introverted, logical personality marked by social awkwardness (voiced by ). Her pitch-black hair, reminiscent of the former Demon King's, exacerbates prejudices against her, leading to bullying and ostracism from peers who view her as inherently evil. Yumiella's abilities as a level 99 dark mage make her the world's strongest character, wielding devastating spells such as Dark Flame, , and Shadow Lance, though she downplays her power to evade scrutiny. Patrick Ashbatten, Yumiella's primary love interest and steadfast ally, is the son of a frontier count and a fellow student at the Royal Academy (voiced by ). As a skilled adventurer experienced in monster hunting, he possesses strong combat leadership and earns the respect of his classmates through his level-headed demeanor and quick thinking, often acting as the rational counterbalance to Yumiella's eccentricities. Patrick supports Yumiella against societal prejudices, secretly training to elevate his own levels in hopes of matching her strength after she jokingly claims she would only marry someone stronger. Their relationship evolves from sparring partners—where Yumiella restrains her power to avoid overwhelming him—to a deep romantic bond, with Patrick frequently mitigating the fallout from her unintended displays of might, such as during a monster incident at the academy. Eleonora Hillrose, the daughter of the influential Duke Hillrose family—the only ducal house in the Valschein Kingdom—begins as an toward Yumiella due to a misunderstanding that Yumiella is romantically pursuing Prince Edwin, whom Eleonora admires (voiced by ). Perceived as kind but academically challenged, often labeled a "" for her struggles with studies and inability to pass basic tests, Eleonora transitions into a loyal friend after clarifying the misconceptions, forming a close companionship with Yumiella. While specific magical proficiencies are not emphasized in her core development, she demonstrates affinity for light-aligned elements through her comfort around powerful entities, notably doting on Yumiella's companion without fear. Ryuu, Yumiella's devoted black dragon companion, symbolizes her unparalleled status as the story's hidden boss, acquired when she discovers and hatches his egg during her solitary adventures, diverging from the game's original timeline where it was intended for the heroine (voiced by Kōichi Tōchika). Raised through constant infusions of Yumiella's dark magic, Ryuu grows rapidly into a formidable yet loyal "giant puppy," possessing immense power but trained to restrain it, adding an intimidating yet endearing presence to her journeys. The group's dynamics center on the formation of an adventuring party comprising Yumiella, Patrick, and Eleonora, who bond through joint expeditions and leveling efforts that highlight Yumiella's overpowered nature while fostering mutual growth, as of the anime adaptation. Patrick's protective role and Eleonora's evolving loyalty create a supportive inner circle for Yumiella, contrasting her isolation, with romantic subplots primarily unfolding between her and Patrick amid shared challenges like academy incidents and prejudice. Ryuu's inclusion strengthens their party as a mobile base and deterrent, underscoring Yumiella's unique position without overshadowing the human relationships central to her arc.

Heroine and capture targets

Alicia Ehnleit serves as the designated heroine of the within Villainess Level 99, a blessed with light magic affinity that positions her as a beacon of purity and kindness in the game's narrative (voiced by ). Her gentle and empathetic personality draws the romantic interests of the capture targets, but she initially harbors deep fear toward Yumiella Dolkness due to the latter's overwhelming dark aura and high level, mistaking her for a potential embodiment of evil. Over time, through shared experiences like training, Alicia overcomes her trepidations, apologizes for her suspicions, and develops a genuine with Yumiella, even acquiring powerful spells such as "Sun " to enhance her abilities. The primary capture target, Edwin Valschein, is the second prince of the Valschein Kingdom and the leader among Alicia's suitors, with a soft-spoken demeanor and commanding presence as a magic swordsman (voiced by ). He spearheads the group's initial hostility toward Yumiella, accusing her of malevolent intentions based on her exceptional power and dark magic, which clashes with the game's expected heroic dynamics. Edwin's pursuit of Alicia forms the core of the romantic harem structure, yet confrontations at the Royal Academy—such as challenging Yumiella's strength—lead to his eventual apology and recognition of her value, fostering an alliance during larger threats like the Demon Lord battle. Complementing Edwin are the other capture targets: William Ares, the son of the kingdom's general and a greatsword user known for his short-tempered nature and strong sense of , who represents a muscle-brained in Alicia's entourage (voiced by Haruki Ishiya); and Oswald, the and Alicia's childhood friend skilled in combat and protective duties, adding a chivalrous element to the harem-like pursuit (voiced by ). Both initially share Edwin's distrust, viewing Yumiella as a rival or threat through misunderstandings rooted in the game's scripted routes, leading to tense like mock battles and tournaments where they confront her directly—William sparring and losing spectacularly, Oswald competing but falling short against her advanced spells. These rivalries evolve into mutual respect as the group witnesses Yumiella's non-malicious nature, culminating in collaborative efforts against greater antagonists, where the capture targets support Alicia alongside their former adversary. The dynamics among Alicia and her capture targets revolve around classic otome game tropes amplified by Yumiella's unintended interference, creating layers of jealousy, fear, and redemption, as of the anime adaptation. Misunderstandings from the game's canon routes—such as assumptions of Yumiella's villainy—fuel early hostilities at academy functions, but joint training and crises shift the group toward unity, transforming the harem's protective focus on Alicia into a broader alliance that integrates Yumiella's strength against existential threats.

Supporting and antagonistic figures

Yumiella Dolkness's family, led by her father Count Dolkness and her unnamed parents, maintains a distant relationship with her primarily due to her black hair, which evokes associations with the former Demon Lord and leads to societal prejudices against her from birth. Despite this estrangement, the family title grants Yumiella her noble status and access to resources, such as the estate and servants, enabling her independent lifestyle while underscoring the superficial privileges of amid personal neglect. Within the Royal Academy, supporting figures like the swordsmanship teacher and magic teacher enforce rigid class hierarchies and magical doctrines, often amplifying biases against dark-attribute users like Yumiella through their instructional biases and evaluations. Minor nobles and student bullies, typically unnamed peers from influential houses, further isolate her by spreading rumors and engaging in subtle , reinforcing the academy's prejudiced without direct confrontation. The Demon Lord functions as the series' ultimate antagonist, wielding overwhelming dark magic and commanding forces in a remote domain, initially perceived as seeking vengeance against humanity for past betrayals. Revealed as a former human loyal to the kingdom—exiled as a due to fear of his immense power—he challenges the protagonists in the , only to be defeated by Yumiella's superior strength, highlighting themes of misunderstood power (voiced by ). Other antagonists include early rivals among minor adventurers and who underestimate Yumiella during joint quests, as well as monsters such as goblins and higher-level beasts that serve primarily as combat encounters for character progression and leveling.

Production

Creation and serialization

Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord (悪役令嬢レベル99 ～私は裏ボスですが魔王ではありません～) was originally conceived by author Satori Tanabata as a web novel in the genre, blending elements of otome games with RPG mechanics to feature an overpowered in comedic situations. The story draws inspiration from popular tropes in Japanese light fiction, where a reincarnated character navigates a game-like world, emphasizing humor through the 's unintended dominance and avoidance of conflict. Serialization began on the user-generated platform on June 15, 2018, where Tanabata posted chapters regularly, building a dedicated readership through the site's community feedback system. The web version remains ongoing, with updates continuing sporadically after the print transition, allowing for expansions based on reader input. This initial online phase highlighted the series' appeal in the subgenre, amassing significant views and positive ratings that underscored its comedic take on power imbalances. Due to its growing popularity on , the series was acquired by Fujimi Shobo for print publication under the Kadokawa Books imprint, with illustrations provided by to enhance the visual storytelling. The first volume was released on May 10, 2019, marking a seamless shift from web to formal format, where additional content—such as 60,000 extra words—was incorporated into the debut edition. Subsequent volumes followed at intervals of roughly six to twelve months, reflecting steady demand; by January 2024, six volumes had been published, with the final one appearing on January 10, 2024. As of November 2025, no additional Japanese print volumes have been released, though the web serialization persists. The transition from web to print was facilitated by strong fan reception, including high engagement metrics on the original platform that demonstrated the series' resonance with audiences seeking lighthearted narratives. This enthusiasm not only solidified its print run but also paved the way for broader adaptations, capitalizing on the core concept's viral potential within online fiction communities.

English localization

The series Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord was licensed for English digital release by , with the first volume (Act 1) published on May 29, 2023. Subsequent volumes followed, with Acts 4, 5, and 6 released throughout 2024, completing all six volumes digitally as of May 2024 and remaining available as of November 2025. The English localization of the light novel has been praised for its natural flow, effectively capturing the source material's humor and game-inspired elements without rigid word-for-word translation. Translators maintained key RPG terminology, such as character levels and hidden boss mechanics, to preserve the narrative's conceptual ties to otome game tropes. The manga adaptation was licensed for English publication by One Peace Books, with physical and digital editions released starting August 15, 2023. By February 18, 2025, four volumes had been published, covering early arcs of the story; as of November 2025, volume 5 is forthcoming following the Japanese release on August 1, 2025.
VolumeRelease DatePagesISBN
1August 15, 2023168978-1-64273-302-0
2January 16, 2024176978-1-64273-303-7
3June 18, 2024152978-1-64273-329-7
4February 18, 2025152978-1-64273-440-9
English editions of both formats are available on digital platforms, including , which featured promotions such as Volume 1 of the eBook priced at $0.99 on October 21, 2025. These releases have facilitated broader international access following the original Japanese serialization.

Adaptations

Light novel

The series Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord, written by Satori Tanabata and illustrated by , comprises six volumes published in Japanese by Kadokawa Books ( imprint) from May 2019 to January 2024. The narrative follows Yumiella Dolkness, a reincarnated who achieves level 99 in an otome RPG world, leading to her being mistaken for a demonic while she seeks a peaceful life. Volume 1 centers on Yumiella's at age five, her rigorous training in dark magic to reach maximum level, and her entry into the royal magic academy, where her prowess sparks rumors of her being the demon lord. Volumes 2 and 3 shift to post-academy adventures, including dungeon explorations and interpersonal dynamics that develop romantic tensions with allies like Prince Patrick. Volumes 4 through 6 escalate the stakes with confrontations involving a shadowy organization, territorial management as a countess, and the overarching Demon Lord arc, culminating in challenges to the game's lore and Yumiella's hidden boss status. As an adaptation of the original web novel serialized on Shōsetsuka ni Nārō starting in 2018, the version includes expanded scenes for deeper character introspection and world-building, alongside Tea's original illustrations that enhance the visual depiction of magical battles and academy settings. No further differences in core plot diverge significantly from the web version beyond these elaborations and tonal softening in early arcs. The series has achieved commercial success, surpassing one million copies in circulation by March 2024, reflecting its popularity within the genre. Critics and readers have praised its humor, derived from Yumiella's oblivious overpowered nature and comedic misunderstandings, as well as its of tropes by portraying her as a reluctant anti-heroine rather than a scheming . The series is licensed in English by , with multiple volumes released as of November 2025. As of November 2025, no additional volumes have been released or announced beyond the six.

Manga

The manga adaptation of Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord, illustrated by Nokomi, began in Enterbrain's B's-Log Comic on February 5, 2020. As of August 2025, the series has been compiled into five volumes by Kadokawa. In adapting the , the manga emphasizes visual elements such as Yumiella Dolkness's stoic expressions and blank faces, which heighten the comedic contrast with surrounding characters' reactions and her nature. Action sequences, particularly in early dungeon-grinding scenes where Yumiella rapidly levels up, benefit from dynamic paneling that conveys her overwhelming power through fluid motion and scale. The adaptation covers material up to approximately volume 3, incorporating adjustments like an added tournament arc while omitting certain side events to streamline the narrative for the illustrated format. English localization is handled by One Peace Books, which released the first volume on August 15, 2023, followed by volume 2 on January 16, 2024, volume 3 on June 18, 2024, and volume 4 on February 18, 2025; volume 5 remains pending as of November 2025. Reception has highlighted the 's strong artwork, with Nokomi's style praised for its effective portrayal of Yumiella's deadpan demeanor and energetic action depictions that enhance the humor. However, some critiques point to pacing shifts in dungeon-focused arcs, where the visual medium condenses repetitive grinding elements, occasionally altering the original's introspective tone for more immediate visual impact.

Anime series

The anime adaptation of Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord was produced by the studio Jumondo and directed by Minoru Yamaoka. It aired from January 9 to March 26, 2024, spanning 12 episodes broadcast on Japanese networks including AT-X, , BS11, and MBS. Outside Japan, the series streamed exclusively on , with simulcast availability in regions such as , , and . Key staff included series composition and scripting by Fumihiko Shimo, character designs by Hitomi Kaiho and Lo Ho Kim, sound direction by Jin Aketagawa, and music composition by Kana Utatane. The principal voice cast featured as the protagonist Yumiella Dolkness, as Alicia Ehnleit, Haruki Ishiya as William , and Yūma Uchida as Patrick Ashbatten. Additional cast members included as Eleonora Hillrose and M·A·O as Remn. The series adapts the early story arcs from the , drawing some visual and narrative influences from the while condensing events for pacing, and concludes on a that sets up the confrontation with the Demon Lord. Reception was generally positive, with praise centered on its comedic tone, Yumiella's overpowered yet socially awkward characterization, and fluid in action sequences, earning an average rating of 7.08 out of 10 from user reviews on . Critics highlighted the humor's effectiveness in subverting tropes, though some noted pacing issues in later episodes. As of November 2025, no second season has been officially announced, despite ongoing fan speculation fueled by the extensive remaining material beyond the adapted content.

References

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