Reviewed by Kana
Who it's for, and whether it holds up.
My Thoughts on The Villain Who’s Sat on and Abused Until He Runs Out of Strength ~That Time They All Fell for Me When I Started Scoring Points With the Protagonist~
This title is certainly a mouthful, and the story itself is quite a ride. I went in expecting a certain level of drama, perhaps even some angst, given the premise. What I found was something surprisingly different – a slice-of-life with comedic elements and a dash of romance that subverted many of my expectations.
First Impressions
The initial setup is classic reincarnation fare. Our MC, Yuuji, finds himself in the body of a villainous character in an eroge game. He's got the intimidating looks and reputation, but inside, he's just a lonely guy wanting to make friends. The original protagonist, Yuito, is a ray of sunshine – innocent, naive, and utterly adorable. Then you have the yandere twin sisters, Mahiro and Rina, childhood friends of Yuito, who are also key heroines in the original eroge.
What Works Well
The character interactions are definitely the highlight. The banter is fun, and the relationships feel surprisingly genuine. I particularly enjoyed the budding friendship between Yuuji and Yuito. It's not just the usual "MC charms everyone" trope; there's a real connection there that makes you root for them. Yuito's almost disarming cuteness is a major draw, and the way he slowly wins over Yuuji is heartwarming. The slow burn development of the relationships between Yuuji and the twin sisters is also well done.
Areas of Concern
The pacing can be a bit slow at times. The focus on slice-of-life elements means that the plot doesn't always move forward at a breakneck speed. Also, while the subversion of the yandere trope is interesting, some readers might find it frustrating that the initial focus is on the heroines' affection for the original protagonist.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Some readers might find the fact that the original heroines start off devoted to the original protagonist to be a kind of NTR. It may be a turn off, but it is a necessary step to get the story to where it is going.
Final Verdict
Overall, "The Villain Who’s Sat on and Abused Until He Runs Out of Strength ~That Time They All Fell for Me When I Started Scoring Points With the Protagonist~" is a surprisingly enjoyable read. If you're looking for a lighthearted story with fun characters and a unique twist on the reincarnation genre, this might be right up your alley. Just be prepared for a slower pace and a focus on character interactions over a rapidly progressing plot. I'm definitely curious to see where the story goes from here.
