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The Condemned Villainess Goes Back in Time and Aims to Become the Ultimate Villain (Manga) #1
The Condemned Villainess Goes Back in Time and Aims to Become the Ultimate Villain (Manga) Vol. 1
Claudia, the daughter of a duke, is engaged to the crown prince. That is, until her half-sister Fermina sells her to a brothel, where she dies from illness. To her great surprise, however, Claudia awakens to discover she has gone back in time--back to her childhood body! Armed with a second chance, Claudia must use every wily trick she learned at the brothel to gather allies and keep history from repeating itself.
180 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 18, 2025
YOUTUBE VIDEO REVIEW: https://youtu.be/zQHEsHeQP8Q
This volume really took me by surprise, probably in more ways than one, honestly!
I confess I have always been a little leery of picking up this manga due to the FL being literally sold/dropped off at a brothel. For a villainess series, that in itself is unique because usually that would be a worst-case scenario or something that's threatened, but not actually done. I found that my heart really went out to Claudia because you can see the genuine shock and confusion of how she didn't end up in a convent. With that, though, you can see how much her half-sister is a true villainess. (I do NOT like her!)
What surprised me personally is that you can see how caring Claudia really is. The way it was shown of her having a genuine heart to help Helen definitely brought tears to my eyes, but also every time the two of them smiled so happily together. It was beautiful!
This also leads me to say that for Claudia really gaining allies and having the upper hand with confidence, I was completely taken aback when, in one moment, she showed strong fear. I never expected to see how impacted she would be if she thought her downfall was already in sight! Yet when someone lent her a hand during this moment, I actually had to stop reading so I wouldn't start full-on crying. Claudia may have all these tricks up her sleeve and knowledge due to her time being in a brothel and coming across as haughty as a result, but it was in that moment that you can see how fearful she is of having a repeated life.
Maybe that doesn't explain it very well of what I'm trying to convey, but in a nutshell, this first volume was much more emotional than I anticipated. I don't know if I should be prepared for that in the second volume or not because the ML made another appearance at the end, and I think things might be a lot more lively than they already are! LOL!
This volume really took me by surprise, probably in more ways than one, honestly!
I confess I have always been a little leery of picking up this manga due to the FL being literally sold/dropped off at a brothel. For a villainess series, that in itself is unique because usually that would be a worst-case scenario or something that's threatened, but not actually done. I found that my heart really went out to Claudia because you can see the genuine shock and confusion of how she didn't end up in a convent. With that, though, you can see how much her half-sister is a true villainess. (I do NOT like her!)
What surprised me personally is that you can see how caring Claudia really is. The way it was shown of her having a genuine heart to help Helen definitely brought tears to my eyes, but also every time the two of them smiled so happily together. It was beautiful!
This also leads me to say that for Claudia really gaining allies and having the upper hand with confidence, I was completely taken aback when, in one moment, she showed strong fear. I never expected to see how impacted she would be if she thought her downfall was already in sight! Yet when someone lent her a hand during this moment, I actually had to stop reading so I wouldn't start full-on crying. Claudia may have all these tricks up her sleeve and knowledge due to her time being in a brothel and coming across as haughty as a result, but it was in that moment that you can see how fearful she is of having a repeated life.
Maybe that doesn't explain it very well of what I'm trying to convey, but in a nutshell, this first volume was much more emotional than I anticipated. I don't know if I should be prepared for that in the second volume or not because the ML made another appearance at the end, and I think things might be a lot more lively than they already are! LOL!
May 10, 2024
I like the light novel better, if only because it goes into much more detail than the manga can cover, but the artwork is pretty and I will keep throwing my money at this series until it jumps the shark. Which I hope it doesn’t do.
4, looking forward to the next volume, stars.
4, looking forward to the next volume, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
Oh wow, I loved this one. Fermina is an utter bitch, good lord. I already disliked her from what we saw at the start when Claudia was condemned/thrown in a brothel, but then we got to see her in the second life as well, geez get over yourself girl. I am happy for Claudia that things are changing, though haha, just like many of these I will become the ultimate villain the girl never becomes the villain she is just more perfect/more liked/has a better basis/more support than her previous life. I am curious how Claudia will fare in the next one, I hope that she can kick some ass. Hope also that the prince doesn't turn out to be an ass. Please.
April 11, 2024
Typical plot but enjoyable in that way Mangas usually are. Unfortunately the prince looks like the ML 🙄
March 28, 2026
It was decent…. Kinda sad. Love the art style and design! 👍🏻
September 9, 2024
I liked it
June 25, 2025
25/06/2025
3.5 ⭐️
This was so run!! I will absolutely be keeping my eye out for the next volume!
✨ 98/100 read for 100 Graphics in a Year Reading Challenge ✨ + Graphicsathon Round 16: Choose Your Own Adventure ⚔️
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3.5 ⭐️
This was so run!! I will absolutely be keeping my eye out for the next volume!
✨ 98/100 read for 100 Graphics in a Year Reading Challenge ✨ + Graphicsathon Round 16: Choose Your Own Adventure ⚔️
Letterboxd | Instagram | Bookstagram | Tumblr | Twitter | StoryGraph | Hoemance Book Club | Graphicsathon | Scoobathon | Wishlist
April 28, 2026
April 2026
Kindle edition
Another binge read 1-4. Stopped one series and got hooked on another. I was surprised by the age rating for this one and how long the trauma lasted. Instead of torture, murder or convent, the FMC goes the sets sold to a brothel route. The sister is a piece of work. I'm surprised she managed it the first time around.
Kindle edition
Another binge read 1-4. Stopped one series and got hooked on another. I was surprised by the age rating for this one and how long the trauma lasted. Instead of torture, murder or convent, the FMC goes the sets sold to a brothel route. The sister is a piece of work. I'm surprised she managed it the first time around.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2024
Katarina ran so that Claudia could fly.
I loved this and I cannot wait for the next volume.
I loved this and I cannot wait for the next volume.
March 21, 2026
I'm hooked and starting volume 2!
April 11, 2024
Plot - 3⭐
Character - 3⭐
Writing Style - 3⭐
World Building - 3⭐
Art - 3 ⭐
Cover - 3⭐
Overall - 3 ⭐
Character - 3⭐
Writing Style - 3⭐
World Building - 3⭐
Art - 3 ⭐
Cover - 3⭐
Overall - 3 ⭐
March 5, 2024
i like the art but oh my god everyone is pissing me tf off 😭
she's meant to have been reincarnated/second chance bs but she's still so dumb?? apparently she prepared for so long for her even more comically dumb sister but it's like nothing changed. she's meant to have had such a crazy life in her first life as a prostitute but it feels like she just learned to hide her feelings SLIGHTLY (and i'm using that word very lightly bc it's clear she only shows her "true" emotions to the prince 💀)
like the sister is dumb, annoying... YES I GET IT but the FMC? oh my god she infuriates me even more. she easily falls into the villainess plans yet i also get it bc it's like everyone in this world has such low brain power capacity since they believe everything anyone ever says??? like HUH???
and the prince? oh my god... don't even get me started on him 💀 WHY IS HE THE ML???? did the author just wanted that moe gap for this "bitchy calculating FMC" (she's not) bc it's so dumb 💀 they could've made him the 2nd ML bc he's just NOT it. idc what anyone says but the FMC needs someone that she can feel comfortable with with or without political power. yet with him [ML], she's constantly walking on eggshells bc of what happened in her first life (perfectly understandable btw) so why is he the ML?? .... .. .... . . the answer is obvious as hell. the author just wants to make sure the FMC gets the highest position possible for her HEA and showcase the (boring) downfall of her sister (stupid) villainess
some people might enjoy this but these are just the type of series that i read if i want to lose brain cells and get mad for no good reason
she's meant to have been reincarnated/second chance bs but she's still so dumb?? apparently she prepared for so long for her even more comically dumb sister but it's like nothing changed. she's meant to have had such a crazy life in her first life as a prostitute but it feels like she just learned to hide her feelings SLIGHTLY (and i'm using that word very lightly bc it's clear she only shows her "true" emotions to the prince 💀)
like the sister is dumb, annoying... YES I GET IT but the FMC? oh my god she infuriates me even more. she easily falls into the villainess plans yet i also get it bc it's like everyone in this world has such low brain power capacity since they believe everything anyone ever says??? like HUH???
and the prince? oh my god... don't even get me started on him 💀 WHY IS HE THE ML???? did the author just wanted that moe gap for this "bitchy calculating FMC" (she's not) bc it's so dumb 💀 they could've made him the 2nd ML bc he's just NOT it. idc what anyone says but the FMC needs someone that she can feel comfortable with with or without political power. yet with him [ML], she's constantly walking on eggshells bc of what happened in her first life (perfectly understandable btw) so why is he the ML?? .... .. .... . . the answer is obvious as hell. the author just wants to make sure the FMC gets the highest position possible for her HEA and showcase the (boring) downfall of her sister (stupid) villainess
some people might enjoy this but these are just the type of series that i read if i want to lose brain cells and get mad for no good reason
June 14, 2024
Off to a great start
This volume is completely dedicated to setting up the story. You get to meet the main characters and see the events that everything's going to revolve around. It ends where everything is supposed to begin, so this is sort of like a preface to the true big story. I thought it was well done, well paced, and well worth reading. I look forward to reading the next volume.
This volume is completely dedicated to setting up the story. You get to meet the main characters and see the events that everything's going to revolve around. It ends where everything is supposed to begin, so this is sort of like a preface to the true big story. I thought it was well done, well paced, and well worth reading. I look forward to reading the next volume.
December 30, 2025
Going into this, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away or overly entertained, but I ended up finding it a pretty decent and engaging read. The premise itself is interesting, and while this isn’t a story that immediately demands urgency, it does make you curious about where things might go.
What stood out most to me in this first volume was Claudia’s character growth. Even within a short span of time, you can see noticeable development compared to who she was before. Her experience in the brothel, in particular, feels like a major turning point that accelerates her maturity and sense of self. It’s not just there for shock value, it actively shapes how she moves forward.
I also really appreciated the bond between Claudia and Helen. Their sisterhood and mutual support felt like an emotional anchor for the story. That connection plays a meaningful role in Claudia’s growth, and it made their dynamic one of the more compelling aspects of the volume.
On the other hand, Fermina, Claudia’s half-sister, left me both confused and intrigued. Her behavior is unsettling, almost unhinged, and at this point it’s unclear where that cruelty and instability are coming from. Rather than turning me off completely, that uncertainty actually piqued my interest, I want to understand her motivations and how she fits into the larger story.
Overall, this isn’t a must-read or an urgent continuation for me, but it is a series I’m interested in keeping an eye on. When the opportunity comes up, I’d be open to picking up the next volume to see how the characters and conflicts continue to develop.
What stood out most to me in this first volume was Claudia’s character growth. Even within a short span of time, you can see noticeable development compared to who she was before. Her experience in the brothel, in particular, feels like a major turning point that accelerates her maturity and sense of self. It’s not just there for shock value, it actively shapes how she moves forward.
I also really appreciated the bond between Claudia and Helen. Their sisterhood and mutual support felt like an emotional anchor for the story. That connection plays a meaningful role in Claudia’s growth, and it made their dynamic one of the more compelling aspects of the volume.
On the other hand, Fermina, Claudia’s half-sister, left me both confused and intrigued. Her behavior is unsettling, almost unhinged, and at this point it’s unclear where that cruelty and instability are coming from. Rather than turning me off completely, that uncertainty actually piqued my interest, I want to understand her motivations and how she fits into the larger story.
Overall, this isn’t a must-read or an urgent continuation for me, but it is a series I’m interested in keeping an eye on. When the opportunity comes up, I’d be open to picking up the next volume to see how the characters and conflicts continue to develop.
June 23, 2024
[This review covers the first 3 volumes, so expect potential spoilers up until then.]
This was a very average offering of the genre - tropey plot and good art included. A typical led-astray, inconsiderate villainess learns the error of her ways and determines to do better/win if she gets a second chance. As is often the case, the heroine/bullied sister turns out to be very manipulative and vindictive and was the real villainess the whole time. The distinguishing feature of this series seems to be that Claudia was sold to a brothel as her ultimate downfall, which was an interesting idea to give her extra skills and knowledge for her 2nd life. But in the end it never really did anything to affect the plot. Instead, Claudia follows the time-honoured strategy of capturing the hearts of all the people who spurned her in her previous life, thereby amassing enough influence and allies to survive the trials of her 1st life. There was a point where I thought the prince was going to be a multifaceted, interesting character, but in the end, he was the standard level of love-lorn and sincere- no twisted motives in sight.
Overall, enjoyable, but nothing original or exceptional. I'll probably forget all about it pretty quickly.
This was a very average offering of the genre - tropey plot and good art included. A typical led-astray, inconsiderate villainess learns the error of her ways and determines to do better/win if she gets a second chance. As is often the case, the heroine/bullied sister turns out to be very manipulative and vindictive and was the real villainess the whole time. The distinguishing feature of this series seems to be that Claudia was sold to a brothel as her ultimate downfall, which was an interesting idea to give her extra skills and knowledge for her 2nd life. But in the end it never really did anything to affect the plot. Instead, Claudia follows the time-honoured strategy of capturing the hearts of all the people who spurned her in her previous life, thereby amassing enough influence and allies to survive the trials of her 1st life. There was a point where I thought the prince was going to be a multifaceted, interesting character, but in the end, he was the standard level of love-lorn and sincere- no twisted motives in sight.
Overall, enjoyable, but nothing original or exceptional. I'll probably forget all about it pretty quickly.
October 26, 2025
Don't you love long Manga titles? "The Condemned Villainess Goes Back in Time and Aims to Become the Ultimate Villain", it's a mouthful right? I love me a good go-back-in-time read. Claudia is the legitimate daughter of a Duke, once engaged to the Crown Prince, it all comes crashing down when she falls into her step-sister's trap.
Claudia goes back in time when she's 14, a year before she meets her step-sister, Fermina. Claudia is now wiser and starts her plan in motion. She refuses to lose everything, including her love from her brother, her engagement to the crown prince and her best friend Helen.
There really isn't anything new about this manga, but I love the typical storyline. That is why I always go back to these kinds of Manga. I love reading how the protagonist will out smart the villain. The introduction was strong and I'm excited to see where the story will go.
Claudia goes back in time when she's 14, a year before she meets her step-sister, Fermina. Claudia is now wiser and starts her plan in motion. She refuses to lose everything, including her love from her brother, her engagement to the crown prince and her best friend Helen.
There really isn't anything new about this manga, but I love the typical storyline. That is why I always go back to these kinds of Manga. I love reading how the protagonist will out smart the villain. The introduction was strong and I'm excited to see where the story will go.
February 8, 2026
I liked where this started: the original timeline Claudia had her regrets and reflections, but also friends and a tenacity of character, so I was excited to see where a rebirth would take her.
However, taken as a whole (up through the 4th volume), the characters and setting seem weak and underdeveloped. In this volume, the prince is easily intrigued by a Claudia who managed a reform enough to display simple standard manners for a tea party,and Fermina (the downfall of Claudia’s original timeline) schemes in an extremely obvious and simple way, making the fact that these characters were taken in a poor reflection on all of them.
However, taken as a whole (up through the 4th volume), the characters and setting seem weak and underdeveloped. In this volume, the prince is easily intrigued by a Claudia who managed a reform enough to display simple standard manners for a tea party,and Fermina (the downfall of Claudia’s original timeline) schemes in an extremely obvious and simple way, making the fact that these characters were taken in a poor reflection on all of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2026
Here we have a darker version of the rebirther revenge tale of noble ladies. Ousted by the half-sister, framed as the villainess, abandoned by her family, and sold into a brothel--Claudia finds comfort in the arms of Madam Helen who teachers how to rise from her position. When sickness takes them both, Claudia demands the gods show themselves and allow her to go back and change circumstances. When she awakens as the younger version of herself she spends the year between her mother's funeral and the arrival of her father's mistress and daughter to change opinions and gain allies. Rather than being framed as a evil, Claudia decides to accept her role as a menace to Fermina.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
7/24 While yet another jilted prince's fiancée falsely accused of bullying her half-sister and sentenced to dreadful circumstances story (was there a contest in Japan or something, seriously how many of these are there?!), this premise is regardless one of my strains of catnip (mine and at least half the world's, I guess) and I'm enjoying the "classic" plot and characters well enough to continue the series.
February 18, 2024
pretty standard villainess plot but the characters are pretty interesting- and the romance between the FL and Prince is a little twisty.
May 3, 2024
I like the setting and plot of the series but I think the world building/setting up the story felt rushed. The sister and her friend at the brothel look really similar so the back and forth with the flash backs and back to the present time confused me at first. I’ll continue reading it because I think the idea of her actually becoming a villain sounds interesting and I want to see where it goes
June 24, 2025
Claudia has to go through a lot because of Fermina and now Fermina wants to blame her again, what does she have against Claudia? Also, I’m so glad that Claudia was able to save Helen, she’s such a nice friend. I’m excited to see what happens at the party and what Fermina tries to do, I hope Claudia stands her ground, I’m happy that her brother is on her side now too!
December 12, 2025
Get to see her backstory and her reincarnation. She wins over her brother, entices the prince, and saves her good friend from her previous life to be her lady in waiting. Enjoyable but better when read and then quickly followed by the next books in sequence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2024
A classic set up - love it! Can't wait to see her triumph.
April 14, 2024
Sometimes your opps follow you no matter what
April 28, 2024
I love the Fl, But i dont like the ML(and it seems the prince would be it)
July 5, 2024
A fun start to another villainess manga 😆
I can’t wait to watch her run circles around her snake of a half-sister.
I can’t wait to watch her run circles around her snake of a half-sister.
August 5, 2024
Carino, un po' tipico del genere, ma questa "villainess" mi ha stupita in positivo, consigliato.
August 14, 2024
An enjoyable experience. I am very much a fan of the villainess genre of light novels and manga and if you are the same there are worse books to read. 3.5
September 30, 2024
Absolutely loved it!! I can't wait to read the next volume!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews