Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs (Light Novel) Vol. 1

Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs #1

by Yomu Mishima, Monda (Illustrator)

A tongue-in-cheek jaunt through romance, giant robots, and dating sim jokes!

Office worker Leon is reincarnated into a dating sim video game, where women reign supreme and only beautiful men have a seat at the table. But Leon has a secret he remembers everything from his past life, which includes a complete playthrough of the very game in which he is now trapped. Can Leon spark a revolution to change this new world order?

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Harem, Science Fiction, Magic

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2018

Reviews

[Piri Rin · Rating 1 out of 5]

the world of otome mob is literally incel shit
> the worth of a man is determned by whether or not he gets bitches
> you have the chads who are like the noble lords
> the staceys that the common "mob" dude try to gun for but have no chance because women in this world are cruel bitches who leech off of men's money
> the men have to go to war and die while the women reap the benefits
> Leon keeps complaining every chapter about how all women are bitches, which you know is definitely a CHOICE of the author to write all women except for the love interests to be that way :/
> I don't think it's good writing to force me to root for the Main character by virtue of everyone else being literally dogshit
> the main character is more appalled at his sister wasting family funds to buy a sex slave instead of being appalled that she.... BOUGHT A FUCKING SEX SLAVE. I swear to god what is up with Japanese authors and their lackadaisical treatment of slavery in their stupid power fantasy stories. It's not normal, Leon is a man who is from the modern world and he should know that slavery is morally wrong but the way he refers to slaves is also dismissive and dehumanizing.

garbage light novel overall

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why did I read this book:
1. It's a light novel
2. I was morbidly curious since the title sounds kinda incel.

What I liked:
The main character is not that good of a guy at times and owns up to it. Good on you dude.
The author makes you want the protagonist to succeed despite his many flaws.
Giant robot battles!

What I didn't like:
The first third of this book is so slow and boring I almost returned it, no joke.
All the dudes besides the protagonist were browbeaten or stupid.
All the women besides the protagonist's love interests were outstandingly cruel.
The two above points made this book feel incredibly unpolished.

Would I buy the next book in the series?:
Only if it were super cheap.

This is shaping up to be a harem, which I'm not a super big fan of reverse or else wise.

This part here, I'm just making an inference, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm pretty sure that the protagonist's sister, who was also reincarnated in the otome game, is going to get pregnant by her half-elf servant/slave/lover. The author just offhandedly threw it in there that he's a half elf and that humans and demi-humans shouldn't be able to reproduce. I can't say I'm cool with that as a type of fantasy retribution against a crappy person.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started pretty slow, but dang I loved it when things got going!

[Mars · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5? man experiences misogyny.

[Hidekisohma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having watched the anime series, I found myself really liking the story and wanted to go read the light novel as the series only has 12 episodes so far. Yes i plan on watching season two (it has been confirmed) when it eventually comes out, but i have no desire to wait at least a year to find out what happens.

Essentially the first light novel here is the first 5 episodes of the 12 episode anime season. And...yeah, i have to say, in a lot of aspects, the light novel is VERY close to the anime. Yes, there are some differences here and there, but i have to say, by far and large, it's VERY similar.

short version, a guy is forced to 100% his sister's otome game and dies from exhaustion. wakes up and is in the world of the game. He then uses the world's knowledge to try to find an easy life for himself but gets pulled into the events of the game. Not only that, but the girl who's SUPPOSED to be the protagonist is now a nobody and a random new girl who he learns is another isekai'ed person steals the hearts of the male love interests. oh. and there are also mechs. because sure why not?


the world is an interesting one as it's set up as a matriarchal one. Women are in charge. It makes sense as this is an otome game world where women are meant to play it. because of this, in this world, as a male, you have to get married young or you won't get married and as a noble, that's kind of a big deal.

MC is an interesting one. He's pretty much the opposite of the five game love interests in the show. the prince and his entourage are the epitome of grace while he acts like a crude regular guy. But, even so, you can tell that he's a good guy, even if he's quite brash on the outside.

Because of the other isekai'ed person, the usual main character of the game, Olivia, is pushed to the side and a new girl, Marie takes her spot. So since Olivia is a nobody now, the MC (Leon) decides to help her out and hang with her, along with Olivia's original game rival, Angelica. oh and he also gets a floating baseball robot sidekick. because of course he does.

All in all, it's quite a fun story, and just as enjoyable as the anime. Since the first light novel is episodes 1-5, i imagine light novel 2 will probably be like 6-11 or 6-12. So i can't imagine i'll get to NEW stuff past the anime until about volume 3. That being said, definitely excited to read volume 2 and will absolutely continue on so i can see the events past the anime.

None of the main characters are annoying (even the antagonist is funny at times) and i love how the book/anime took a few turns i didn't expect and actually gave some nice catharsis.

Good first volume! 4 out of 5.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Comments refer to the story as far as I have read, which is somewhere in the middle of volume 12: did not finish.]

Picked this up out of curiosity because I'm used to otome isekai novels being female-led (reincarnated as the villainness etc.). The idea in this one is that the protagonist is bullied by his sister into playing a romance game about a misandrist world, then reincarnates as a hapless background character who has to use his knowledge to escape being sold off into an unhappy marriage. Maybe it has something interesting to say about sex and gender!

It's not too bad for the period it does without romance: Leon tries to use his knowledge of the game to save the kingdom from destruction but is opposed by another character who usurps the protagonist's role.

As the story progresses it turns into more and more of a chuuni harem fantasy. Eventually Leon uses the power of his mech suit to overthrow the kingdom's female privilege to put men back on top. Most of the secondary characters turn into comic relief. At the point I've given up (far past when I should) he's effective conquered a third kingdom, gotten a third romantic partner, and the B-plot is around two more women scheming to become wives. Every time a female character is introduced her bust size is mentioned.

I should say that, even though I see comments calling it incel garbage, it's a kind of innocent anime comedy harem, not an exceptionally gross one. For a while I thought the plot was going somewhere but I've gotten far enough to now think that it isn't.

[Tuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trapped in a Dating Sim follows the slate of the edgy arrogant jerky twerpy lead character who just wants to do things his way, but is actually an earnest honest to god good guy who just goes about things the wrong way to get things done. I like that about Leon alot and found it makes him really good to follow. It especially stands out when you have the boilerplate Otome lead character Olivia, the villainess (?), Angelica, and the other villainess, Marie. That is also includes love interests for the reverse harem.

Thus, having a character like Leon is a great contrast to the characters around him and his quirks, fully shown when he's alone with Luxion or even with his Dad or brothers helps to round him out and make him feel a bit more normal (though still dorky).

The mecha infused setting is great and in some ways makes me wish otome's were like this, it would help to expand the genre alot and make them appeal to more people. I also do like that the world wasn't afraid to suggest that the men characters in this female dominated world do end up pairing up sometimes, so I am curious if we will see that manifest in named and close characters in the plot.

The action was great, the dungeon exploring was interesting, and the character dynamics and interactions were good. Overall this is a great start.

And in comparing it to the anime, the anime adapts it well, some of the world building and inner dialogue though are not included in the anime though.

[Lacus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another take on the isekai/otome games/reincarnated genre.

The main lead/Leon was reincarnated in the otome game he was playing for his sister. In the otome game world, the males are treated badly, even slaves are treated better than them. The main reason Leon/or the whole male population in general is going to school is to have a better chance in getting a decent marriage partner. (most of the women in this world are bitches, they keep slave lovers)

To escape the fate of getting sold off to be married to an old woman by his stepmother, he stole the secret island and the lost item from the game that should have been found by Livia (main girl in the game). His plan to live as a mob went downhill from there. He mentions not wanting to destroy the flow of the story and remain as a mob but contradicts himself every time he try to meddle with Livia or the villainess/Angelica.

There are times reading the novel, you'll find the story really frustrating. Especially Marie and the game love interests (they are all idiots). Leon not only got thrown off with the love interests and main girl, he was also in deep shit with the country's politics.

Final thoughts, this novel is between okay and good for a comedy/another take on isekai trope, however this is an acquired taste and may not be enjoyed by people who wants a serious isekai or uncontradicting main leads.

[Pieter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MC is blackmailed into finishing what he feels is a horrible otome game for his younger sister in a weekend even spending money on microtransactions to get to the end. Hating every minute of it, he is exhausted by the end of the weekend, dying while he falls of the stairs of his apartment. Of course, he wakes up in the body of a low-ranked noble in the world like the game he just played and hated. While hoping for the lazy life of a nobody, events transpire against him, especially since he is too good natured to ignore the plight of the official heroine of the story who is pushed out of her position by somebody else.

Trapped in a Dating Sim is a funny story, a satire on dating sims (both otome and regular), questioning (and subverting) some of its tropes or at least openly questioning their viability. The MC is not always likeable, and I think it would have worked better if he regained his memory at 14 instead of 5 (now leaving me wondering what he did in those 10 years). His constant grumbling about the role reversal of men and women would work better if he at least acknowledges more often (he does once or twice) that the roles are reversed from his previous life and contemplate how women would feel in Japan. Most of the other characters are great, having more depth then most in these kind of stories. His actions fit the comedy, but do make the MC look a bit stupid or at the very least unwilling to accept the truth and keeping himself blind on purpose. Still, it was an entertaining story, a first arc in a bigger overall one. Up to the next part.

[Laurel Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the risk of sounding like I am owning up to a guilty pleasure, I wasn’t going to initially add this to my reading record but I did listen to it alongside its two sequel audiobook versions and I’m not too proud to say I didn’t. Thank Storytel for increasing my reading rate and active choice to pick up audiobooks in the first place but they’re honestly great for background noise when driving or doing the housework so…

I picked it up because I watched the anime and was mildly intrigued if it went anywhere further SAO style. I think it might but alas I haven’t got there yet and need a break to read something actually decent.

First off, this isn’t my first light novel. If you are expecting a masterpiece out of 90% of them, don’t. I’d rank the FMA light novels above this series but they are also derivative and optional side quests off the main plot and also complicate the storyline if you give them too much merit. This series is a harem isekai disguised as a reverse harem prevention story. I agree with Mothers Basement general assessment of it and it absolutely is slop. That said, it entertained me for a just over a week despite the glaring inconsistencies in Leon’s hybrid level knowledge of both worlds.

[Twine & Ribbon · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may be familiar with the age old concept of being transported to another world, yes but let's review this book's pitch.

Our hero dies... and is reborn into another world with all of his memories intact. Not just any world though, it's the world of a video game. And not just any video game world either! It's the world of the Otome Romance dating sim his sister blackmailed into beating for her just before he died. To top this ridiculousness off, he's not been reborn as anyone important, but as a MOB/NPC with no advantages and a horrible arranged marriage to a 50 year old woman who has had 7 or so husbands, in his future!

The elevator pitch by itself is absolute gold, and the rest of the book doesn't fail to deliver either. The main character constantly belittles his own influence and tries to avoid the spot light, all while inadvertently becoming more and more heroic and altering the story of the game in dramatic ways.

I read a fan translation by 2Slow2Late MTL, so while it's not a professional grade, it's quite readable and I've struggled through much worse to get through a good story.

[Shivarajagellugmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read it till Volume 5.
It all depends on the ending ...if it has happy harem ending it is AWESOME else NOT.

I really LOVE the MC (LEON),

He is good and the constituents of his Harem are really fine Ladies....but I don't  LIKE Marie..I agree she had good contribution in vol 4 but I dont wanna see her more...

ALso I hope the MC ends up with Olivia Angelica Noelle and Louise by the end of this series....They are the best...I would really LOVE to see that more wonderful ladies fall in Love with Leon like his beautiful  senpais....I really want this in the form of an Anime....

I love you Yomu Mishima for giving us something like this....please take care of the developments from here....

Advice:There should some alone time where Leon shows his affection to his fiancees,Noelle,Louise.....It would be utterly hilarious if the Queen Mylene reciprocates Leon's feelings but Its alright if she
stays out of the equation as well.... Eagerly awaiting Volume 6 and hoping for a nice happy harem ending...preferably with Marie out of the entire equation or crying tears of blood

....

[Herbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book lost just so much in translation. The dialogue is wonky and you can definitely tell the cultural difference from the author. The Japanese influence is quite heavy. The main character is very Japanese and thinks quite a bit differently. You have to really immerse yourself and give up previous Western ideology. It's very hard to see what the point of the book is because apparently the main character needs to get married, but doesn't want a high brow wife. But can't have a middle class wife because it will reflect badly upon him. So he's trying to court the highbrow wife that he doesn't like and avoid the middle class wife because she can't be good enough for him. It's mixing moxie of cause and effect reason and unreasonable. This mixture tends to frustrate the reader. I wonder if it's on purpose if we can be just as frustrated as the main character. There's no passion in this story, it reads very much a feudal positioning with women as the leading protagonist of the story rather than the males.

[Wilson Tun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this light novel. The web novel version was one of the first ever novels I’ve read and I think I got pretty far deep into it before eventually forgetting as author went into a brief hiatus.

Now, after like what? 4 years? I realized I should try dipping my toes into one of my old classics and tried it.

Well, it’s quite entertaining and rugged. The whole novel is a play on the trope of otome and how ridiculous the whole thing might feel. Don’t think too much though, this is still a typical light novel of action, romance, and fantasy but I like how they integrated guns and mechs into the story although it doesn’t really make sense. It makes up with fantastic fights and duels instead of just spell chants and running around in circles.

If you want to read it, don’t think too much. This is basically brainless entertainment for guys but enjoyable and caught me chuckling out some loud laughers for sure.

[Daniel St. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly fun start to the series. The setup of a guy getting stuck in an otome game world sounds silly at first, but the book leans into the absurdity in all the right ways. Leon is a sarcastic and bitter main character, but watching him use his knowledge of the game to twist situations to his advantage is what makes the story entertaining.

I also liked the switch-up of the fantasy setting being a matriarchy, which gives the usual tropes a fresh angle and makes Leon’s outsider perspective even funnier. The pacing is solid, balancing comedy, action, and just enough drama to keep things moving. It is not a literary masterpiece, but it is clever, funny, and a great hook for a series that knows exactly what it wants to be.

[Jaime Bravo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isekai describes a hell no man should want: being trapped in an otome game as a generic, faceless character - a mob - where his life maybe will be summarized in flavor text somewhere. The world favors women to a point where it doesn't make sense and unless you want a life of being an old woman's toy, the only hope is death or a loophole. Fortunately it's an isekai and the MC's played the game before so loophole city here we go. Really fun, plays with tons of tropes, and has some solid banter.

[Elizabeth Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good light novel a step above the rest.

So this light novel was done with care. Characters have some depth. Author studied some history, and not a wimpy simply inept main protagonist. The AI relationship as almost an alter ego gives the character some extra dimension. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Btw I like how this is a true op underdog story. Main character is not open without his technology. I hope the author continues to grow the introspective part of the character, something lacks in slot of fufu light novel s.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

TLDR: A twist on a typical isekai premise hooked me.

You know it when a book hooks you. There is that moment halfway through that you begin looking to see how many books are out (or in this case have been translated).

I'm deep into book 3, and am still really enjoying it. Although, the pace is so quick I am wondering where the series could possibly go in the following books. I can understand why it was made into an Anime.

The translation is very solid and not as stilted as some other translations I have read.

Thumbs up.

[Rosa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is giving ✨written by an incel✨ so hard, so I hated the writing style.

I hated how horribly women are portrayed. Books written by women never do this about men. Just saying. If the real world was actually run by women, it would be way better than what we have today.

And literally all the women are so mean in the novel except the love interests.

However, I still want to see Leon end up with Angelica and Olivia so I’ll keep reading lolol

Also this book was so slow for like the first half.

[Adri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book really, even though there were several moments that drew a "yikes" out of me. Some chapters I'd side with Leon, and others I'd find him almost unbearable. Luxion basically says everything that's on my mind for me, calling Leon a truly despicable human being and literal scum.
The armor suit duel is incredibly satisfying, and Angelica's redemption is pretty nice. Overall, an ok read and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.... Even if Leon is kind of scummy sometimes.

[aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first light novel this series and it was a fun first read! It follows the character of Leon who is reincarnated into an otome game that he was forced into finishing by his younger sister. Leon is an entertaining lead who has no motivations other than just living an basic and easy life. Along the way he gets wrapped up on the happenings of the game and ends up as a part of the story. Fun read and looking forward to reading more.

[slugbiscuit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book where it is best not to think too deeply. Let the unironic indignation at the reversal of gender powers and the ubiquitous presence of male sex slaves slide from your mind. Just enjoy the story without looking for a deeper message or satire, and once you get past the awkward set-up and early conflicts, it's not bad IMO. I think now that the premise and characters are established future volumes will only be better, but we'll see.

[Arianna Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the anime so I decided to pick up the light novels. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised on how much the anime captured from the book! Obviously the book has WAY more detail but that’s to be expected. The main character can get a bit annoying when it comes to the whole ‘I can’t do it just cause I’m a side character’ bit. I’m hoping that it will change as time goes on because there is so much potential for him and for the two love interests in the novels. Cant wait to read more!

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't mind that story characters start out heavily disadvantaged, but the norms and values in the isekai (other world) is a weird mix of isekai and real world norms and values, making me think there are some things in the story that should have (or shouldn't have) happened.

Overall, there are a lot of LOLs and some lucky moments a la Overlord LN.

[Chelsey Hostetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. This is a first for me in the "Reincarnation" genre and I have never laughed so hard while reading manga. A+ from me. I love the little robot that follows our hero, he's like 2001's HAL but with way more sarcasm and just as much murderous intent. I'm excited to read number 2.

[はく＿3ｋｔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

เป็นเล่มเปิดที่ชอบมากฮะ
แต่ก็อ่านมานานแล้วเลยจำอะไรมารีวิวไม่ได้
สำหรับผมถือเป็นเล่มเปิดที่ดีมากแต่เพราะเป็นเล่มเปิดเลยยังใส่ไม่สุดสำหรับผม - w -
ถ้าคุณดูเล่มนี้แล้วชอบแนะนำอ่านต่อแต่ถ้าไม่ชอบก็แนะนำให้อ่านต่อฮะ 5555 (จริงๆก็ไม่) ;w;

[Colin Brine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started watching the anime series coming out on Crunchyroll and was pleasantly surprise by it - so went to get ahead and read the Light Novel. Excellent series if you are into isekai (lost in another world) style books.

It's a bit cheesy at times but it keeps things light-hearted.

[Bernard · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOt brilliant, but not bad. MC is cardboard. Other characters are not much better.

Excitement? Nope.

Reminds me of old spideman cartoons. Always complaining with little action to solve issues.

[Tabby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book kinda came off as incredibly sexist and the writing was poor. I feel like the translator messed up or something. But despite all of that I couldn't put it down?? Idk if I'll continue with this series.

[Dabeer Amir · Rating 1 out of 5]

I might be biased since light novels aren’t my style of novel, however I particularly didn’t enjoy this novel very much. I believe it has uniqueness in its matriarchal society, but other than that I can’t think of much that engaged me or made me feel excited.