Tags: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Otome, Game Elements, Misunderstandings

The Lady Succeeds in Failure!

The Lady Doomsayer

Representing the latest JNC Heart title, Young Lady Albert is an appealing series for those who love the Otome sub-genre.

Mixing up the usual tropes, this story sees Lady Mary Albert actively seeking her own doom, although that’s not what raises this series to the roof. No, what stands out about this series is the characters’ instant likability and ability to bring the Otome world-setting to life.

Mary Albert is the star of the show, leading herself into disaster and exile. With strange ideas on how to act as a villainess, she’s determined to navigate the Otome game’s stormy waters and ensure herself a one-way ticket up to the northern lands. The problem? Her villainess act doesn’t come over as such.

Unfortunately, this haughty young villainess is gaining friends rather than enemies – coming over as strange and quirky rather than cruel and evil. I do particularly enjoy her confounded thoughts, puzzled as to why Alicia, the heroine, continues to act friendly with her regardless of all the “abuse” she puts her through.

A Partner in Crime

Of course, Mary isn’t planning her acts of villainy alone, with several other main characters adding to the well-placed hysterics of the series.

The first to mention is Adi, Mary’s servant and partner in crime. Their double act together is my personal highlight of the story so far. There’s never a dull moment between the two of them, constantly bouncing off each other and acting like an old married couple.

Adi’s willing to go to any length to help Mary, whether organising her villainous schemes, facing off against the student council or going head-to-head against the country’s nobles. It doesn’t matter if he’s exiled with Mary – he’ll always be by her side. They’re the perfect odd couple for each other, and as long as they’re together, there’ll never be a dull moment within the series.

The Secret Princess

Also along for the ride is the original heroine of the Otome game, Alicia. A secret heir to the throne, she originally passes judgement on Mary for all the harassment and bullying she endures during her time at the academy. In this version of the story however, she and Mary are inseparable best buds, although Mary would never admit it.

Through Alicia’s friendship goggles, Mary acts as a mentor of sorts. Guiding her along the game’s story, ensuring she ends up with the love of her life Patrick, and eventually convincing the nation’s nobility that she is indeed the lost princess, kidnapped all those years ago.

Moreover, Alicia and Mary’s friendship brings out the best in Mary. Whilst she may act like the haughty villainess, on the inside, she’s still just someone reincarnated from Japan.

The confrontation with the nobility is the best example of Mary’s ongoing development, a place where putting on the villainess routine requires immense bravery. Protecting Alicia from the horrors of the upper class cements a lifelong friendship. In turn, this breaks the chains of the Otome game. Solidifying a doomed exile plan and ultimately opening new possibilities the old Mary would never have considered. 

Overall, Courting Disaster manages to standout in amongst the throng of villainess and Otome series on the market. Featuring a wonderful comedic undertone and a cast of characters that are likeable and well-developed, this is definitely a series I’d recommend to fans of the genre.