I'll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History - Episode 2 Review

Alicia’s Bold Declaration

Alicia is really doubling down on her "Villainess" title, isn't she? In Episode 2, she boldly reveals her villainous aspirations to a seemingly random blind guy. Her declaration that she’s determined to become the most notorious villainess contrasts hilariously with her actions, which are often altruistic. At this point, it feels like Alicia is more of a misguided anti-hero than a true villain. Many viewers can probably relate this to video games: you set out to play the evil path, but end up just being kind of a jerk instead.

Morality and Mischief

While she’s dead-set on becoming the Villainess of the story, Alicia's actions so far have shown her deep sense of morality. She saves a child and speaks out against the brutal class system—hardly the actions of a typical villain. The irony of her situation is both amusing and insightful, making us question whether being a villainess is really about opposing the story’s conventions or just breaking free from societal expectations.

Frontier246 summarizes it perfectly: “I'm the Villainess that will go down in history!"
"But...but you just saved a child and seem to be planning to end an unfair and brutal class system..."
"Exactly! Take that, Heroine!"

A Magic Library with a Twist

One of the highlights of this episode is the magic library, which is locked behind—of course—magic! It’s a clever way to keep knowledge out of the hands of the untrained, and also a solid plot device to show Alicia’s growing magical prowess. Her strength and determination to grow in both swordsmanship and magic are becoming a central part of her character.

Some fans speculate that her illness might be linked to overusing her magical abilities, as Rumpel1408 notes, “What are the chances she's sick because she spent all her mana?”

Awkward Romance or Misunderstanding?

The episode's most controversial moment is the prince "kissing" Alicia. He administers medicine to her through a mouth-to-mouth method—a scene that many viewers found uncomfortable, especially considering Alicia’s young age. This trope, often seen in anime, is framed romantically, but it didn’t sit well with some fans. The narrative excuse is flimsy, leaving many questioning its necessity.

As Live_Commercial1307 puts it, “That action just caused me to not watch it anymore. She was unresponsive when he did it.”

However, others argue that this is simply a misunderstood cultural trope. InevitableWerewolf defends the scene: “INTENT is to deliver medicine, not to cop a free kiss.”

Alicia: Reformist or Villainess?

Many fans believe Alicia is more of a reformist than a villainess. Her desire to challenge the status quo and fight for a fairer society aligns more with modern values than traditional villainy. Yet, in her world, breaking away from the norm is what makes her "villainous."

Daspaceasians sums this up well: "I think she'll be seen as a Villainess simply because of how she opposes the established order and behaves in a way that isn't socially acceptable for the nobles but would probably please the commoners."

Conclusion

Episode 2 of "I'll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History" continues to blur the lines between heroism and villainy. Alicia’s journey seems to be less about becoming truly evil and more about breaking societal norms. The awkward romantic subplot may detract from the story for some, but Alicia's development as a reformist, magical prodigy, and misunderstood "villainess" is what will keep the audience engaged.

find episode 3 review here.