Shan's Take: The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior

By Shan Freemoor:

This is my take on this unique but antecedent anime. The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen is about a young lady whose soul is reincarnated into the body of an 8-year-old princess named Pride, who grows up to be the villain in her respective world. The reincarnated young lady knows this because, in her world, Pride and Pride’s world is a video game she used to play. She tries to change things due to the horror she knows Pride inflicts on everyone around her. She believes her fate is set in stone like the video game, where one of the supporting characters kills her. Despite this, she still tries to improve the lives of those around her.

What’s puzzling is that she continually thinks of herself in this way for years. To maintain such consistent thoughts, someone would have to constantly reinforce the notion that she is destined to be a villain. For instance, individuals who suffered due to her actions during the brief period before her reincarnation could be a source of such reinforcement. Importantly, the royal family and servants believe she has comes into her clairvoyant abilities. However, she isn't having precognitions; she is simply recalling events because, again, her reincarnation into this world is based on a game from her past life. Introducing actual precognitive moments would add depth to the story and her character, as she could predict events that diverge from the game's narrative due to her influence on the timeline.

This story revolves around a strong female protagonist and comparatively weak male characters, which is understandable given the villain's previous M.O (modus operandi). However, it becomes tiresome and uninspired to see her always saving everyone through physical prowess, especially during bandit fights. It would be more compelling to witness the male characters develop through her admiration, considering she repeatedly suggests that there will come a time when she is physically incapable of handling male adversaries. Her actions contradict this notion. The repetitive declarations from the two main male characters, Stale and Arthur, that they will protect Pride, become monotonous, as they reiterate this sentiment more as a stronger confession of love than an actual declaration of romantic interest. By season one story's end, they are teenagers, their hormones in full swing, making their reluctance to confess their love unrealistic. This can't be dismissed as typical Japanese behavior, as junior high and high school students in Japan do date, though subtly due to societal expectations.

The writers seem intent on keeping the main character delusional, so when confessions do occur, it shocks her, as she still believes they will pursue Tiara, the younger sister and original game protagonist.

I am unaware if the light novel did explore what I'm about to say, but the anime could have made the story more intriguing by showing Pride experiencing the villain's emotions from her body. It's scientifically proven that behavioral tendencies and habits can be rooted in biological DNA. A conflict between her spirit and the biological impulses of her vessel would have provided a more plausible explanation for her fear of becoming a villain, rather than mere delusion. This concept was briefly touched upon when Tiara appeared but was quickly abandoned. Some may argue that it makes sense for her to be delusional given the real-life game world she's in, but this is what I call "chronological dissonance." Over the course of five years (from ages 8 to 13), anyone seeing the positive changes they've made and the impact on others' perceptions would no longer believe they are a villain or fear such a fate.

In conclusion, any anime fans analysis of this story in disappointment, frustration, confusion, etc. are entirely valid. Dismissing those critique as simply not being the target audience is unfair. Constructive criticism from invested viewers is crucial for writers to craft better, more dynamic stories with fewer plot holes. Viewers have every right to critique the entertainment they invest in. Today, people often believe you should blindly revere what you watch, no matter the outcome. It's important to maintain independent thinking rather than falling into a cult-like mindset.

I give this anime a 2.5 take out of 5. Because it’s tittering to on being a horrible anime or good one based on how they make things more sensible in season two.

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