Wondering where to start the I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History light novel after finishing the anime? You’ve finished the final episode and need to know exactly what comes next without spoilers or re-reading content.
To continue the story after the I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History anime, you should start reading from Volume 2 of the light novel. The 13-episode first season adapts all of Volume 1, with the finale aligning with the end of Volume 1 and the start of Alicia’s journey to Laval, which begins in Volume 2.
Based on an analysis of community consensus and the official source material, this guide provides the definitive starting point. You will discover exactly how the anime compares to the light novel, what happens next in the story (spoiler-free), and where to officially read it.
Key Facts
- Definitive Starting Point: The anime concludes its adaptation at the very beginning of Light Novel Volume 2, making Volume 2, Chapter 1 the correct place to start reading to continue the story.
- Anime vs. Manga Status: The anime adaptation has caught up to the official manga release, meaning the light novel is the only way to progress the story past the anime’s ending as of February 2026.
- Season 2 Speculation: There has been no official announcement for a second season of the anime, reinforcing the light novel as the primary medium for continuing the narrative.
- Official English Publisher: Yen Press is the official English publisher for both the light novel and the manga, ensuring high-quality, canon translations are available to fans.
- Content Differences: While the anime is a faithful adaptation of the main plot, industry analysis reveals the light novel offers significantly more depth, including detailed internal monologues and expanded world-building.
Where Does The Villainess Anime End In The Light Novel? A [Year] Reading Guide
The first season of the “I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History” anime concludes its story at the very beginning of Light Novel Volume 2. To continue the story without missing any content, you should start reading from Volume 2, Chapter 1. The anime covers the entirety of Volume 1, and the finale (Episode 13) directly leads into the events of the second volume, which begins with Alicia’s exile to the rival territory of Laval.
While some guides give conflicting information, community consensus and a direct comparison of the source material confirm this starting point. The anime faithfully adapts the major plot points of the first book, so you can confidently jump into Volume 2 without feeling lost. For readers who want to continue the story across different formats, here is a quick reference table.
| Media Format | Anime Season 1 End Point | Recommended Starting Point | Notes & Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Novel | Episode 13 (Alicia’s Exile) | Volume 2, Chapter 1 | The anime faithfully adapts all of Volume 1. Volume 2 begins with Alicia’s arrival and experiences in Laval. Starting here ensures a seamless continuation. |
| Manga | Episode 13 | Chapter 26 | The anime caught up to the manga’s release schedule. Readers must wait for new manga chapters to be published to continue in this format. |
| Web Novel | Episode 13 | Around Chapter 180 | This is the fan-translated equivalent. However, the web novel can have significant differences from the officially published light novel, so it is recommended to read the official release for the canon story. |
What Is The Story of I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History?
I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History is an otome isekai series where a modern Japanese woman is reincarnated into the body of Alicia Williams, the primary antagonist of her favorite romance game. Most heroines in this situation try to avoid their doom, but Alicia embraces her role with gusto. Her ultimate goal is to become the most cunning, powerful, and infamous villainess in history.
The twist is that Alicia is too competent for her own good. Her “evil” schemes, displays of swordsmanship, and sharp intelligence often produce unexpectedly positive results. Instead of earning the kingdom’s scorn, she inadvertently captures the hearts of the game’s male love interests, including the crown prince, Duke. This puts her in direct, albeit unintentional, competition with the game’s original heroine, Liz Cather. The story follows Alicia’s hilarious and strategic attempts to be the “worst” person she can be, only to find herself becoming the hero everyone secretly admires.
How Does The Anime Ending Compare to The Light Novel?
The anime is a faithful adaptation of the light novel’s main story but is more fast-paced. It successfully covers all the major plot points from Volume 1, including Duke’s schemes, his faked amnesia, and the climactic trial that results in Alicia’s exile. You can safely start reading from Volume 2 without missing any crucial story beats.
However, the light novel offers a much richer experience in several key areas that were condensed for the anime adaptation. Real-world experience with many anime adaptations shows that this is a common practice to fit a book’s worth of content into a single season.
- Alicia’s Inner Monologue: The light novel provides extensive detail on Alicia’s internal strategies, thoughts, and complex calculations. You get a much deeper understanding of how she analyzes situations and plans her “villainous” moves.
- Expanded World-Building: Details about the world’s politics, magic system, and the history between different kingdoms are more thoroughly explained in the novel.
- Deeper Character Moments: The book spends more time developing the nuances of the relationships between characters, especially the subtle moments between Alicia and Duke.
- More Political Detail: The political intrigue surrounding Alicia’s exile and the motivations of various side characters are given more space to develop in the written format.
For these reasons, while not strictly necessary, many fans recommend starting from Volume 1 to appreciate the full depth of the story and characters.
What Happens in the Light Novel After the Anime? (Spoiler-Free)
After the anime, the light novel begins the “Laval Arc.” Alicia arrives in the rival territory she was “exiled” to and begins the true mission she and Duke secretly orchestrated. This new setting introduces fresh challenges, characters, and a significant shift in the story’s focus from academy life to international politics and espionage.
Without giving away any major spoilers, here’s what you can expect in Volume 2 and beyond:
- 🔎 Alicia’s True Mission in Laval: She wastes no time setting her plans in motion, investigating the political conspiracy behind the mysterious wolf attack mentioned in the anime.
- 👥 The Introduction of New Allies and Rivals: Alicia must navigate a new royal court filled with characters who have their own agendas, forcing her to form new alliances and face new opponents.
- 🏰 Exploring a New Culture: The story delves into the unique culture, customs, and political structure of Laval, providing a fascinating contrast to her home kingdom.
- 📨 Duke’s Long-Distance Game: The narrative continues to follow Duke back home as he manages the fallout from Alicia’s exile and continues his own strategic maneuvers from afar.
This arc significantly expands the world and raises the stakes, transforming the story from a school-based romantic comedy into a compelling political thriller.
Where Can You Read the Official Light Novel and Manga?
You can read the official English light novel and manga by purchasing them from retailers that carry titles from Yen Press. Yen Press is the official publisher for the series in North America, and supporting their release is the best way to support the author and encourage future localizations. Avoid illegal scanlation sites, as they often have poor translation quality and harm the creators.
You can find physical and digital volumes from most major booksellers.
Light Novel:
* Physical copies are available from retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Right Stuf Anime.
* Digital versions can be purchased on platforms like Book Walker, Kindle, and Google Play Books.
Manga:
* The manga is also licensed by Yen Press and is available from the same retailers as the light novel.
* Remember, the manga is currently behind the anime, so it is not a way to continue the story at this time.
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By purchasing from these official sources, you ensure you are reading the canon story with a professional translation and high-quality presentation.
FAQs About where does the ill become a villainess who goes down in history anime end in the light novel
Will there be a season 2 of I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History?
As of February 2026, there has been no official announcement for a second season of the anime. While there is plenty of source material available in the light novels for another season, the production committee has not confirmed any plans for a continuation.
Is the manga ahead of the anime?
No, the anime has caught up to the manga adaptation. At the time of the anime’s finale, the manga was at approximately Chapter 25, which corresponds to the end of Season 1. To continue the story, you must read the light novel, as the manga itself needs more time to adapt future content.
Is the light novel series finished?
No, the I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History light novel series is still ongoing. The author, Izumi Okido, continues to release new volumes in Japan. As of late 2026, there are nine volumes published in Japan, with more expected.
Does Duke really have amnesia in the anime finale?
No, Duke was faking his amnesia as part of a larger plan. His feigned memory loss was a strategy to give him a justifiable reason to support Alicia’s exile to Laval, which he knew was her underlying goal. This allows her the freedom to operate outside the kingdom.
What’s the difference between the Web Novel and the Light Novel?
The Light Novel is the professionally edited and officially published version, while the Web Novel is the author’s original, unedited draft. While the core plot is similar, the Light Novel often has revised scenes, improved pacing, and sometimes exclusive content or illustrations. For the canon story, the Light Novel is the definitive source.
Does Alicia end up with Duke in the light novel?
The romantic relationship between Alicia and Duke is a central, ongoing plot point in the light novel. While their story is far from over, the narrative continues to develop their complex dynamic of rivalry and affection, even while they are in different countries. Their reunion is a major point of anticipation in the continuing story.
Should I read the manga or the light novel after the anime?
You should read the light novel. The manga is not currently ahead of the anime, so the only way to continue the story is by reading the original light novel source material, starting with Volume 2.
How many episodes are in Season 1 of the anime?
The first season of I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History consists of 13 episodes. The final episode, titled “The Villainess Goes Down in History,” covers Alicia’s trial, the reveal of Duke’s plan, and her departure for Laval.
What happens to Liz Cather in the light novel?
Liz’s character arc continues to develop in the light novel after the anime. The anime resolves her immediate conflict, but the novels delve deeper into the consequences of her actions and her long journey of atonement and self-discovery. Her relationship with Alicia and the other characters remains a complex and important part of the story.
Who is the official English publisher for the series?
Yen Press (under their Yen On imprint) is the official North American publisher for both the light novel and manga. They are responsible for the official English translations and releases, which can be purchased from most major booksellers.
Key Takeaways: I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History Summary
- The Definitive Starting Point: The anime’s first season concludes at the end of Light Novel Volume 1. To continue the story seamlessly, you must start reading from Volume 2, Chapter 1.
- Manga Is Not an Option (For Now): The anime adaptation has caught up to the manga. Therefore, reading the manga will not advance the story beyond what you have already watched.
- Anime Adaptation Fidelity: The anime is a largely faithful adaptation of the main plot but moves at a faster pace. It condenses internal monologues and some world-building details, so reading from the beginning can offer a richer experience.
- The Next Arc is in Laval: The story immediately following the anime is the “Laval Arc,” where Alicia begins her exile and starts a new phase of her plan to become a legendary villainess in a rival nation.
- No Season 2 Confirmed: As of February 2026, there has been no official confirmation of a second season for the anime. Fans wanting to know what happens next must turn to the light novels.
- Official Release is Key: The series is officially licensed by Yen Press in English. For the canon story and to support the creators, it is highly recommended to read the official Light Novel releases rather than fan-translated Web Novel drafts.
Final Thoughts on Continuing The Villainess’s History
Navigating the transition from an anime to its source material can be confusing, but for I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History, the path is clear. To continue Alicia’s journey and uncover the intricate political plots that await, the light novel is your only and best option. By starting with Volume 2, you are stepping directly into the next chapter of a story that only gets more compelling.
The expanded world, deeper character insights, and intricate plotting of the light novel offer a rewarding experience that builds beautifully on the foundation the anime provided. Now that you know exactly where to begin, you are ready to witness how this aspiring villainess truly goes down in history.
Last update on 2026-02-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
