The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen

The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
Cover of the first light novel volume, featuring (from left to right) Stale Royal Ivy, Pride Royal Ivy, and Arthur Bersford
悲劇の元凶となる最強外道ラスボス女王は民の為に尽くします。 (Higeki no Genkyō to naru Saikyō Gedō Last Boss Joō wa Min no tame ni Tsukushimasu)
Genre	Isekai
Novel series
Written by	Tenichi
Published by	Shōsetsuka ni Narō
Original run	April 19, 2018 – present
Light novel
Written by	Tenichi
Illustrated by	Suzunosuke
Published by	Ichijinsha
English publisher	NA: Seven Seas Entertainment
Imprint	Iris NEO
Demographic	Female
Original run	June 4, 2019 – present
Volumes	8
Manga
Written by	Tenichi
Illustrated by	Bunko Matsuura
Published by	Ichijinsha
English publisher	NA: Seven Seas Entertainment
Magazine	Zero-Sum Online
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	March 19, 2020 – March 18, 2022
Volumes	3
Manga
Written by	Tenichi
Illustrated by	Akiko Kawano
Published by	Ichijinsha
Magazine	Monthly Comic Zero Sum
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	June 28, 2023 – present
Volumes	1
Anime television series
Directed by	Norio Nitta
Written by	Deko Akao
Music by	Hanae Nakamura Tatsuhiko Saiki Kanade Sakuma Junko Nakajima
Studio	OLM Team Yoshioka
Licensed by	Sentai Filmworks SA/SEA: Muse Communication
Original network	Tokyo MX, BS11, MBS
Original run	July 7, 2023 – September 22, 2023
Episodes	12

The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior (Japanese: 悲劇の元凶となる最強外道ラスボス女王は民の為に尽くします。, Hepburn: Higeki no Genkyō to naru Saikyō Gedō Last Boss Joō wa Min no tame ni Tsukushimasu, "The Final Boss, the Ultimate Villain and the Cause of the Tragedy, Is the Queen Who Does Everything for Her People") is a Japanese light novel series written by Tenichi. The series originated on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in April 2018, before being published in print with illustrations by Suzunosuke by Ichijinsha beginning in June 2019. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Bunko Matsuura, was serialized on the Zero-Sum Online website between March 2020 and March 2022. An anime television series adaptation by OLM aired from July to September 2023.

Plot

One day, an eight-year-old girl named Pride Royal Ivy regains memories of her past life and discovers she has been reincarnated in the otome game Our Ray of Light. In-game, Pride is a sadistic and monstrous young girl who grows up to become a callous queen and serves as the final boss, who meets her end at the hands of her younger sister whom she wronged. Realizing this, Pride uses her skills and knowledge of the game to become a compassionate and benevolent ruler. She hopes that by changing her ways, this will lead to a better future for her kingdom and the people around her.

Characters

Pride Royal Ivy (プライド・ロイヤル・アイビー, Puraido Roiyaru Aibī)

Voiced by: Fairouz Ai (Japanese); Karlii Hoch (English)

Pride is the main protagonist, being a person who is incarnated from the real world into the current game world. The original Pride was a monstrously selfish woman who callously abused everyone, being seen as a devil in human form; only to eventually meet her end at the hands of her younger sister. The current Pride uses her memory of the original timeline to save and protect everyone that would have been abused by her; unintentionally causing them and herself to have glimpses of the original timeline. Whenever she makes alterations to the current timeline, the actions of her original self are seemingly imprinted onto others who carry them out in her place. She possesses a "cheat ability" that makes her an incredibly strong fighter.

Stale Royal Ivy (ステイル・ロイヤル・アイビー, Suteiru Roiyaru Aibī)

Voiced by: Maaya Uchida (Japanese); James Marler (English)

Stale is the adopted brother and assistant of Pride and possesses the power of teleportation. The original Pride placed him under a magical contract which forced him to obey her, taking advantage of his inability to read, and then ordered him to murder his birth mother, leading him to swear revenge. The current Pride has treated him with great care and compassion, notably allowing him to communicate with his birth mother, and so earning his loyalty and love. He is frenemies with Arthur.

Tiara Royal Ivy (ティアラ・ロイヤル・アイビー, Tiara Roiyaru Aibī)

Voiced by: Haruka Tomatsu (Japanese); Brittney Karbowski (English)

Tiara is the younger sister of Pride and would have been the protagonist in the original version of the game's events, where she would kill her older sister. In this alternate timeline, she instead has a close relationship with Pride and does not fight.

Arthur Beresford (アーサー・ベレスフォード, Āsā Berusufōdo)

Voiced by: Junya Enoki (Japanese); Adam Gibbs (English)

Arthur is the son of the Knight Captain Rodrick who possesses the power to improve the vitality of plants. In the original timeline, he watched as his father died in battle while the original Pride mocked the fallen soldiers, leading him to swear vengeance against her to the point of not allowing the original Tiara to get close to him due to her relation to Pride. The current Pride used her skill to enter the battle herself, saving his father's life and earning Arthur's loyalty. He is frenemies with Stale.

Rosa Royal Ivy (ローザ・ロイヤル・アイビー, Rōza Roiyaru Aibī)

Voiced by: Kikuko Inoue

Pride and Tiara's mother.

Albert Royal Ivy (アルバート・ロイヤル・アイビー, Arubāto Roiyaru Aibī)

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa

Pride and Tiara's father.

Gilbert Butler (ジルベール・バトラー, Jirubēru Batorā)

Voiced by: Kōji Yusa

A chancellor who works for Albert. In the original timeline, he committed shady acts to save his wife, but fell victim to Pride's plans. In the alternate timeline, this was changed when Pride helped to save his wife's life. He can change his appearance to make himself younger or older.

Roderick Beresford (ロデリック・ベレスフォード, Roderikku Beresufōdo)

Voiced by: Hiroki Yasumoto

Arthur's father and the Knight Captain.

Clark Darwin (クラーク・ダーウィン, Kurāku Dāwin)

Voiced by: Toshihiko Seki

One of the royal knights.

Callum Bordeaux (カラム・ボルドー, Karamu Borudō)

Voiced by: Daisuke Ono

One of the royal knights.

Eric Gilchrist (エリック・ギルクリスト, Erikku Girukuriesuto)

Voiced by: Takuma Nagatsuka

One of the royal knights.

Alan Berners (アラン・バーナーズ, Aran Bānāzu)

Voiced by: Hiro Shimono

One of the royal knights.

Val (ヴァル, Varu)

Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe

A criminal who leads an army of rebels against the kingdom. He possesses Earth magic. His actions are really to save two orphans Sefek and Kemet, who were captured by criminals. In the alternate timeline, Pride helped to save the kids and he becomes her subordinate in return. His time with Pride makes Stale and Arthur jealous.

Sefek (セフェク, Sefeku)

Voiced by: M.A.O

One of the orphans whom Val befriends. She possesses water magic.

Kemet (ケメト, Kemeto)

Voiced by: Shizuka Ishigami

One of the orphans whom Val befriends.

Media

Light novel

Written by Tenichi, the series began serialization on the novel posting website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on April 19, 2018. The series was later acquired by Ichijinsha, who began publishing the series in print with illustrations by Suzunosuke on June 4, 2019. As of April 2024, eight volumes have been released.

In June 2021, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they licensed the series for English publication.

Volumes

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	June 4, 2019	978-4-75-809177-0	March 3, 2022 (digital) April 26, 2022 (print)	978-1-64-827842-6
2	March 3, 2020	978-4-75-809242-5	April 28, 2022 (digital) May 31, 2022 (print)	978-1-63-858265-6
3	January 7, 2021	978-4-75-809326-2	August 11, 2022 (digital) February 21, 2023 (print)	978-1-63-858704-0
4	September 2, 2021	978-4-75-809394-1	February 2, 2023 (digital) August 22, 2023 (print)	978-1-68-579628-0
5	April 4, 2022	978-4-75-809452-8	November 9, 2023 (digital) December 5, 2023 (print)	979-8-88843-071-2
6	November 2, 2022	978-4-75-809503-7	March 21, 2024 (digital) April 23, 2024 (print)	979-8-88843-440-6
7	August 2, 2023	978-4-75-809570-9	July 18, 2024 (digital) September 24, 2024 (print)	979-8-89160-295-3
8	April 2, 2024	978-4-75-809630-0	February 25, 2025 (print)	979-8-89373-178-1

Manga

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Bunko Matsuura, was serialized on Ichijinsha's Zero-Sum Online website from March 19, 2020, to March 18, 2022. As of January 2022, the series' individual chapters have been collected into three tankōbon volumes. In October 2022, it was announced that the manga adaptation had been cancelled due to the poor health of the artist. A new manga adaptation, illustrated by Akiko Kawano, began serialization in Ichijinsha's Monthly Comic Zero Sum magazine on June 28, 2023.

Seven Seas Entertainment is also publishing the manga adaptation in English.

First manga

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	October 24, 2020	978-4-75-803554-5	April 5, 2022	978-1-64-827843-3
2	April 30, 2021	978-4-75-803602-3	June 28, 2022	978-1-63-858323-3
3	January 31, 2022	978-4-75-803703-7	February 14, 2023	978-1-63-858728-6

Second manga

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	February 29, 2024	978-4-75-803993-2	—	—

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced on October 28, 2022. It is produced by OLM and directed by Norio Nitta, with Deko Akao writing the scripts, Hitomi Kōno designing the characters, and Hanae Nakamura, Tatsuhiko Saiki, Kanade Sakuma, and Junko Nakajima composing the music. It aired from July 7 to September 22, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme song is "Kyūseishu" (救世主, "Savior") by Tsukuyomi, while the ending theme song is "Pride" by ChoQMay. Sentai Filmworks licensed the series, and is streaming it on Hidive. Muse Communication also licensed the series in Asia-Pacific.

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Storyboarded by	Original air date
1	"The Selfish Princess Awakens" Transliteration: "Wagamama Ōjo wa Me o Samasu" (Japanese: ～我儘王女は目を覚ます～)	Jōji Shimura	Deko Akao	Norio Nitta	July 7, 2023 (2023-07-07)
A young girl is killed by a passing truck and is reborn in a world based on the otome game Our Ray of Light as its main antagonist Pride Royal Ivy. Recalling the game's plot, she is unwilling to follow the same dark path as the real Pride and decides to change the story. She starts by warning her father of a faulty wheel on his carriage and almost falls out of a window before being saved by a guard. She later meets Stale, a young boy with teleportation abilities, who was brought to the castle to be her servant. Pride recalls that her real counterpart tricked him into signing a contract that forced him to obey her and made him kill his mother, causing him to swear revenge. She is desperate to help him even after he collapses from a fever, considering him as a brother.
2	"The Villainous Princess Makes a Request of Her Brother" Transliteration: "Gokuaku Ōjo wa Gitei ni Negau" (Japanese: ～極悪王女は義弟に願う～)	Mayu Numayama	Deko Akao	Norio Nitta	July 14, 2023 (2023-07-14)
After Pride and Stale express pain from their recent experiences, the two begin to slowly bond. Slate also learns that his mother is doing okay. He later overhears Gilbert Butler, the chancellor, having a suspicious conversation with some men. Pride and Stale pay a visit to see Tiara, Pride's younger sister. Pride recalls that in the original plot, the real Pride had tortured her love interests and since Tiara is the game's protagonist, she will eventually kill her older sister. To prevent this from happening, Pride forms a loving relationship with her. They continue to enjoy the party hosted in the castle, which involves an awkward conversation with Gilbert, Pride and Tiara's parents talking about their daughter's future, and a meeting with the knight captain Roderick Beresford.
3	"The Heretical Princess and the Knights" Transliteration: "Gedō Ōjo to Kishidan" (Japanese: ～外道王女と騎士団～)	Takahiro Hirata	Deko Akao	Norio Nitta	July 21, 2023 (2023-07-21)
Stale begins training with a sword, with Pride also joining in and Tiara watching them. While watching the knights train, Pride recalls how her real counterpart treated them. After learning that their army is losing in a fight against a group of enemy soldiers and Roderick is in trouble, Pride helps them using Stale's teleportation ability to send them supplies. Arthur, Roderick's son, becomes concerned about his father. Pride decides to join the fight herself to save Roderick. She manages to defeat the enemy soldiers and capture their leader Val, who has Earth powers, just before the rocks above them give way.
4	"The Worst Princess and the Young Man's Vow" Transliteration: "Saitei Ōjo to Chikai no Seinen" (Japanese: ～最低王女と誓いの青年～)	Nozomi Ishii	Deko Akao	Tomoko Akiyama	July 28, 2023 (2023-07-28)
A flashback shows that in the game's original plot, the real Pride showed little regard for the soldiers who were killed in the battle, including Roderick, which led Arthur to swear revenge on her. In the alternate timeline, Pride, Roderick, and Val have survived the rockslide, though Pride is embarrassed that her dress is torn, exposing her underwear. Back at the castle, the knights question Pride about her fighting skills. Roderick is not pleased that Pride would endanger herself to save him, but she reminds him of how his son would feel if he did die. Everyone is grateful for Pride's heroics, including Arthur, who decides to support her from now on.
5	"The Wicked Princess and the Sword" Transliteration: "Kokuaku Ōjo to Ken" (Japanese: ～酷悪王女と剣～)	Jōji Shimura	Takashi Ifukube	Akiko Nagashima	August 4, 2023 (2023-08-04)
Arthur trains with his father to become a knight working for Pride; however, his training ends early due to Roderick having to leave for the castle. Meanwhile, Pride recalls Arthur's fate in the original timeline, but lets it slide as she now has a good relationship with Stale and Tiara. She later meets up with the knight and Roderick, but Arthur catches up to him to not only return his sword, but also berate him for neglecting him. Stale decides to help Arthur train, to which they reveal their relationships with Pride as they become frenemies.
6	"The Selfish Princess Passes Judgment" Transliteration: "Jikochū Ōjo wa Sabaku" (Japanese: ～自己中王女は裁く～)	Mayu Numayama	Michihiro Tsuchiya	Kōsaku Taniguchi	August 11, 2023 (2023-08-11)
While reading books, Pride learns from her parents of Val's true intentions. Although they consider executing him, they instead decide to have him sign a contract that forces him to work for Pride. She lets him leave, although he is unable to do any harm due to the contract. Pride and Tiara later watch Arthur and Stale practice sword fighting. They later make flower crowns for the sisters while struggling to confess their feelings for them. Unbeknownst to them, Gilbert is watching.
7	"The Coldhearted Princess and the Quitter" Transliteration: "Reikoku Ōjo to Yameru Hito" (Japanese: ～冷酷王女とヤメルヒト～)	Yūki Morita	Takashi Ifukube	Norio Nitta	August 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)
Pride deems Arthur an official knight and Stale is given a pair of glasses. Suspicious of Gilbert, the two eavesdrop on him and Albert and learn of his wife's illness; he was searching for someone to cure his wife. Pride remembers that her real self did not help him at all and let his wife die, and that Gilbert has the ability to change his appearance. After learning of Gilbert's disappearance, Pride and Stale set off to find him. Gilbert has hired thieves to dig up information on the royal family, but is double-crossed. As he fights the criminals, Pride and Stale arrive to help. After defeating them, Gilbert explains everything to them.
8	"The Insolent Princess and the Judgment" Transliteration: "Burei Ōjo to Sabaki" (Japanese: ～無礼王女と裁き～)	Ken'ichi Nishida	Takashi Ifukube	Tomoko Akiyama	August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Stale is displeased with Gilbert's actions, but Pride convinces him to stand down. Returning to the castle, Pride informs the knights there of Gilbert's intentions. Bringing Arthur to Gilbert's house, Pride has him use his healing abilities to cure Gilbert's fiancée. It also revealed that Gilbert can make people younger or older as he made Stale into an adult recently. As such, Pride chooses not to punish Gilbert for his crimes. Stale and Arthur get into an argument over their desires to help their families. Stale later agrees to forgive Gilbert.
9	"The Cruel Princess and the Criminal" Transliteration: "Zankoku Ōjo to Zainin" (Japanese: ～残酷王女と罪人～)	Akira Ishii	Deko Akao	Norio Nitta Akira Ishii	September 1, 2023 (2023-09-01)
Arthur has slowly been improving his swordsmanship. Everyone later come across Val, who requests her to help rescue some children named Kemet and Sefek, who are held hostage by criminals. They provide him with a place to stay. He tells them more about how he met the children, to which he almost becomes violent. Pride understands his pain and agrees to help.
10	"The Coldhearted Princess Sneaks In" Transliteration: "Hakujō Ōjo wa Sennyū Suru" (Japanese: ～薄情王女は潜入する～)	Mayu Numayama	Michihiro Tsuchiya	Akiko Nagashima	September 8, 2023 (2023-09-08)
Val turns in some kids, who are actually Pride, Arthur, Stale, and Gilbert in disguise, to the criminals in exchange for Kemet and Sefek. The criminals double-cross Val and take him hostage too. Reaching their hideout, Stale teleports two of the criminals into a cell in the castle, where two knights proceed to interrogate them. Stale then teleports the other captives to the castle, where they are aided by knights. As Pride, Arthur, and Gilbert are escorted to a cell, they find Kemet and Sefek. Meanwhile, Val and Stale rescue the captives. As Val distracts the crooks, the others help the captives escape, to which Sefek reveals that she can manipulate water. Stale rescues a boy who can uncontrollably manipulate electricity, but he and Val and captured. As the knights arrive, Pride and Arthur fight the bandit leader, eventually defeating him with Alan's help, but a bombing suddenly occurs.
11	"The Merciless Princess and the Order" Transliteration: "Sankoku Ōjo to Meirei" (Japanese: ～惨酷王女と命令～)	Nozomi Ishii	Takashi Ifukube	Tomoko Akiyama	September 15, 2023 (2023-09-15)
The group run to escape the hideout, but Val and Sefek are separated from the others. As everyone escapes, Val, Gilbert, and Pride rescue Kemet. Once back outside, a mysterious group, who are responsible for the bombing from earlier, watches them from their invisible hot air balloon. They depart, leaving behind bombs which they drop on the group below. Val sacrifices himself to save the others, but Pride and Stale save him. Val then recalls how he met Sefek and Kemet and how they were captured.
12	"The Treacherous Princess Faces the Future" Transliteration: "Akugyaku Ōjo wa Mirai ni Mukau" (Japanese: ～悪虐王女は未来に向かう～)	Sayaka Yamai	Deko Akao	Norio Nitta	September 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)
Having survived the bombing, the group return to the castle. Pride decides to have Val, Sefek, and Kemet serve as their carriers. Val then becomes smitten with Pride, making Stale and Arthur jealous. The two later practice fighting with Gilbert, but end up losing. Val begins to question his feelings for Pride. Stale and Arthur vow to continue to protect Pride and Tiara.

Reception

In 2021, the first manga adaptation was nominated for the Next Manga Awards in the web category. In 2022, the first manga adaptation, along with Cafe Happiness: Food From Out of This World, won the Different World category award at NTT Solmare's "Minna ga Erabu!! Denshi Comic Taishō 2022".

External links

• Web novel at Shōsetsuka ni Narō (in Japanese)
• First manga website at Zero-Sum Online (in Japanese)
• Second manga by Akiko Kawano at Zero-Sum Online (in Japanese)
• Anime official website (in Japanese)
• The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen (light novel) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia