The latest episode of the hit anime series, From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!, has arrived, and it’s proving to be another hilarious and heartwarming installment. Episode 3, titled “Dad Cracks a Joke,” sees Kenzaburo Tondabayashi, the 52-year-old bureaucrat reborn as the villainess Grace Auvergne, further endearing himself to the student council through his unexpected charm and practical skills.
Grace’s Bureaucratic Skills Shine
This episode focuses on Grace’s integration into the student council. Anna Doll, another member of the council, struggles with the budget, unable to balance the numbers. Despite her best efforts, she finds herself in a bind, prompting her to seek help from Grace. This is where Kenzaburo’s past life experience comes into play, demonstrating his unexpected competence in financial matters. Instead of using magic, Grace unveils a secretly commissioned abacus. This antique tool, a testament to his old-world knowledge, allows him to swiftly solve the complex budget issues, much to everyone’s surprise.
Grace’s actions, driven by his middle-aged practicality and a desire to be helpful, continue to subvert expectations. He isn’t the haughty, cruel villainess everyone anticipates. Instead, he’s a pragmatic and efficient individual, using his past life’s knowledge to tackle problems in this new world. This approach not only solves problems but also endears him to those around him.
A Heart-Racing Encounter with the President
The student council president, Virgile Vierge, is particularly impressed by Grace’s humble yet capable demeanor. Watching Grace’s practical and unassuming nature leaves Virgile’s heart racing. This interaction further highlights the series’ unique twist on the typical villainess trope. Grace, instead of being feared, inspires admiration and even romantic feelings due to his unique personality blend of middle-aged pragmatism and unintentional charm.
His actions also captivate other student council members, further solidifying his unique presence in the academy. Rather than the feared antagonist, Grace is becoming an admired and valued member, showcasing the series’ deviation from standard villainess narratives.
Puns and More Puns!
Episode 3’s title, “Dad Cracks a Joke”, is fitting, as the episode is filled with the kind of terrible puns that only a middle-aged man could love. Kenzaburo’s penchant for puns, combined with the show’s clever writing, makes for some truly laugh-out-loud moments. The show also lampshades its own limitations with a funny explanation about why extended action scenes will not be the show’s focus. This self-awareness adds to the charm of the series.
Richard, the pun-obsessed “swords master”, is also back with his own arsenal of groan-worthy wordplay. The subtitle translation of the Japanese puns into English is particularly praiseworthy. Viewers are encouraged to stay for the post-credits scene, which is a concentrated dose of even more impressive (and groan-inducing) puns.
Unexpected Admiration and Affection
The episode highlights the growing affection for Grace from various characters, including Richard, and Auguste, Grace’s “guardian”. Auguste is charmed by Grace’s apparent empathy and compassion towards nature, stemming from Kenzaburo’s childhood love of hunting stag beetles. When Grace releases a rare beetle, Richard’s affection points increase rapidly, demonstrating how Grace’s simple acts, derived from Kenzaburo’s personality, are turning hearts.
Virgile, initially indifferent to Grace, finds himself drawn to her after witnessing her accounting skills. He views potential wives based on their usefulness to the country, and Grace’s abilities cause her “stock” to rise dramatically. This is further evidence of how Grace’s actions, influenced by his past life, are making her a highly desirable figure within the academy, in a complete subversion of her intended role as the villainess.
Where to Watch
From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! is available for streaming on HIDIVE. The series premiered in Japan on January 9, 2025, and is currently streaming weekly. The latest episode, episode 3, aired on January 24, 2025, at 12:30 am JST on the Super Animeism Turbo block.
Series Overview
The anime series is based on the manga series written and illustrated by Michiro Ueyama. The story follows Kenzaburo Tondabayashi, who dies in a traffic accident and is reincarnated as Grace Auvergne, the villainess in an otome game his daughter played. Kenzaburo’s goal is to try to fulfill the villainess role, but his 52 years of life experience and parental instincts constantly subvert his intentions, leading to comedic and heartwarming situations. This results in him unintentionally charming those around him.
A Unique Take on the Isekai Genre
The anime distinguishes itself within the isekai genre by focusing on the humor and heart derived from Kenzaburo’s middle-aged perspective in a fantasy world. The series’ strength lies in its relatable protagonist, whose experience from the real world unexpectedly translates into the game world, creating a protagonist unlike any other in the villainess subgenre.
The series is praised for not taking itself too seriously, making it an enjoyable and light-hearted watch. Its dramatics are well-balanced, avoiding over-the-top situations. The production quality is good, although it might not be a masterpiece, it’s certainly a fun and engaging series.
Conclusion
Episode 3 of From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! continues the series’ trend of combining humor, heart, and unexpected twists. Kenzaburo’s unintentional charm and practical skills continue to win over the hearts of the student council, proving that being a villainess is not as easy as it seems, especially when you have the mind of a middle-aged bureaucrat. The series remains a must-watch for those looking for a unique and entertaining take on the isekai and villainess genres.
