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I first came across "Mr. Villain’s Day Off" when I was testing the Manga UP! app by Square Enix. The chapters were short, and you could follow a lot of the content without hitting the app's first hurdle. I must admit that I didn't actively follow the series for too long because the app and I didn't become friends. So, I was delighted when they announced a print edition for the US market.
Yuu Morikawa's series has been available on Pixiv since December 15, 2018, and as of September 2023, Square Enix in Japan has released five tankobon volumes. The series is also being published in the USA by Square Enix themselves.
In February 2023, it was announced that the manga series would receive an anime adaptation.
How Was It?
"Mr. Villain's Day Off" focuses on the days when Mr. Villain, a mysterious and cunning man known as the General, doesn't work, providing a glimpse into his love for cute pandas. The manga follows a recurring formula, often starting with our villainous protagonist explaining that he is the alien leader of the Evil League but spends his free time doing ordinary things on Earth. He enjoys visiting the local zoo to admire cute pandas and rabbits, and during his relaxation outings, he frequently encounters Dawn Red, the leader of his arch-enemies, the Rangers.
"Mr. Villain's Day Off" is a manga that's perfect for unwinding, with no deep plot expectations. The chapters are short, primarily focusing on individual events during our nameless protagonist's days off. Nevertheless, they manage to entertain readers, especially fans of humorous slice-of-life stories.
However, the manga isn't just about humor. On his days off, Mr. Villain learns more about Earth and its inhabitants, occasionally revealing his evil side but mostly being friendly and calm. This contrast between his villainous self and his friendlier side adds depth to the story. We can see how he tries to reconcile his feelings for human children with his stated goal of eradicating humanity. A significant moment in the manga is his encounters with a boy at the zoo, whom he meets in different chapters. They first meet at the panda enclosure, and later, in another chapter, they meet again at the petting zoo. Here, Mr. Villain learns that the boy dreams of becoming a veterinarian, despite his mother telling him he can't. Our villain encourages the boy to pursue his dream and even wonders if he should spare certain people in the future.
In another chapter, he helps two lost children in a shopping mall, and the chapter where he meets a little girl under a cherry tree also shows his willingness to help those in trouble. So, we already see a change in Mr. Villain's attitude towards ruling the Earth (although he would prefer to replace humans with pandas), and there's more to it than just the cute, fluffy panda love that the readers initially follow in the series.
Mangaka Yuu Morikawa creates an appropriate atmosphere for the story with a light and straightforward art style. The clear lines and well-organized panels make the plot easy to follow, even for newcomers to the story. While the backgrounds are often simple, which fits the tone of the story, there are still detailed panels that enrich the manga's visual diversity.
Square Enix publishes the series in a large format, and the manga's quality is good, with an appealing cover paper and high-quality inner pages.
If you're looking for a manga with a deeper story, "Mr. Villain's Day Off" is certainly not the right choice. However, if you're in search of a fluffy and cute slice-of-life story that sweetens your afternoon and offers some substance, then taking a look at Square Enix's series is definitely worthwhile.
Mr. Villain's Day Off 01
€12,74
€14,99
One evil supervillain spends most of his time hatching nefarious plots to take over the world—but on his days off, nothing gets between him and the cute pandas he adores! This fresh, charming comedy series answers the age-old question of… read more
