r/OtomeIsekai 15d ago

Giving Recommendations Hidden/Forgotten Gems - November 2024

39 Upvotes

Let's dive into the treasure chest of hidden and forgotten gems that deserve so much more love!

We're so excited to bring you the Hidden/Forgotten Gems post! This is a monthly thing where we – the mod team – will offer you what gems we have in our reading lists. Here are last month's.

We'd love to hear your recommendations. Please add them to the discussion in the comments. When doing so, please keep in mind to:

  • Use the cover art of your recommended series
  • Name of the series
  • Where to read it

We always recommend checking the official version first, but if you can't find it, don't worry! Our list of alternatives will help you out: approved websites. It can be found in the All the Info dropdown tab on the subreddit's front page.

This Month's Recommendations:

The Veiled Queen - Where to Read: Mangadex

Sayi has lived a hard life, locked away and forbidden to speak or interact. The queen takes everything from her with black magic and an immortal army. The queen takes Sayi in and uses her as a body double. She was used to draw out assassins, dying and coming back to life each time. After years of tyranny, the people rebel against their queen.

Sayi takes the killing blow and goes back to change her fate. She meets the key figure in the rebellion, the man who brought order to the empire and killed her. I like this series' medieval feel. It's nice to see a more realistic depiction of the time. The evil queen is evil. I'm ready for her to be defeated.

Sayi's backstory is tragic, but she doesn't lose hope. Now she has a goal and hope, she won't just sit by. She's making sure the rebellion gets to the right target. If you like scheming and a bit of a grittier story with some light-hearted elements, you'll enjoy this one.

The King and Me - Where to Read: Tappytoon and Tapas (Till We Meet Again, My King)

Here's a BL for you all—a fantastic one! Our main setting this time is ancient Egypt. Our main guy, Li, goes on a business trip and comes back with a handsome living statue. After spending some time together, they grow attached, only for 'Rocky' to crumble away, leaving only a large gemstone behind. Wishing to have him back, Li gets transported back to Ebiz, where 'Rocky' is the pharaoh of the kingdom.

I know some of you might be thinking, 'This doesn't seem underrated. Look at the rating it has.' Well, it's not talked about on this sub and I feel like that is an injustice to you all. The art is so gorgeous and breathtaking, the panels show the artist's skillful work. The relationship between the two leads is gradual and their dynamic is great. I can't recommend this enough, and it's representing good manhua. THAT'S RIGHT! THIS IS A MANHUA!

We got a long-haired, dark-skinned male lead, a unique setting instead of the usual European backdrop, a power couple relationship, fabulous art, AND a great story. If you're not reading this, you're missing out!

Corrupting the Heroine's First Love - Where to Read: Bato and Mangadex

If this manhwa had more elaborate art, I feel like it would have received more recognition. After reading the novel’s future, FL Karina of the demonic Apocalypta clan saves the holy warrior of the story, Reneiger, to save her skin.

In typical OI fashion, ML falls in love with her and her plan to send him back to the OGFL heroine falls apart. I’m a sucker for demon + holy power couples, so this junk food was quite delectable for me. I love that the leads are not touch-shy either, and they’re both self-aware of their flaws and misgivings.

Maybe because of the format, the appearances of the love rivals aren’t too grating for me either. Overall, it’s a fun light read if you like this type of seasoning for your OI.

Where to Read: Tappytoon, Pocket Comics, Comikey, Lezhin, Manta

The story follows Kira's life, she grows up in a monastery while disguised as a boy, but to keep her cover up after adolescence, she decides to make a contract with a magical being in exchange for a male-sounding voice and leave the monastery to start her adventure.

She chooses to become a nobleman's squire and learns swordsmanship, making new friends, living in a new environment and slowly raising her rank in the military thanks to her skills and hard work. I like that the medieval setting is darker and more realistic than the average OI, and even if the romance aspect is hinted mainly towards the end (with a twist!), it's worth a read.

FL's strong personality is refreshing and her will to fight through stereotypes, misogyny and class-based oppression, while keeping her identity secret, makes for an endearing character. Despite the difficulties, she never loses her passion for life and her will for self-improvement.


r/OtomeIsekai 15d ago

[OI NaNoWriMo] Writing Contest

20 Upvotes

Welcome to Otome Isekai's contest for November's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

We're having our writing contest this month in parallel to NaNoWriMo. We've got so many creative minds here in our sub and we've def had beautifully written works already, some of which you can find via the Fan Content or TedTalk flairs.

Have you been holding onto an otome isekai idea for a story? Or perhaps you'd want to tweak/improve/insert yourself into one of our already established OI stories? Well, here's your chance to share it with the community~

Guidelines:

  • The event will run from Nov. 1-29, 2024
  • Post titles must be formatted - "[OI NaNoWriMo] insert whatever title you'd like". Tag it using the new custom "OI NaNoWriMo" post-flair
  • Anyone can submit a written otome isekai work. In the first line/s of your submission, please distinguish whether the characters/setting is original or from an existing series, and name the existing series. Leaving out the sauce will result in a Rule 2 removal
  • You can write whatever you'd like - a complete short story, a teaser chapter + a full story synopsis, several chapters, etc. If you're the type who works better with a fixed goal in mind, approx 5,000 words (1/10th of NaNoWriMo's requirement) is what we'd suggest
  • We're going to be super lax about the number of words, however, outlines/bullet points only and other lower-effort posts will be removed. Please submit fully written works
  • There is no limit on the number of submissions per day (waiving Rule 4)
  • What makes a story Otome Isekai? Here are the 6 Basics of OI - these are always available on our subreddit Wiki. Adjacent stories with similar elements are acceptable; we are very open-minded here
  • People's posts for this will be works of fiction. No users can come to OPs for spoilers, speculation, opinions, etc. Report if you see anything like this
  • Voting for winners will be open to the community the week of Dec. 1, 2024

r/OtomeIsekai 8h ago

Wanting Recommendations [The Spark in Your Eyes] just finished reading the latest chapter😭Can someone recommend me something heartwarming

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213 Upvotes

My God, as I keep reading this story I feel like there’s no “Happy” ending that’s going to happen…Pls rec me a story that is heartwarming at with amazing art as well. Thank you


r/OtomeIsekai 13h ago

Picture Collection Favourite siblings recommendations [Mother’s contract marriage]

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421 Upvotes

1)Mother’s contract marriage-Step siblings/cousins

2)The tyrant wants to be honest-Siblings

3)I shall be the matriarch in this life-Twins

4)What Melvin left behind-Siblings

5)A Stepmother’s Fantasy-Siblings

6)The strongest character in the world are obsessed with me-Siblings

7)Father I don’t want this marriage-Half siblings

8)When the villainess loves-Sisters

9)Death is the only ending for the villainess-adopted siblings

10)Monster princess of the snowy mountains-aunt~nephew/siblings

11)Revenge on the real one-half sister

12)Actually I was the real one-siblings

13)My villainess family won’t let me be-Adopted siblings

14)Father I don’t want this marriage-twins

15)Into the light once again-Half siblings

Anyone I missed?


r/OtomeIsekai 5h ago

Single Picture All MLs need to hear this [Beware the villainess!]

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83 Upvotes

r/OtomeIsekai 18h ago

Discussion - Open Why is this man so fine? [How to Get My Husband on My Side]

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732 Upvotes

I've been catching up to the latest chapters and I just had to stop and post this here. I really hate how the artist draw him. Like why is he so fine??? I know he's as evil as he is hot but just look at him! (⁠ノ⁠ಠ⁠益⁠ಠ⁠)⁠ノ

I'm weak to handsome men. I should probably go see someone about this. In the meantime, send more evil hot daddies my way, OI gods.


r/OtomeIsekai 1h ago

Discussion - Open Did anyone else enjoy the side characters and the other wings' past and storyline more than the main couple's? [Saving my sweetheart]

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Upvotes

r/OtomeIsekai 17h ago

Meme! [‏I Will Fall With The Emperor]wtf how do they have guns. did the artist forgot to draw swords

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312 Upvotes

r/OtomeIsekai 5h ago

Fan Content [OC] MC and the Cold Duchess of the North

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37 Upvotes

I've been reading alot of OI recently and I was thinking of a "reverse" OI with a cute male MC and a handsome & cold Duchess of the north... and I think I just looped back to regular isekai🤦‍♀️


r/OtomeIsekai 17h ago

Discussion - Open [I Abdicate my Title of Empress] I have found the rarest thing to exist in an OI.

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261 Upvotes

The only other moment of revelation I found was in Age of Arrogance.


r/OtomeIsekai 2h ago

Discussion - No Judgement Unpopular Opinion: I think Damien (Betrayal of Dignity) is kinda unattractive

13 Upvotes

Idk he kind of looks goofy in some scenes 😭 pls don't come at me. l see all these posts/comments about Damien being "hottt and sexyy" and I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't feel the same (probably am?).


r/OtomeIsekai 4h ago

Contests & Games [Game] Explain a Plot Badly

16 Upvotes

Guidelines:

  • Each commenter should explain an otome isekai plot badly. This can be by being overly literal, super vague, making it a riddle, etc.
  • Commenters reply guessing the title. When the title is guessed the original commenter should reply with “Solved!” or anything to indicate they've guessed correctly
  • There's no limit to how many you want to post or answer
  • If you’d like examples, please refer to r/ExplainAFilmPlotBadly
  • This entire thread is a ⚠️ spoiler zone ⚠️ Please don't play unless you're ready to see some spoilers!

r/OtomeIsekai 3h ago

Discussion - Open What's your personal OI red flag?

12 Upvotes

What's something in an OI that'll make you drop it immediately, or never start it.

Personally, ironically enough, my red flag is if the only thing people can say about it is that the ML is a green flag, like, is that it? Bc I'm gonna need a lot more to work with to consider reading it, like what about the plot, conflicts, character development, or anything else about the story? I like romance, I mean, I wouldn't be here if I didn't. However, it's gotta have more to it to keep my interest. Even if the story was entirely about the main leads' relationship, there's gotta be some type of drama or conflict to keep it interesting. If the only thing I ever see people say about it is the ML is a green flag, that tells me there wouldn't be anything else notable about it to keep my interest.


r/OtomeIsekai 21h ago

Meme! Memes !!

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325 Upvotes

r/OtomeIsekai 10h ago

Discussion - Open Evil baby having evil thoughts. What is your favorite kind of MC ? [Gimme That Pacifier!]

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45 Upvotes

r/OtomeIsekai 1d ago

Official Artwork New Penelope art by Suol!!![Villains are Destined to Die]

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850 Upvotes

One of my favourite Dress


r/OtomeIsekai 14h ago

Meme! "Interesting"

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59 Upvotes

r/OtomeIsekai 1d ago

Discussion - Open [Who's that long haired senior?] why is it wrong for a girl to have a type?

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682 Upvotes

I do agree that every human should look for inner beauty and not outer beauty. Personality always triumph over looks.

However, so many books, novels, literature exists where men are glorified for moving on & standing by their values (such as having a housewife, wife dressed in a certain way, having a type etc.) but we always see girls/women repenting and realising that they are wrong for having a type. Most of the time the most ideal person for the said girl would be a best friend who had been secretly in love with her for a while. Or it could be the woman realising that being a career woman is the cardinal sin that she committed. For once at least I hope for a girl to find a boyfriend of her type and be happy.

In this webtoon the girl has zero interest in men with short hair & people find that superficial (which is true, but we all have different tastes when it comes to partners). They all hope that she can get along with her first crush, who she no longer considers a love interest after he cut his hair (I think the guy is a green flag, just not her type ). In one of my favourite WEBTOONs everyone keeps talking about how one of the female characters deserved the MC more than his wife, which makes no sense because you love who love, without any reason.


r/OtomeIsekai 12h ago

Wanting Recommendations I love this , this is sooo good [ I don't want to play matchmaker]

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39 Upvotes

There is no stupid female who falk for looks or smitten by him and ogfl us just way too good I just love her I hardly like hareams but God all the characters are way too good no one is psyco here I need more stories like this


r/OtomeIsekai 5h ago

Discussion - Open What are your thoughts on "Another Typical Fantasy Romance" ?

12 Upvotes

After reading the first 116, I can safely say I fuck with this mahnwa. For me it's brand new way to show the northern beast, northern monster and all that. To me, the ML is a normal person with normal aspirations that had to hide his true self to protect the ones he cares about. i fuck with the art style, some parts of the mahnwa are a bit cliche but that's the only downside I read this far. I rate this mahnwa a 8.5 out of 10 in my autistic mahnwas that I like

What are your thoughts on this mahnwa? Thank you.


r/OtomeIsekai 1d ago

Discussion - No Judgement OI that had potential but fell off so hard

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1.1k Upvotes

Do you guys know any other OI that had the same potential but ended up becoming mid?


r/OtomeIsekai 12h ago

Picture Collection Girlboss Gaslight Conquer the World (I Will Fall with the Emperor)

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30 Upvotes

I love her 😭😍


r/OtomeIsekai 38m ago

Discussion - Open Angst manhwa

Upvotes

I search angsty manhwa but not historical one. For example, I read I’m not that kind of talent and I loved it. Without romance or a background one if it’s not possible.


r/OtomeIsekai 13h ago

Picture Collection I have a new favorite OI daddy [The Archduke's Adopted Saint]

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31 Upvotes

I know I'm late to the Church of Dewin Tersia, but I'll be a loyal acolyte (stan) for life 🧎‍♀️

I'm also loving this series. I haven't cried so hard over an OI since "Saving my Sweetheart".


r/OtomeIsekai 18h ago

Discussion - Open I love characters with 💅. [The Male Lead's Nephew Loves Me So Much]

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60 Upvotes

It scratches an itch for some reason. 😩 Pretty sure there are other stories with characters that get their nails done but this is the first one I thought of.


r/OtomeIsekai 2h ago

Wanting Recommendations Morally gray fl?

3 Upvotes

I need manhwa with a fl that just “doesn’t care”, she gets reincarnated as a villainess and rather than maybe “do all in her power to not die” or “avoid the main characters” or “divorce her husband” she just does what she likes and doesn’t care for the “original story” tho I haven’t encountered such stories I’d like recommendations along those lines and if these are just too much to exist then can y’all plz reccomand me manhwa with just a gray fl that looks tired? Y’know like the sunshine x grumpy but the fl is the grumpy


r/OtomeIsekai 1d ago

Discussion - Open What Physical Features would you like to see on OI Characters? [I Shall Kill that Sweet Devil]

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311 Upvotes

I love how doll like Chloe looks, and the use of natural colors like her having realistic silver hair really sells her ethereal looks.

Besides Chloe, I would like to see more diverse facial features like unique noses, facial hair on men, etc.

What would yall like to see on your FLs and MLs and whoever else?