One of the funniest Isekai anime this season, My Next Life as a Villainess features characters that range from magicless to borderline overpowered. Although the characters are mostly focused on their rivalry for Catarina’s hand in marriage, they would not hesitate to battle other contenders if the need arose.
The Villainess manga gives its readers a power ranking of each character based on their magical aptitude, ranking them on a scale of 1 to 5. Each character has proficiency in a certain type of elemental magic, but not every character can use their magic in the same way—especially when it comes to fighting.
Anne Shelley
Anne is the illegitimate daughter of a noble and Catarina’s maid. Anne hasn’t shown any fighting ability and possesses no magic. She lacks confidence, inspiring Catarina to help her with certain issues.
Anne is the only one in the cast that can reasonably keep a hold on Catarina during her antics, having been her maid since Catarina’s childhood. Anne is also the only one in the cast that might not be able to hold her own in a fight, as she is physically weak compared to others.
Catarina Claes
One of the best female Isekai protagonists, Catarina is a kind-hearted character—although she’s often dense as a brick—and she stands up for herself and her friends when she needs to. She has to work to increase her Earth magic skill, which is very low. On her manga character sheet, her magic rates a 1 out of 5, the lowest magical proficiency in the whole magic-possessing cast. Catarina would also most likely be the one getting into trouble since she has been kidnapped and pushed around a lot in the series.
Despite her low magic stat, Catarina is the physically strongest female in the series, having built up her muscles through farming and climbing trees. Catarina has shown in the past that she is a force to be dealt with by, for example, beating Alan in a rowing boat race.
Sophia Ascart
As a child, Sophia was isolated and bullied due to her silver hair and red eyes. However, through Catarina, Sophia came out of her shell and became more vocal, able to stand up for herself with confidence.
She has a very active imagination and is passionate when it comes to novels, Catarina, and her brother Nicol. Sophia’s wind magic ranks a 3 out of 5 according to her manga character sheet, but she is a passive person and hesitates to use her magic unless the situation is dire.
Mary Hunt
Mary grows throughout the series from a shy and hesitant child into an outspoken and commanding woman that will fight for what she wants, namely Catarina’s hand in marriage. Mary is a schemer and will be manipulative to turn things to her favor.
Mary’s water magic ranks a 3 out of 5. Her specialty is dancing, and she is strong-willed, quick on her feet, and eager to fight when the need arises. Mary is forthright and takes what she wants. However, she is more of an intel-gathering spy than a physical brawler and would take down her opponent from the shadows rather than facing them head-on.
Nicol Ascart
Nicol is a handsome noble that can win anyone over with his looks. On the surface, he is stoic and finds it difficult to talk, but, inside, he is insecure and sweet, deeply protective of his younger sister Sophia. His wind magic ranks a 4 on a 5 point scale, and, as a second-year member of the student council, he has intelligence on par with Geordo and Sirius.
Nicol feels uncomfortable as the center of attention, unable to express emotions from his heart. Although the female characters in the show typecast him as a mysterious figure like Sailor Moon’s Tuxedo Mask, Nicol is a peaceful person and would not typically resort to violence.
Alan Stuart
Alan is the younger brother of Geordo and is fourth in line to the throne. He has astounding musical talent, and his special skill is being able to play any instrument, but especially the piano, which is the only thing he can beat Catarina at if challenged.
Alan’s water magic is a 4 out of 5 according to his manga profile, and, out of the royal characters, he is the quickest to resort to physical confrontation. Alan was a sickly, sheltered child and is not very physically strong, but Alan is stubborn and refuses to give up. Although Catarina beat him constantly in tree climbing competitions as a child, Alan continued to challenge her despite their physical differences.
Geordo Stuart
Geordo—or Gerald, or Giord, or Jeord—possesses fire magic, with a magic power of 4 out of 5. His special skill is his perfectionism, doing anything he likes with ease. He excels in sword fighting and can keep up with the palace knights, although Catarina is catching up to him in this regard, as she trains every day to avoid Geordo killing her in a Bad Ending.
Geordo is one of the smartest characters in the show along with Nicol and Sirius. He is very possessive of Catarina and the most forward of all the rivals, being her first kiss and emphasizing that he is engaged to Catarina whenever the other rivals try to score points.
Maria Campbell
Maria has been bullied her whole life for possessing light magic, which is extremely rare for a commoner. Her magic ranks a 5 out of 5, but, due to her traumatic childhood, she doesn’t often use her magic, only letting it show when one of her close friends is in immediate danger.
Maria possesses a high baking skill, but she is kind of a doormat and doesn’t stand up for herself often. In one of the saddest moments of the Isekai series, Maria is saved by Catarina twice in one episode when she is bullied by higher-ranking nobles. However, Maria has been shown to gain confidence in some situations when she is with Catarina or her friends.
Keith Claes
Hard-working Keith demonstrated just how powerful he is in the very first episode of the show by making clay golems and wreaking havoc. Before he came to live at the Claes mansion, he injured his brothers by letting his magic get out of control, creating an earthquake that almost killed them.
His Earth magic is rated 5 on 5 point scale, but his special skill is getting Catarina out of trouble. In addition to his magic power, Keith has shown that he is very fast on foot, catching up to Geordo’s carriage when Geordo attempts to take Catarina to the lake alone.
Sirius Dieke
Sirius, the student council president, possesses dark magic and appeared in Fortune Lover as a secret route where, if the player doesn’t conquer him, then all characters will be killed. Sirius’ wind magic is a 4 out of 5, but his dark magic is extremely powerful and able to control others, obtained after a ritual that he was forced to participate in.
Sirius doesn’t enjoy hurting others and was manipulated to pursue revenge. He is later very regretful that he ever engaged in combat with the protagonists, and he goes from a malicious villain to a sweet hero, taking the name Raphael to start a new life.
