English Dub Review: Though I Am an Inept Villainess “Shoulders Back, Look Forward”
Overview (Spoilers Below):
It has been four days since the swap. Reirin, who has been banished to a hut in the Shu Palace, devotes herself to farming utilizing Keigetsu’s healthy body. Enjoying a freedom where she doesn’t trouble anyone, Reirin spends her days feeling fulfilled. Meanwhile, Leelee is provoked by Gayou, a high court lady from the Kin family who suddenly appeared before her, to harass Reirin…
Our Take:
Despite an easier new life inside Keigetsu’s body, Reirin still has her work cut out for her regarding gaining trust from those who despise Keigetsu. One of them who may be a tough nut to crack is Leelee, who’s tasked by Gayou to torment Reirin and is driven by her anger towards Keigetsu. With the Ghost Festival on the way, she’ll have to hold on a bit longer until she can meet up with Keigetsu again. That is, if the villainous princess doesn’t die suffering from Reirin’s frail body. It bears repeating that I still love seeing arrogant people like Keigetsu get karma for their actions, including giving their subjects a hard time. It not only injected some humor into these scenarios, but also made us wish that they would see the error of their ways to escape that torment.
“Shoulders Back, Look Forward” offers more than just another instance of people’s gradually changing perspective towards “Keigetsu”. It also further showcases Leelee’s own torment, as Keigetsu’s mistreatment towards her results in her blind rage towards the princess, as well as her being the daughter of a dancer. Consequently, it allowed Gayou, who shares the same hatred of Keigetsu as Leelee, to take advantage of her emotions by ordering her to assassinate “Keigetsu”. It really shows how people’s arrogance and jealousy can affect those close to them emotionally, and that an act of kindness can help turn things around for the better. Plus, Gayou’s actions show that Keigetsu’s enemies can be just as cruel as her. Regardless of which body she’s in, Reirin sure knows how to bring that kind of generosity to those around her, which could help Keigetsu’s own life for the better.
