I Like Villains so I Reincarnated as One

Emile Rio’s blessing probes the surface memories of those it sees, allowing it to transform into someone else. It probably dug into either my memories or Rosalia’s to find what we consider the “strongest” and changed into that form.

By the way, in the game, it transforms into the protagonist, so the ironclad rule was to tackle the game with the protagonist completely unequipped—naked style. Because that jerk would even use the holy sword that only the protagonist could wield. It was a real pain in the ass.

“It’s not turning into me, huh?”

“Of course not! Who’d turn into a weakling like you?!”

“Weakling…? Lord Weiss isn’t weak at all!! I’ll kill you!!”

The crude vibe Emile Rio had earlier was gone, and even its insults carried an air of refinement. Rosalia, quietly fuming beside me, was honestly a little scary. Truth be told, I’ve fought Reinhard a few times before—not alone, of course. Even when Rosalia, Kaiser, and I took him on together, we couldn’t hold a candle to him.

On a side note, with this guy’s ability, I could actually have a proper conversation with another version of myself…

“Lord Weiss, hide! I’ll protect you!!”

“Rosalia, I’m fighting too. We said we’d do this together, remember?!”

“But this guy…”

“Hahaha, ladies last. I’ll start by carving you up first!!”

With a thunderous kick against the ground, Emile Rio—in Reinhard’s form—vanished. It was probably charging at me too fast for the eye to follow.

“White!!”

“Kyuuu!!”

As I shouted, White poked its head out from my chest. Smiling reassuringly at a worried Rosalia, I began preparing to chant a royal-class spell.

Of course, my magic alone couldn’t catch Emile Rio right now. But… that was fine. Someone else was here to stop its movements. Then, the sound of clashing metal rang out.

“What… the…?”

Darkness, who’d been lying in wait, blocked Emile Rio’s strike.

“Fuhahahaha! You’d be in trouble if you underestimated this Darkness!! Thanks, Weiss, Rosalia!! Because you bought me time, I’ve already cloaked myself in the wind!!”

Darkness, boosted to the max with wind magic, clashed blades with Emile Rio. They were probably trading sword strikes at insane speeds.

Sadly, I couldn’t even follow it with my eyes. That damn Darkness hadn’t been serious earlier at all. Even Rosalia could barely keep up. But… that was enough.

“Rosalia!! You good to go?!”

“Yes, of course, Lord Weiss!!”

“Grant me the sword that protects the princess of eternal darkness!! God-Eating Blade!! Darkness, now!!”

Compressed darkness enveloped Rosalia’s spear. My magic should now reside in her weapon. I couldn’t land an attack on my own, but Rosalia could.

“Understood. Witness now my true power!! Sword, dance under the blessing of the wind dragon!!”

“What is this?”

“This is the secret technique I devised to surpass my master—known to all as the Darkness Special!!”

As Darkness hurled the sword in his left hand, it soared through the air as if it had a will of its own, lunging at Emile Rio. Holy crap, it’s like a funnel!

Then, in the split-second opening created by Darkness’s ultimate move, Rosalia swung her spear, grazing Emile Rio’s arm.

Just a graze.

“Aguuuaaaahhh!!??”

That alone was enough for pitch-black darkness to spread from the scratch, devouring him in an instant. The princess of the underworld is greedy for the lives of the living. If he hadn’t chopped off his arm right then, he’d have died on the spot.

And Darkness wasn’t one to miss that opening.

“Claws of the wind dragon, rend my enemy to shreds!!”

As his strike pierced Emile Rio’s abdomen, blades of wind erupted from the sword, slashing through his entire body and sending him crashing into the wall with a groan. As expected of one of the Twelve Apostles—he wielded high-level magic like it was nothing.

“Why… I transformed into Reinhard, the strongest man…”

“No, you didn’t. What you mimicked was the Reinhard who held back when I fought him. The real him isn’t like this.”

“Fuhahaha, your appraisal skill saw right through his blessing, didn’t it? That’s why you had me conceal my presence!! Well done, Weiss!! I’ll grant you the right to call yourself my friend!!”

Darkness triumphantly threw two wind-infused knives as he shouted. They pierced Emile Rio’s throat and forehead. That should’ve finished him. For now, I’ll let Darkness keep thinking it was my appraisal skill—he wouldn’t believe it was game knowledge anyway.

In the original game, he’d probably have transformed into what Darkness considered the strongest and killed him.

But not this time. We won. No one died, and we even saved Astesia… That’s when I felt it. Maybe from using royal-class magic, my body started to sway.

“As expected of you, Lord Weiss!! But please don’t push yourself too hard. White-chan’s worried, and… honestly, I’m even more worried.”

Rosalia caught me as I stumbled. Her soft touch and sweet scent seemed to ease my headache.

Even with training, cladding Rosalia’s spear with royal-class magic was a reckless move. It drained my spirit more than when I fought Hades. I’d been extra careful to keep the magic from going wild and hurting her…

“Yeah… sorry. I’m okay, though.”

“You don’t look convincing with that face.”

“Kyuu-kyuu!!”

White licked my cheek as if to cheer me up, and I felt a bit of mental relief. As I tried to stand on my own, part of the ceiling came crashing down.

Looking closer, I saw cracks in the pillars. This… isn’t good, is it?

“Whoops… seems I got a bit too serious. I didn’t just break the wall—I took out the pillars too. I’m almost scared of how great I am.”

“You idiot!! Wait, Rosalia!?”

Suddenly lifted, I yelped in surprise. Wait, is this a princess carry…?

“Don’t worry, Lord Weiss. I’ll always protect you. Plus, holding you like this reassures me you’re by my side. I keep feeling like you’ll disappear somewhere I don’t know…”

“Rosalia…”

Her lonely expression left me speechless. I’ve been reckless lately and probably worried her too much. She didn’t say it, but I must’ve made her anxious.

“Heh, how sweet… Well, he’s probably dead now. Let’s get out of here.”

“Wait, but what about Catalina…?”

“Don’t worry about the girl. There was no one else in this church. My men scouting the area should’ve found her by now!!”

“Oh… good…”

“Lord Weiss!?”

Maybe it was the relief, but my consciousness started fading. Rosalia’s tight embrace felt warm… Oh, I’m worrying her again… Sorry…

But… we saved Astesia before she fell to darkness, and by chance, we made a connection with one of the powerful Twelve Apostles. Not bad, right…? With that thought, my consciousness slipped into the dark.

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Top Tools for Learning Japanese: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond

Learning Japanese opens doors to a rich culture, unique career opportunities, and a rewarding personal challenge. Whether you’re captivated by anime, planning a trip to Tokyo, or looking to expand your linguistic skills, the right tools can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. With so many apps, websites, and resources available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

This guide highlights the top tools for learning Japanese, catering to different learning styles, budgets, and proficiency levels. From gamified apps to immersive software and conversation practice platforms, these tools will help you master vocabulary, grammar, Kanji, and more. Let’s dive in!

Why Learn Japanese?

Before exploring the tools, it’s worth noting why Japanese is a valuable language to learn:

• Cultural Immersion: Understand anime, manga, and Japanese literature in their original form.
• Career Opportunities: Japan’s global influence in technology, business, and entertainment makes Japanese a sought-after skill.
• Cognitive Benefits: Learning a non-Latin script language like Japanese can enhance memory and problem-solving skills.

Now, let’s look at the best tools to help you achieve your goals.

1. Duolingo

• Best For: Beginners seeking a fun, gamified approach.
• Key Features:
  • Free with optional premium upgrades.
  • Bite-sized lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
  • Listening and speaking exercises to practice pronunciation.
  • Gamification elements like points, streaks, and leaderboards.
• Why It Stands Out: Duolingo’s user-friendly interface and reward system make it ideal for building a daily learning habit. It’s perfect for beginners but may need to be supplemented with other tools for advanced learners.

2. Rosetta Stone

• Best For: Learners who prefer immersive, structured lessons.
• Key Features:
  • Paid subscription with a focus on immersion.
  • Interactive lessons covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
  • Speech recognition technology for pronunciation feedback.
  • Lessons build on each other for gradual progression.
• Why It Stands Out: Rosetta Stone’s immersion method helps you think in Japanese rather than translating from your native language. It’s ideal for serious learners looking for a comprehensive curriculum.

3. Memrise

• Best For: Vocabulary building with spaced repetition.
• Key Features:
  • Free with premium options.
  • User-generated courses and official Memrise content.
  • Spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques for memory retention.
  • Audio and video clips from native speakers.
• Why It Stands Out: Memrise excels at making vocabulary stick. Its use of real-life videos and community-driven content adds variety and cultural context to your learning.

4. Anki

• Best For: Customizable flashcard learning, especially for Kanji.
• Key Features:
  • Free on most platforms (paid iOS app).
  • Create custom flashcard decks or download pre-made ones.
  • Supports images, audio, and example sentences.
  • Spaced repetition system (SRS) for optimal review timing.
• Why It Stands Out: Anki’s flexibility allows you to tailor your learning to specific needs, like mastering Kanji or advanced vocabulary. It’s a favorite among serious learners for its effectiveness.

5. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese

• Best For: Grammar-focused learners.
• Key Features:
  • Completely free online resource.
  • Comprehensive grammar lessons from beginner to advanced levels.
  • Clear explanations with practical examples.
  • Available as a mobile app for offline access.
• Why It Stands Out: Tae Kim’s guide is a go-to for understanding Japanese grammar. Its straightforward approach demystifies complex concepts, making it a must-have for self-learners.

6. HelloTalk

• Best For: Conversation practice with native speakers.
• Key Features:
  • Free with premium options.
  • Connects you with native Japanese speakers for language exchange.
  • Text, voice, and video chat options.
  • Built-in correction tools and translation features.
• Why It Stands Out: HelloTalk bridges the gap between textbook learning and real-world conversation. It’s perfect for practicing speaking and listening in a supportive environment.

7. Kanji Recognizer

• Best For: Learning and recognizing Kanji characters.
• Key Features:
  • Free app available on Android and iOS.
  • Draw Kanji on your screen to search for meanings and readings.
  • Provides stroke order, example words, and readings.
  • Offline functionality for on-the-go learning.
• Why It Stands Out: Kanji Recognizer is a handy tool for quickly identifying and learning Kanji. It’s especially useful for beginners struggling with character recognition.

Tips for Maximizing Your Learning

To get the most out of these tools, consider these strategies:

• Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s mastering 100 Kanji or holding a 5-minute conversation, specific goals keep you motivated.
• Practice Daily: Consistency is key. Even 15-30 minutes a day can lead to significant progress.
• Mix and Match Tools: Use a combination of apps for well-rounded learning. For example:
  • Vocabulary: Duolingo or Memrise.
  • Grammar: Tae Kim’s Guide.
  • Speaking: HelloTalk.
  • Kanji: Anki or Kanji Recognizer.
• Embrace Mistakes: Language learning is a process. Don’t be afraid to make errors—they’re stepping stones to fluency.

Conclusion

Learning Japanese is a journey that requires dedication, but with the right tools, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. From gamified apps like Duolingo to immersive platforms like Rosetta Stone and conversation tools like HelloTalk, there’s something for every learner. Start with the tools that best fit your style and goals, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different combinations.

Ready to begin? Choose your first tool and take the first step toward mastering Japanese today!