Best Reincarnation Manhwa Where Villains Become Heroes, Ranked

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There are many stories about reincarnation, and most of them follow kind characters getting a new chance at life. But sometimes, a story appears where the main character is reborn as a villain, and they try to change their ways, becoming more heroic. These stories usually focus on the villain making amends for their past actions and becoming the kind of hero they once fought against.

This article features stories about heroes who used to be villains – characters who’ve either been reborn or gone back in time and are now trying to live a better life. These tales of former villains seeking redemption are packed with surprising plot twists, compelling drama, and a touch of humor.

Here, “villains” simply means characters who were mostly bad people, not necessarily the most evil ones.

6. Standard Of Reincarnation

Reincarnating As The Son Of His Rival Family Is Perfect For Him

  • Genre: Adventure, Shonen, Dark Fantasy, Sword And Sorcery, Action, Reincarnation
  • Author: Ilhwang
  • Artist: Ramwoo
  • Status: Ongoing

The story starts with the death of the One-Armed Devil, killed by the Samion family. This outlaw had tried to murder the Samions after they rejected him. After his death, the spirit of a boy named Vincent Adenca – from a family that rivals the royal family – summons him.

He will take over the body of Vincent, becoming a Guardian Spirit – a step towards becoming a god. Together with Vincent, he intends to continue his quest for revenge against the families that scorned them for perceived weakness. This sets the stage for a story about two villains sharing one body, but surprisingly, they ultimately become the heroes.

5. 66666 Years: Advent Of The Dark Magician

The Devil You Know, Wearing The Face Of An Innocent Child

  • Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, School Life, Drama
  • Author: Hwabong
  • Artists: Taru
  • Status: Ongoing

Diablo Volpir was a powerful, ancient wizard who became a god and rebelled against the other gods. He wanted to liberate humanity from what he saw as their cruel control. Unable to destroy him, the gods banded together and imprisoned him, hoping to hold him for 66,666 years. When that time ended, the barrier containing him shattered, freeing Diablo. However, he didn’t return as the wizard of old. Instead, his spirit was reborn in the body of a young nobleman named Jamie Welton.

The Welton family’s successor is unexpectedly seen as a divine messenger after receiving a blessing from a goddess he once hated. He’s presented with a compelling offer: to help her eliminate all other gods. Now, this former villain, now a hero, must assemble a team of both old and new allies to finally destroy the corrupt gods.

4. The Villainess Lives Again (Or The Villainess Lives Twice)

A Manhwa Villainess Meets A Gruesome End And Then Gets A Chance To Avoid That Fate

  • Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Politics
  • Author: Mint Han
  • Artists: Peach Berry
  • Status: Complete

The manhwa The Villainess Lives Twice is well-known, and its first chapter is notably dark and disturbing. It ends with the main character, Artezia, promising to get revenge on her emperor brother after he falsely accused and tortured her. However, Artezia herself confesses to committing terrible deeds that would justify harsh punishment, even if she didn’t commit the specific crime she’s blamed for.

In The Villainess Lives Twice, Artezia gets a second chance at life and attempts to use her skills in manipulation to help Grand Duke Cedric become the ruler instead of her brother. Though she still has some of her cunning, she mostly wants to be a decent person and quickly sheds her more ruthless tendencies.

3. The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide

He Was A Minor Villain, Now He Has Become The School Hero

  • Genre: Adventure, Drama, Dark Fantasy, School Life, Reincarnation, Isekai
  • Author: Korita
  • Artist: GREEN KYRIN
  • Status: Ongoing

Ed Rothstaylor was a relatively unimportant villain in a fantasy role-playing game, but everything changed when a skilled player was reborn as him. Suddenly, instead of being a weak character who was easily defeated at the beginning of the story, Ed became a key figure. This new Ed is determined to achieve the best possible outcome, and he’ll do anything to avoid all the tragic events that were originally part of the game’s plot.

He’s unable to love or trust anyone, always suspecting hidden motives because of the story’s potential for a negative outcome. However, despite this, the villain gradually becomes more compelling than the hero, and his resourceful way of life draws the interest of several key female characters.

2. The Villainess Is A Marionette

A Third Chance To Mend Her Mistakes

  • Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Drama, Political Intrigue, Reincarnation, Reverse Isekai, Isekai
  • Author: Han Yi Rim
  • Artist: Manggle
  • Status: Complete

Kayena was the antagonist in a fantasy romance, a princess whose kingdom was torn apart by a power struggle. She was killed for being naive and self-centered. After being reborn as a Korean citizen, she lived a life she later regretted, and ultimately died a second time, feeling used and unimportant.

It’s incredible to watch Kayena change! After deciding she’d had enough, she completely reinvented herself. She wasn’t going to be a pawn anymore – she was going to take control. She became genuinely kind and patient, but she also learned to be incredibly clever and strategic; she finally understood how everything worked. And honestly, the change is so complete, so absolute, that everyone around her recognizes she’s become the hero the kingdom desperately needs!

I’m a huge fan of villainess manhwa, and there are so many good ones out there! But for this, I’ve decided to really focus on just two that I think perfectly capture what we’re talking about.

1. The Greatest Estate Developer

A Vicious Professional Decides To Transform The World

  • Genres: Fantasy, Isekai, Comedy, Action, Slice of Life, Reincarnation
  • Author: Lee Hyunmin (novel), Yama (adaptation)
  • Artist: Kim Hyunsoo
  • Status: Ongoing

An engineering student gets a second chance at life, but finds himself reborn as Lloyd Frontera, a minor villain fated to be overlooked. However, with the spirit of a driven entrepreneur now inhabiting his body, things are looking up – or are they?

This is a captivating tale of redemption. Lloyd, once a villain, finds a chance to save a struggling land by using his talent for engineering and construction to create wealth. He rules with boldness and cleverness, though some consider him harsh, cruel, and driven by greed. Despite his flaws, it’s clear Lloyd is meant to become a hero.

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2025-12-22 18:12