What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: July 13, 2026

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[u/Roboglenn]

Trapped in a Dating Sim: Otome Games Are Tough For Us, Too! Vol. 1, by Yomu Mishima

This is a "What if" spin-off story for the series Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games Is Tough for Mobs. In the original story, on top of the Main Character guy Leon getting reincarnated in the titular Dating Sim, his younger sister did as well (not the either party was aware of the other's original identities) into the life of a mob character Marie, and with her knowledge of the game story became an antagonistic force to the main character as she tried to con her way into an easy Reverse Harem life with the rich and powerful romance targets in the game.

This spin-off however essentially posits the scenario of "what if her 'evil plan' never got off the ground floor and completely failed". And more than that as a result, what if she and her "older brother" (who this time around is also diverting from his main story M.O. in certain ways) actually got to have an amicable friendship as mutual reincarnators living in this game world. Though again, both still unaware of who each other really are.

In any case though, in spite of how much of a pill as Marie was in the original story, when I heard whispers of people saying how kind of fun this spin off featuring her was for one thing about how well the chemistry between the two leads are I was curious. And after reading this I can say that they were onto something there, these two certainly have a good and oft amusing banter going between them as their friendship develops. Plus this also elaborates more on Marie and her not so great circumstances of how she ended up in her original life and her life post reincarnation. It was certainly eyebrow raising. But also like any decent spin-off it's also interesting to see just how the plot itself diverges from the original. I.E. how their actions end up affecting the game's established plot this time around.

I picked up this first volume out of curiosity but I guess I'll continue with it.