7th Time Loop Anime Review: When Your Killer Becomes Your Husband

7th Time Loop

“The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!”

When it comes to lengthy titles, Loop 7-kaime no Akuyaku Reijō wa, Moto Tekikoku de Jiyū Kimama na Hanayome Seikatsu wo Mankitsu Suru certainly earns a top spot on any list, not only for its near tongue-twister of a name but also for its vibrant charm. Thankfully, the English version did us a small favor by shortening it just a bit. This anime is an adaptation of the original light novel series by Touko Amekawa, which was later transformed into a manga by Hinoki Kino. The manga began serialization on the Comic Gardo website in December 2020. As of August 2023, five volumes have been compiled, with a sixth one already released. If I’m not mistaken, this anime season only covers the first two volumes, suggesting we might be in for a second season at some point. Now that this first arc has wrapped up, we must dig into our review.

7th Time Loop Anime Review: When Your Killer Becomes Your Husband | Pinnedupink.com

Rishe is a young knight whose life comes to a brutal end during the invasion led by Emperor Arnold Hein of the Galkhein Empire. As she stands alongside her fellow knights to protect the young princes, Arnold himself pierces her chest with his sword. However, what was supposed to be the conclusion of her journey instead becomes a fresh start. She awakens five years in the past, on the very night her fiancé, Prince Dietrich, publicly accuses her of villainy, breaks off their engagement, and sentences her to exile based on lies and slander. At this point, none of this truly fazes Rishe. She has already experienced this night half a dozen times. Each time she dies at age 20, she returns once again to this exact moment at 15, reliving her disgrace over and over.

The first time, she was entirely surprised, banished by her family, abandoned, and left with nothing. She was fortunate to be taken in by a group of traveling merchants who gave her shelter and taught her their trade. She journeyed the world and gained invaluable experience until fate again claimed her. In her second life, she trained as a healer. In her third year, she devoted herself to scholarship. In her fourth year, she worked as a humble maid. In her fifth year, she became a royal knight. And yet, no matter her path, each life ended the same way: death in the war sparked by Arnold Hein.

Now, in her seventh loop, Rishe resolves to change that fate. Her goal is simple: to survive beyond the age of 20 and, above all, bring about peace. Taking an unfamiliar route as she flees the palace of Prince Dietrich, she happens to cross paths with none other than Arnold, the very man who, minutes earlier in her past life, had taken her life. At this point, however, he is not yet an emperor, only the crown prince of Galkhein. Intrigued by Rishe’s strength and spirit, Arnold proposes marriage. Always thinking ahead, Rishe agrees to the proposal under strict conditions: he must never touch her, and she refuses to assume royal responsibilities. For her, this marriage is a calculated opportunity to uncover the causes of the future war and perhaps even stop it.

There are two particular phrases in this anime’s title that, amusingly enough, feel slightly misleading. First, Rishe isn’t a "villainess" by any reasonable definition. The label is nothing more than slander used to end her engagement, devoid of any real substance. Its inclusion is likely a nod to the currently popular “villainess” genre in anime and manga, which has exploded in recent years with titles like My Next Life as a Villainess and I’m in Love with the Villainess. Second, the supposed "carefree life" she leads is far from that. Rishe throws herself into diplomatic investigations, networking, and political intrigue, all while keeping up the appearance of a dutiful bride-to-be. Her days are packed with effort and initiative, never laziness. What the title does get right is the unlikely romance at the heart of the story; she indeed marries the man who has already killed her six times, the last time with his own hands.

The world of the 7th Time Loop is a fantasy realm with pre-industrial undertones but without fully embracing medieval clichés. Apart from the time loop and Rishe’s multiple reincarnations, this adaptation does not contain supernatural or magical elements. The setting's grounded, almost historical feel allows for a greater focus on political strategy and social maneuvering. Although the narrative could have leaned toward a darker, more tragic tone, it instead chooses optimism. Each arc ends with resolution, not despair. Conflicts are resolved, not deepened. That makes the series more of a comforting experience, even if its themes could lend themselves to heavier material.

In truth, these twelve episodes feel like a prologue rather than a full season. We’re introduced to many threads, but few are tied up: Why does Rishe return to the past after dying? What motivates Arnold to start a war and kill his father? Can fate be changed, or is it bound to repeat? We are left with far more questions than answers, and while that could be frustrating, it also fuels curiosity. There is every indication that the story will be a long-form narrative, and seeing it unfold is genuinely exciting.

The true heart of the series lies in its central figure: Rishe. Thanks to her many lives, Rishe has accumulated a staggering array of skills and experiences. She’s not just clever and strong; she’s skilled in all fields. She can negotiate trade deals, brew medicinal herbs, fence like a knight, and easily infiltrate court politics. She’s confident, insightful, and endlessly adaptable. If she has a flaw, it’s that she’s too competent. The absence of serious internal conflict or visible weakness makes her slightly less relatable. She feels idealized at times, a fully formed heroine from the outset. One can only hope the source material delves deeper into her doubts and vulnerabilities. Then there’s Arnold, who is arguably even more intriguing.

On the surface, he is a cold, calculating warrior-prince. Yet beneath that stoic shell, we catch fleeting glimpses of something softer: a wounded soul, perhaps, or a man burdened by destiny. The scar across his neck and his haunted expressions hint at a traumatic past, one that the ending credits poignantly echo with images of a younger Arnold wrapped in bandages. He’s not the kind of romantic lead who immediately inspires affection. He’s challenging to read, emotionally distant, and often intimidating. And yet, the more you learn about him, the more compelling he becomes.

As for their romance, well, it’s unconventional. Arnold claims to love Rishe initially, but his motivations are ambiguous. At times, his fascination with her feels more like curiosity than affection. However, as the story progresses, his actions suggest his feelings may be sincere. Rishe, in contrast, takes much longer to warm up to him. But once she begins to see his inner pain, her determination to rewrite their future only grows. Their relationship evolves in a slow, deliberate dance, and it’s genuinely enjoyable to watch.

Supporting characters are many and varied. Most are quickly charmed by Rishe, thankfully without developing romantic feelings, which avoids the dreaded reverse harem pitfall. Side characters like Tully (a savvy merchant), Michael (a brilliant inventor), and Kyle (a sickly prince from a foreign land) offer valuable connections from Rishe’s previous lives. She masterfully leverages her memories of them, and these arcs are handled with thought and care. The only misstep is Theodore, Arnold’s younger brother. His arc feels undercooked and tonally out of sync with the rest of the show.

Visually, 7th Time Loop lands somewhere between "respectable" and "conservative." The animation is consistent and competent but lacks standout flair. Backgrounds are standard fare for fantasy anime (European-style castles, cobblestone streets, grand palaces), all painted in soft, pastel hues that lend a fairy tale quality to the show. Character models are clean and attractive, particularly Rishe, whose outfits and hairstyles change regularly to reflect her past experiences and new circumstances. However, the facial expressions of some supporting characters can be stiff, and key scenes could benefit from more dynamic camera work and expressive animation. The show shines in its opening and ending sequences. The opening is a lively, colorful montage that captures the themes of resilience and reinvention. The ending is somber, focusing on Arnold’s childhood and inner struggles. These credit sequences pack emotional weight, sometimes missing from the episodes themselves. In the main story, some battles and confrontations feel under-animated, possibly due to budget constraints, preventing them from fully achieving their dramatic potential. A few more memorable set pieces would have elevated the experience.

7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! delivers a delightful blend of romance, intrigue, and fantasy with a refreshing twist on familiar tropes. Its biggest strengths are an engaging protagonist, an intriguing romantic lead, and a world that hints at deeper stories still to be told. However, its greatest weakness lies in the feeling that this season only scratches the surface. The mysteries are unresolved, and the character arcs are just beginning. Despite these limitations, this first season lays a promising foundation. If future installments continue to build on this world with the same charm and care, the story has every chance of becoming a true gem. Here’s hoping a second season is already in the works. Fingers crossed.