Catarina Ships Ranked
Welp. This is probably a controversial topic but I recently finished the current two seasons of "My Next Life as a Villainess" and this show had a ton of potential ships so I figured I'd give my two cents on the topic. Keep in mind I've only seen this show once and this is all just for fun.
Worst: Keith Claes
This is her brother. I know it's her adopted brother but he was still adopted by her parents when they were both kids. They were raised as siblings, they ARE siblings, when the show treats them as anything other than siblings, I mentally check out and feel disgusted.
2nd Worst: Rufus/Sora
I really want to like this guy as a character. He really does have an interesting backstory and the fact that he does so much shady shit doesn't destroy him as a character, I'm fine with morally grey characters. Buuuuut the way he treats people, Catarina most notably, is a massive red flag, even prior to the huge no no scene where he pins Catarina to the bed. Just. No. Catarina deserves better.
3rd Worst: Geordo Stuart
The ship that gets the most focus, and is probably the most likely to happen is sadly not one I'm fond of. Geordo is not as bad as Sora, I'll preface with that first and foremost, but the way he treats Catarina especially in season 2 still just rubs me the wrong way. I know they're engaged and all but he's coming on way too strong and it doesn't seem like Catarina appreciates it.
7th Favorite: Raphael Walt
Alright this ship I don't dislike at all, unlike the bottom three, it's just low by default since it has the least development. We don't see much of their friendship before the twist and while the season 1 finale is very strong and I was glad to see them become true friends by the end of it, they really just don't spend much time with each other after that.
6th Favorite: Ginger Tucker
This one's also kinda underdeveloped but that's understandable for a more minor character. This ship is absolutely not happening and not a favorite of mine by any means, I just think it's funny. Ginger's crush on Catarina is definitely one I'd prefer remain unrequited but it is cute.
5th Favorite: Alan Stuart
This one I like more so because it's funny and has some story potential rather than the actual character dynamics (which feel a little undercooked). Catarina leaving her fiancรฉ for his brother is likely not where the show itself is going at all but it would piss off Geordo and that would be pretty funny. Also Alan thinking Catarina was stealing Mary from him only to fall for Catarina too was hilarious. Speaking of Mary-
4th Favorite: Mary Hunt
The first ship in this show I got really attached to. Yeah I don't have too much to add. Mary can be a little much at times (though nowhere near as forceful as the bottom three thankfully) which is why she's a little low but still, the way she and Catarina met and bonded was cute and Catarina accidentally stealing a line from a love event and seducing Mary is still top tier hilarity.
3rd Favorite: Sophia Ascart
The reincarnation of Catarina's best friend from their previous lives. That is a setup that is absolutely juicy and this show could definitely do more with but what they have done is great. I'll admit I do think I might slightly prefer this particular ship platonically but I do still enjoy it romantically. They have a shared interest in reading romance novels and their interactions are just really sweet.
2nd Favorite: Nicol Ascart
In a hypothetical scenario where Catarina must get with a guy, this is the guy I'm rooting for the hardest. He just feels the most respectful towards Catarina from what we've seen in the anime and the fact that he smiles genuinely the most around her is honestly just sweet. They sadly don't interact much since Nicol is trying to keep his distance out of respect but I really like it partly for that reason: seemingly one-sided pining that eventually turns out to be mutual is just sweet. Also Sophia wingman-ing them is both cute and tragic on her end.
Favorite: Maria Campbell
Yeah this one really won me over. Catarina accidentally stealing love events and making Maria fall for her was just perfect. I love their ensuing friendship and how they have a common interest in baking and kinda gardening. They just mesh really well and out of all of these ships, Maria feels like the one Catarina is the most interested in. She specifically, I think on multiple occasions even, mentions Maria "making her heart flutter even though she's a girl" which to me, really reads as Catarina having a crush but not realizing it due to internalized heteronormativity. Don't know if that's canon, that's just how I interpret it.
