Episode 10 of From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!, titled “The Old Man Crossdresses”, has been released, continuing the story of Kenzaburo Tondabayashi, a middle-aged bureaucrat reincarnated as the villainess Grace Auvergne in his daughter’s favorite otome game. While the episode title suggests a focus on cross-dressing, the theme is mostly postponed, and the installment instead delves into Anna Doll’s family background and sets up future events, promising the eventual return of Grace’s mother.
Anna’s Family Secrets Unfold
A significant portion of Episode 10 explores the family background of Anna Doll, the game’s heroine. Anna, a commoner, harbors an inferiority complex when comparing herself to her noble peers. However, when Grace/Kenzaburo meets Anna’s mother, Grace notices that she interacts with nobles with ease, lacking any deference or fear.
This observation sparks questions about Anna’s mother’s past.
- Is Anna’s mother secretly a noble? Did she perhaps leave a privileged life behind to marry a baker?
- Could Anna’s potential to marry Prince Virgile in the original game be attributed to a hidden noble heritage?
Kenzaburo grapples with his curiosity about Anna’s family and his desire to respect their privacy. Meanwhile, Anna openly praises Grace to her family, making Grace a central theme in her letters home.
Grace’s “Manly” Disguise and a Damsel (or rather, Cat-boy) in Distress
During Anna’s summer break return to her hometown, Grace follows, poorly disguised as a man. Anna’s mother quickly sees through Grace’s disguise when offered chocolate coronets. The episode also features a subplot involving a beastman boy stuck in a tree. Grace and Anna attempt to rescue him using magic, but their efforts are hampered by range limitations. Anna’s mother, inspired by the coronets, devises a plan that Grace and Anna implement to safely bring the child down. This incident leads to the entire town developing affection points for their “future queen,” as Anna prematurely calls her.
Student Council Antics and Foreshadowing
The episode teases a future student council play for the school festival, where the “cross-dressing rule” instituted by Grace’s mother, Jacqueline Auvergne, when she was Student Council President, may come into play. This rule stipulates gender-swapping roles for council members.
Jacqueline’s Return Looms
The potential return of Grace’s mother, Jacqueline, is foreshadowed, raising concerns for Kenzaburo, who worries she might recognize the changes in Grace’s personality.
PTA Lamentations and Social Commentary
Kenzaburo’s “innate decency and profound geekiness” continue to drive the story, with his daughter even wondering if he might be of noble descent. His wife dismisses this, attributing it to his years of managerial experience. The episode also includes moments of social commentary, such as Kenzaburo’s lament about PTA members banning shows like Crayon Shin-chan, reflecting on society’s tendency to judge novel ideas by current standards.
Episode 10: A Setup for Future Developments
Overall, Episode 10 serves as a setup for future events, filled with humor and cultural references. While the cross-dressing aspect is teased, the episode primarily focuses on exploring Anna’s family background and hinting at the return of Grace’s mother, leaving viewers anticipating further developments in the story.
