Fans of the beloved ‘Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court’ can now mark their calendars, as the anime adaptation is set to premiere sometime in 2026! Along with this exciting announcement, the series has unveiled its lead voice cast through a new teaser visual and trailer.
Taking on the role of the delicate and beautiful Kou Reirin will be Manaka Iwami, known for her captivating performance as Akane Kurokawa in ‘Oshi no Ko.’ Joining her is Natsumi Kawaida, who voiced Silk in ‘I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths!’, now stepping into the shoes of the cunning Shu Keigetsu.
The ‘Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court’ saga began its journey as a light novel series, first published in July 2020 on the Shosetsuka ni Naro website. Ichijinsha has since released ten volumes of the light novels in Japan, with Satsuki Nakamura crafting the story and YukiKana providing the charming illustrations. The series also inspired a manga adaptation by Ei Ohitsuji, which launched in June 2021 in ‘Monthly Comic Zero Sum’ and currently boasts eight volumes.
Bringing this intricate story to the screen is director Mitsue Yamazaki, leading the production at the esteemed animation studio Doga Kobo. Yoshiko Nakamura is responsible for the series composition, ensuring the narrative’s seamless flow, while Ai Kikuchi designs the memorable characters.
For English-speaking audiences, Seven Seas Entertainment publishes both the ‘Though I Am an Inept Villainess’ light novels and manga. The intriguing plot is set in the Kingdom of Ei, where five clans present their maidens as imperial consorts, all vying for the empress’s crown. The story centers on Kou Reirin, a frail beauty known as the ‘court butterfly,’ who appears destined to marry the crown prince. However, her jealous rival, Shu Keigetsu, the ‘court rat,’ orchestrates a shocking body swap! Reirin awakens in the dungeons, trapped in her conspirator’s body. What seems like a dire predicament turns into an unexpected advantage, as her new, robust body gives her the strength to overcome even the looming threat of execution.