Kadokawa has officially revealed the primary cast, key staff, television format, and a January 2026 debut for the anime adaptation of Punichan’s popular light novel series, The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom (Akuyaku Reijō wa Ringoku no Ōtaishi ni Dekiai Sareru). This announcement confirms the highly anticipated adaptation will be a TV series, bringing the beloved romance-fantasy to screens early next year.
Reprising Roles from the Otome Game Adaptation
Fans of the light novels and the Lapis Lazuli Ring otome game will recognize some familiar voices joining the anime production. Mai Fuchigami, Yūichirō Umehara, Takuya Satō, and Yumiri Hanamori are all set to reprise their roles from the light novel’s otome game adaptation. These actors previously lent their talents to the visual novel, which was released on Nintendo Switch and Steam in March 2024.
Key Voice Cast Revealed
The main cast members announced include:
- Mai Fuchigami as Lapis Clamentile/TiaraRose. TiaraRose is the protagonist, a reincarnated villainess from the otome game “The Ring of Lapis Lazuli.” She is serious and loves eating sweets and reading.
- Yūichirō Umehara as Aquasteed Marinforest. Aquasteed is the crown prince of the neighboring country Marinforest, who proposes to TiaraRose after her engagement is broken. He is skilled in swords and magic.
- Takuya Satō as Hartknights Lapis Lazuli Lactomuth. He is the crown prince of Lapis Lazuli Kingdom and TiaraRose’s former fiancé.
- Yumiri Hanamori as Akari. Akari is described as the innocent heroine of the original otome game, “The Ring of Lapis Lazuli.”
Other characters in the original game included Icilla Pearllant, Keith, Crail, Pearl, Philine Sunfist, and Elliot.
Anime Format and Production Details
The anime will be a television series, allowing for a comprehensive adaptation of the popular light novel. While Kadokawa unveiled a key visual alongside the cast and debut window, further details about the animation studio and full staff list are expected to be announced in the future.
The Story of The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom
The series centers on a Japanese woman who finds herself reincarnated into the world of “The Ring of Lapis Lazuli,” her favorite otome game, but as the villainess, TiaraRose. Expecting her engagement to Prince Hartknights to be broken and subsequently facing exile, a surprising turn of events occurs. Instead of the predicted downfall, Aquasteed, the crown prince of the neighboring Marinforest Kingdom, unexpectedly proposes marriage to her, dramatically altering her fate. The story is categorized as a romance-fantasy.
From Web Novel to Anime
The series originated as a web novel by Punichan on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō platform in March 2016. It was then picked up as a light novel series in October 2016, with illustrations by Akeno Naruse, under Kadokawa’s B’s-Log Bunko imprint. As of 2023, 14 volumes of the light novel have been released. The franchise also includes a manga adaptation by Hoshina, which began serialization in December 2017 and has 15 volumes as of January 2025. The light novel and manga series combined have over 5.6 million copies in circulation.
