The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Satsuki Nakamura’s light novel series, “Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court,” has officially announced its main cast and a 2026 premiere window, alongside the release of a new teaser trailer and visual.
Fans received their first look at the animated world of the “inept villainess” and the voice talents bringing its unique body-swap narrative to life. The announcement confirms the series will debut sometime in 2026, building anticipation for the historical fantasy.
Key Cast Members Revealed
The new trailer and visual introduced the two leading voice actresses for the central characters of the story. Manaka Iwami, known for her role as Akane Kurokawa in Oshi no Ko, will voice Kou Reirin, the frail and beautiful “court butterfly”. Opposite her, Natsumi Kawaida, who played Silk in I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths!, takes on the role of the scheming Shu Keigetsu, the “court rat”. Their dual performances are expected to be a highlight, especially given the body-swapping premise.
A Glimpse into the Plot
“Though I Am an Inept Villainess” (Japanese title: Futsutsuka na Akujo dewa Gozaimasu ga ~ Sugu Choso Torikae den~) plunges viewers into the opulent and treacherous imperial court of the Kingdom of Ei. The story revolves around five clans, each vying for power by presenting their maidens as imperial consorts, with only one destined to become empress.
The synopsis details how the seemingly perfect Kou Reirin, poised to marry the crown prince, finds her life turned upside down when the jealous Shu Keigetsu orchestrates a body swap during the Lantern Festival. Reirin awakens in the dungeons, trapped in Keigetsu’s body and facing execution, while Keigetsu assumes Reirin’s identity at court. However, Reirin’s new, robust body and unexpected resolve present an opportunity for her to navigate this dire situation and reclaim her destiny.
Production Team and Studio
Bringing this intricate tale to the screen is animation studio Doga Kobo. The anime will be directed by Mitsue Yamazaki, recognized for her work on How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? and Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun. Yoshiko Nakamura, known for RPG Real Estate, is handling the series composition, ensuring the story’s complex narrative is faithfully adapted. Character designs are being provided by Ai Kikuchi, whose previous credits include Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie.
Origin Story: Light Novel and Manga Success
The anime is based on the popular light novel series written by Satsuki Nakamura and illustrated by YukiKana. The series originally debuted on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in July 2020 before being published in print by Ichijinsha starting December 2020. Seven Seas Entertainment licenses both the light novels and their manga adaptation in English, under the full title “Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court.” The manga adaptation, illustrated by Ei Ohitsuji, began its serialization in Monthly Comic Zero Sum in June 2021. The original light novels have garnered significant recognition, including the “Light Novel Award” in the 2023 Cmoa Minna ga Erabu Digital Comic Awards.
