A new visual for the two main characters of the series has been revealed.
The anime adaptation of the popular novel series Though I Am an Inept Villainess was announced back in March 2025. In a recent update, it was revealed that the series will air in April 2026. The anime is finally releasing in the Spring season next year, after being in production for a year.
Though I Am an Inept Villainess anime cast, staff, and other details
The anime Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court, is coming to TV screens in April, 2026. A new visual has been revealed, and it features previously-unreleased key animation illustrations.
The anime stars:
- Manaka Iwami as Kou Reirin
- Natsumi Kawaida as Shu Keigetsu
Mitsue Yamazaki directs the anime, while Yoshiko Nakamura handles series composition. Ai Kikuchi is designing the characters in this Doga Kobo production.
The anime is adapted from Satsuki Nakamura’s light novel series of the same name. The printed version of the books include illustrations by YukiKana, and is published by Ichijinsha. A manga adaptation illustrated by Ei Ohitsuji has also been published. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes both the novel and the manga in English, and describes the story as:
In the Kingdom of Ei, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts—but only one will be crowned empress. Just when frail and beautiful “court butterfly” Kou Reirin seems poised to marry the crown prince, jealous “court rat” Shu Keigetsu steals her body! Reirin wakes up in the dungeons as the conspirator, and things look dire…or do they? Now that she’s got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her!