A short preview video has been released to commemorate the news.
Satsuki Nakamura’s popular light novel series, Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court has just announced an anime adaptation. A brand new official website has been opened for the series, as well as an X (formerly Twitter) account. Unfortunately, no cast or release date has been announced as of now.
Though I Am an Inept Villainess anime staff and other details
Unfortunately, the project is yet to reveal any cast members. However, it’s been announced that Doga Kobo is producing the anime with Toho Animation at the helm. Mitsue Yamazaki (Attack on Titan, How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?) is directing the series while Yoshiko Nakamura (Sasaki and Miyano, Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World) handles the series composition. Ai Kikuchi (Attack on Titan, Shikimori is Not Just a Cutie) designs the characters.
The series is based on Satsuki Nakamura’s novel series, which started publishing in July 2020. It also has a manga adaptation by Ei Ohitsuji, which began in December 2020. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes both the light novel and manga series in English.
The story takes place in the kingdom of Ei, where there is a maiden court within the inner palace. Five maidens from prominent families are chosen to become the empress and the four imperial consorts. One of the consorts-in-training is Reirin Kou, a beautiful, virtuous, and elegant young woman who is the most perfect candidate to become an empress. Unfortunately, her sickly constitution hinders her growth. On the opposite side is Keigetsu Shu, a boorish and envious consort-in-training who is a rat compared to Reirin’s butterfly-like stature. One day, Keigetsu tries to murder Reirin by pushing her off a balcony, and is arrested. Unbeknownst to everyone, she used a spell to exchange her body with Reirin’s. Which means the Butterfly Consort is the one in prison. However, after having a healthy body for the first time, Reirin doesn’t care if she is imprisoned as no terrible fortune could dampen her mood. She’s even willing to play the role of villainess to keep her healthy body.