It’s no spoiler to say that the upcoming Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court anime features some body swapping in its tale of rival consorts, as early events see the favored Kou Reirin exchanging bodies with the jealous Shu Keigetsu due to the latter’s machinations (plus, it’s in the title). While it’s still unknown when we’ll get to see the ensuing events play out onscreen, there’s now a bit of a teaser via two new character visuals themed around the story’s body swap.
Simultaneously mirroring and deviating from the original character visuals, the new release places the illustration of Reirin (in Keigetsu’s body) on the left and Keigetsu (in Reirin’s body) on the right. The way both characters carry themselves has changed too — instead of their previous graceful and measured stances, Reirin is brimming with positivity and cheer, while Keigetsu has a devious, conniving expression.
Though I Am an Inept Villainess is based on the light novel series written by Satsuki Nakamura and illustrated by Kana Yuki. Seven Seas Entertainment describes the premise of the books 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!
Mitsue Yamazaki (Zenshu, Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle) is directing the TV anime at Doga Kobo.
The light novel series, which is published under the Ichijinsha Novels label, began in 2020 and has 10 volumes as of April 2025. It has inspired a manga adaptation by Ei Ohitsuji. Yuki and Ohitsuji are both given the original character design credit for the anime.
Staff
• Director: Mitsue Yamazaki
• Series composer: Yoshiko Nakamura (RPG Real Estate)
• Character designer: Ai Kikuchi (Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie)
• Animation production: Doga Kobo
Source: @futsutsuka_PR
