The story and preview stills for Episode 3, "Dad Cracks a Joke," of the anime From Bureaucrat to Villainess have been released. The first episode is set to air on January 24, 2025, at 12:26 AM on Japanese television and will also stream on platforms worldwide.

Episode 3 Story

Grace Auvergne and Anna Doll, both members of the student council, are reviewing the council's budget. Despite Anna's repeated efforts, she can't balance the numbers and seeks Grace's help. Grace, drawing upon experiences from his previous life, brings out a secretly commissioned abacus to solve the issue.

As the events unfold, the student council president, Virgile Vierge, witnesses Grace's humble yet capable demeanor, leaving his heart racing. Grace’s actions, influenced by his past life, also manage to captivate the other student council members, further solidifying his unique presence in the academy.

Introduction

A Middle-Aged Man's Tale" follows the story of Kenzaburo Tondabayashi, a 52-year-old civil servant, who finds himself reincarnated as Grace Auvergne, the villainess of the otome game Magical Academy: Love & Beasts—a game his daughter used to play.

After a traffic accident in the real world, Kenzaburo wakes up to discover he is now living as Grace, the young daughter of a duke in the game's universe. Determined to play the role of a classic villainess, his parental instincts and unassuming demeanor—shaped by 52 years of life experience—unexpectedly charm those around him. Rather than becoming a feared antagonist, Grace earns admiration for her elegance and charisma, much to Kenzaburo's confusion.

Adding to the chaos, Kenzaburo inadvertently builds close relationships with the handsome male characters who were originally meant to be the game’s romantic leads. These unexpected interactions send the storyline into unpredictable directions. Meanwhile, back in the real world, Kenzaburo’s family works tirelessly to find a way to bring him back from the game.

Source : From Bureaucrat to Villainess Official