The television anime adaptation of Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court, based on the novel by Satsuki Nakamura, has been officially announced. Alongside the announcement, the main staff and a brand-new teaser visual have been unveiled.

A Popular Light Novel with a Strong Fanbase

The anime is adapted from the original novel published under Ichijinsha Novels, which is currently being serialized as a manga adaptation in Monthly Comic ZERO-SUM.

🏆 Awards & Recognition:
📖 Winner of the 2023 e-Comic Grand Prize (Light Novel Category)
📚 Ranked #1 in the 2023 BookLive Yearly Ranking (Female-Oriented Light Novel Category)

Additionally, Zhu Huizuki, a prominent character from the series, has been nominated for:
🎭 Magademy Award 2023 (Best Supporting Actress Nominee)
📖 Rakuten Kobo eBook Awards 2024 (Must-Read Comics Category)

Anime Staff & Production Details

🎥 Animation Studio: Doga Kobo ([Oshi no Ko], New Game!)
🎬 Director: Mitsue Yamazaki
📜 Series Composition: Yoshiko Nakamura
🎨 Character Design: Ai Kikuchi

The teaser visual, illustrated by Ai Kikuchi, depicts the two protagonists, Huang Linglin and Zhu Huizuki, on the fateful night under a comet's glow—the night their bodies were swapped.

To celebrate the anime adaptation, original creator Satsuki Nakamura, character designer Yukiya, and Ei Ohitsuji (manga illustrator) have shared congratulatory comments and illustrations.

Story Overview

To groom the next empress, five prestigious noble families send their daughters to the imperial "Maiden Court (Suuguu)."

Among them, Huang Linglin is celebrated as "His Highness' Butterfly," admired for her beauty and wisdom. However, on the night of Qiqiao Festival, she is tricked and body-swapped with Zhu Huizuki, a despised and feared girl labeled as an "evil woman."

Waking up in Huizuki’s body, Linglin is immediately sentenced to execution—a fate seemingly unavoidable. But rather than despair, she rejoices:

"Finally! A healthy body!"

Though initially appearing tragic, the body swap turns out to be a blessing in disguise for the strong-willed Linglin, who embraces her new freedom even in exile. Meanwhile, Huizuki, who once resented Linglin, begins to question everything she knew as she experiences Linglin’s true personality firsthand.

🌟 Two girls, complete opposites, have switched lives.
As their fates intertwine, they become embroiled in court conspiracies that shake the imperial palace itself.

Source : ORICON NEWS