The
publisher KADOKAWA, through its B's-Log Bunko imprint,
officially announced that the light novel Akuyaku Reijō wa Ringoku no
Ōtaishi ni Dekiai Sareru (English title: The Villainess Is
Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom), written by Punichan,
will be adapted into an anime. Although a release date has not yet been
revealed, it is anticipated that more details will be shared soon.
A
romance that goes straight out of the game's script
The story
follows a young woman who is reincarnated as Tiararose, the villain
of the favorite Otome video game from her past life. Aware of her role in the
plot, she resignedly accepts her fate in the game's final judgment event.
However, the narrative takes an unexpected turn when, just after breaking off
her engagement to the prince of the kingdom, a new event not included
in the original game appears: a marriage proposal by Aquasteed,
the crown prince of the neighboring kingdom.
A
phenomenon of the otome genre that does not stop growing
Punichan
began publishing this story in 2016 on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō platform.
Subsequently, the publisher B's-Log Bunko released it in physical format with
illustrations by Akeno Naruse. To date, the series has published
14 volumes and exceeds 5.6 million copies in circulation.
In
addition, the story also has a manga adaptation illustrated by Hoshina,
serialized in B's-LOG COMIC magazine and with 15
volumes available until July 2025. The franchise has also spawned
a two-volume light novel spin-off and a three-volume manga
adaptation of that same spin-off.
From
novel to video game... and now animate thanks to its author
The success
of this story has gone beyond paper. In 2024, an Otome video game was
released for Nintendo Switch developed by OperaHouse,
which is also available in English for PC through Steam.
In addition
to this series, the author Punichan has expanded her work in the international
market. J-Novel Club is currently publishing its story From
Villainess to Healer: I Know the Cheat to Change My Fate, while Seven
Seas Entertainment has licensed Fluffy Café in Another World in
light novel and manga format. She is also the author of RVing My Way
into Exile with My Beloved Cat, another series that adds to her growing
popularity.
The
confirmation of the anime of The Villain Beloved by the Prince marks
a new milestone in the expansion of the Otome genre within the anime industry,
and promises to conquer both veteran readers and new viewers.
