The anime
adaptation of the light novel Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of
the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court surprised fans by
releasing a new illustration showing its protagonists, Kou Reirin and Shu
Keigetsu, having swapped bodies. This revelation offers a deeper look at
the contrast between the two young women and the impact this change will have
on the plot.
Going
from light novel to anime
The
original work began publication in July 2020 on the Shosetsuka ni Naro platform,
written by Satsuki Nakamura with illustrations by YukiKana.
Subsequently, the Ichijinsha publishing house launched it
under its Ichijinsha Novels imprint, accumulating ten volumes
to date in Japan. The story also received a manga adaptation drawn by Ei
Ohitsuji, which has been published in Monthly Comic Zero Sum magazine
since June 2021, already having eight compilation volumes.
In the
international market, both the light novel and manga are distributed in English
by Seven Seas Entertainment, which has allowed the work to gain
popularity outside of Japan.
Team
behind the adaptation
The anime
is being produced by the renowned studio Doga Kobo, under the
direction of Mitsue Yamazaki. The script is in charge of Yoshiko
Nakamura, while the character design is in the hands of Ai Kikuchi.
Although an official release date has not been revealed for now, expectations
grow with each new visual advance.
A story
of intrigue and rivalry
The plot
transports us to the Kingdom of Ei, where five clans offer their
maidens as imperial consorts, although only one will be crowned empress. The
delicate and admired Kou Reirin, known as the "court
butterfly," seemed destined to marry the crown prince.
However,
the envious Shu Keigetsu, nicknamed the "court rat",
hatches a plan and manages to steal his body. Reirin awakens in the dungeons
under the identity of a conspirator, facing the threat of execution. But what
seemed like a misfortune turns into an opportunity, since with her new robust
body, nothing will stop her from changing her destiny.
