The official website for the upcoming TV anime Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court announced today that the broadcast of the anime in Japan has been delayed to July 2026 . The TV anime adaptation of the light novel series created by Satsuki Nakamura (story) and YukiKana (illustrations) was originally set to premiere in April 2026. The statement from the anime's production committee reads: Regarding the TV anime "Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court," which was originally scheduled to air starting April 2026, we have decided to postpone the broadcast due to delays in production progress. We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been eagerly awaiting the broadcast. The revised broadcast start date is scheduled for [July 2026]. As the production committee, we pledge to meet your expectations by having all staff members work together as one toward this production. We sincerely ask for your continued support for this work. RELATED: Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court Anime Announces April 2026 Premiere Mitsue Yamazaki ( ZENSHU ) directs the historical drama series, with Yoshiko Nakamura ( Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle ) in charge of series composition and Ai Kikuchi ( Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie ) providing character designs. Doga Kobo ( Oshi no Ko ) works on anime production. After being serialized on the novel self-publishing website Shousetsuka ni Narou, Ichijinsha started publishing the novel's print edition from its Ichijinsha Novels imprint in December 2020. The novel series has released 11 volume to date. Meanwhile, the novel's manga adaptation illustrated by Ei Ohitsuji has been serialized in Ichijinsha's Monthly Comic Zero Sum magazine, releasing nine volumes to date. The total number of copies of the series, including digital editions, has exceeded four million copies. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes an official English version of the light novels and its manga adaptation, describing the story as such: 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! Source: Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court TV anime official website / X (formerly Twitter)
