The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Satsuki Nakamura’s “Though I Am an Inept Villainess” (Futsutsuka na Akujo de wa Gozaimasu ga – Sūgū Chōso Torikae Den) light novel series is teasing an upcoming announcement. The reveal is scheduled for Monday, March 17th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. JST (6:00 a.m. EDT).
Countdown to the Reveal
Since March 12th, the Twitter account has been posting countdown images illustrated by YukiKana, the light novels’ illustrator, building anticipation for the announcement. The teaser posts also echo the language used by TOHO animation in their own anime announcement: “On the night the comet lights up the night sky, the fate of two people will intersect.” This parallel teases the possibility of an anime adaptation.
About “Though I Am an Inept Villainess”
Light Novel and Manga
Satsuki Nakamura’s light novel series, featuring illustrations by YukiKana, debuted in December 2020 under Ichijinsha. Simultaneously, a manga adaptation by Ei Ohitsuji launched in Ichijinsha’s Monthly Comic Zero-Sum magazine. As of October 2024, the light novel series has nine volumes. The manga adaptation has eight volumes as of February 2025. Ichijinsha is set to publish the light novels’ 10th volume on April 2.
English Publication
Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed both the light novels and manga for English publication. They released the eighth volume of the light novel on February 4, 2025 and they will release the seventh volume of the manga on May 13, 2025.
Storyline
“Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court” is a Japanese light novel series that blends fantasy and romantic drama. The story unfolds in a kingdom inspired by historical China, where five clans present their maidens as imperial consorts, vying for the empress title. The narrative centers on Kou Reirin, the beautiful “court butterfly” seemingly destined to marry the crown prince. However, Shu Keigetsu, a jealous “court rat,” orchestrates a body swap during the Lantern Festival, leaving Reirin imprisoned. Reirin, now in a more robust body, faces the threat of execution with newfound resilience.
Characters
- Kou Reirin: A frail and beautiful maiden known as the “court butterfly”. She is initially positioned to marry the crown prince but becomes the victim of a body swap.
- Shu Keigetsu: A jealous maiden known as the “court rat” who steals Kou Reirin’s body in an attempt to seize her position.
Reception and Awards
The series has garnered significant recognition, including winning the grand prize in the light novel category at NTT Solmare’s “Minna ga Erabu!! Denshi Comic Taishō 2023” competition. “Though I Am an Inept Villainess” boasts three million copies in circulation. The manga adaptation also secured seventh place in the print category at the 2022 Next Manga Award and ranked seventeenth on the list of top manga for female readers in the 2023 edition of the Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook.
Where to Purchase
Readers interested in experiencing “Though I Am an Inept Villainess” can find the light novels and manga at various retailers:
Print Editions:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Books A Million
- BookShop
- Comic Shop Locator
- IndieBound
- Indigo/Chapters
- Powells
- RightStuf
- Walmart
- Waterstones
Digital Editions:
- Amazon (US)
- Apple iBooks
- BookWalker
- Comixology
- GOMANGA Store
- Google Play
- Kobo
- NOOK
