The popular light novel series Akuyaku Reijō no Tsuihōgo! Kyōkai Kaikaku Gohan de Yũyũ Sister-gurashi (After the Villainess’ Exile! Living Quietly as a Nun Reforming with Church Meals) is officially getting an anime adaptation, slated to premiere in 2026. The announcement confirms that the series, based on Tail Yuzuhara’s novels and Tsumuji Yoshimura’s manga, will be broadcast on TV Asahi’s “IMAnimation” programming block.
Key Production Details Emerge
Industry veteran Ayumu Watanabe, known for his work on acclaimed films such as Children of the Sea and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, is set to direct the anime. The animation production will be handled by Studio ZEXCS. Further details regarding the cast, additional staff, and precise release date are anticipated to be revealed in the coming months as production progresses.
Origin of the Story: From Web Novel to Print
Akuyaku Reijō no Tsuihōgo! originated as a web novel by Tail Yuzuhara, first debuting in September 2018. Its popularity led to a light novel publication. Following this, Tsumuji Yoshimura launched the manga adaptation in December 2018, further expanding the series’ reach. The story centers on a villainess after her exile, focusing on her new, quieter life.
The Growing Trend of Villainess Isekai
The anime adaptation of Akuyaku Reijō no Tsuihōgo! joins a growing trend of “villainess isekai” stories receiving anime treatments. This subgenre, where protagonists are reincarnated into the role of an antagonist in a fictional world, has seen a significant surge in popularity. Other recently adapted titles with similar themes include From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! and The One Within the Villainess (Akuyaku Reijō no Naka no Hito). The consistent demand for these narratives underscores the genre’s broad appeal to anime and manga enthusiasts.
Fans of the light novels and manga are eagerly awaiting more information as the 2026 premiere approaches, curious to see how the quiet life of the exiled villainess will be brought to animated life by Studio ZEXCS and Director Ayumu Watanabe.