Episode 9 of “From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!” sees Kenzaburo Tondabayashi, the middle-aged salaryman reborn as the villainess Grace Auvergne, facing a new challenge: a magical Rubik’s Cube. The episode, titled “Dad Gets Trapped,” aired on March 6, 2025, and plunges Grace and the student council into a puzzle-filled labyrinth after Lucas triggers a magical tool within the academy’s treasure vault.
Rubik’s Cube Chaos: The Plot of Episode 9
During summer break, Grace and the student council visit the academy’s treasure vault to inspect the barrier protecting it. Lucas’s curiosity leads him to activate a magical tool, trapping them inside a labyrinthine space resembling a Rubik’s Cube. This unexpected turn of events forces Grace and Anna to work together to rescue their fellow student council members.
Puzzle-Solving and Unexpected Karaoke
The episode unfolds as a series of puzzle and riddle-themed skits, where the male romantic interests attempt to guide Anna through the magical labyrinth. Kenzaburo’s knowledge of the game proves somewhat helpful, but his inherent politeness and “Old Man Skill” continue to charm everyone around him, inadvertently leading him closer to a harem ending. A highlight of the episode is Kenzaburo’s spontaneous karaoke performance of the ending theme from the 1979 film “Galaxy Express 999,” adding a unique and comedic twist.
A Bonus Quest or Filler Episode?
Some viewers consider this episode to be a “filler” episode, as it adapts an optional questline from the “Magical Academy: Love & Beast” game. Kenzaburo’s daughter, Hinako, recognizes the situation as a bonus level designed to increase intimacy points with the various characters.
Episode Highlights and Key Moments
- The Rubik’s Cube Trap: Lucas’s meddling with a magical tool leads to the student council being trapped in a Rubik’s Cube-like labyrinth.
- Puzzle and Riddle Challenges: The episode features a series of skits centered around solving puzzles and riddles to escape the labyrinth.
- Kenzaburo’s Karaoke: A surprising karaoke sequence where Kenzaburo sings the ending theme from “Galaxy Express 999” adds a comedic highlight.
- Intimacy Boost: Despite being a bonus quest, the episode leads to a significant increase in intimacy points for Grace with all the characters.
Production Details and Where to Watch
“From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!” is produced by Ajia-do Animation Works and directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi. The series is available for streaming on HIDIVE.
The Cast
- Kenzaburo Tondabayashi: Voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue, is the 52-year-old bureaucrat who gets reincarnated as Grace Auvergne.
- Grace Auvergne: Voiced by Mao Ichimichi, is the villainess of the otome game.
- Anna Doll: Voiced by Akira Sekine, is the protagonist of the game who befriends Grace.
- Virgile Vierge: Voiced by Kaito Ishikawa.
- Auguste Lion: Voiced by Ryota Suzuki.
- Richard Verseau: Voiced by Yuuichirou Umehara.
- Pierre Gemeaux: Voiced by Takuma Nagatsuka.
Reception and Community Discussion
Episode 9 has garnered mixed reactions from viewers. Some found the episode entertaining and humorous, praising Kenzaburo’s karaoke and the absurdity of the situation. Others viewed it as a less essential episode that doesn’t contribute significantly to the main storyline.
Exploring the “From Bureaucrat to Villainess” Universe
“From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!” is based on a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Michiro Ueyama. The manga has been serialized in Shōnen Gahōsha’s seinen manga magazine Young King Ours GH since March 2020. The anime adaptation premiered in January 2025.
Premise
The story follows Kenzaburo Tondabayashi, a bureaucrat who dies and is reborn as Grace Auvergne, the villainess in his daughter’s favorite otome game, “Magical Academy: Love & Beast”. Kenzaburo’s politeness and life experience cause him to act differently from the original Grace, leading to unexpected friendships and romantic interests.
Key Themes
- Isekai: The series falls into the isekai genre, where a protagonist is transported to another world.
- Reincarnation: Kenzaburo is reincarnated as the villainess of an otome game.
- Gender-Bending: The story involves a middle-aged man inhabiting the body of a young woman.
- Comedy: The series uses humor to explore the clash between Kenzaburo’s personality and the villainess role.
- Family: The relationship between Kenzaburo and his daughter is a central element of the story.
