The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Punichan’s light novel series, “The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom” (Akuyaku Reijō wa Ringoku no Ōtaishi ni Dekiai Sareru), has officially announced its premiere date for January 11, 2026. This exciting news comes alongside the revelation of additional cast members and the artists performing the series’ theme songs, further building anticipation for the romantic fantasy.
The latest promotional video for the series has offered fans a deeper look into the world of Tiararose, the reincarnated villainess, and the neighboring Prince Aquasteed, confirming key details about the upcoming broadcast and musical direction.
January 11, 2026: Mark Your Calendars for the Premiere
The anime adaptation of “The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom” is slated to begin airing on January 11, 2026. This confirms earlier announcements of a January 2026 debut for the series. Fans can look forward to diving into the enchanting world where a familiar otome game scenario takes an unexpected turn. The series is produced by Studio DEEN, with Takayuki Hamana directing, Yoshimi Narita handling series scripts, and Majiro designing the characters.
Expanding the Royal Court: New Cast Revealed
The recent video unveiled more talented voice actors joining the already announced main cast, enriching the ensemble portraying the intricate relationships within the Lapis Lazuli and Marine Forest kingdoms. The primary cast members, many of whom are reprising their roles from the successful otome game adaptation, include:
Key Voice Actors and Their Roles
- Mai Fuchigami as Tiararose Lapis Clementille, the titular villainess and daughter of a Lapis Lazuli count.
- Yūichirō Umehara as Aquasteed Marineforest, the charming crown prince of the neighboring Marine Forest kingdom.
- Takuya Satō as Hartknights Lapis-Lazuli Lactomuth, the crown prince of Lapis Lazuli and Tiararose’s original fiancé.
- Yumiri Hanamori as Akari, the heroine of the original otome game, “The Ring of Lapis Lazuli.”
These voice actors bring a wealth of experience, with Mai Fuchigami known for Miho Nishizumi in “Girls und Panzer,” Yūichirō Umehara for Goblin Slayer in “GOBLIN SLAYER,” Takuya Satō for Sabnock Sabro in “Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun,” and Yumiri Hanamori for Ai Hayasaka in “Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.”
While the initial announcement focused on these central figures, the new video provides a more comprehensive look at the supporting cast that will bring the detailed world of “The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom” to life. The otome game adaptation, released on Nintendo Switch and Steam, also featured a full voice cast including Marina Yamada as Icilla, Junichi Suwabe as Keith, Hikaru Midorikawa as Crail, Ai Furihata as Pearl, Minami Takahashi as Philine, and Sho Karino as Elliot. It remains to be confirmed if all these additional roles from the game will be reprised by the same actors in the anime.
Melodic Journey: Theme Song Artists Announced
A crucial element in setting the tone for any anime is its music, and “The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom” has unveiled its theme song artists. These artists are set to deliver the opening and ending songs, which will undoubtedly capture the essence of the romantic fantasy and drama inherent in the story. Details regarding the specific song titles and release information are anticipated soon. Music plays a significant role in establishing the atmosphere and emotional depth of an anime, and the selection of these artists hints at the musical direction the series intends to take.
The Story of Tiararose and Aquasteed
The anime follows the story of a protagonist who finds herself reincarnated as Tiararose, the villainess in her favorite otome game, “The Ring of Lapis Lazuli.” Resigned to face her in-game judgment of having her engagement broken off by Prince Hartknights and being banished, a surprising twist occurs. Instead of exile, Aquasteed Marineforest, the crown prince of a powerful neighboring country, appears and proposes marriage—a development not present in the original game’s scenario.
This unexpected turn of events sets Tiararose on a new path, filled with romance, political intrigue, and self-discovery, as she navigates her new life with the devoted Aquasteed. The light novel series by Punichan, illustrated by Akeno Naruse, has been a significant success, boasting over 5.6 million copies in circulation. It began as a web novel on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō service in 2016 before being published by B’s-Log Bunko. The franchise also includes a manga adaptation by Hoshina and a visual novel game by OperaHouse for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
With a solid production team, a returning cast from its popular game adaptation, and a compelling storyline, “The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom” anime is poised to be a notable entry in the January 2026 anime lineup.
