Kadokawa has released a teaser promotional video for the upcoming TV anime adaptation of Puni-chan’s light novel series, The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom (Akuyaku Reijō wa Ringoku no Ōtaishi ni Dekiai Sareru). The teaser confirms the anime is set to premiere in January 2026. Alongside the visual preview, key details regarding the main cast, staff, and animation studio have also been announced.
Anime Adaptation Details and Release Window
The television anime adaptation of The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom is slated to begin airing in Japan in January 2026. This announcement follows an initial reveal, with official channels now providing more comprehensive information, including a new key visual that depicts the main characters, Aquasteed and Tiararose.
Production Team and Animation Studio
Studio DEEN is handling the animation production for the series. Takayuki Hamana, known for his work on The Witch and the Beast and Magical Girl Lyrical NANOHA Reflection, is directing the anime. Yoshimi Narita (Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie) is in charge of the series composition, while Majiro (UniteUp! -Uni:Birth-) is designing the characters.
Main Cast Reprises Roles
The anime features a returning voice cast from the light novel series’ previous otome game adaptation.
- Mai Fuchigami (known for Miho Nishizumi in Girls und Panzer) stars as Tiararose Lapis Clementille.
- Yuichiro Umehara (Goblin Slayer in GOBLIN SLAYER) voices Aquasteed Marinforest.
- Takuya Sato (Sabnock Sabro in Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun) takes on the role of Hartknights Lapis-Lazuli Lacmouth.
- Yumiri Hanamori (Ai Hayasaka in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War) plays Akari.
The Story of The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom
The series is based on the light novel series written by Puni-chan and illustrated by Akeno Naruse, which began as a web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in March 2016. Enterbrain later began publishing the light novel under their B’s-Log Bunko imprint in October 2016, with 14 volumes released as of November 2023. There is also a manga adaptation and a visual novel game released in March 2024 for Nintendo Switch and Steam.
Plot Summary
The romantic fantasy story follows a protagonist who finds herself reincarnated as Tiararose, the villainess of her favorite otome romance game, “The Ring of Lapis Lazuli.” Resigned to her predetermined “bad ending” of having her engagement broken off by Prince Hartknights, Tiararose is in for a surprising twist. Just as her fiancé breaks off their engagement, Aquasteed, the crown prince of the neighboring country Marinforest, unexpectedly proposes marriage to her. This event was not part of the original game scenario, leading Tiararose down an unforeseen path.
The narrative explores Tiararose’s journey as she navigates this new life, a sweet and surprising turn of events, and her relationship with Prince Aquasteed. The visual novel game also hints at Tiararose being stuck in the game and attempting to minimize danger, especially as Prince Hartknights becomes involved with the original heroine, Akari, who frequently accuses Tiararose of wrongdoings. The anime promises to bring this beloved “villainess isekai” tale to life.
