The highly anticipated summer 2026 anime, "Though I Am an Inept Villainess", is almost here! Ahead of its official broadcast starting Sunday, July 12, a special pre-screening event was held at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya, Tokyo, on June 21.
The event featured a powerhouse lineup, including Natsumi Kawaida (voice of Shu Keigetsu), Hana Hishikawa (voice of Riirii), and Farahnaz Nikray (voice of Kō Tōsetsu). Joining them as special supporters were former Takarazuka Revue top stars Madoka Hoshikaze and Jun Hana. We’ve got the official report on the electric atmosphere and the big reveals!
<The following content is quoted from the official announcement>
Anime "Though I Am an Inept Villainess" Pre-Screening Event Official Report
Fans gathered in droves to get an early look at the first two episodes of the series. Following the screening, the main cast—Natsumi Kawaida, Hana Hishikawa, and Farahnaz Nikray—took the stage to thunderous applause.
The talk session kicked off with the cast sharing their favorite moments from the first two episodes, accompanied by select screenshots. Reflecting on Episode 1, Kawaida highlighted the pivotal Body Swap scene. "Everything starts here," she said. "It’s my favorite because it’s the last time I get to speak as the 'pure' Keigetsu before she swaps with Reirin. It’s a very emotional scene for me."
Hishikawa, on the other hand, confessed her love for Tōsetsu. "I’m a huge fan! The scene where she confronts the caged Keigetsu and spits out, 'You wicked woman!' was just incredible. The way her voice changes between talking to Reirin and talking to Keigetsu is masterful."
Nikray, who plays Tōsetsu, pointed to a more... unusual moment in the dungeon. "I love the scene where she catches the toilet bug!" she laughed. "That is the absolute essence of Lady Reirin. It was funny during recording, but seeing it complete with sound and animation made it even better. Reirin truly has a mind of steel."
Moving on to Episode 2, the cast noted a shift in tone. Kawaida mentioned, "While the story starts off quite serious, I love how Tōsetsu starts carrying the comedic weight from Episode 2 onwards."
Hishikawa added, "I personally love 'disgusted Riirii' in the second episode. She tries to take charge in the inner court, but nothing goes her way... the gap is hilarious. I hope fans enjoy the temperature difference between the comedy and the serious drama at the end."
Nikray also praised the voice acting in Episode 2: "When Riirii returns to the hut and sees the field has been plowed despite her conflicting feelings, there was a '!?' ad-lib in the script. The sound for that was so funny! Seeing the final footage, I thought the performance was just brilliant."
Nikray, who is making her debut as a series regular and attending her first-ever anime event, shared a heartfelt detail: "Tōsetsu actually has the very first line of Episode 1. It’s a scene where she speaks to Lady Reirin with such compassion, and the whole story flows from there. I put all my love into that recording." Her sincere reflection was met with a warm round of applause from the audience.
Next up was a "Who Would You Choose?" quiz segment, where the three leads tried to synchronize their answers. The first prompt: "If you had to swap bodies with any character, who would it be?"
Despite their confidence, the answers were all over the map! Kawaida chose "Shin-u, because he’s just so cool," while Nikray went with "Reirin, because I want to be adored by everyone." Hishikawa chose "Tōsetsu, because I love Lady Reirin so much I’d want to watch over her from his side." Ultimately, the moderator ruled that since their "passion for the characters" was equally strong, it counted as a correct match!
The second prompt: "Who would you want to be stranded on a deserted island with?" This time, they achieved a perfect unison: "Reirin!" The reasons came flying out: "She’d have all the survival knowledge!" and "Her mental fortitude is unmatched!"
The final question: "Who would you want to be friends with?" The cast split again. Kawaida chose "Keigetsu, because I could make her happy and we’d be invincible together!" Nikray picked "Bunkō, because he has such a fun vibe," and Hishikawa chose "Riirii, because I just want to serve her and make her happy!" Once again, their "shared level of passion" earned them a pass. Having successfully cleared the mission, they unlocked a special prize for fans: a signed poster giveaway on the official X (Twitter) account.
The surprises didn't stop there. The event marked the unveiling of a massive collaboration project involving special supporters Madoka Hoshikaze and Jun Hana. To the shock and delight of the crowd, the two former Takarazuka stars appeared on stage wearing stunning, real-life recreations of Reirin and Keigetsu’s outfits.
The cast was visibly moved by the sight. The costumes, designed with the elegance of stage wear, perfectly bridged the gap between the anime’s world and reality. Hoshikaze and Hana, bringing the grace of their Takarazuka background, showcased the intricate details of the gowns and wigs, leaving the audience spellbound.
The two stars then joined the discussion. When asked about their favorite characters after watching the episodes, Hoshikaze (wearing Reirin's outfit) said, "I was naturally drawn to Reirin. At first glance, she’s so delicate and fragile that you want to protect her, but her soul is more courageous and resilient than anyone's. I love the gap between that steely interior and her overwhelming kindness."
Jun Hana (wearing Keigetsu's outfit) shared her thoughts: "Since I’m wearing Keigetsu’s clothes, I’ve been watching her closely. She feels very human, with struggles that resonate even with us in the real world. I’m completely captivated by her."
As the event drew to a close, the guests left the fans with final messages of excitement.
Natsumi Kawaida: "As an actor, I’ve poured my heart and soul into every episode of this series. I’m so happy that you all finally got to see it. I hope you continue to follow these characters’ journeys throughout the broadcast."
Hana Hishikawa: "I’m so glad we could share the first two episodes with you early. The staff and everyone involved have put incredible energy into every single frame. This event, with these two ladies looking like they stepped right out of the screen, has been an unforgettable experience."
Nikray Farahnaz: "Time flew by! We have the original novel’s new volume released in August and the anime starting in July. I hope everyone stays tuned and enjoys the ride!"
Madoka Hoshikaze: "Hearing the cast talk and seeing the anime has made me love this world even more. I truly hope the anime version is loved by many people."
Jun Hana: "I am so honored to have participated in this event as Keigetsu. This story will pierce the hearts of many, and I hope as many people as possible encounter this wonderful work."
The anime "Though I Am an Inept Villainess" begins its broadcast on Sunday, July 12, at 23:45 JST. Online streaming will be available on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Disney+, so don't miss the rise of the "Steel-Willed" Reirin!
Anime "Though I Am an Inept Villainess" Pre-Screening Event Overview
Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026
Venue: TOHO Cinemas Hibiya, Tokyo, Japan
Guests: Natsumi Kawaida (Shu Keigetsu), Hana Hishikawa (Riirii), Nikray Farahnaz (Kō Tōsetsu), Madoka Hoshikaze, Jun Hana
Anime "Though I Am an Inept Villainess" Series Information
Synopsis
The Maiden Court is where five daughters from noble families are gathered to be groomed as the next Imperial Consort. Among them is Reirin of the Kou family—beautiful, brilliant, and beloved by all as the "court butterfly".
However, on the night of the Star Festival, her body is swapped with Keigetsu of the Shu family, a girl loathed by everyone as a "villainess."
When Reiein wakes up, she finds herself in a desperate situation: her execution has already been ordered!
But Reirin, who has lived on the brink of death since childhood due to a sickly constitution, is actually... thrilled to finally have a healthy body?!
While the swap seemed like a tragedy, the steel-willed Reirin begins to enjoy her freedom even after being exiled to a shack. She uses her natural brightness and kindness to charm those who wish her harm, overcoming one adversity after another.
Meanwhile, Keigetsu—who once envied and hated Reirin—begins to find her own heart wavering as she experiences Reirin’s true nature.
The fates of these two girls changed forever on the night the comet streaked across the sky. Soon, they will be swept up in a conspiracy that shakes the very foundations of the Inner Palace.
The curtain rises on a royal "body-swap" drama featuring two polar-opposite girls!
Cast
Kou Reirin: Manaka Iwami
Shu Keigetsu: Natsumi Kawaida
Ei Gyōmei: Makoto Furukawa
Shin-u: Yuichiro Umehara
Riirii: Hana Hishikawa
Kō Tōsetsu: Nikray Farahnaz
Kou Kenshū: Rei Igarashi
Shu Gabi: Ai Kayano
Kin Seika: Mai Nakahara
Ran Hōshun: Inori Minase
Gen Kasui: Yui Ishikawa
© Satsuki Nakamura, Ichijinsha / Inept Villainess Project
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
