The summer anime season brings a fresh take on the villainess genre with Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court. Episode 1 debuted on July 12, 2026, introducing viewers to a world of court politics, forbidden magic, and a body swap that changes everything for two young women. Episode 2 is scheduled for July 19, 2026, and fans are ready to see what happens next after that dramatic first episode.
Though I Am an Inept Villainess Episode 2 Release Schedule and Time
Though I Am an Inept Villainess Episode 2 releases on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The show airs in Japan on Tokyo MX and other networks at 11:45 PM JST. For international viewers on Crunchyroll, the release times are:
- Pacific Daylight Time: 7:45 AM
- Mountain Daylight Time: 8:45 AM
- Central Daylight Time: 9:45 AM
- Eastern Daylight Time: 10:45 AM
- Greenwich Mean Time: 2:45 PM
The series will run for 12 episodes in total, with new episodes arriving weekly. The full schedule includes:
- Episode 1 – July 12 (Released)
- Episode 2 – July 19
- Episode 3 – July 26
- Episode 4 – August 2
- Episode 5 – August 9
- Episode 6 – August 16
- Episode 7 – August 23
- Episode 8 – August 30
- Episode 9 – September 6
- Episode 10 – September 13
- Episode 11 – September 20
- Episode 12 – September 27
Episode 1 Recap: The Body Swap Begins
Episode 1 sets up the central conflict of the series. Kou Reirin is known as the “court butterfly”. She is beautiful, kind, and loved by everyone at the Maiden Court. She is the top candidate to become the Crown Prince’s wife. Shu Keigetsu is the opposite. She is called the “court sewer rat”. People dislike her, and she lives in the shadows.
Jealous of Reirin’s position, Keigetsu uses forbidden magic to swap bodies with her. Reirin wakes up in Keigetsu’s body, confused and scared. She finds herself in the dungeons, now seen as the villain. Keigetsu takes over Reirin’s body and her place at court.
But the swap does not bring Keigetsu happiness. Reirin’s body is weak and sickly. Keigetsu now faces the same health problems that Reirin dealt with for years. Meanwhile, Reirin must answer for Keigetsu’s past crimes in a dangerous trial.
The episode ends with both women trapped in their new lives. Reirin, who was always frail, now has a strong and healthy body. She decides to make the most of it. Keigetsu, who wanted power and status, now struggles with a body that can barely function.
Though I Am an Inept Villainess Episode 2 Story and What to Expect
Episode 2 will continue the story from where Episode 1 left off. The official synopsis for the series gives some hints:
“With a looming execution, Reirin embraces her new, healthy body, while Keigetsu learns Reirin’s life isn’t what it seems as she’s pulled into an inner-court conspiracy.”
Reirin now wears the face of a hated outcast. She has to survive a trial where people want to see her punished for Keigetsu’s actions. But she is determined to live, no matter whose face she wears. Her new body gives her physical strength for the first time in her life.
Keigetsu, now in Reirin’s body, discovers that Reirin’s life was not as perfect as it seemed. There are dark conspiracies brewing beneath the palace’s surface. The two women will need to work together to survive.
Preview materials suggest Episode 2 will focus on Reirin’s trial and her first steps in her new body. The episode will also show Keigetsu adjusting to life as the “butterfly” and uncovering secrets about the court.
Where to Watch Though I Am an Inept Villainess Episode 2
Though I Am an Inept Villainess streams on Crunchyroll worldwide. The platform offers English subtitles and an English dub. Viewers in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS can watch it on Crunchyroll.
In the US, the series is also available on Hulu. In Canada, Latin America, and parts of Europe, it streams on Disney+. In Asia, the series is available on Netflix.
In Japan, the anime airs on Tokyo MX, BS Asahi, and other networks. It is also available on streaming services like ABEMA and DMM TV.
Cast and Crew
The anime is produced by Doga Kobo, the studio behind hits like Oshi no Ko and Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian. The main staff includes:
- Director: Mitsue Yamazaki
- Series Composition: Yoshihoko Nakamura
- Character Design: Ai Kukuchi
- Music: Yukari Hashimoto
The voice cast features:
- Manaka Iwami as Kou Reirin
- Natsumi Kawaida as Shu Keigetsu
- Makoto Furukawa as Ei Gyoumei
- Yuichiro Umehara as Shin-U
- Hana Hishikawa as Leelee
- Farahnaz Nikray as Kou Tousetsu
The opening theme song is “Sunny” by milet. The ending theme has not been announced yet.
Series Background
Though I Am an Inept Villainess is based on a light novel series written by Satsuki Nakamura. It first appeared on the novel posting website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in July 2020. The series was later published in print by Ichijinsha with illustrations by YukiKana starting in December 2020. As of March 2026, twelve volumes have been released.
The story subverts the traditional villainess trope by focusing on a body-swap dynamic between the “butterfly” and the “rat” of the court. It blends high-stakes political intrigue with romantic drama.
The anime was originally scheduled to premiere in April 2026 but was delayed to July 2026 because of production issues. Episodes 1 and 2 were previewed at a screening at Anime Expo on July 5, 2026. Regular broadcasting began on July 12, 2026.
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