KADOKAWA has officially confirmed that the popular light novel series Within the Villainess, written by Makiburo and illustrated by Mai Murasaki, will receive a television anime adaptation scheduled to premiere in 2027. The announcement was made on March 13, 2026, in Tokyo, marking a major milestone for the franchise, which has steadily grown in popularity since its original debut.
The story first began serialization on a web-novel platform in 2020 before being published in book format in Japan in 2021. Since then, the series has developed a strong following for its unique approach to the villainess trope, a genre that has become widely popular in recent years.
Within the Villainess follows Remilia, a feared noble “villainess,” who experiences the compassion and sincerity of a reincarnated girl named Emi living within her. As Remilia confronts the manipulative heroine Pina with bold and calculated strategies, the narrative delivers a dramatic and unconventional twist on the familiar otome-game villainess storyline.
The series also received a manga adaptation illustrated by Nazuna Shiraume, which began publication in Japan in 2022. The manga quickly gained recognition in multiple web manga awards and concluded with its final volume released in May 2025. As of March 2026, the franchise has surpassed 4 million copies in circulation, highlighting its continued popularity among readers.
The upcoming anime adaptation will be directed by Yoshihisa Iida, who previously worked as an episode director on BULLBUSTER. This project marks his first role as a full series director. Character design will be handled by Reiko Nagasawa, known for her work on Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, while veteran writer Hiroyuki Yoshino, whose credits include Black Butler -Public School Arc- and Macross Frontier, will oversee series composition and scriptwriting. Animation production will be managed by the rising studio ROLL2, which previously worked on Love Is Indivisible by Twins.
Alongside the announcement, the production team also revealed a teaser visual and a teaser promotional video for the upcoming anime. The teaser visual features Remilia holding a single red rose while surrounded by imagery resembling shattered mirrors, a symbolic design that reflects the story’s emotional themes and fractured perspectives.
The teaser trailer opens with scenes from the childhood of the reincarnated girl Emi, voiced by Rie Takahashi. Soon afterward, Remilia Rose Graupner, voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro, appears as the presence living within Emi and delivers a powerful declaration: “In my own name… I cannot speak falsehoods or confess to crimes that Remilia Rose Graupner did not commit.”
In addition to the trailer reveal, commemorative illustrations celebrating the anime adaptation were also released by the original creators, including original illustrator Mai Murasaki and manga artist Nazuna Shiraume.
The story of Within the Villainess centers on Emi, a young woman who dies in an accident and is reincarnated as a noble girl named Remilia Rose Graupner. In the world of a particular otome game, Remilia is known as the most feared villainess—and she also happens to be Emi’s favorite character.
After recognizing the loneliness that once left the original Remilia resentful toward the world, Emi decides to dedicate herself to making Remilia happy. Through consistent effort and her natural kindness, Emi slowly begins to influence those around her and bring warmth into their lives.
However, the story takes a darker turn when the game’s “original” heroine refuses to allow events to deviate from the predetermined storyline.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make you happy… Remilia… -tan…”
Betrayed by the people she trusted and unable to escape the game’s inevitable condemnation event, Emi—existing within Remilia—loses consciousness in the depths of despair.
But at that moment—.
“I will never forgive you.”
Remilia finally regains control of her body for the first time in eleven years, rising with quiet but unwavering fury. Having learned the meaning of love through Emi’s kindness and having watched Emi struggle tirelessly for her sake, Remilia now swears revenge against those who caused her suffering.
The story unfolds as a fierce yet elegant revenge drama led by the “true” villainess herself.
“Everything is for the sake of the world (you) I love—.”
The anime’s staff includes Makiburo as the original story creator, with Mai Murasaki serving as the original illustrator and Nazuna Shiraume credited as the manga artist. Yoshihisa Iida will direct the series, while Hiroyuki Yoshino will oversee series composition and screenplay writing. Reiko Nagasawa will handle character design, and Shuji Katayama will compose the music. Production is being handled by infinite, with animation created by studio ROLL2.
The main voice cast includes Miyuki Sawashiro as Remilia Rose Graupner and Rie Takahashi as Emi.
