Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court（ふつつかな悪女ではございますが ～雛宮蝶鼠とりかえ伝～）is hitting a big milestone. The hit light novel and manga series from Ichijinsha is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a dedicated “Novel & Comic 5th Anniversary” site, special messages from the creative team, a new PV, and a round of online lottery goods—just as the TV anime heads toward its April 2026 broadcast.
Five Years of Though I Am an Inept Villainess and a 2026 TV Anime on the Way
Set in a fantasy imperial court inspired by historical China, Though I Am an Inept Villainess follows the “butterfly” and the “rat” of the Maiden Court—two candidates for crown princess whose bodies are swapped by forbidden arts, turning one model princess into a condemned villainess overnight. The series began as a web novel and is now a hit light novel and manga line from Ichijinsha, with over 4 million copies in circulation.
To mark five years since the novels and manga started, Ichijinsha has launched a 5th Anniversary site and is ramping up promotions as the story heads toward its TV anime adaptation produced by Doga Kobo, scheduled to air in April 2026. For fans who discovered the series through English releases or overseas buzz, this anniversary campaign is a perfect catch-up point.
Anniversary Site Packs in Messages a Talk Session PV and More
The newly opened “Novel & Comic 5th Anniversary” site collects a range of celebratory content in one place. You will find message comments from original author Satsuki Nakamura, character designer YukiKana, and manga artist Ei Ohitsuji, along with visuals that trace how the story has grown over the past five years.
A special three-way round-table talk, published on Comic Natalie, lets the three creators look back on building the world of the Maiden Court together. There is also a 5th anniversary PV featuring a voiced exchange between main heroines Huang Linglin and Zhu Huizhu, using the TV anime cast to tease the upcoming adaptation and give fans a taste of the courtly intrigue to come.
Even if you do not read Japanese fluently, the PV and artwork make it easy to feel the series’ charm. You can dive into the hub via the official page here: Visit the 5th anniversary special site
Webpon Lottery Brings Novel and Manga Art into Acrylic and Badge Goods
Anniversary goods are rolling out in waves, and the first batch arrives as Webpon online lottery items. Instead of buying fixed single goods, you pay per spin and get a random prize every time, with no blanks—perfect for collectors who enjoy a little gacha-style suspense.
The first round is split into two coordinated lines:
Novel version acrylic keychain collection: acrylic keychains packaged with one character profile card, with 17 designs in total and a square can badge as a bonus item if you buy 10 spins at once.
Manga version square can badge collection: 17 square badges using memorable manga panels, with an acrylic keyholder as the 10-spin bonus.
Because both novel and manga versions share the same world and characters, you can build a mixed display that shows how the designs differ between YukiKana’s novel illustrations and Ei Ohitsuji’s manga art while still matching as one set on your wall or bag.
Lottery Schedule Pricing and Online Access for Fans in Japan and Abroad
The Webpon lottery for the first anniversary goods wave runs on a limited schedule: from December 23, 2025 at noon (JST) until January 8, 2026 at 23:59 (JST). Each spin costs 550 yen including tax, and all sales are handled through Webpon’s Ichijinsha pages inside the main lottery site.
Webpon is primarily aimed at users in Japan, but overseas fans sometimes participate using proxy or forwarding services. If you are outside Japan and thinking about trying it, keep in mind that shipping destinations, customs fees, and payment methods depend on Webpon and the associated shop, and the lottery window closes strictly on the listed date.
Because conditions can change and may differ by region, always treat the official Webpon listing as your final source of truth rather than third-party summaries. You can start from the main lottery portal here: Try the Webpon online lottery
Ichijinsha has also teased a second wave of anniversary goods based on made-to-order items for both the novel and manga versions, with details to be announced via their online shop and event information X account.
New Volumes and Special Editions Arriving Just Before the Anime Airs
The anniversary campaign is not just about extras—new books are on the way too. The light novels have reached volume 11, and the manga has reached volume 9 in Japan, with both formats scheduled to get new volumes and special editions on March 31, 2026.
These releases land just before the April 2026 TV anime broadcast, making early spring 2026 a key checkpoint for fans who want to catch up on the original story or enjoy the Butterfly and Rat’s court intrigue in multiple formats at once.
Enjoy the Story Now and Get Ready for the Butterfly Rat on TV in 2026
Taken together, the 5th anniversary site, the Webpon lottery goods, and the upcoming special editions form a clear path into the world of Though I Am an Inept Villainess. Start by browsing the anniversary hub, then, if you like what you see, try your luck in the lottery or watch for later goods announcements. From there, catching up on the novels and manga will put you in a perfect spot for the TV anime’s April 2026 debut.
Whether you first met Reirin and Keigetsu through the Japanese releases, English editions, or online buzz, this campaign is a great excuse to step back into the Maiden Court—or visit it for the first time—before the story takes over TV screens next year. For the latest anime news, broadcast details, and trailers, keep an eye on the official site: Check the TV anime official site
ノベル『ふつつかな悪女ではございますが ～雛宮蝶鼠とりかえ伝～』第11巻 ⓒ中村颯希・ゆき哉／一迅社
コミカライズ『ふつつかな悪女ではございますが ～雛宮蝶鼠とりかえ伝～』第9巻 ⓒ尾羊英・中村颯希・ゆき哉／一迅社
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