Image: Nakamura Satsuki, Ichijinsha / Futsutsukana Akujo Seisaku Iinkai
AMBot | 06/21/2026 | Reading Time: 4 Min.
The TV anime "Futsutsukana Akujo dewa Gozaimasu ga – Suuguu Chouso Torikae Den" (roughly translated as "I May Be a Useless Villainess") has released a new collaboration visual and an accompanying promotional video. In it, former Takarazuka top performers Madoka Hoshikaze and Junka (Jun Hana), who serve as the series' official "Special Supporters," step into the roles of the two main characters, Huang Linglin and Zhu Huiyue. They wear original costumes specially made for this project, modeled after the characters from the source material. The visual and the PV, created by the two former top Musumeyaku, were unveiled to the public on June 21, 2026, and show the performers in a dance performance that reflects the protagonists' swapped bodies. A dedicated special page also features exclusive photographs and an in-depth interview with the two artists, where they discuss the filming and the fascination of the "villainess."
The anime's story takes place in the Kingdom of Ei, where five major noble houses send their daughters to the so-called "Maiden Court" (Japanese: Suuguu) to train the future empress. The beautiful and intelligent Huang Linglin, revered by all as "His Highness's Butterfly," falls victim to a treacherous plot by her rival Zhu Huiyue, the despised "Rat of the Court," and ends up in a body swap. Suddenly, Linglin must live on in her enemy's weak body, while Huiyue enjoys her newfound freedom. The two girls are unexpectedly drawn into an intrigue that shakes the entire court.
The original novel by Satsuki Nakamura (Ichijinsha Novels) has sold over four million copies and has been awarded prestigious honors such as the "Cmoa Electronic Comic Award" and the "BookLive Annual Ranking." The anime adaptation is being directed by Mitsue Yamazaki at Studio Doga Kobo, known for series like "Oshi no Ko." The screenplay is written by Yoshiko Nakamura, character design is by Ai Kikuchi, and music is composed by Yukari Hashimoto. The main roles are voiced by Manaka Iwami (as Huang Linglin) and Natsumi Kawaida (as Zhu Huiyue), with other notable voice actors including Makoto Furukawa, Yuichiro Umehara, Kana Hishikawa, Nikray Farahnaz, Rei Igarashi, Ai Kayano, Mai Nakahara, Inori Minase, and Yui Ishikawa.
Madoka Hoshikaze, who joined the Takarazuka Revue in 2014 and made her mark as a top Musumeyaku of the Cosmos and Flower troupes, left the stage in 2024 after the production "Arc-en-Ciel." Since then, she has appeared in numerous musical and theater productions such as "Newsies," "Love Never Dies," "1789 – The Bastille Revolution," "Marie Curie," and "Pretty Woman – The Musical." Her partner Junka, who joined the revue in 2016 and was appointed top Musumeyaku of the Cosmos troupe in 2021, bid farewell to the stage in 2023 with "Casino Royale – My Name Is Bond" and has since expanded her repertoire with film and television roles. Both artists are represented by TOHO Entertainment.
The first episode of the anime will air on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 11:45 PM on Japanese television channels TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TV Setouchi, TV Hokkaido, and TVQ Kyushu. Additionally, a preview event with the voice actresses and the two Special Supporters will be held on June 21, 2026, at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya.
The anime's story takes place in the Kingdom of Ei, where five major noble houses send their daughters to the so-called "Maiden Court" (Japanese: Suuguu) to train the future empress. The beautiful and intelligent Huang Linglin, revered by all as "His Highness's Butterfly," falls victim to a treacherous plot by her rival Zhu Huiyue, the despised "Rat of the Court," and ends up in a body swap. Suddenly, Linglin must live on in her enemy's weak body, while Huiyue enjoys her newfound freedom. The two girls are unexpectedly drawn into an intrigue that shakes the entire court.
The original novel by Satsuki Nakamura (Ichijinsha Novels) has sold over four million copies and has been awarded prestigious honors such as the "Cmoa Electronic Comic Award" and the "BookLive Annual Ranking." The anime adaptation is being directed by Mitsue Yamazaki at Studio Doga Kobo, known for series like "Oshi no Ko." The screenplay is written by Yoshiko Nakamura, character design is by Ai Kikuchi, and music is composed by Yukari Hashimoto. The main roles are voiced by Manaka Iwami (as Huang Linglin) and Natsumi Kawaida (as Zhu Huiyue), with other notable voice actors including Makoto Furukawa, Yuichiro Umehara, Kana Hishikawa, Nikray Farahnaz, Rei Igarashi, Ai Kayano, Mai Nakahara, Inori Minase, and Yui Ishikawa.
Madoka Hoshikaze, who joined the Takarazuka Revue in 2014 and made her mark as a top Musumeyaku of the Cosmos and Flower troupes, left the stage in 2024 after the production "Arc-en-Ciel." Since then, she has appeared in numerous musical and theater productions such as "Newsies," "Love Never Dies," "1789 – The Bastille Revolution," "Marie Curie," and "Pretty Woman – The Musical." Her partner Junka, who joined the revue in 2016 and was appointed top Musumeyaku of the Cosmos troupe in 2021, bid farewell to the stage in 2023 with "Casino Royale – My Name Is Bond" and has since expanded her repertoire with film and television roles. Both artists are represented by TOHO Entertainment.
The first episode of the anime will air on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 11:45 PM on Japanese television channels TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TV Setouchi, TV Hokkaido, and TVQ Kyushu. Additionally, a preview event with the voice actresses and the two Special Supporters will be held on June 21, 2026, at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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