The Incompetent Villainess: The Swap of Hina Palace’s Butterfly and Rat — Cour 2, the “First Excursion” Arc Begins with a Kidnapping

The second cour of the TV anime Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court, titled the “First Outing” arc, will air in Japan from January 2027. Its new te

The second cour and second act, the “First Excursion” arc, of the TV anime 〈The Incompetent Villainess: The Swap of Hina Palace’s Butterfly and Rat〉 will air in Japan in January 2027. Continuing the story after the first cour premiered in July 2026, the newly released teaser PV offers the first look at the next stage, as Reirin and Keigetsu venture outside the inner palace. The exact broadcast date and Korean release schedule were not included in this announcement.

The Two Head South to Nanyō

Set in the “Inner Palace,” where girls from distinguished families gather to become the next empress, the story follows Reirin of the imperial family and Keigetsu of the Zhu family as they live each other’s lives after their bodies are switched. Having built a friendship in the first act, their next destination is Nanyō, ruled by Keigetsu’s family. According to the official introduction, the second act, titled “First Excursion,” follows the two as they face a new incident outside the court.

Changed Bodies, Unchanged Threats

The teaser presents the presence of someone plotting to trap Keigetsu in Nanyō, along with the body swap that continues to bind the two together, as the central conflicts. Unlike the story of the frail Reirin confronting adversity head-on in another person’s body, this arc adds Keigetsu’s confrontation with her own domain and responsibilities. It marks a turning point as the struggle for survival inside the inner palace expands into regional power struggles and intrigue.

New Characters Joining the Cast

The second cour introduces Yūichi Nakamura as Kōkeikō, Shunichi Tōki as Kōkeishō, and Chiaki Kobayashi as Unran. Mitsue Yamazaki directs, and Doga Kobo handles animation production.