The Within the Villainess anime has added Ayane Sakura to its cast, voicing Pina Blanche, the Star Maiden—the in-story otome game's fated heroine who also carries the soul of another reincarnated person.

Sakura joins previously announced cast members Miyuki Sawashiro as Remilia Rose Graupner and Rie Takahashi as Emi. The announcement came alongside a new promotional video and teaser visual that introduced the character.

About the Story

Within the Villainess follows Emi, an otome game enthusiast who dies in a car accident and reincarnates into Remilia, the villainess of one of her favorite games. Because Emi loves Remilia's character, she works to change Remilia's tragic fate. Her plans complicate when she discovers the Star Maiden—the game's heroine—also contains a reincarnated soul with her own agenda. The Star Maiden manipulates everyone, including the prince, to turn against Remilia. Devastated, Emi's consciousness fades, allowing the real Remilia to regain full control of her body. Changed by witnessing Emi's love and sacrifice, Remilia vows revenge on those who hurt her.

Production Details

Yoshihisa Iida directs at ROLL2, with Hiroyuki Yoshino (Strike the Blood, World Trigger) handling scripts. Character designer Reiko Nagasawa previously worked on Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, while composer Shūji Katayama brings experience from Saga of Tanya the Evil and Overlord. Infinite is producing the series.

The anime adapts Makiburo's light novel series, illustrated by Mai Murasaki, with Nazuna Shiraume's manga adaptation also contributing. The franchise has moved 4 million copies across print and digital formats. The light novel's main story wrapped in May 2020, with ongoing side stories. The manga concluded with its sixth volume in June 2025.

Within the Villainess will premiere in 2027.