Ayane Sakura to Play Star Girl Role in Within the Villainess Anime
Within the Villainess anime's cast has gained another important name. According to Anime News Network, popular voice actress Ayane Sakura (known for roles such as Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia and Kaguya Shinomiya in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War) will voice the anime's Star Girl character. This character appears as the heroine of the otome game at the center of the story and harbors a reincarnated soul within herself.
The series tells the story of a heroine reincarnated as the villainess of a popular otome game. Star Girl, on the other hand, is the original princess of that game. The casting of Ayane Sakura in this role promises a performance that will reflect both the innocent and complex aspects of the character. Sakura has previously proven her versatility by voicing roles in romantic comedies like Kaguya-sama: Love Is War and action series like My Hero Academia.
Within the Villainess originally started as a manhwa (Korean comic) and quickly gained a large fanbase. Also known by its Japanese title Akuyaku no Go-rei, the series stands out for its twist-filled plot and character depth, much like My Next Life as a Villainess. The manhwa's author Geulmuri and artist Garo weave the story around a unique reincarnation and otome game theme. With the announcement of the anime adaptation, the production studio and release date have not yet been officially announced, but fans are eagerly awaiting more details.
The participation of Ayane Sakura shows that the series' voice cast is getting stronger. Earlier, it was confirmed that Miyu Tomita (Riko in Made in Abyss) would voice the main character Tia. Star Girl's place in the story – containing a second soul reincarnated as the heroine of an otome game – offers a layered narrative. This has the potential to change both Tia's plans and the fate of the game.
The anime adaptation is expected to be released within 2026. Although the exact date and streaming platforms have not yet been announced, due to the series' large international fanbase, it is likely to appear on platforms such as Crunchyroll or Netflix. More cast announcements along with new trailers and visuals are expected in the coming months. For fans of the villainess genre, Within the Villainess is shaping up to be one of the most notable productions of the year.
