"The Villainess Loved by the Tyrant": New Palace Mystery Manga Released with Its First Volume!
The "villainess" genre, one of the most popular themes in the manga world in recent years, is back, this time combined with mystery and palace intrigue. The first volume of the series, illustrated by artist Yuta Nanabashi and originally titled 暴君の愛した悪女は後宮の謎を追う (Boukun no Aishita Akujo wa Koukyuu no Nazo o Ou), was released in Japan on May 7, 2026, under Ichii Shobo's Rawale Comics label.
Our story centers on Jade (Hisui), a seemingly ordinary flower girl with a burning passion for money. However, it soon becomes clear that there is much more to Jade than meets the eye; she is actually a talented information broker who gathers secret intelligence in the underworld. After solving a mysterious murder in the palace, she catches the attention of Yunlan, known as the "Tyrant Emperor." The Emperor makes Jade an offer she cannot refuse to uncover assassination plots against him: take on the role of the Emperor's favorite "villainess" and expose the dark secrets within the palace.
The creative team behind the series is quite remarkable. While the original concept was created by Yowa (Ichii Shobo), the script features names such as charme and Kanami Yokosu. Brought to life with Yuta Nanabashi's elegant illustrations, this work is not just a romance story, but also offers a deep palace mystery where a new clue lies around every corner. The first volume, priced at 880 Yen (tax included), has already begun to attract great interest in digital platforms and bookstores.
This new series is a must-read, especially for those who love palace mysteries like The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) and want to experience that atmosphere with a "villainess" twist.
