It’s been two years since Maomao displayed the extent of her intelligence, intuition, and deadpan humour on the small screen, and her anime journey is far from done. Following previous reports that The Apothecary Diaries is getting a third anime season, more details about its release have surfaced, accompanied by the announcement of a new movie.
The forthcoming outing will be split into two cours (quarter of a year), with the first premiering in October 2026 and the second in April 2027. The untitled film, featuring an original story from creator Natsu Hyūga, is slated for theatrical screenings across Japan in December 2026, occupying the gap between these two dates, and there’s no word on an international rollout just yet.
Additional information about Season 3 of The Apothecary Diaries, including staff lineups and new voice casting, remains under lock and key, but fans in Asia have another reason to celebrate: a regional exhibition tour will kick off in Hong Kong this November, before making its way to Hong Kong, China, Taipei, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.
Here’s a look at the visual for the special event:
Based on the original light novels by Hyūga and illustrator Touko Shino, the historical drama series started as a web novel in 2011 and has received two manga adaptations by Square Enix and Shogakukan. The official synopsis reads, “Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she’s sold as a lowly servant to the emperor’s palace. But she wasn’t meant for a compliant life among royalty.
“So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she’s making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!”
Season 3 of The Apothecary Diaries premieres in October 2026, while the original feature is slated for release in December 2026.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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