On Saturday, August 15, the first-ever standalone event for the series, "The Apothecary Diaries ~Summer Garden Party 2026~," took place in Japan. In front of a packed crowd of 4,000 passionate fans, the curtains were pulled back on the highly anticipated Season 3 and the series' first theatrical film!
Anime "The Apothecary Diaries" Season 3 is officially scheduled to begin streaming on October 2, 2026!
Led by a new incident, a journey of mystery begins! Awaiting Maomao and Jinshi are "New Encounters and New Trials." The latest PV and key visual for Season 3 have finally been unveiled!
Introduction
A new incident paves the way for a brand-new journey of deduction!
With over 57 million copies in circulation, "The Apothecary Diaries" has become an absolute juggernaut. Since its anime debut in October 2023, it has captured hearts worldwide—not just for Maomao’s refreshing and sharp wit, but for its intricate mysteries and the rich human drama woven into its exotic, atmospheric world.
In 2026, the series ascends to a new stage with the broadcast of Season 3 and the release of its first-ever feature film.
Season 3 begins on October 2, 2026. The stakes are higher than ever: omens of a disaster threatening the nation, a mysterious priestess leading the people astray, and the heavy burden placed upon Jinshi as the Emperor’s brother. The story moves from the confines of the Inner Court to the bustling city streets, presenting Maomao and Jinshi with their greatest trials yet.
Furthermore, on December 11, 2026, the series' first movie will hit theaters, featuring a completely original story drafted by the original author, Natsu Hyuga.
Set in a floating city in the southern province of Unan, Maomao and Jinshi face an unprecedented case involving the body of an Intermediate Consort and a treasure hidden within the land.
This winter 2026, prepare for top-tier mystery entertainment on both the small and big screens!
Story
After the dust settled on the rebellion led by the Shi Clan, Maomao returned to her daily life as a pharmacist in the Pleasure District. One day, a breakfast served at the Verdigris House sparks a sense of "unease" in Maomao, prompting her to investigate its source.
Meanwhile, Jinshi, having revealed his true identity as the Imperial Brother and begun facing his responsibilities, is plagued by the "omens of a national disaster" entrusted to him by Loulan. To make matters worse, rumors of a mysterious celestial maiden leading the people astray begin to spread, casting a new shadow over the Li Empire.
The stage expands from the Inner Court to the city and even neighboring countries, as Maomao and Jinshi face brand-new challenges.
Season 3 Main PV
The new trailer gives us a glimpse of the mysterious "Pai-nyannyan" (White Lady) with her eerie smile, glimpses of the impending national disaster, and the return of Lahan and Rikuson, who seem intent on dragging Maomao into fresh trouble. The world of the series feels vaster than ever, ending on a chilling note from Pai-nyannyan: "A medicine that can heal the heart and erase the pains of the mortal world."
Key Visual
The new key visual depicts Maomao and Jinshi walking through a golden wheat field under a beautiful sunrise. The visual perfectly captures the expanding scale of the story as the duo ventures beyond the palace walls. Fans can look forward to seeing what mysteries they encounter on this new journey.
Season 3 Key Visual Staff Credits
Original Illustration: Yukiko Nakatani
Art Direction: Katsumi Takao
Color Design: Misato Aida
Yorushika to Perform the Opening Theme "Kumo o Nuke Kazashimo e Watashi dake"!
The opening theme has been confirmed as "Kumo o Nuke Kazashimo e Watashi dake" (Through the Clouds, Downwind, Only Me) by Yorushika! Known for their literary lyrics, guitar-driven sound, and transparent vocals, the band is a massive hit among the younger generation.The track features a breezy, expansive sound that perfectly mirrors the feeling of Maomao and Jinshi’s new journey.
Yorushika Comment
"While I was going about my life thinking about the concept for our next album, the phrase 'Kumo o Nuke Kazashimo e Watashi dake' kept popping into my head. At the time, it was just a string of words without a melody, but it was so persistent that I started wondering where this image came from.
Whenever I thought of that phrase, I envisioned a vast, incomprehensible grassland. When I thought about what kind of sound to pair with that field, the first thing that came to mind was the erhu. It has a beautiful, stretching tone that reminds me of the wind blowing across a plain. It also happened to be one of the instruments I wanted to feature in the album I’m currently working on.
A wind blowing through a wide, empty grassland. That wind passing through the clouds and reaching everywhere. The song was built up piece by piece from that internal image.
Right around then, the offer for 'The Apothecary Diaries' came in. During the meeting, when I heard that the theme for this season was a 'journey'—essentially a road movie—everything clicked. The mysterious grassland in my head suddenly connected with the word 'journey.' I felt a strange sense of certainty that the music I was creating would have a fascinating reaction when paired with this work."
Profile:
Formed in 2017, the band consists of composer n-buna and vocalist suis. They are widely supported for n-buna’s literary songwriting and guitar-centric arrangements, complemented by suis’s ethereal voice.
Reina Ueda Cast as the Mysterious Seer Pai-nyannyan!
The role of Pai-nyannyan—the mysterious, pale-skinned, white-haired, red-eyed "celestial maiden" causing a stir in the city—will be played by Reina Ueda. Fans will recognize her as Reze in "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze-hen," Chinatsu Kano in "Blue Box," and Sakuya in "Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture."
In the newly released trailer, she leaves a haunting impression with the line, "This is a medicine that can heal the heart and erase the pains of the mortal world." How she will interact with Maomao and Jinshi is something to watch closely.
Comment from Reina Ueda (Pai-nyannyan)
"She is a mysterious girl shrouded in secrecy regarding both her identity and her goals.I was nervous during my first recording session, but the banter between Maomao and the others and the general atmosphere of the world were so pleasant that I found myself listening in like a fan.The contrast between the serious and comedic moments is exquisite, and I think the audience will enjoy getting a peek into their lives.I will approach the elusive character of Pai-nyannyan with care. I hope you all enjoy her journey and the rest of Season 3!"
New Character Visuals for 10 Main Characters Released!
New visuals have arrived for the colorful cast that populates this world! This includes the "Three Princesses" (top-tier courtesans) of the Verdigris House—Pairin, Meimei, and Joka—as well as Zhao U (the Shi clan survivor now in Maomao's care), Bashin (Gaoshun’s son and Jinshi’s aide), Lahan (Lakan’s nephew with an obsession for numbers), and Rikuson (Lakan’s lieutenant).
After the tumultuous events of Season 2, how will these characters weave through the drama of Season 3? Keep an eye out for their upcoming roles!
The Official Podcast "Kusuriya to Futarigoto" Returns!
The Spotify-exclusive podcast is back for Season 3!
Hosted by Aoi Yuki (Maomao), each episode will feature a guest cast member to discuss the charm of the anime. From recaps to deep-dives into the lore, it’s a must-listen for fans.
The first guest will be Takeo Otsuka (Jinshi), with episodes airing bi-weekly starting October 4, 2026.
Letters from fans are now being accepted! Check the official site for info.
Movie Original Character Designs by Touko Shino!
Character designs for the movie-original characters Mu Qing, Ruo Qing, and Yin Shan—illustrated by the series' original light novel illustrator Touko Shino—have arrived!
Anime visuals for these characters and the familiar faces like Gaoshun have also been released, along with adorable "mini-character" versions of the movie cast!
Anime "The Apothecary Diaries" Season 3 Info
Streaming globally every Friday at 11:00 PM starting October 2, 2026, on Crunchyroll.(1st Cour: Oct 2026 / 2nd Cour: April 2027)
Cast
Maomao: Aoi Yuki
Jinshi: Takeo Otsuka
Gaoshun: Katsuyuki Konishi
Basen: Tatsumaru Tachibana
Lahan: Toshiyuki Toyonaga
Rikuson: Koki Uchiyama
Lakan: Takuya Kirimoto
Pairin: Ami Koshimizu
Meimei: Megumi Han
Joka: Hiroki Nanami
Chou-u: Natsumi Fujiwara
Bai Nyangnyang: Reina Ueda
© Natsu Hyuga, Imagica Infos / "The Apothecary Diaries" Project
★ [Official Website]
★ [Official X (@Kusuriya_PR)]
★ [Official TikTok]
"The Apothecary Diaries the Movie: The Deceased Consort's Hidden Treasure" Info
Screening in Japan starts December 11, 2026!
Synopsis
Jinshi receives a specific order from the Emperor.
He must fulfill the dying wish of a consort who passed away in the Inner Court 55 years ago: "I want to return to my hometown."
To solve the mystery of the remains, Maomao is taken by Jinshi on a journey to the south.
They arrive at a vibrant floating city.
As they hunt for a hidden treasure, the curtain rises on a brand-new mystery!!
Cast
Maomao: Aoi Yuki
Jinshi: Takeo Otsuka
Mu Qing: Mariya Ise
© Natsu Hyuga, Imagica Infos / "The Apothecary Diaries" Project
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
