The Apothecary Diaries Announces Season 3 and a Movie
The Apothecary Diaries anime announced a Season 3 and the first movie in the franchise featuring an all-new story by original author Natsu Hyuga. The new season will be a split-cour production with the first cour beginning in October 2026 and a second in April 2027. The movie will premiere in December 2026 in Japan.
Directors for both sequel projects were revealed. Second season's director Akinori Fudesaka is returning for Season 3, while the first season's director and the second season's chief director, Norihiro Naganuma, is directing the movie. The news was announced during a second anniversary program dedicated to the series:
The Apothecary Diaries anime adapts the light novel series written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Toko Shino. The series has two manga adaptations: one by Nekokurage (artist) in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan magazine and another by Minoji Kurata in Shogakukan’s Monthly Sunday Gene-X.
The anime adaptation, produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM, premiered in 2023. The second season premiered in January 2025. Crunchyroll describes the plot:
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!
Source: Official Website
© Hyuganatsu, Imagica Infos/”The Apothecary Diaries”Project
