The Apothecary Diaries Announces Season 3 and Original Movie

Tokyo, Japan – A major announcement for fans of The Apothecary Diaries was made today during a 2nd anniversary commemorative trailer. TOHO Animation revealed that the anime will return for a third season, split into two parts, with the first part premiering in October 2026 and the second part in April 2027.

Alongside the announcement of the new season, an original movie, featuring a new story by creator Natsu Hyuuga, was also confirmed. This movie is set to debut in December 2026, although it will only be released in Japan at this time. No official title has been revealed for the film yet.

The trailer showcased key moments from the first two seasons of the series, which tells the story of Maomao, a young girl working in the imperial court. Her curiosity often leads her into intrigue and danger surrounding the palace. The second season introduced intense developments and revealed many secrets about Jinshi, the eunuch overseeing the Inner Court, including notable events like the ‘frog incident.’

Maomao’s adventures are thought to only increase in complexity as the new season will address the implications of a national disaster, alongside challenges posed by a new shrine maiden and Jinshi’s evolving duties as the imperial brother. The series continues to gain recognition, recently winning the “Best Continuing Series” for volumes 12 and 13 in August.

In preparation for the new content, a special retrospective screening of the previous seasons will begin in Japan in February 2026, and an exhibition dedicated to The Apothecary Diaries will tour Asia, starting in Hong Kong this November.