The Apothecary Diaries (Japanese: 薬屋のひとりごと, Hepburn: Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) is a Japanese anime television series based on the light novel series The Apothecary Diaries written by Hyūganatsu and illustrated by Touko Shino. Set in a fictional country inspired by Imperial China, the series follows Maomao, a young woman trained in medicine who is sold into service at the Emperor's palace.
The first season aired on Nippon Television and its NNS affiliates from October 2023 to March 2024, followed by a second season which ran from January 10 to July 4, 2025. Internationally, Crunchyroll licensed the series for streaming outside of Asia, with Netflix also carrying the title in various regions. On October 22, 2025, during a special second-anniversary event, a third season was announced for an October 2026 premiere as a split-cour broadcast. Additionally, an original anime film entitled The Deceased Empress' Treasure written by Hyūganatsu is set to premiere in Japan on December 11, 2026.
Contents
Synopsis
Maomao, a young apothecary raised in the capital's pleasure district, is kidnapped and sold into service at the Imperial Palace as a lowly laundry maid. While attempting to serve her two-year contract in anonymity, she learns of a mysterious illness afflicting the Emperor’s infant heirs. Suspecting the cause is toxic face powder used by the concubines, she leaves an anonymous warning that saves the life of the infant Princess Lingli. Her actions are discovered by Jinshi, an influential eunuch who manages the Rear Palace. Recognizing her expertise, Jinshi promotes her to be the personal lady-in-waiting and poison tester for Lady Gyokuyou, the Emperor's favorite consort. Maomao is subsequently tasked with investigating various medical mysteries, political intrigues, and forensic puzzles within the court, while navigating the dangerous social hierarchy of the palace.
Season 1
Maomao serves as a lady-in-waiting and investigates various medical mysteries within the court, including the accidental poisoning of concubines and the properties of rare herbs. Jinshi frequently assigns her tasks to solve internal disputes and health crises using her knowledge of toxicology.
During a brief visit to her home in the Red-Light District, Maomao is asked to investigate the death of a high-ranking official. She determines the cause of death by analyzing the chemical reactions of substances found at the scene. Concurrently, she manages the health of several courtesans at the Verdigris Pavilion.
Maomao encounters Lakan, a high-ranking military official who reveals himself to be her biological father. The arc details the circumstances of Maomao's birth to a high-class courtesan and the subsequent estrangement. Maomao eventually uses her botanical knowledge to fulfill a specific request from Lakan involving the blooming of out-of-season flowers.
Season 2
A series of incidents occurs involving a poisoned banquet and a missing ritual implement. Maomao connects these events to an assassination plot targeting Jinshi during an outdoor ceremony. She intervenes during the ritual, sustaining a leg injury while pulling Jinshi to safety.
Maomao befriends a new lady-in-waiting named Shisui. Investigations into agricultural failures and local "curses" lead Maomao to discover a conspiracy involving the Shi Clan. The clan attempts to destabilize the central government through controlled food shortages, resulting in a military confrontation and the clan's downfall.
Production and release
The anime television series adaptation, produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM, was announced on February 16, 2023. It was directed and written by Norihiro Naganuma, with Akinori Fudesaka serving as assistant director for the first season and later replacing Norihiro as director of the second season. Yukiko Nakatani designed the characters, and Satoru Kōsaki, Kevin Penkin, and Alisa Okehazama all composed the music. The two consecutive-cours series aired from October 22, 2023, to March 24, 2024, on Nippon TV and its affiliates.
Following the conclusion of the first season broadcast, a second season was announced. It aired from January 10 to July 4, 2025, on the Friday Anime Night programming block on Nippon TV and its affiliates.
Following the conclusion of the second season broadcast, a sequel to the anime series was announced. On the second anniversary of the anime's premiere, it was announced to be a third season that is set to premiere in October 2026. The season will run in two split cours, with its second premiering in April 2027.
International release
Crunchyroll is streaming the series worldwide outside Asia, in addition to the Middle East, the CIS (excluding Russia and Belarus), and South Asia. The first cours of the first season was released on Blu-ray on January 28, 2025, while the second cours was released on March 25, 2025. Netflix has streamed the series in select Asian regions.
Film
An anime film was announced in October 2025, and will feature a new story written by Hyūganatsu. On July 2, 2026, it was revealed that the film would be titled The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress' Treasure, with a premiere scheduled for December 11 of the same year in Japan. It was also announced that Mariya Ise will voice Mu Qing, an original character for the film.
Music
The musical score for the series is a collaborative project composed by Satoru Kōsaki, Kevin Penkin, and Arisa Okehazama. The official soundtrack, containing 47 tracks, was released digitally by Milan Records and Toho Animation Records on March 25, 2024.
For the first season, the first opening theme song is "Hana ni Natte" (花になって; lit. 'Be a Flower') performed by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, while the first ending theme song is "Aikotoba" (アイコトバ; lit. 'The Spell') performed by Aina the End. The second opening theme song is "Ambivalent" (アンビバレント) performed by Uru, while the second ending theme song is "Ai wa Kusuri" (愛は薬; lit. 'Love is Medicine'), performed by Wacci.
For the second season, the first opening theme song is "Hyakka Ryōran" (百花繚乱; lit. 'Splendid Bounty') performed by Lilas Ikuta, while the first ending theme song is "Shiawase no Recipe" (幸せのレシピ; lit. 'The Recipe for Happiness') performed by Dai Hirai. The second opening theme song is "Kusushiki" (クスシキ; lit. 'Mysterious') performed by Mrs. Green Apple, while the second ending theme song is "Hitorigoto" (ひとりごと; lit. 'Soliloquy') performed by Omoinotake.
Reception
Critical response
James Beckett of Anime News Network praised the first season's premiere for its unique premise, noting that the series' strength lies in Maomao's characterization as a "refreshingly pragmatic and cynical protagonist" who uses her intellect to navigate the dangers of the imperial court. In a later review, Beckett highlighted the "meticulous attention to detail" regarding the series' historical setting and the chemistry between the lead characters.
Writing for IGN Southeast Asia, Dale Bashir noted that the series stood out by focusing on deduction and forensic science within a palace setting. He highlighted that the production quality from Toho Animation Studio and OLM successfully elevated the source material, making it one of the most prominent titles of its season.
Popularity
Season 1 of the anime was ranked as the fifth most-streamed title in Japan in 2024. Season 2 ranked as the most-watched anime series of 2025 through Japanese streaming services such as U-Next, Abema, and DMM TV. The anime series was ranked as the second most popular series on Netflix Japan during the period 2021-2025, only surpassed by Spy × Family.
According to FeverCos, Maomao ranked third in the "Top 10 Most Influential Cosplay Characters of 2025".
Accolades
The anime ranked seventh in Anime News Network's "Top 10 Anime of 2024", with Caitlin Moore praising the series' plot and Aoi Yūki's voice acting. In 2025, the anime was nominated for 13 categories at the 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards, including the Anime of the Year. Aoi Yūki, for her work as Maomao, won its only award for Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese). The second season of the anime won five awards including Best Drama and Best Director for Akinori Fudesaka and Norihiro Naganuma, while it was nominated for 11 other categories including Anime of the Year in the 10th edition.
The anime was also nominated for Best Anime Series at the 5th Astra TV Awards. It won the 2025 Animage's Anime Grand Prix with Maomao and Jinshi taking the first and fourth places in the Best Character category. Aoi Yūki and Takeo Ōtsuka took the first and fifth places in the Best Voice Actor category for their respective roles as Maomao and Jinshi.