The Apothecary Diaries has captivated audiences worldwide with its blend of historical intrigue, medical mysteries, and slow-burn romance. Following the thrilling conclusion of Season 2 in July 2025, fans have been eagerly awaiting news on Season 3. The good news? It’s officially happening. Here’s everything we know so far about the new season.
When Will The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Drop?
Good news travels fast, especially when it means more Maomao sleuthing. The official reveal ties right into the anime’s milestone, confirming Season 3 kicks off in October 2026 for its first batch of episodes. That’s the fall cour, spanning about three months of weekly drops. Then, after a winter breather, the second half rolls out in April 2027, wrapping up the full 24-episode arc by summer. This split-cour setup mirrors the steady pacing of Seasons 1 and 2, letting animators at OLM and TOHO Animation polish every frame without rushing the vibe.
Fans aren’t left hanging in the meantime, either. A commemorative trailer hit streams worldwide, recapping highs from the past two seasons with those earworm openings like “Hyakka Ryōran.” And get this: a traveling exhibition launches in Hong Kong this November 2025, hitting spots across Asia with rare art, props, and behind-the-scenes goodies. Special screenings pop up in Japan starting February 2026, complete with cast Q&As—perfect for reliving the drama on the big screen. Crunchyroll’s got the global streaming rights locked, so expect dubs in English and more to follow suit.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Expected Cast
Nothing beats hearing those familiar tones bring the characters to life, and Season 3 looks set to deliver just that. The core lineup from the novels and prior seasons is primed to return, keeping the chemistry that makes every banter pop. Leading the pack, Aoi Yūki slips back into Maomao’s no-nonsense drawl—the girl who’s equal parts brainy poison expert and reluctant hero. Her dry wit cut through Season 2’s chaos like a well-sharpened scalpel, and recent panels at Anime Expo 2025 had her and co-stars hyping the “fresh adventures” ahead.
Then there’s Takeo Ōtsuka as Jinshi, the silver-haired charmer whose layered secrets and stolen glances keep the slow-burn romance simmering. His voice nails that mix of playful tease and hidden depths, especially in those tense moments that had everyone shipping hard. Asami Seto rounds out the trio as Gyokuyou, the empress with a knack for spotting talent amid the palace pettiness—her poised delivery adds real weight to the power plays. Other standouts like Hayami Showtaro as Basen and Inori Minase as Lishu should tag along too, given their arcs’ momentum.
No big shake-ups announced yet, but whispers from voice actor chats suggest a few new faces might join for the expanded world-building. Think intriguing diplomats or shady rivals to stir the pot. The booth pros behind the scenes, including director Akinori Fudesaka from Season 2, are steering the ship to match that top-tier polish. It’s all about preserving what clicks while teasing bigger emotional punches.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Potential Plot
Season 2 ended on a gut-punch cliffhanger titled “The Beginning,” flipping the script from rear palace whispers to bolder horizons. Without diving into spoilers, expect Maomao’s world to stretch far past those familiar red walls. She’s tagging along on a high-stakes diplomatic jaunt to Empress Gyokuyou’s homeland—a lush, unfamiliar terrain loaded with cultural clashes and shadowy threats. Plagues whisper through the ranks, old family ghosts haunt the trail stops, and political scandals erupt like hidden wildfires, dragging in Consort Lishu and shaking alliances to the core.
This leg draws from light novel Volumes 5 and 6 by Natsu Hyūga, ramping up the mystery with Maomao’s herbal smarts clashing against exotic poisons and buried histories. Jinshi’s enigmatic pull grows thornier, testing loyalties in ways that feel raw and real. New faces from distant courts promise fresh rivalries, while the core crew—think Basen and the ladies-in-waiting—navigates the chaos with humor and heart. It’s less locked-room puzzles, more epic road-trip intrigue, blending suspense with those quiet character beats that make you root for the underdogs.
Oh, and that bonus movie? Slated for December 2026 theaters (Japan first, global TBD), it’s an original tale penned by Hyūga herself. Directed by Season 1’s Norihiro Naganuma, it slots between the cours as a palate-cleanser—maybe a standalone caper or side quest that ties loose threads without overlapping the main arc. Fans are already theorizing it’ll spotlight Maomao’s solo grit or a Jinshi deep-dive.
