The Apothecary Diaries (also known as Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) has captivated anime fans worldwide with its blend of historical drama, mystery, palace intrigue, and the sharp-witted apothecary Maomao. After the massive success of Seasons 1 and 2, excitement is building for what’s next. Season 3 has been officially confirmed, along with bonus content like an original anime film. Here’s a complete breakdown of the latest updates on the release date and more.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Release Date Speculations
As part of the celebrations for the anime’s second anniversary, a clear release schedule for The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) Season 3 was revealed in late 2025. Season 3 will use a split-cour structure, in contrast to previous seasons.
Season 3’s first installment will be released in October 2026, with the second installment to follow in April 2027. The timeframe clearly places the series in the Fall 2026 anime season, even if the precise airing date within October has not yet been revealed. As of early February 2026, the anime remains in active production, with new promotional materials expected closer to the premiere date.
Since Season 2 ended in July 2025, the prolonged break is appropriately given the scope of the forthcoming adaptation and its increased episode count.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Expected Cast
The core voice cast is set to return for Season 3, by continuing the story of Maomao and Jinshi after the events of Season 2. So yet, no significant casting changes have been disclosed.
Akinori Fudesaka is back as director, and TOHO Animation Studio and OLM are producing the season. The series is likely to retain its existing tone, visual identity, and character-driven storyline due to the studio and personnel continuity.
The official promotional rollout later in 2026 is probably when any fresh character introductions or casting announcements will be made.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Potential Plot
Season 3 will continue immediately from where Season 2 left off, adapting more arcs from Natsu Hyūga’s original light novel series. The plot is set to delve deeper into palace intrigue, medical mysteries, and Maomao’s increasing status within the imperial court.
The split-cour form indicates a longer, more complex narrative arc, potentially comprising numerous light novel volumes. The upcoming season is expected to increase the political stakes and character interactions that were developed earlier in the series, even though precise storyline details have not yet been formally revealed.
In addition to Season 3, an original The Apothecary Diaries anime film featuring a brand-new tale created by Natsu Hyūga has been confirmed for a December 2026 theatrical release in Japan. International distribution arrangements for the film have not yet been determined.
For now, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 is definitely locked for an October 2026 return. As the autumn anime season approaches, more precise scheduling, trailers and graphics will be revealed.
