The Apothecary Diaries: Is It Worth Watching in 2026?
Our verdict — 8.2/10, worth watching
TL;DR — Yes. Maomao, a sharp-tongued apothecary's daughter kidnapped into the imperial palace, solves poisonings and court mysteries with real medical knowledge. Seasons 1 and 2 (2023 to 2025) are 24 episodes each. Season 3 began on October 2, 2026, with a second half due in April 2027, and an original film, The Deceased Empress' Treasure, opens in Japan on December 11, 2026.
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Take the quizThe verdict
Worth it, and a great pick if you don't usually watch anime. No battles, no superpowers: just a brilliant, prickly heroine using chemistry, medicine and common sense to untangle palace mysteries. It's funny, beautifully drawn and often surprisingly dark.
The premise
Maomao grew up in the pleasure district, learning medicine from her apothecary father. Kidnapped and sold as a servant to the emperor's inner palace, she plans to keep her head down for a few years. Then the emperor's infant children start falling ill, and she can't resist anonymously pointing out the cause. Jinshi, a strikingly beautiful official, notices, and starts handing her every strange case in the court.
Watch order
- Season 1 (October 2023 to March 2024, 24 episodes).
- Season 2 (January to July 2025, 24 episodes).
- Season 3 (from October 2, 2026; second half from April 2027).
- The Deceased Empress' Treasure (film, December 11, 2026 in Japan). An original story by Hyūga; international release not yet announced.
Who it suits
If you like Sherlock Holmes-style deduction, historical dramas like Story of Yanxi Palace, or anime such as Frieren that favour character over spectacle, start here. If you want action, this isn't it.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Apothecary Diaries a romance? Partly. The slow, teasing tension between Maomao and the eunuch official Jinshi is a big draw, but the mysteries and palace politics come first.
What is The Apothecary Diaries based on? Natsu Hyūga's light novel series, which also has two separate manga adaptations. The anime follows the novels.
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