TOHO Animation began streaming a new character trailer for the Apothecary Diaries movie, spotlighting Jinshi and Maomao ahead of the film’s cinema debut on December 11, 2026 [2]. The feature, officially titled The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure, is the first film project in the franchise and brings an original mystery written by light novel author Natsu Hyuga to the screen. Director Norihiro Naganuma leads the team at TOHO Animation STUDIO, while Crunchyroll manages global distribution ahead of the winter rollout [1].
New Footage Sets Up The Apothecary Diaries Movie
The teaser clip serves as the first part of a four-day video rollout created to introduce the main figures of the upcoming Apothecary Diaries movie. In this opening video, TOHO Animation focuses on the dynamic between Jinshi and Maomao as they prepare for a journey far beyond the familiar grounds of the palace. Their dialogue hints at the uneasy task ahead, blending Maomao’s sharp medical curiosity with Jinshi’s guarded court duties. The team designed the sequence to give viewers an early look at the animation crafted by TOHO Animation STUDIO [1].
Along with familiar faces, the studio confirmed that voice actress Mariya Ise joins the cast as Mu Qing, though the English spelling of the character’s name isn’t final yet. Her character enters the story as the imperial mission moves south into unknown territory [2].
Staff members haven’t revealed every detail about Mu Qing’s role, but the character interacts with the travelers during an important leg of their journey. That addition expands the cast beyond the familiar residents of the imperial harem, setting up new interpersonal friction as the central inquiry begins to unfold across coastal towns [2].
Fans won’t have to wait long to see more footage from the project. TOHO Animation plans to share three more promo videos over back-to-back days, giving each faction in the film its own preview before the cinema debut [2]. The team said the rollout will show how different groups shape the political landscape outside the palace walls. It’s a deliberate plan to build understanding for the original plot before theater tickets go on sale in Japan [1].
Four Character Trailers Unveil New Cast and Factions
The release schedule mapped out by TOHO Animation outlines a steady stream of reveals spanning four straight days. Following Saturday’s spotlight on Jinshi and Maomao, the studio set October 12 for a video highlighting the Mi clan, an influential family tied to the southern setting. On October 13, the campaign turns its attention to the Kaja Troupe, introducing a traveling troupe that crosses paths with the travelers. The video series concludes on October 14 with a joint preview of Ruo Qing and Yi Shan [2].
Official notes point out that English spellings for several of these names aren’t yet final, but their roles connect to local tensions outside the capital in the new Apothecary Diaries movie [2]. Each faction brings competing motives to the port town where the story takes place [1].
The Mi clan commands influence in the south, while the Kaja Troupe moves freely between trading communities, gathering rumors along the waterways. When Jinshi and Maomao arrive to carry out the emperor’s decree, they discover that local factions aren’t eager to welcome court officials poking into local matters. Maomao’s keen eyes help her decipher which groups pose a genuine threat, giving her a unique vantage point on everyday trade and maritime medicine that palace guards overlook [1].
The Late Lady’s Treasure Sends Maomao South
The core mystery of the film begins when the emperor gives Jinshi an imperial order to fulfill the final wish of a concubine who died five years ago by returning her remains to her ancestral homeland. Preparing the body for transit leads to an unsettling discovery: upon examining the deceased woman, Jinshi finds that her corpse shows no signs of decay, appearing pristine and peaceful. The official synopsis describes her appearance in striking terms, stating, “She’s beautiful, as if she were still alive.” Puzzled by how the body remained untouched by time, Jinshi brings Maomao on a trip south to Binan-shu, a coastal region governed by the Bi clan where the deceased woman lived before her palace service [1].
Upon reaching the bustling city on the water, Maomao finds herself delighted by a wealth of new medicinal herbs and local treatments that rarely reach the imperial capital. However, local unrest quickly clouds her botanical excitement. Local waters crawl with violent pirates who spend their days hunting for a hidden hoard left behind by their deceased leader [1].
Dockworkers and merchant crews live under constant strain, worried that rogue crews will tear the harbor apart in search of the missing riches. Unease mounts as the planned burial approaches, prompting Jinshi to voice a quiet premonition: “I hope nothing happens…” [1]. His fears prove justified when a major incident erupts during the concubine’s funeral rites, setting off a chaotic chain of events across the waterfront. Amid the turmoil, reports describe a mysterious young boy who holds a key to the puzzle surrounding the late lady’s secrets [2]. Maomao must use her herbal knowledge to unravel the mystery before pirate factions tear the province apart [1].
Crunchyroll Secures Worldwide Theatrical Rights
International fans won’t need to depend on imported home video releases to experience the new film. Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it acquired North American and global cinema rights, excluding Asia but including India [2].
The anime distributor is partnering with Sony Pictures Entertainment to manage the global cinema rollout. Both companies will share specific cinema release dates and ticketing info at a later time, letting overseas fans plan ahead following the Japanese launch [2].
The deal expands the franchise’s global footprint, building on earlier partnerships that brought the TV series to international viewers [2]. Western viewers who followed earlier licensing news can read how The Apothecary Diaries anime film secured its streaming and cinema presence in reporting published by PerEXP Teamworks. Japanese audiences will get their first look when the Apothecary Diaries movie publicly opens in local theaters on December 11, 2026. TOHO Animation STUDIO produces the animation under director Norihiro Naganuma, who also guided the TV adaptation through its major story arcs, while the standalone mystery gives casual moviegoers and seasoned light novel readers an accessible entry point [1].
Television Broadcasts and Multimedia Adaptations Expand
The feature film arrives at a busy time for the franchise across both TV broadcast and publishing. Viewers in Japan recently welcomed the third television anime season, which launched on October 2 during the Friday Anime Night block across NTV and 29 linked channels, airing at 11:00 p.m. (10:00 a.m. EDT). That broadcast covers the season’s first cours, with the second cours scheduled to premiere in April 2027. The first season originally debuted in October 2023 with three episodes, while the second season followed in January 2025 [2].
The print legacy of the story stretches back over a decade to when Hyuganatsu began serializing web chapters on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in October 2011. Shufunotomo started publishing light novel volumes with art by Toko Shino in August 2014, creating the visual look that inspired later comic versions [2].
Today, two separate manga adaptations run side by side: Nekokurage illustrates the version in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan that began in May 2017, while Minoji Kurata creates The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace for Viz Media [2]. Beyond printed books, the franchise is branching into video games and live-action formats to reach wider audiences. Video game enthusiasts can explore how five curses await in new Apothecary Diaries game updates for consoles, alongside an announced live-action adaptation. Author Natsu Hyuga also recently celebrated an anime adaptation announcement for another manga work, The Failure at God School [1]. As the Apothecary Diaries movie nears its December premiere, Maomao’s southern voyage stands as the centerpiece of an ever-growing imperial saga [2].
- ONLINE NEWS Jovanovic, M. (2026, October 11). The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure releases Maomao and Jinshi character trailer. Anime Corner. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Hodgkins, C. (2026, October 10). The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure film streams video highlighting Jinshi, Maomao. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
