TOHO animation has officially released the second trailer for The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, giving fans a direct preview of singer Eve performing the upcoming ending theme song AIYOU. Can a sharp-witted herbalist navigate the deadly intrigues of the imperial rear palace while keeping her own head attached? Based on the popular light novel series by Natsu Hyuga, the historical mystery follows Maomao as her pharmacological expertise catches the attention of palace supervisor Jinshi. The new season officially begins broadcasting on October 2, 2026 [1].
Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Trailer Reveals Eve Theme
The newly released promotional video spotlights the vocal performance of Eve on the ending theme AIYOU, blending melodic rhythms with the tense atmosphere of the imperial court. Musician Eve previously delivered massive anime hits, and the production team selected this track to complement the dramatic shifts awaiting Maomao this season. Earlier promotional clips introduced the opening theme song Kumo o Nukekazashimo e Watashidake, translated as I Am Alone, Breaking Through the Clouds Downwind, performed by popular musical unit yorushika [1].
Beyond the musical announcements, TOHO animation confirmed that voice actress Reina Ueda joins the third season cast as Bai Niangniang. Official production notes describe Bai Niangniang as “a pale and mysterious nymph,” introducing an unpredictable presence into the complex political hierarchy of the emperor’s palace. Ueda joins returning lead voice actors Aoi Yuki, who plays the eccentric poison-tasting heroine Maomao, and Takeo Otsuka, who portrays the imperial overseer Jinshi, whose mutual deduction skills drive the central investigative mysteries. The trailer spotlights Jinshi and Maomao [2].
Aoi Yuki voices Maomao. Takeo Otsuka plays Jinshi. Both voice actors established widespread recognition during earlier runs [3].
Broadcasting Details and Split-Cour Release Schedule
The third season will officially premiere in Japan on October 2, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. (10:00 a.m. EDT) in the dedicated “Friday Anime Night” programming block across Nippon TV and 29 affiliated broadcast channels. This premier time slot previously hosted the franchise during its second run in January 2025, ensuring consistent weekly visibility for national viewers. The broadcast will unfold across two split cours (quarter-year programming blocks), with the second cour scheduled to return in April 2027 [1].
International audiences can follow the broadcast on Crunchyroll, which will stream each episode with subtitles as it airs in Japan before offering an English dub for overseas subscribers. Viewers tracking the wider autumn streaming catalog can consult the Crunchyroll anime release schedule for fall 2026 to monitor release dates across regional territories. The streaming platform previously hosted the first season in October 2023, which launched with three episodes at once and aired for two consecutive cours. Crunchyroll streams the international broadcast [1].
Season 1 scored 8.77 on MyAnimeList. The television run spans 32+ episodes. Viewers across Japan embraced the historical medical drama [4].
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Leads to December Movie
The narrative continuity of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 serves as a direct bridge to a major cinematic release scheduled between the television cours. TOHO animation revealed that the theatrical film Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bōhi no Hihō, titled in English as The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress’ Treasure, will open in Japanese theaters on December 11, 2026. The film features an original story by creator Natsu Hyuuga. The movie debuts December 11 [1].
The cinematic project represents one component of an expanding multimedia initiative spanning multiple entertainment industries. During official promotional announcements, producers revealed plans for the upcoming Apothecary Diaries console game, scheduled for release in 2027 to deliver interactive investigative puzzles. Amazon Prime Video will follow in 2028 with a worldwide live-action series adaptation, bringing the imperial court to life for international audiences. These projects demonstrate sustained commercial investment by production partners [2].
Will cross-media expansions sustain viewer fascination between broadcast seasons? The multi-format rollout mirrors earlier imperial historical dramas like Raven of the Inner Palace and Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, while expanding Maomao’s distinct investigative adventures into interactive entertainment [4].
Studio OLM Returns with Key Staff Updates
Behind the scenes, animation production is being handled by Studio OLM, with director Akinori Fudesaka returning to helm the new episodes. Production records indicate that co-producer TOHO animation STUDIO, which collaborated with OLM during the consecutive-cour first and second seasons, is notably absent from the staff credits list for this third outing. Norihiro Naganuma, who served as chief director on Season 2, transitions into the role of series composer to supervise narrative structure. Assistant director Ko Nakagawa assists Fudesaka with episode flow [2].
The technical visual team retains several key veterans from previous seasons while introducing fresh artistic talent to refine the aesthetic palette. Yukiko Nakatani returns to design characters, Katsumi Takao directs the background art, and Mayo Suzuki leads compositing photography with CGI direction overseen by Tamotsu Nagai. The color design department welcomes Nanako Okazaki—recognized for her co-color design contributions on Umamusume: Cinderella Gray—who works together with veteran color designer Misato Aida. Sound director Shoji Hata collaborates with returning music composers Satoru Kosaki, Kevin Penkin, and Alisa Okehazama, whose score blends ancient acoustic instruments with orchestral tension across every palace investigation [3].
Scriptwriting duties remain split between Yuko Kakihara, Misuzu Chiba, and Hitomi Ogawa, ensuring thematic focus across every investigation. Daisuke Imai manages the editing room. Studio OLM leads animation. OLM maintains the established visual standard [3].
Maomao’s Journey Across Light Novels and Screen
Maomao’s journey from a humble medical practitioner to the imperial palace originated long before reaching television screens. Author Natsu Hyuga began serializing the story on the web novel platform Shōsetsuka ni Narō in October 2011, quickly building a dedicated readership. Shufunotomo acquired the series for commercial publication under its Hero Bunko imprint in August 2014, pairing Hyuga’s prose with illustrations by Toko Shino. By May 2025, the light novel expanded to 16 published volumes [2].
The literary success subsequently spawned two distinct manga adaptations that broadened the story’s reach. Illustrator Nekokurage launched an ongoing manga adaptation in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine in May 2017, with English print editions published by Square Enix Manga & Books. Simultaneously, Minoji Kurata created The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace, published by Shogakukan in Japan and licensed for print distribution by Viz Media [1].
Set in a fictional version of Imperial China, the story begins when Maomao is kidnapped from her father’s apothecary shop and sold into servitude within the rear palace. Though she initially attempts to remain an unassuming servant, her acute knowledge of poisons leads her to uncover the cause of illness affecting imperial infants. Jinshi appoints Maomao as an imperial food taster to protect the Emperor’s favorite consort from hidden assassination plots. Her food testing exposes poison. Her unique talent transforms palace politics [1].
- ONLINE NEWS Pineda, R. A. (2026, September 25). The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Anime’s 2nd Trailer Reveals Eve’s Ending Theme. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Tan, M. (2026, September 25). The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Reveals New Trailer. Anime Trending. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Jovanovic, M. (2026, September 25). The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 New Trailer Previews Ending Song by Eve. Anime Corner. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Kurland, D. (2026, September 25). 10 Anime to Watch While You Wait for The Apothecary Diaries Season 3. CBR. [Article Link]
- PRESS RELEASE TOHO animation. (2026, September 25). TV Anime The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Trailer 2. YouTube. [Article Link]
