The production committee for The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure revealed a new trailer and visual that preview the upcoming Kenshi Yonezu theme song on Thursday. The movie marks the first feature-length anime release for the franchise, adapting a brand-new mystery written by original author Natsu Hyuuga. Japanese theaters will open the film on December 11, 2026. [1, 2]
Trailer Previews the Kenshi Yonezu Theme Song
The trailer introduces brief musical segments of the theme song “Haru ga Tomori,” which translates into English as “Spring Is Aglow” or “Spring Lights.” Yonezu composed and sang the piece for the film. Fans can only hear short snippets in the Japanese YouTube trailer because the full track isn’t out on streaming platforms yet. [1–3]
Television network Nippon TV will support the theatrical release with a special broadcast event in December. The broadcaster’s regular Friday movie block, Kinyō Roadshow, plans to air a compilation of the second half of the second television season on December 11, 2026. This special edition includes about four minutes of newly animated footage that links to the final scene of the second season, giving returning viewers a fresh transition into the movie. Japanese streaming services will also make special editions of the anime’s earlier story arcs available starting on October 31. The new feature gives fans another chance to follow Maomao and Jinshi after the second season concluded its broadcast run. [2]
Streaming service Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it acquired theatrical and streaming rights for North America and worldwide territories, excluding Asia but including India with distribution partner Sony Pictures Entertainment. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures will announce international screening dates later. Meanwhile, the third television season continues airing on Friday nights in Japan before its second cours arrives in April 2027. [2]
Waterfront Mystery in Binan Province
The movie tells a standalone story written by original creator Hyuganatsu. In the film, the emperor commands Jinshi to grant the final wish of a concubine named Ruoqing, who died five years ago in the inner palace. Jinshi must return her remains to her family in her southern homeland. When Jinshi examines her body before departure, he discovers that her remains look as if she were still alive. [2, 3]
Jinshi brings Maomao along on the expedition south to investigate how the body remained preserved for five years. Their travel party heads to Binan-shu, a busy port city on the water ruled by the Bi clan. Maomao shows excitement upon finding rare southern herbs and medicines in local merchant stalls, but danger quickly surrounds their visit. River pirates belonging to the hostile Kajadan gang patrol the province’s waterways in search of a hidden treasure left behind by their deceased former commander, Kaja. The official plot summary reveals that on the day of Ruoqing’s funeral, a major disturbance breaks out and sets off unpredictable consequences across the port. Maomao must investigate poisoned medicines and local politics to protect the group. [2, 3]
The storyline ties these events to the mystery of the Empress’ remains. A mysterious youth also appears in the province holding a key secret that links the concubine’s burial wish to the pirates’ hunt for hidden gold. Maomao uses her chemical knowledge to unravel how these factions intersect before the conflict escalates. Jinshi’s fears of unrest prove accurate during the funeral. [2, 3]
Production Crew and Voice Cast
Director Norihiro Naganuma returns to guide the feature production at TOHO Animation STUDIO. The studio created an official relationship chart to help viewers track how imperial representatives, the Bi household, and river pirates connect across the new region. The production committee previously shared movie character video previews that showcased each new figure in action. Voice actress Mariya Ise joins the cast as Mu Qing, a prominent son of the Bi family who holds a central role in the investigation. Nobuo Tobita plays clan leader Birō, while Kumiko Watanabe voices his wife Shūu. Hirofumi Nojima voices Bisen, the eldest son of the Bi clan. [2, 3]
The cast also introduces the servants and pirates caught in the dispute. Ai Mikami voices Yinshan, a servant who once attended concubine Ruoqing and now works for Mu Qing. Miyuki Sawashiro portrays Ruoqing herself in flashback sequences that explain her dying request. These family ties link the palace in the capital to the southern province. [2]
Actor Kenshō Ono voices Suija, the commander leading the Kajadan river pirates along the province’s waterways. Ryōta Takeuchi plays Suija’s officer Eishō, while veteran voice actor Jirō Saitō portrays Kaja, the group’s late former chieftain whose hidden riches set off the pirate raid. Anime News Network noted that all character name romanizations remain provisional until official translations appear. The film brings these new characters into conflict with Maomao and Jinshi as the investigation unfolds. The pirates search across local water routes to locate their missing treasure. [2]
Theater Epilogue Booklet and Bonus Stories
Hyuganatsu prepared new print material for audiences attending the movie in Japan. The author wrote an official novelization of the film that arrives in bookstores on December 9, 2026. This book adapts the movie’s storyline while including scenes that couldn’t fit into the animated film. First-edition copies will feature a wide obi band with the movie’s key visual. [2, 3]
Theatergoers who attend opening week screenings in Japan will receive an exclusive physical booklet titled Kiro no Himawari, which translates into English as “Sunflowers on the Road Home.” Hyuganatsu wrote this brand-new short story about Maomao and Jinshi as a narrative epilogue taking place after the events of the movie. Japanese movie theaters will distribute 1.5 million copies of the booklet starting on opening day, December 11, while supplies last. The booklet includes exclusive interviews with author Hyuganatsu and the cast, as well as draft illustrations of the film’s teaser visual. Having original fiction in the theatrical bonus gives attendees a tangible reward that extends beyond the credits. [2]
The film’s release builds on a long publication history. Hyuganatsu first began posting the story on the web fiction portal Shōsetsuka ni Narō (Let’s Become Novelists) in October 2011. Publisher Shufunotomo began releasing print light novels with illustrations by Toko Shino in August 2014, while J-Novel Club later licensed the series for digital English publication. [2, 3]
Kenshi Yonezu Theme Song Previews Winter Tour
The theatrical feature arrives during a productive period for musician Kenshi Yonezu. He recently sang the track “Iris Out” for the animated Chainsaw Man movie. Fans tracking the Kenshi Yonezu theme song announcement can also catch the singer on his upcoming GHOST world tour. That tour begins in Taipei on December 26, 2026, before heading to North America and Europe. [1]
The tour will conclude with a show in Amsterdam on February 28, 2027. Meanwhile, the anime franchise continues to expand through other media formats. Developer Gust has revealed gameplay systems for The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother game, confirming that Jinshi will be playable during investigation scenes ahead of its February 2027 debut. Players will explore mysteries from Jinshi’s perspective during specific playable sequences. The franchise also announced its first live-action series, while another manga written by Hyuganatsu, titled The Failure at God School, confirmed an upcoming anime adaptation. These new productions give audiences multiple ways to experience the author’s mystery storytelling across both games and animation. [1, 3]
Print readers also have two ongoing manga adaptations to follow. Itsuki Nanao and artist Nekokurage run their version in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine, which Square Enix publishes in English. Manga artist Minoji Kurata creates an alternate adaptation titled The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace, which Viz Media publishes for English readers. Both manga series continue releasing new chapters as the anime franchise grows. [2, 3]
- ONLINE NEWS Lada, J. (2026, October 22). Kenshi Yonezu Sings The Apothecary Diaries Movie Theme Song. Siliconera. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Loo, E. (2026, October 22). The Apothecary Diaries Film’s New Trailer Unveils Kenshi Yonezu’s Theme Song. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Jovanovic, M. (2026, October 22). The Apothecary Diaries Movie Reveals New Trailer, Key Visual, and Kenshi Yonezu Theme Song. Anime Corner. [Article Link]
