is a Japanese anime television series based on the light novel series The Apothecary Diaries written by Hyà «ganatsu and illustrated by Touko Shino. Set in a fictional country inspired by Imperial China, the series follows Maomao, a young woman trained in medicine who is sold into service at the Emperor's palace.
The first season aired on Nippon TV from October 2023 to March 2024, followed by a second season which ran from January 10 to July 4, 2025. Internationally, Crunchyroll licensed the series for streaming outside of Asia, with Netflix also carrying the title in various regions. On October 22, 2025, during a special second-anniversary event, a third season was announced for an October 2026 premiere as a split-cours broadcast. Additionally, an original anime film written by Hyà «ganatsu is slated for a theatrical release in December 2026.
Maomao, a young apothecary raised in the capital's pleasure district, is kidnapped and sold into service at the Imperial Palace as a lowly laundry maid. While attempting to serve her two-year contract in anonymity, she learns of a mysterious illness afflicting the EmperorâÂÂs infant heirs. Suspecting the cause is toxic face powder used by the concubines, she leaves an anonymous warning that saves the life of the infant Prince Ogai. Her actions are discovered by Jinshi, an influential eunuch who manages the Rear Palace. Recognizing her expertise, Jinshi promotes her to be the personal lady-in-waiting and poison tester for Lady Gyokuyou, the Emperor's favorite consort. Maomao is subsequently tasked with investigating various medical mysteries, political intrigues, and forensic puzzles within the court, while navigating the dangerous social hierarchy of the palace.
Maomao serves as a lady-in-waiting and investigates various medical mysteries within the court, including the accidental poisoning of concubines and the properties of rare herbs. Jinshi frequently assigns her tasks to solve internal disputes and health crises using her knowledge of toxicology.
During a brief leave to her home in the Red-Light District, Maomao is asked to investigate the death of a high-ranking official. She determines the cause of death by analyzing the chemical reactions of substances found at the scene. Concurrently, she manages the health of several courtesans at the Verdigris Pavilion.
Maomao encounters Lakan, a high-ranking military official who reveals himself to be her biological father. The arc details the circumstances of Maomao's birth to a high-class courtesan and the subsequent estrangement. Maomao eventually uses her botanical knowledge to fulfill a specific request from Lakan involving the blooming of out-of-season flowers.
A series of incidents occurs involving a poisoned banquet and a missing ritual implement. Maomao connects these events to an assassination plot targeting Jinshi during an outdoor ceremony. She intervenes during the ritual, sustaining a leg injury while pulling Jinshi to safety.
Maomao befriends a new lady-in-waiting named Shisui. Investigations into agricultural failures and local "curses" lead Maomao to discover a conspiracy involving the Shi Clan. The clan attempts to destabilize the central government through controlled food shortages, resulting in a military confrontation and the clan's downfall.
Following the Shi Clan incident, Maomao assists her foster father, Luomen, in managing a winter illness outbreak. She uncovers the technical methods used to create "blue roses" and continues her work as an apothecary while the political landscape of the palace shifts in the aftermath of the rebellion.
The anime television series adaptation, produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM, was announced on February 16, 2023. It was directed and written by Norihiro Naganuma, with Akinori Fudesaka serving as assistant director for the first season and later replacing Norihiro as director of the second season. designed the characters, and Satoru KÃ Âsaki, Kevin Penkin, and all composed the music. The two consecutive-cours series aired from October 22, 2023, to March 24, 2024, on Nippon TV and its affiliates.
Following the conclusion of the first season broadcast, a second season was announced. It aired from January 10 to July 4, 2025, on the Friday Anime Night programming block on Nippon TV and its affiliates.
Following the conclusion of the second season broadcast, a sequel to the anime series was announced. On the second anniversary of the anime's premiere, it was announced to be a third season that is set to premiere in October 2026. The season will run in two split cours, with its second premiering in April 2027.
Crunchyroll is streaming the series worldwide outside Asia, in addition to the Middle East, the CIS, and South Asia. The first cours of the first season was released on Blu-ray on January 28, 2025, while the second cours was released on March 25, 2025. Netflix has streamed the series in select Asian regions, as well as in various other regions around the world.
An animated film was announced in October 2025, and will feature a new story written by Hyà «ganatsu. The film is set to premiere in Japan in December 2026.
The musical score for the series is a collaborative project composed by Satoru KÃ Âsaki, Kevin Penkin, and Arisa Okehazama. The official soundtrack, containing 47 tracks, was released digitally by Milan Records and Toho Animation Records on March 25, 2024.
For the first season, the first opening theme song is performed by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, while the first ending theme song is performed by Aina the End. The second opening theme song is performed by Uru, while the second ending theme song is , performed by .
For the second season, the first opening theme song is performed by Lilas Ikuta, while the first ending theme song is performed by . The second opening theme song is performed by Mrs. Green Apple, while the second ending theme song is performed by Omoinotake.
James Beckett of Anime News Network praised the first season's premiere for its unique premise, noting that the series' strength lies in Maomao's characterization as a "refreshingly pragmatic and cynical protagonist" who uses her intellect to navigate the dangers of the imperial court. In a later review, Beckett highlighted the "meticulous attention to detail" regarding the series' historical setting and the chemistry between the lead characters.
Writing for IGN Southeast Asia, Dale Bashir noted that the series stood out by focusing on deduction and forensic science within a palace setting. He highlighted that the production quality from Toho Animation Studio and OLM successfully elevated the source material, making it one of the most prominent titles of its season.
The anime ranked seventh in Anime News Network's "Top 10 Anime of 2024", with Caitlin Moore praising the series' plot and Aoi Yà «ki's voice acting. In 2025, the anime was nominated for 13 categories at the 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards, including the Anime of the Year. Aoi Yà «ki, for her work as Maomao, won its only award for Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese).
The anime was also nominated for Best Anime Series at the 5th Astra TV Awards. It won the 2025 Animages Anime Grand Prix with Maomao and Jinshi taking the first and fourth places in the Best Character category. Aoi Yà «ki and Takeo à Âtsuka took the first and fifth places in the Best Voice Actor category for their respective roles as Maomao and Jinshi.