The Apothecary Diaries Anime: Key Details About the Upcoming Adaptation

A teaser promotional video for the anime adaptation of the light novel series The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyūga and Touko Shino is now available on the official website. The video hints at an October premiere and introduces the latest cast member, Takeo Ōtsuka, who will voice the character Jinshi.



In addition to Ōtsuka, Aoi Yūki will voice the main character Maomao. The anime is directed by Norihiro Naganuma from TOHO Animation and OLM. He will also be in charge of the scripts. Akinori Fudesaka serves as assistant director, while Yukiko Nakatani is responsible for the character designs.

The original story is set in a land ruled by an emperor, where a young apothecary named Maomao is kidnapped and forced into service in the Hougong, the rear palace. Her sharp intellect and medical knowledge are quickly recognized by Jinshi, the chief eunuch. This leads to Maomao becoming the court lady of the emperor's favorite consort, tasked with inspecting food for possible poisons.

Hyūga began serializing the story on the website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in October 2011. The printed edition of the novel series launched in August 2014 with illustrations by Shino. There is also a manga adaptation of the light novel series, which debuted in May 2017 in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan magazine.