Image: 2028 Amazon Content Services LLC or its Affiliates and TOHO CO., LTD.
AMBot | 09/03/2026 | Reading Time: 5 Min.
Prime Video is bringing the successful series "The Apothecary Diaries" into the world of live-action: The Japanese best-selling novel series by Natsu Hyūga is being adapted as a Prime Original series. Actress Mana Ashida will play the lead role of the young apothecary Maomao. Prime Video announced the production on September 3, 2026; it is being created as a joint effort between Amazon MGM Studios and Toho. The series is scheduled to be released exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and regions worldwide in 2028. Accompanying the announcement, a teaser visual was released showing Ashida in the role of Maomao.
The plot of the source material is set in the imperial palace of a fictional empire: Maomao, an apothecary raised in the pleasure district, ends up as a servant in the so-called rear palace. Actually, she wants to carry out her duties there inconspicuously, but mysterious cases of illness, poisons, and intrigues repeatedly draw her attention. With her extensive pharmaceutical knowledge and a sharp eye for details, she gradually unravels the secrets and conspiracies of the court. The series is published by Hero Bunko (Imagica Infos), has been translated into 16 languages, and has achieved a total worldwide circulation of more than 57 million copies. There are also two manga adaptations, published by Square Enix and Shogakukan, respectively.
The material is thus in a phase of intensive exploitation: The TV anime launched in 2023 became an international success, with the second season following in 2025. The third season begins in October 2026, and on December 11, 2026, an anime film written by Hyūga, "Gekijōban Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bōhi no Hihō," will be released in Japanese theaters. The now-announced live-action series builds on this success story. Toho, which was already responsible for the anime version, brings its experience with elaborate productions to the table – the studio is behind, among others, the Oscar-winning film for visual effects, "Godzilla Minus One." For the ambitious realization of the courtly setting, large-scale sets were specially constructed over about half a year to recreate the world of the rear palace; high standards apply to the production design, costumes, and visual effects. Toho Studios serves as the production company.
Yuki Saito is responsible for directing, who most recently directed the acclaimed hospital series "Unmet." The screenplay is by Erika Yoshida, who was responsible for the scripts of the NHK morning drama "Tora ni Tsubasa," among others. The teaser visual shows Maomao in a reserved, upright posture: Her eyes remain deliberately hidden, while her firmly pressed mouth and the handkerchief held in her hand define the appearance. For connoisseurs of the source material, the imagery is a clear allusion to a well-known scene from the early phase of the story.
Mana Ashida, who described herself as a big fan of the novels even before her engagement, looked back on intensive filming in a statement. She spoke of the nervousness of approaching such a beloved source material, but also of the joy of having worked with a team that paid respect to the original down to the last detail. "There were many moments while acting when my feelings as a fan came up and my heart raced," she is quoted as saying. She wants to share this enthusiasm with long-time readers as well as with viewers who are discovering the story anew. Ashida, born in 2004, became known at the age of five with the series "Mother," celebrated her breakthrough in Japanese television with "Marumo no Okite," and made her Hollywood debut in "Pacific Rim" in 2013. For her role in "Cells at Work!," she was most recently awarded the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actress.
Author Natsu Hyūga expressed relief in her comment about the casting of the lead role. "When Mana Ashida was chosen for Maomao, I thought: Ah, I can entrust this character to her without worry," she is quoted in translation. During personal meetings on set, she thought: "That is Maomao!" She praised the elaborate sets and costumes as well as the loving details of props, makeup, etiquette, and walking lessons. She also revealed in passing that the actor for the important supporting character Jinshi has already been decided and that she met him during a set visit – however, the official announcement of the rest of the cast is still pending. Buddy Marini, head of Amazon MGM Studios in Japan, expressed confidence that the mix of mystery suspense and human drama will reach viewers worldwide. Toho executive Hisashi Usui spoke of an interplay between source material, lead actress, direction, and production partners, adding with a smile that Toho can certainly do more than just Godzilla. Further high-profile cast members are to be introduced in the coming months.
The plot of the source material is set in the imperial palace of a fictional empire: Maomao, an apothecary raised in the pleasure district, ends up as a servant in the so-called rear palace. Actually, she wants to carry out her duties there inconspicuously, but mysterious cases of illness, poisons, and intrigues repeatedly draw her attention. With her extensive pharmaceutical knowledge and a sharp eye for details, she gradually unravels the secrets and conspiracies of the court. The series is published by Hero Bunko (Imagica Infos), has been translated into 16 languages, and has achieved a total worldwide circulation of more than 57 million copies. There are also two manga adaptations, published by Square Enix and Shogakukan, respectively.
The material is thus in a phase of intensive exploitation: The TV anime launched in 2023 became an international success, with the second season following in 2025. The third season begins in October 2026, and on December 11, 2026, an anime film written by Hyūga, "Gekijōban Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bōhi no Hihō," will be released in Japanese theaters. The now-announced live-action series builds on this success story. Toho, which was already responsible for the anime version, brings its experience with elaborate productions to the table – the studio is behind, among others, the Oscar-winning film for visual effects, "Godzilla Minus One." For the ambitious realization of the courtly setting, large-scale sets were specially constructed over about half a year to recreate the world of the rear palace; high standards apply to the production design, costumes, and visual effects. Toho Studios serves as the production company.
Yuki Saito is responsible for directing, who most recently directed the acclaimed hospital series "Unmet." The screenplay is by Erika Yoshida, who was responsible for the scripts of the NHK morning drama "Tora ni Tsubasa," among others. The teaser visual shows Maomao in a reserved, upright posture: Her eyes remain deliberately hidden, while her firmly pressed mouth and the handkerchief held in her hand define the appearance. For connoisseurs of the source material, the imagery is a clear allusion to a well-known scene from the early phase of the story.
Mana Ashida, who described herself as a big fan of the novels even before her engagement, looked back on intensive filming in a statement. She spoke of the nervousness of approaching such a beloved source material, but also of the joy of having worked with a team that paid respect to the original down to the last detail. "There were many moments while acting when my feelings as a fan came up and my heart raced," she is quoted as saying. She wants to share this enthusiasm with long-time readers as well as with viewers who are discovering the story anew. Ashida, born in 2004, became known at the age of five with the series "Mother," celebrated her breakthrough in Japanese television with "Marumo no Okite," and made her Hollywood debut in "Pacific Rim" in 2013. For her role in "Cells at Work!," she was most recently awarded the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actress.
Author Natsu Hyūga expressed relief in her comment about the casting of the lead role. "When Mana Ashida was chosen for Maomao, I thought: Ah, I can entrust this character to her without worry," she is quoted in translation. During personal meetings on set, she thought: "That is Maomao!" She praised the elaborate sets and costumes as well as the loving details of props, makeup, etiquette, and walking lessons. She also revealed in passing that the actor for the important supporting character Jinshi has already been decided and that she met him during a set visit – however, the official announcement of the rest of the cast is still pending. Buddy Marini, head of Amazon MGM Studios in Japan, expressed confidence that the mix of mystery suspense and human drama will reach viewers worldwide. Toho executive Hisashi Usui spoke of an interplay between source material, lead actress, direction, and production partners, adding with a smile that Toho can certainly do more than just Godzilla. Further high-profile cast members are to be introduced in the coming months.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
Comment(s) 0