Seasonal · The Apothecary Diaries
Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Opens
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 premiered on 2 October 2026, taking Maomao beyond the palace in a split-cour run with its second part due in April 2027.
Maomao is back on Friday nights — and behind the camera, the series has quietly changed hands.
Season 3 premiered on 2 October 2026, taking Maomao beyond the palace in a split-cour run; part two lands in April 2027. Akinori Fudesaka, who directed season 2, takes over as director; Norihiro Naganuma, who directed the first two seasons, moves to series composition.
Key Points
- Premiere: Friday, 2 October 2026, 23:00 JST, Nippon TV.
- OLM animates alone; seasons 1–2 were co-produced with TOHO animation STUDIO.
- Split cour: part one Fall 2026, part two April 2027.
Beyond the rear palace
Two seasons of poisons and court mysteries give way to the Western Capital, from light novel volumes 5 and 6, where famine and locusts replace court intrigue. Between the cours, the film The Late Lady’s Treasure — directed by Naganuma, original story by Natsu Hyuga — opens in Japan on 11 December 2026.
Primary source: the official anime site and Crunchyroll’s Fall 2026 lineup.
Why it matters
This is the rare hit that grows by leaving its comfort zone — and by trusting a new director. A road story risks the palace intrigue fans love — and tests whether Maomao works as a traveller, not just a court detective.
Read more: For Newcomers and Season Spotlight.