TOHO animation rolled out a brand‑new character trailer on Saturday for The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bо̄hi no Hihо̄), the first cinematic entry tied to the hit anime series. The short clip zeroes in on the partnership between the shrewd head eunuch Jinshi and the quick‑witted apothecary apprentice Maomao, giving fans a taste of the adventure that awaits.
The visual, posted on the official film website, shows Jinshi and Maomao navigating a bustling dockside market before a sudden skirmish with a band of pirates. As they clash, the animation emphasizes the pair’s contrasting styles—Jinshi’s composed swordplay against Maomao’s improvisational use of herbs and gadgets. The trailer’s title card confirms the film’s Japanese theatrical opening on December 11, 2026.
TOHO animation has promised a daily rollout of additional character videos over the next three days. A clip featuring the mysterious Mi clan is scheduled for October 12, followed by a showcase for the flamboyant Kaja Troupe on October 13, and finally a spotlight on Ruo Qing and Yi Shan on October 14. While the Romanizations are tentative, the staggered releases hint at a story populated by a wide array of factions and secrets.
The movie’s plot diverges from the television adaptation, venturing into a new narrative penned by the original novelist Hyuganatsu. Maomao and Jinshi are dispatched to the hometown of a concubine who perished five years earlier, tasked with returning her remains to her native land. Along the way, they encounter rogue pirates, hidden caches of treasure, a lingering mystery surrounding the Empress’s own remains, and a cryptic boy who may hold the key to unlocking the whole tale.
Veteran voice actress Mariya Ise joins the cast as Mu Qing, a role yet to be officially Romanized. Ise’s addition expands the film’s ensemble, promising fresh dynamics alongside returning stars from the TV series.
How the Film Fits Into the Broader Franchise
The cinematic release follows a successful two‑cour first season that aired from October 2023, and a second season that ran for two cours beginning January 2025. Both installments streamed on Crunchyroll as they aired in Japan, and each received an English dub shortly after the original broadcast. The third season of the TV anime debuted on October 2, 2026, occupying Nippon TV’s “Friday Anime Night” slot and will continue into a second cour starting April 2027.
For context, the original light‑novel series began serialization on the user‑generated site “Shōsetsuka ni Narō” in October 2011, later receiving print publication from Shufunotomo in 2014 with illustrations by Touko Shino. The story’s popularity spawned a manga adaptation in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan in 2017, which is now available in English through Square Enix Manga & Books. A separate manga titled The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace is being released by Viz Media.
What to Expect From the Film’s Release
- December 11 theatrical debut in Japan, distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
- Global theatrical rollout confirmed by Crunchyroll, which will also handle overseas streaming after the cinema window.
- Original story by the series creator, ensuring the film stands apart from the TV continuity while retaining the series’ signature blend of palace intrigue and medicinal cleverness.
Fans eager for more details can follow the official news feed on the Apothecary Diaries anime website, which will continue to release character videos and behind‑the‑scenes content throughout the week.
For a deeper look at the series’ performance and its place in the current season, see the recent Crunchyroll global theatrical release article on Manga For Today.
Featured image: © 日向夏・イマジカインフォス／「薬屋のひとりごと」製作委員会
Source: Anime News Network