The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 has officially begun.
The highly anticipated third season premiered in Japan on October 2, 2026, returning Maomao and Jinshi to television after the conclusion of Season 2.
The new season began broadcasting on Nippon TV’s Friday Anime Night block at 11 p.m. and is being distributed internationally through streaming platforms including Crunchyroll.
Season 3 is particularly important because the story begins moving beyond some of the familiar locations and circumstances established during the first two seasons. Maomao once again finds herself drawn into a mystery involving medicine, politics and rumors circulating through the world around her.
The official promotional material introduces a new mystery involving a mysterious celestial maiden, with Reina Ueda joining the cast as Bai Niangniang.
The season’s opening theme is “Kumo wo Nuke Kaze Shita e Watashi Dake” by Yorushika.
The season is being produced as a split-cour project, meaning the story will be divided into two broadcast portions.
The first part begins in October 2026, while the second cour is scheduled for April 2027.
That structure also allows the franchise to continue expanding in another format during the break.
The first Apothecary Diaries theatrical movie, titled The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress’ Treasure, is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on December 11, 2026. The movie is an original story written by series author Natsu Hyūga, rather than a straightforward compilation of television material.
The official anime website has also launched additional promotional projects around Season 3.
These include the return of the official podcast and a new “Maomao Riddle” project, which began on September 30 and gives fans puzzles connected to upcoming episodes.
The third season’s launch comes after the anime became one of the most successful recent adaptations of a light novel series.
Its first season introduced Maomao’s unusual combination of medical knowledge, skepticism and detective instincts, while Season 2 expanded the political and personal stakes surrounding her relationship with Jinshi.
Now, Season 3 begins another stage of that story.
For fans, the wait is over: Maomao is back, a new mystery has begun, and the story will continue into 2027 alongside the franchise’s first theatrical movie.
Featured image source: The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 promotional artwork.
Image rights: © Natsu Hyūga/Shino Touko/Shogakukan/“The Apothecary Diaries” Project. Verify commercial usage rights before publishing.
