Natsu Hyuga’s The Apothecary Diaries has been a quiet hit for years, but an anime adaptation, which aired from 2023 to early this year, brought it to newfound popularity. After charming audiences with strong characterisation, mystery-solving intrigue, and story twists, the period piece will be returning for a sophomore outing in January 2025.
While the announcement isn’t new, this latest update includes a brand-new teaser trailer for the highly-anticipated sequel, a new key visual, and confirmation of a continuous two-cour broadcast (around half a year). Season 2 of The Apothecary Diaries will dive into its imperial court when it airs on 10 January next year, with the outrageous chemistry between Jinshi and Momo to be developed further.
TOHO and OLM are returning to animate the series. Norihiro Naganuma, who helmed and scored the first season, serves as director and composer. The voice cast for Season 1 includes:
- Aoi Yuki as Maomao
- Takeo Otsuka as Jinshi
- Megumi Han as Meimei
- Katsuyuki Konishi as Gaoshun
- Yui Ishikawa as Lihua
- Misaki Kuno as Xiaolan
- Yuko Kaida as Ah-Duo
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Gyokuyo
- Hina Kino as Lishu
- Takuya Kirimoto as Lakan Kan
- Ami Koshimizu as Pairin
The Apothecary Diaries, illustrated by Touko Shino, started as a web novel in 2011 and was published as a light novel series in 2024. It has received two manga adaptations, one by Square Enix and the other by Shogakukan, offering the following synopsis:
“In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her — until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That’s her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao’s façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor’s favourite consort… so she can taste the lady’s food for poison! At her lady’s side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?”
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Natalie
