A new anime is in the works for a 2023 debut coming from the light novel series The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuga and Touko Shino. The announcement in February 2023 came with a lot of the basics and a teaser promo. The series was recently set with an October 21st, 2023 premiere date for the show – which is certainly later than usual – but it comes with an interesting twist that feels like it leans into the streaming formula a bit. The first three episodes premiered together on the 21st and this comes after they saw a limited theatrical showing on October 1st, 2023 with special screenings in four theaters.
Now, a new promotional video has arrived for the eighteenth episode that is due out on February 17th, 2024. This one leans into the national cat day event going on and provides for some additional fun for fans. The opening theme song is “Hana ni Natte” as performed by Ryokuōshoku Shakai’s while Aina The End is performing the ending theme song “Aikotoba.”
The series is directed by Norihiro Naganuma with Akinori Fudesaka assisting. Naganuma is also overseeing the scripts while Yukiko Nakatani is handling the character designs. TOHO and OLM are working on the animation production.
The Japanese cast includes:
- Aoi Yuki as Maomao
- Takeo Otsuka as Jinshi
- Katsuyuki Konishi as Gaoshun
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Gyokuyō
- Yui Ishikawa as Lihua
- Hina Kino as Lishu
- Yuko Kaida as Ah-Duo
- Megumi Han as Meimei
- Ami Koshimizu as Pairin
- Hiroki Nanami as Joka
- Kimiko Saitō as Yarite Babaa (Madam)
- Hiroshi Yanaka as Luomen
- Kenji Akabane as Lihaku
- Misaki Kuno as Xiaolan
- Mitsuaki Kanuka as Yabu Isha
The novels are released in English through J-Novel Club.
Check out the official site and Twitter.
Plot Concept: 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 favorite consort… so she can taste the lady’s food for poison!
[Source: ANN]
