The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries
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The Apothecary Diaries

8.6
Yr 2023
Rt 23m
Status Returning Series
Animation Drama Mystery
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she's sold as a lowly servant to the emperor's palace. But she wasn't meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she's making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!

Status

Latest

  • Crunchyroll sets Season 3 premiere date — reported September 30, 2026
Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 85 /100

The Apothecary Diaries has garnered strong critical praise for its compelling blend of historical court intrigue, detective procedural storytelling, and medical drama. Reviewers highlight how seamlessly the series weaves case-of-the-week poisoning investigations into broader palace plots and relationship dynamics, comparing its narrative rhythm to classic mystery procedurals with a unique faux-historical flair.

Central to the show's positive reception is its iron-willed protagonist, Maomao. Critics celebrate her eccentric, poison-obsessed personality and keen detective instincts, which ground the surrounding imperial drama. While some reviewers point out familiar harem tropes or a lack of heavy thematic depth, the consensus remains that its charming character dynamics, breezy tone, and clever mysteries deliver a consistently entertaining watch.

“Diaries unfolds in a setting full of rich history and complicated relationships – all of which is navigated with satisfying aptitude by its charming, iron-willed protagonist.”

“Questionable harem tropes aside, The Apothecary Diaries is an entertaining story about medicine and politics.”

“This refreshing dramedy anime doesn't have much thematic depth but does have fun characters and creative conflicts.”

“Ultimately, what makes The Apothecary Diaries work so well is that it emphasizes two key factors, a decent series of mysteries and a strong central pairing.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Hulu
US
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
UK • US • CA
Crunchyroll
CA • US • UK
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Netflix Standard with Ads
US • UK • CA
Netflix
CA • US • UK
Why fans love it

The Apothecary Diaries separates itself from standard historical drama through its protagonist, whose technical expertise frequently trumps the stiff traditions of the royal court. As Maomao shifts from a lowly servant to a palace investigator, the series leans into the absurdity of imperial politics. Her methods are cold and calculated, offering a rare perspective where poison and antidotes carry more weight than status or noble lineage.

Aoi Yuuki anchors the animation with a performance that highlights a sharp, inquisitive mind operating behind a mask of indifference. The show avoids romantic tropes to focus on the procedural satisfaction of solving medical anomalies. By rooting its mysteries in the practical reality of ancient medicinal knowledge, it turns the inner workings of a secluded palace into a high-stakes puzzle.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 3
Longest run 60 eps
Aoi Yuuki
Aoi Yuuki
as Maomao (voice)
60 episodes
Takeo Otsuka
Takeo Otsuka
as Jinshi (voice)
60 episodes
Katsuyuki Konishi
Katsuyuki Konishi
as Gaoshun (voice)
60 episodes
Megumi Toyoguchi
Megumi Toyoguchi
as Hongniang (voice)
25 episodes
Sayaka Kinoshita
Sayaka Kinoshita
as Shin (voice)
3 episodes
Sumi Shimamoto
Sumi Shimamoto
as Narration (voice)
10 episodes
Daichi Endo
Daichi Endo
as Emperor (voice)
8 episodes
Tatsumaru Tachibana
Tatsumaru Tachibana
as Basen (voice)
14 episodes
Show 67 more
Umeka Shoji as Kanan (voice) 6 episodes Natsumi Kawaida as Maidservant (voice) 6 episodes Satoru Ito as Civil Official (voice) 7 episodes Noriko Hidaka as Fengming (voice) 2 episodes Takuya Kirimoto as Lakan (voice) 15 episodes Mika Doi as Suiren (voice) 10 episodes Kaori Nazuka as Suirei (voice) 11 episodes Akiha Matsui as Lihua's Lady-in-Waiting (voice) 4 episodes Koki Uchiyama as Rikuson (voice) 3 episodes Mirei Kumagai as Lady-in-Waiting (voice) 3 episodes Saima Nakano as Lishu's Lady-in-Waiting (voice) 8 episodes Takaaki Torashima as High-Ranking Official (voice) 9 episodes Yui Ishikawa as Lihua (voice) 8 episodes Wakana Kowaka as Crystal Pavilion Lady-in-Waiting (voice) 3 episodes Hina Kino as Lishu (voice) 8 episodes Kenji Akabane as Lihaku (voice) 10 episodes Misaki Kuno as Xiaolan (voice) 18 episodes Hiroshi Yanaka as Luomen (voice) 20 episodes Mitsuaki Kanuka as Guen / Quack Doctor (voice) 17 episodes Rie Hikisaka as Maomao, the Cat (voice) 28 episodes Ami Koshimizu as Pairin (voice) 9 episodes Hiroki Nanami as Joka (voice) 6 episodes Kimiko Saito as Old Madam (voice) 13 episodes Houko Kuwashima as Fengxian (voice) 3 episodes Misa Ishii as Low-Rank Concubine (voice) 21 episodes Yu Wakabayashi as Shi Soldier (voice) 3 episodes Momoko Miyashiro as Brothel Servant Girl (voice) 2 episodes Hiromichi Tezuka as Medical Officer (voice) 2 episodes Masafumi Kobatake as Lo-en (voice) 4 episodes Marie Ooi as Courtesan (voice) 2 episodes Hiroki Goto as Kounen (voice) 2 episodes Mikoto Nakai as Lishu's Lady-in-Waiting (voice) 4 episodes Yoshiaki Hasegawa as Military Officer (voice) 3 episodes Megumi Han as Meimei (voice) 13 episodes Yuhko Kaida as Ah-Duo (voice) 4 episodes Mamiko Noto as Empress Dowager Anshi (voice) 4 episodes Shoumaru Zouza as Military Officer (voice) 4 episodes Cho as Shishou (voice) 4 episodes Atsumi Tanezaki as Gyokuyou (voice) 29 episodes Saki Takahashi as Susu (voice) 3 episodes Takako Tanaka as Maidservant (voice) 25 episodes Rie Kawamura as Court Lady (voice) 2 episodes Takaaki Uchino as Market Stall Owner (voice) 3 episodes Masako Katsuki as Shenlü (voice) 5 episodes Lynn as Ayla (voice) 3 episodes Shinya Takahashi as Civil Official (voice) 2 episodes Kousuke Okamoto as Man (voice) 2 episodes Kousuke Goto as Second Son (voice) 3 episodes Seiyu Fujiwara as Shi Soldier (voice) 4 episodes Yoshito Yasuhara as Old Eunuch (voice) 3 episodes Yuki Ominami as Lady-in-Waiting (voice) 2 episodes Kaho Kouda as Anshi's Lady-in-Waiting (voice) 2 episodes Masato Niwa as Official's Younger Brother (voice) 7 episodes Satomi Sato as Haku-u (voice) 3 episodes Hitomi Ueda as Koku-u (voice) 4 episodes Miku Ito as Seki-u (voice) 6 episodes Motoki Sakuma as Workshop Man (voice) 3 episodes Takayuki Nakatsukasa as Inspector (voice) 3 episodes Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kan Lahan (voice) 3 episodes Asami Seto as Shisui (voice) 16 episodes Rica Fukami as Shenmei (voice) 5 episodes Yuuki Sanpei as High-Ranking Official (voice) 3 episodes Arisa Kiyoto as Maidservant (voice) 4 episodes Shoko Yuzuki as Lady-in-Waiting (voice) 3 episodes Rikako Yamaguchi as Mid-Rank Concubine (voice) 5 episodes Natsumi Fujiwara as Kyou-u (voice) 5 episodes Tomoaki Maeno as Watchman (voice) 3 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Apothecary Diaries overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

detective affectation work politics female protagonist maid historical royal court lady in waiting anime medical critical based on light novel amused audacious ancient china
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
October 22, 2023
Status
Returning Series
Episode Runtime
23 minutes
Origin
JP
TMDB Votes
651