After the huge success of its previous seasons, the hit anime The Apothecary Diaries has officially returned for Season 3, promising stunning visuals and trickier cases than ever. The first part (cour 1) begins airing on October 2, 2026.
Detailed Broadcast Schedule
Season 3 of the inner-palace mystery series will be split into two main parts to ensure the best animation and story quality for viewers:
Cour 1: Begins airing on October 2, 2026 on NTV (Japan), with simultaneous streaming on international platforms such as Crunchyroll.
Cour 2: Expected to return in April 2027.
On top of the TV series, fans have another surprise to look forward to. A brand-new film in the franchise is scheduled to hit theaters in Japan on December 11, 2026.
Story Highlights of the New Chapter
Season 3 picks up right after the turbulent events and shocking rebellion of the Shi clan in the previous season. As the storm temporarily passes, things gradually return to normal. Maomao has left the gossip-filled inner palace to return to a simple life as an apothecary at the brothel in the familiar pleasure district.
That peaceful life doesn’t last long, however. New troubles arrive, and this time the cases are no longer confined within the palace walls but spread across the entire kingdom. Maomao and Jinshi will continue working together to unravel complex political mysteries, and their relationship is also expected to deepen.
Expectations
With careful attention from the production team and an excellent story foundation from the original light novels, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 is a must-watch for fans of mystery, historical drama and battles of wits. Get ready for the return of the clever Maomao this October!
Source: Compiled from multiple reports