Prime Video Japan has announced a live-action series adaptation of the hit light novel The Apothecary Diaries. The project is scheduled for exclusive worldwide streaming on Prime Video in 2028 across more than 240 countries and regions.
Mana Ashida has been cast in the lead role of Maomao. The series is a co-production between Toho and Amazon MGM Studios. Director Yuki Saito is attached, with screenplay duties handled by Erika Yoshida.
Production established a large-scale filming environment to recreate the inner palace, pursuing high standards in production design, costumes, and VFX. Filming spanned six months on an extensive set that fully brought the world of the inner palace to life.
Ashida first gained widespread attention as a child actor in the drama Mother and later starred in Marumo no Okite. She made her Hollywood debut as young Mako Mori in Pacific Rim and has continued earning recognition with roles in films such as Metamorphose no Engawa and the live-action Hataraku Saibou, along with multiple awards for her performances.
Check out Ashida's comments (via Oricon News):
I was already a huge fan of the original novels, so there were many moments when I felt a great sense of pressure about being involved in a work I love so much. At the same time, the cast and staff showed tremendous respect for the original work and worked with me to think through every detail. I feel that the filming period was one in which I poured my heart and soul into my love for Maomao and for the work itself. There were also many moments when, even as I was acting, the fan in me was stirred and I could not stop my heart from racing. I would be extremely happy if I could share that excitement both with fans of the original work and with those experiencing the story for the first time. I hope everyone will look forward to its release.
The newly released teaser visual deliberately conceals the eyes of Ashida’s Maomao. It instead emphasizes her firmly closed lips and dignified presence as she holds a handkerchief, creating an image that evokes a memorable scene from the early portion of the story.
The Apothecary Diaries is set in the inner palace of a fictional empire and follows Maomao, an apothecary raised in the pleasure district. Drawing on her deep knowledge of medicine and keen observational skills, she untangles the mysteries and conspiracies that circulate through the imperial court. The light novel series has surpassed 57 million copies in circulation worldwide across the franchise.
Turning to the anime side of the franchise, Akinori Fudesaka is directing The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 at studio OLM, assisted by Wataru Nakagawa. Norihiro Naganuma handles series composition, with scripts from Yuko Kakkihara, Misuzu Chiba, and Hitomi Ogawa. Yukiko Nakatani provides character designs, while the score comes from Satoru Kosaki, Kevin Penkin, and Arisa Okehazama. The first cour is set to premiere on October 2, with the second following in April 2027. An original-story film is also scheduled for theatrical release on December 11.
Viewers can currently stream the existing seasons of the The Apothecary Diaries anime on Crunchyroll outside of Asia, with the series also available on Netflix in select regions. The live-action adaptation will expand the story’s reach even further when it arrives on Prime Video in 2028.
Sources: Livedoor, Prime Video Japan
