Joseph Luster
October 2, 2023 
A new full trailer is here for The Apothecary Diaries, the upcoming anime that adapts the light novel series by Natsu Hyuga and Touko Shino. The series kicks off on October 21 and will stream on Crunchyroll, and the latest preview comes along with more details on the theme song artists and new cast additions.
Check out the trailer below and read on for more info.
New cast additions include:
- Gaoshun: Katsuyuki Konishi
- Gyokuyo: Atsumi Tanezaki
- Lihua: Yui Ishikawa
- Lishu: Hina Kono
- Ah-Duo: Yuko Kaida
- Meimei: Megumi Han
- Pairin: Ami Koshimizu
- Joka: Hiroki Nanami
- Yarite Babaa: Kimiko Saito
- Luomen: Hiroshi Yanaka
- Lihaku: Kenji Akabane
- Xiaolan: Misaki Kuno
- Yabu Isha: Mitsuaki Kanuka
As previewed in the trailer, Ryokuoshoku Shakai is on opening theme song “Hana ni Natte.” The ending theme song is Aina the End on “Aikotoba.”
The anime is being made at TOHO and OLM, with Norihiro Naganuma, who worked on the first season of The Ancient Magus’ Bride, helming the project as director as well as taking on the scripts. Three different people are composing the music: Satoru Kousaki of Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song-, Kevin Penkin of Made in Abyss, and finally Arisa Okehazama of ONIMAI: I’m Now Your Sister! Credit for character design goes to Yukiko Nakatani, who has worked on Go! Princess Precure, Tropical-Rouge! Precure.
The franchise started out as a light novel series by Natsu Hyūga and Touko Shino, which is published digitally in America by J-Novel Club. The publisher gave this description for the plot:
“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!”
Besides an anime adaptation, the series also has an ongoing manga adaptation. This is being published in America by Square Enix Manga & Books.
