Maomao Officially Returns This October as New The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Trailer Reveals Release Date

The Apothecary Diaries has finally locked in an exact return date, with confirmation that Season 3 is set to premiere on October 2, 2026 arriving alongside a new trailer that sends Maomao and Jinshi beyond the familiar surroundings of the imperial palace.

The latest reveal was made on August 15 as part of a major round of Season 3 announcements, which also included a new key visual, opening theme, additional cast member, and updated production staff.

Based on the light novel series written by Natsu Hyuga, The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a young woman with extensive knowledge of medicine and poisons whose talent for solving unusual illnesses and mysteries eventually draws the attention of palace official Jinshi.

The first two seasons largely centered on the inner palace and the political intrigue surrounding the imperial court, but Season 3 will expand the story into the wider city and eventually beyond the country’s borders as Maomao and Jinshi face a new series of mysteries.

The new trailer begins setting up that change in direction as Maomao becomes suspicious after noticing something unusual about locusts served during breakfast, prompting her to investigate what may be happening around her.

Jinshi is facing problems of his own as he begins accepting more of the responsibilities connected to his true position as the Emperor’s younger brother, while signs of a potential disaster threatening the country add another layer to the growing political tension.

Rumors surrounding a mysterious woman known as Bai Niangniang also begin spreading, with the newly introduced character set to be voiced by Reina Ueda, whose previous anime roles include Kanao Tsuyuri in Demon Slayer and Reze in Chainsaw Man.

The newly released key visual reinforces the larger journey ahead by showing Maomao and Jinshi walking through a golden wheat field beneath an early morning sky, moving away from the enclosed palace setting that has defined much of the anime so far.

Season 3 will also introduce a new opening theme from Yorushika titled “Kumo wo Nuke Kazashimo e Watashi dake,” with the song created around the idea of travel and the image of wind moving across a vast open landscape.

Akinori Fudesaka returns as director after leading Season 2, with Norihiro Naganuma handling series composition, Yukiko Nakatani returning as character designer and OLM continuing animation production.

The music team of Satoru Kosaki, Kevin Penkin and Arisa Okehazama is also returning, while Wataru Nakagawa serves as assistant director and Yuko Kakihara, Misuzu Chiba and Hitomi Ogawa join Naganuma on script duties.

Season 3 will once again use a split-cour format, with the first half beginning on October 2, 2026 before the story continues with its second cour in April 2027.

Crunchyroll has already confirmed that it will stream The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 in North America and other international territories, making the new episodes available to US fans as part of its Fall 2026 lineup.

Japanese fans will get an early look at the season on September 27, when the first two episodes will be screened at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills followed by an appearance from cast members including Maomao voice actor Aoi Yuki and Jinshi voice actor Takeo Otsuka.

The anime’s return is only part of a particularly busy end to the year for the series, with its first theatrical movie also scheduled to open in Japan on December 11, 2026 and featuring a completely original story created by Natsu Hyuga.