The Apothecary Diaries Announces New Kura Sushi US Collab for Fall 2026
Image by James RichardsonKura Sushi USA has officially confirmed a new collaboration with The Apothecary Diaries, which will see Maomao and friends appear in its US restaurants later this year.
Based on the light novels by Natsu Hyūga, The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a young apothecary whose knowledge of medicine and poisons draws her into a series of mysteries and political intrigues after she begins working within the rear palace.
The series has grown substantially since its television adaptation debuted in 2023, with the wider franchise now surpassing 57 million copies worldwide and Maomao becoming one of the most recognizable new anime protagonists of recent years.
Kura Sushi has confirmed that the partnership is planned for September and October 2026, which coincides with the start of The Apothecary Diaries’ third anime season that is set to begin on October 2 before continuing with a second cour in April 2027.
The first cour of the 3rd season will be followed by the franchise’s first theatrical movie, “The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress’ Treasure,” on December 11, with original creator Natsu Hyūga developing an entirely new story for the film.
The franchise is expanding beyond animation as well, with Amazon recently announcing a live-action Prime Video adaptation starring Mana Ashida as Maomao that is scheduled for a worldwide release in 2028.
The upcoming Kura Sushi campaign also follows a growing number of major merchandise and collaboration projects for the series, including a recent Sanrio collection that paired Maomao with Hello Kitty and Jinshi with Cinnamoroll.
Takara Tomy has meanwhile created the first The Apothecary Diaries Licca-chan doll based on Maomao, which is already confirmed to receive an official North American launch alongside its Japanese debut.
Kura Sushi USA has not yet revealed exactly what the new collaboration will include, although the restaurant chain’s recent anime and gaming campaigns give a strong indication of what fans could potentially expect.
Its current Persona 30th anniversary campaign combines three exclusive dishes with collectible stickers, acrylic charms and can badges, alongside an original animation that appears on the tableside screens after customers return five plates.
Though specifics haven’t been revealed for the new The Apothecary Diaries collab, fans can expect themed food and Bikkura Pon collectibles which are a staple of Kura Sushi’s anime and gaming collabs.
This isn’t The Apothecary Diaries first foray into food themed collabs, as the series released its first official cookbook earlier this year containing 23 recipes inspired by dishes featured throughout the anime.
The series has also already experimented with dedicated dining experiences in Japan as well, including a summer collaboration café that gave Maomao and Jinshi new seasonal artwork alongside themed food, drinks and exclusive merchandise.
Kura Sushi has only confirmed a September and October window for the US collaboration at this stage, with the exact launch date, participating menu items, collectible prizes and any purchasing requirements still to be announced.
The restaurant’s current Persona campaign is scheduled to end on September 17, potentially giving way for the new The Apothecary Diaries to start immediately afterwards.
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