The Apothecary Diaries Movie Recruits Chainsaw Man and Gundam’s Kenshi Yonezu for Official Theme Song
Image by James RichardsonThe Apothecary Diaries has enlisted acclaimed Japanese singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu to create the theme song for its first theatrical movie, also unveiling a new trailer that offers a much closer look at the mystery awaiting Maomao and Jinshi.
The original song “Haru ga Tomori” (“Spring Lights”) was written specifically for “The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure” following discussions between Yonezu, series creator Natsu Hyūga and director Norihiro Naganuma.
Based on the light novel series written by Hyūga, The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a young apothecary whose extensive knowledge of medicine and poisons draws her into a series of mysteries and political intrigues within the imperial palace.
Her abilities attract the attention of Jinshi, an influential palace official who regularly seeks her assistance with increasingly dangerous incidents, with their developing relationship becoming central to the story.
The franchise received its first television anime adaptation in 2023, followed by a second season in 2025 and a third season that began airing earlier this month, with the new theatrical movie introducing an entirely original adventure written by Hyūga.
Yonezu is one of Japan’s most successful contemporary musicians, having produced numerous hit songs and contributed music to several major anime productions, including “KICK BACK” for Chainsaw Man and “IRIS OUT” for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
The latter song was also featured in a special animated promotional video showing Reze dancing to “IRIS OUT”, produced by animation studio MAPPA.
Yonezu also wrote and performed “Plazma” for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, with the song inspiring an official stop-motion animation featuring the Gundam dancing to its opening theme in April 2025.
For his latest anime collaboration, Yonezu has drawn inspiration from an unexpected source, revealing that he studied traditional Japanese children’s songs while developing the music for The Apothecary Diaries.
He specifically cited “Tulip” and “Antagata Dokosa” as major influences, explaining that he considered the way traditions, memories and other things are passed between people without necessarily requiring formal recognition or approval.
Those ideas helped shape “Haru ga Tomori”, with the song’s cheerful piano melody and nostalgic influences providing a musical accompaniment to the movie’s story of family history and hidden secrets.
The latest trailer opens with Yonezu’s new composition before introducing increasingly ominous dialogue and scenes from the original adventure, which takes Maomao and Jinshi away from the imperial court to a mysterious city in the south.
As the movie’s first trailer revealed in July, the story begins when Jinshi receives an imperial order to return the remains of a consort who died five years earlier to her homeland.
However, the deceased woman’s body has remained mysteriously preserved, prompting Maomao to investigate what happened to her as the pair travel to a bustling water city controlled by the powerful Bi clan.
The new footage provides a closer look at the people caught up in the mystery, including Mu Qing, the clan’s youngest son, and Yinshan, a former senior attendant who once served the deceased consort.
Their investigation becomes increasingly dangerous when the consort’s head is stolen and Mu Qing is abducted, with a group of pirates searching for a hidden treasure also becoming involved in the unfolding events.
The trailer suggests that these apparently separate incidents are connected, as Maomao attempts to uncover the truth behind the woman’s death and the secrets surrounding her family.
A new main key visual has also been released, showing Maomao in a battered outfit alongside Jinshi, who appears with his sword drawn, with several other characters from the movie gathered around them.
The illustration carries the tagline “A Hidden Truth, a Final Wish”, with an accompanying character relationship chart offering a closer look at the different individuals and factions involved in the story.
The movie is directed by Norihiro Naganuma, who previously directed the anime’s first season, with TOHO animation STUDIO handling production and Aoi Yūki and Takeo Ōtsuka returning as the Japanese voices of Maomao and Jinshi.
“The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure” is officially scheduled to open in Japanese cinemas on December 11, 2026, with the new trailer providing the first opportunity to hear part of Yonezu’s original theme song.
Crunchyroll has also acquired the film’s international theatrical distribution rights alongside Sony Pictures Entertainment, confirming that the movie will receive an official release in North America and other overseas markets, with regional premiere dates to be announced.
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