The Apothecary Diaries anime film, titled The Deceased Empress' Treasure, revealed its first trailer, new cast member Mariya Ise, and a December 11 Japanese theatrical opening.
The Apothecary Diaries franchise announced its upcoming anime film, officially titled Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bohi no Hiho (The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress' Treasure), with a first trailer, new cast addition, and a December 11, 2026 Japanese theatrical premiere.
Rather than adapting existing material from Natsu Hyuuga's light novel series, the film features an entirely original narrative penned by Hyuuga herself. The story follows protagonists Maomao and Jinshi as they travel to a concubine's homeland to return her remains. Their journey takes an unexpected turn as they encounter pirates, hidden treasures, and the secret of the Empress' remains, all intertwined with a mysterious boy who holds the key to the story.
The original storyline positions the film as a standalone adventure that complements the ongoing television series without requiring viewers to wait for specific plot developments in the source material.
Aoi Yuki reprises her role as the sharp-witted apothecary Maomao, while Takeo Otsuka returns as the enigmatic Jinshi. Joining the cast is Mariya Ise, who voices the new character Mu Qing, described as a boy central to the film's plot. Ise is well known to anime fans for her roles across a wide range of productions, and her casting adds considerable intrigue to the mysterious newcomer.
TOHO Animation Studio handles animation production for the film, continuing its work on the franchise after producing the television series. Individual character visuals for Maomao and Jinshi were unveiled alongside the trailer, along with a key visual poster featuring the main cast against what appears to be a seafaring backdrop fitting the adventure-driven plot.
The December 11 theatrical premiere places the film squarely between the two parts of the anime's third television season. Season 3 Part 1 is set to premiere in October 2026, meaning audiences will have roughly two months of new weekly episodes before the film arrives in theaters. Season 3 Part 2 then follows in April 2027, giving the franchise a sustained presence across three consecutive anime seasons.
This scheduling strategy mirrors a pattern increasingly popular among major anime franchises, where theatrical releases serve as event-level milestones between television cours. For The Apothecary Diaries, which has grown into one of the most popular anime properties since its television debut, the timing ensures the fanbase stays engaged throughout the entire 2026-2027 broadcast cycle.
The first trailer debuted on TOHO Animation's official YouTube channel, offering an initial look at the film's tone and setting. The seafaring adventure angle represents a departure from the palace intrigue that has defined much of the series, though Hyuuga's involvement as the story's creator suggests the hallmark blend of mystery, medicine, and political maneuvering will remain intact.
Crunchyroll streams the television anime and has confirmed it will handle Season 3's global distribution. Theatrical distribution details for the film outside Japan have not yet been announced. The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress' Treasure opens in Japanese theaters on December 11, 2026.
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