Reina Ueda Voices a Mysterious Immortal Maiden
The one new name on the Season 3 cast list is Reina Ueda (Kanao Tsuyuri in Demon Slayer, Ariel in Mushoku Tensei), who voices Bai Niangniang (白娘々). The program page on Japanese anime news site Anime Hack lists her alongside the returning core cast, and the site's earlier announcement describes the character as a mysterious immortal maiden with pale skin, white hair and crimson eyes who is causing a stir in town.
That description lines up with the season synopsis, which says rumors are starting to spread of a mysterious maiden who beguiles the public. The source doesn't spell out how she ties into Maomao's investigation.
The rest of the cast is the familiar lineup. Aoi Yūki returns as Maomao and Takeo Ōtsuka as Jinshi, with Katsuyuki Konishi as Gaoshun, Tatsumaru Tachibana as Basen, Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Lahan, Kōki Uchiyama as Rikuson and Natsumi Fujiwara as Chou-u.
Where Season 3 Picks Up
The synopsis on the program page opens after the fallout from the Shi clan's rebellion has settled. Maomao is back to her daily routine as an apothecary in the pleasure district when a breakfast served at the Verdigris House gives her a nagging feeling that something is off, and she starts hunting for the cause.
Jinshi, meanwhile, has revealed his true position as the emperor's younger brother and started facing the duties that come with it. He is still troubled by the last thing Loulan left him: an omen of a disaster that will strike the nation. With the rumors of the mysterious maiden spreading on top of that, a shadow falls over the nation of Li once again.
The synopsis also states that the setting expands from the rear palace to the streets and then to a neighboring country, with new trials waiting for both Maomao and Jinshi. The key visual released in August shows the pair walking through a golden wheat field, according to Anime Hack's premiere-date report.
OLM Takes the Studio Credit, Yorushika Handles the Opening
OLM (Pokémon) is listed as the production studio for the first cour. The first two seasons were credited to TOHO animation STUDIO and OLM together, so this appears to be a change in how the production is split, though the program page itself doesn't comment on it.
The creative staff stays largely in place. Akinori Fudesaka directs, with Wataru Nakagawa as assistant director. Norihiro Naganuma, who directed the first season, handles series composition, and the scripts are by Yūko Kakihara, Misuzu Chiba and Hitomi Ogawa. Yukiko Nakatani is character designer, working from Touko Shino's original designs, and Satoru Kōsaki, Kevin Penkin and Arisa Okehazama share the music credit. Katsumi Takao is art director and Shōji Hata is sound director.
The opening theme is "Kumo o Nuke Kazashimo e Watashi Dake" by Yorushika. No ending theme is listed on the program page yet.
Looking Ahead
The first cour premieres Friday, October 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m. on Nippon TV's Friday Anime Night block. Anime News Network reports the second cour follows in April 2027. Before that, Anime Hack notes an advance screening at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi on September 27.
Crunchyroll has confirmed it will stream Season 3 as part of its Fall 2026 lineup, continuing its run with the series from the first two seasons.
For readers who want to get ahead of the anime, Natsu Hyuuga's light novels are published in English digitally by J-Novel Club, with print editions and the manga adaptation handled by Square Enix Manga & Books.
The franchise also has a theatrical film on the calendar. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bōhi no Hihō, which ANN renders as The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress' Treasure, opens in Japanese theaters on December 11, 2026 with a brand-new story from Hyuuga. No international release date for the film has been announced.
(C) Natsu Hyuuga, Imagica Infos / The Apothecary Diaries Production Committee