Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it has secured the rights to The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure, the first movie in the popular mystery anime series.
The agreement gives Crunchyroll, which calls itself the ultimate destination for anime fans worldwide, distribution rights for the film in North America and internationally, except in Asia, but including India. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will handle distribution, though release dates have yet to be announced.
It is an original mystery by Hyuganatsu, the author of The Apothecary Diaries series. Norihiro Naganuma directs the film, and Toho Animation Studio produces the animation.
The story features Maomao, a young woman interested in medicine and poisons. She is kidnapped and sold as a servant at the emperor’s palace, where she gets involved in intrigue, solves medical enigmas, and falls for Jinshi, an attractive official from the imperial palace.
The film follows a secret treasure hidden somewhere in the City of Water. The official synopsis says that the emperor orders Jinshi to fulfill the last request of a concubine who died five years ago: to return her to her native land. However, when examining her body, Jinshi finds out that she is still intact, looking as fresh as ever.
To solve the riddle, Jinshi invites Maomao to join him on a trip to Binan-shu, the southern province ruled by the Bi clan. In the busy waterside city, Maomao happily discovers some new plants and medicines. At the same time, the city is tense as pirates desperately search for the treasure left behind by the deceased leader.
Jinshi’s worries are voiced in one line: “I hope nothing happens …”
Unfortunately, his fear came true. On the day of the concubine’s burial, something important takes place, triggering an unpredictable chain reaction.
More than 57 million copies of The Apothecary Diaries have been sold worldwide. The anime series became popular thanks to its intriguing plots, satisfying characters, mysterious situations, and a beautiful story full of human drama set in an exotic world.
The anime premiered in October 2023, with its second season starting in January 2025. The third season has been airing since October 2 on Crunchyroll, which streams all three seasons.
The main character, Maomao, is an apothecary born in the pleasure district and interested in poisons and medicines. After being kidnapped and sold to the rear palace, Maomao saved Concubine Gyokuyou’s daughter from poison and impressed Jinshi, earning a position as a poison taster.
Later on, Maomao returns to the pleasure district and works as an apothecary at the Verdigris House, a high-class brothel. Her unquenchable thirst for knowledge and modest conscience often bring Maomao into trouble.
