The Apothecary Diaries Part 2 Release Date, Plot, Cast, and More

The Apothecary Diaries is a mystery romance anime that centers around the adventures of an apothecary in ancient China. The series is based on the light novel series of the same name written by Natsu Hyuga.

The first season of the anime aired in October 2023 and a Part 2 is in the works scheduled to be released next year.

So here in this article, we will go through everything that you need to know about the Apothecary Diaries Part 2 – expected release date, plot, trailer, studio, cast, and more!

The Apothecary Diaries Part 2 Release Date

Part 1 of The Apothecary Diaries wrapped up on December 23, 2023. After episode 12 aired, it was announced the next part of the anime would begin airing on January 6, 2024, with episode 13, titled ‘Serving in the Outer Court’. 

What is the Series The Apothecary Diaries About?

The story is set in a fictional country based on Ming-era China and follows Maomao, a young girl working as an apothecary in the red-light district who is kidnapped and sold as a servant to the Imperial Palace.

She retains her curious and unusual attitude, however, and when she hears that the emperor’s children are gravely ill, she proceeds to research the cause, drawing on her skills as an apothecary, and successfully solves the mystery of their disease.

Despite her intentions to stay secret, her acts attract the notice of an influential eunuch, and she soon finds herself solving several riddles for the royal court.

What Happened in Apothecary Diaries Season 1?

The plot begins with Maomao, an apothecary being kidnapped by bandits and sold to the royal palace where she does the laundry for the Outer Palace residents. She secretly manages to save one of the concubine’s children which catches the attention of an eunuch, Jinshi.

Maomao continues to secretly save people which causes suspicions about her. The season ends with her being sold to a brothel where she is saved by Jinshi.

The Apothecary Diaries Key Visual and Official Teaser

TOHO animation unveiled a trailer for part 2 of the series on December 25, 2023, giving a glimpse of Maomao’s life as a member of the imperial palace and the challenges she faces while being under Jinshi’s care.

You can watch the trailer above.

The Source Material of The Anime

The Apothecary Diaries anime is based on a light novel series of the same name.

The light novel was first published on August 29, 2014, on Shosetsuka ni Naro written after the success of the first standalone novel published on October 27, 2011. The popularity of the first novel led to its sequels, light novel adaptations, and manga adaptations as well.

What to Expect from The Apothecary Diaries Part 2?

The Apothecary Diaries Part 2 anime will adapt the second volume of the light novels and will narrate the issues that Maomao will face as she officially joins the imperial palace and the fans will get a hint about her biological father, who works at a high position in the palace. Meanwhile, Jinshi will struggle with his feelings for Maomao.

The Main Characters and Cast of The Apothecary Diaries

Maomao – The series’ main protagonist. She is the plain-looking daughter of an apothecary who lives on the outskirts of town and works for a brothel in the capital and its courtesans. She is unwittingly lured into palace intrigue after being kidnapped by bandits who sell her to the Imperial Palace for profit, using her understanding of poisons, medicine, herbs, and rudimentary science to become an unofficial forensic pathologist. Aoi Yuki voices Maomao.

Jinshi – a eunuch who oversees the majority of the management of the back palace, which is home to the Emperor’s concubines and their attendant staff. Beneath his exterior is a cunning mind that strives to maintain his position within the Imperial Palace while fulfilling his obligations to the Emperor. Takeo Otsuka voices Jinshi.

Gaoshun – He is Jinshi’s personal attendant who offers constant support to both Jinshi and Maomao. Katsuyuki Konsihi voices Gaoshun.

Gyokuyo – A vivid red-haired concubine of the Emperor who was also a mother to a small daughter. As a token of appreciation for alerting her to the poisoned makeup, she accepted Maomao as a lady-in-waiting. Atsumi Tanezaki voices Gyokuyo.

Lihua – One of the dark-haired concubines of the Emperor, she bore him an heir. But she nearly died and her young son died when she disregarded Maomao’s warning about her poisoned cosmetics. She warmed up to Maomao more after she was later healed by her. Yui Ishikawa voices Lihua.

Lishu – Said to be the Virtuous Consort, she is the youngest of the Emperor’s four principal concubines. Her ladies-in-waiting perceive her as being choosy when it comes to food because of her food allergies, which is a subtle kind of bullying. Hina Kino voices Lishu.

Which Studio Will be Producing The Second Part?

The first season of the anime was produced by TOHO Animation and was licensed by Crunchyroll outside Asia. The studio is wrapping up the production of The Apothecary Diaries Part 2 as well. Netflix has the streaming rights to the anime.

What’s The Status of The Apothecary Diaries Part 2?

The new cour has finished production and the trailer was released to give the fans a glimpse of part 2. The season is overall expected to have a 24-episode run, being divided into two parts with 12 episodes each as it adapts two different volumes of the light novels. 

Who will Enjoy The Apothecary Diaries?

Fans of mystery and romance anime would enjoy Apothecary Diaries. The series centers around the struggle of women in the profession during ancient times.

The series also brings a great flavor for fans of historical drama who would be greatly entertained by the world of this anime. Fans of Raven of the Inner Palace and Snow White with the Red Hair would like this series.

The Apothecary Diaries Ratings

The Apothecary Diaries season 1 part 1 has received much praise from the viewers which perfectly reflects on the anime ratings. Below are the current ratings of the show on some popular anime/TV show database websites –

• MyAnimeList: 8.8/10
• IMDb: 8.6/10
• Anilist: 85/100
• AnimePlanet: 4/5

The Apothecary Diaries FAQ

Is there a romantic plot in The Apothecary Diaries?

Yes, there is a romantic angle in this show with the main characters.

What ‘Period” is The Apothecary Diaries set in?

Apothecary Diaries is set in a fictional country that looks like 15th-century China.

What demographic is The Apothecary Diaries?

The Apothecary Diaries is aimed at fans of seinen anime featuring strong female leads.

What is Maomao’s specialty?

The main character Maomao is trained in herbal medicines and is good at recognising symptoms and diagnosing people.