Highlights
- The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Consort’s Hidden Treasure will premiere in Japanese theaters in December 2026
- Featuring an original story by Natsu Hyūga, the movie follows Maomao and Jinshi as they investigate a mystery tied to a late consort.
- The film arrives between the two cours of The Apothecary Diaries season 3.
Toho Animation Studio announced that The Apothecary Diaries: Bо̄hi no Hihо̄ (The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Consort’s Hidden Treasure) movie will open in Japanese theaters on Dec 11. The July 2 announcement came alongside the film’s first teaser trailer and character key visual, offering the first glimpse at the movie’s world.
The Late Consort’s Hidden Treasure movie is the first theatrical offering of the popular anime franchise, which debuted its first season back in October 2023. The upcoming movie features an original lore by franchise creator Natsu Hyūga.
The Apothecary Diaries movie’s December release date is exclusive to Japan. The production committee has not announced an international release schedule.
First Apothecary Diaries Movie: An Original Mystery Expanding Maomao’s Story
According to early materials, The Apothecary Diaries movie centers on a late consort whose legacy becomes the focus of this new narrative. The consort died five years ago in the rear palace; the movie starts with Maomao and Jinshi embarking on a journey to Minanzhou to return her mortal remains.
The narrative shifts quickly with pirates, treasure, and secrets; however, Toho Animation is yet to detail Bо̄hi no Hihо̄’s plotline. The movie will introduce a new character, Mu Qing, who reportedly holds the key to the central mystery.
The Apothecary Diaries movie’s teaser trailer emphasized the new city’s landscape with a mix of character sequences and Maomao’s signature love for deduction and mystery.
Popular voice actor Mariya Ise, who voiced characters like Killua (Hunter x Hunter), Himeno (Chainsaw Man), and Reg (Made in Abyss), will voice Mu Qing. Aoi Yūki and Takeo Ōtsuka reprise their roles as the protagonists Maomao and Jinshi, respectively.
For The Apothecary Diaries movie, Toho Animation Studio returns to handle production, continuing its work on the TV anime seasons. The film lands in the middle of The Apothecary Diaries season 3’s broadcast schedule.
Streamer Crunchyroll has already confirmed it will stream the new season across two split cours. Apothecary Diaries season 3’s first cour will start airing in fall 2026, with the second arriving in spring 2027. The Apothecary Diaries is also having an early premiere at the Anime Expo 2026 on July 3.
The film’s timing keeps momentum in between the release of both cours of season 3. It also expands The Apothecary Diaries franchise, which already has a presence across print, TV, gaming, and merchandise. The franchise has over 45M copies (including light novel + manga) in circulation as of November 2025.
