A special collaboration between the TV anime The Apothecary Diaries and the Reiwa 7 Kanda Festival has been officially announced. A newly illustrated visual featuring Maomao, Xiaolan, and Jishui dressed in shrine maiden attire, along with Jinshi and Gaoshun enjoying the festival at Kanda Myojin Shrine, has also been unveiled. This collaboration visual will be used for posters distributed to 108 town associations, as well as displayed across Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara.

About the Kanda Festival and the Collaboration

The Kanda Festival, held biennially in mid-May at Kanda Myojin Shrine, is one of Edo's Three Great Festivals and is also recognized as one of Japan’s Three Great Festivals.

This year's festival highlights include:
📅 May 10 – The Shinkosai (Grand Procession), where approximately 200 mikoshi (portable shrines) will parade through Chiyoda Ward.
📅 May 11 – The Mikoshi Miyairi (Shrine Procession Return).

In celebration of the Reiwa 7 Kanda Festival x The Apothecary Diaries collaboration, exclusive commemorative merchandise will be released. The lineup features:

Acrylic stands featuring the collaboration visual
Goshuincho (temple stamp books), a unique item befitting Kanda Myojin Shrine
These items will be available for purchase starting March 22 at:
📍 Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Hall 1F
🛒 Online store (from March 22 at 9 AM JST)

Special Exhibition: "Shino Toko Special Exhibition – Kanda Festival x The Apothecary Diaries"

In addition to the merchandise, an illustration exhibition featuring artwork from the original novel series will take place from March 22 to June 1.

This special exhibition will showcase high-resolution framed digital prints of selected beautiful illustrations by Shino Toko, alongside historical artifacts from Kanda Myojin’s collection, including festival-themed emaki (picture scrolls), ukiyo-e prints, and traditional festival floats such as the Kumazaka Chonai dashi ningyo (festival cart doll).

About The Apothecary Diaries

Set in an ancient imperial court, The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a former pharmacist who uses her extensive knowledge of poisons and medicine to solve intricate mysteries within the palace. Through Maomao’s deductions, the series also offers fascinating insights into everyday poisons and medicinal remedies.

Source : ORICON NEWS