The AnimeJapan 2025 Special Stage for the TV anime The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) was held in Tokyo on March 23. Voice actors Aoi Yuki (Maomao), Takeo Otsuka (Jinshi), Katsuyuki Konishi (Gaoshun), Kenji Akabane (Rihaku), and Tatsumaru Tachibana (Basen) appeared on stage, with an official event report now available.

The event kicked off with a live dubbing performance of Episode 35, titled “The Hunt,” by Aoi Yuki and Takeo Otsuka. This marked the anime’s first-ever live dubbing session, just two days after the episode aired on March 21. As the performance featured an intense scene between Maomao and Jinshi, the audience watched in rapt silence, followed by a thunderous round of applause upon its conclusion.

After the performance, Konishi (Gaoshun), Akabane (Rihaku), and Tachibana (Basen), who had been watching from the wings, joined the stage. Reflecting on the experience, Yuki said, “I was really nervous!” Otsuka added, “I felt the pressure knowing the audience had just seen the episode.”

This marked the first time Akabane and Tachibana participated in a public event for the series. “Seeing so many fans here really shows how much love there is for The Apothecary Diaries. It makes me happy,” Akabane shared. Tachibana echoed the sentiment, “I knew the show was beloved, but meeting the fans in person filled me with joy.”

The cast then discussed standout moments from Episode 35. Akabane chose the cave scene, saying, “The animation was fantastic—both characters looked amazing, and their interactions were great.” Yuki added, “The animation of the artificial respiration scene was stunning. Have we ever seen Maomao’s eyelashes highlighted like that before? It was a sweet glimpse into how Jinshi sees her.”

Konishi highlighted the scene between Gaoshun and his son Basen, saying, “We finally got a proper father-son moment! It was nice to see that relationship develop.” Tachibana, reflecting on recording separately, said, “I’ve watched Konishi-san’s performances for a long time, so I imagined how he would act during the scene and had fun recording mine.”

Otsuka spoke about the many sides of Jinshi in the episode: “He had a lot of outfit changes—from steamy looks to his masked disguise.” Yuki wrapped up the discussion by noting a key development in Season 2: “Season 1 focused on Maomao’s perspective of the inner palace, but in Season 2, we’re seeing more from others' perspectives. Episode 35 especially showcased that shift.”

Looking ahead to the Season 2 mid-season finale airing March 28, Konishi commented on the evolving relationship between Maomao and Jinshi, exclaiming, “It’s so frustrating!” He teased, “In the next episode, there’s a scene where Gaoshun expresses his thoughts, offering a deeper glimpse into his character.”

Otsuka added, “Episode 36 will also reveal new information about the upcoming second cour. It’ll leave viewers eager to know what happens next, so please watch until the very end.”

Yuki concluded the event by saying, “If you’ve followed The Apothecary Diaries, you know how the little mysteries always lead to one big one. The overarching mystery this time is really compelling, so please look forward to it. Season 2 has been upgraded in every way—don’t miss it!” With that, the stage event came to a close.

Source : ORICON NEWS