The Apothecary Diaries has surpassed forty five million copies in print, marking a significant milestone for the series as momentum continues to build through its anime adaptations. The cumulative figure includes the original novels written by Natsu Hyuga with illustrations by Shino Touko published under Hero Bunko, as well as both manga adaptations.

Hero Bunko released Volume 1 of The Apothecary Diaries in late August 2014, and the series now spans sixteen volumes. Widely regarded as the forerunner of today’s court-palace boom, the story follows a young poison-taster whose knowledge and skill allow her to unravel intricate incidents within the inner palace. The two manga adaptations, published by Square Enix and Shogakukan, continue to expand the readership. On November 25, Square Enix released Volume 16 along with the first official side story, The Apothecary Diaries spin-off series: Xiaolan’s Memoirs.

The second season of the television anime, broadcast from January 2025, concluded to strong acclaim. A third season and a theatrical film have been confirmed for 2026. Season three will air in two split cours, the first beginning in October 2026 and the second in April 2027. The film, slated for December 2026, will feature an entirely new story written by original author Natsu Hyuga, drawing significant attention.

Before the first season of the anime began airing, the series had reached twenty four million copies in print by the end of September 2023. By the end of the season, the total exceeded thirty three million, and it surpassed forty million in February 2025. With the broadcast of the second season further accelerating interest, the series has now surpassed forty five million copies.

Set in the imperial palace of a distant land, The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a former apothecary who solves challenging cases using her deep knowledge of poisons and medicines. Through her deductions, the series offers readers insight into hidden dangers and medical lore woven into everyday life.

Source : ORICON NEWS