The Apothecary Diaries Live Action Series Casts Mana Ashida as Maomao for 2028 Prime Video Release

The Apothecary Diaries live action series has officially been announced, with Mana Ashida set to star as the protagonist Maomao. The series will be jointly produced by Amazon MGM Studios and TOHO and will stream exclusively worldwide on Prime Video in 2028 across more than 240 countries and regions. A teaser visual featuring Ashida as Maomao has also been released.

The Apothecary Diaries Comes to Live Action

The Apothecary Diaries is set in the inner palace of a fictional empire and follows Maomao, an apothecary raised in the pleasure district. Using her extensive knowledge of medicine and her sharp powers of observation, she unravels the mysteries and conspiracies swirling through the imperial court.

The popular light novel series has surpassed 57 million copies worldwide across the franchise. Its television anime adaptation began airing in 2023. The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 will begin airing on October 2, while The Apothecary Diaries the Movie: Bouhi no Hihou, meaning The Late Consort’s Secret Treasure, will open in Japan on December 11.

The new live action series is a project designed to bring the appeal of the story to the screen without compromise. It is being jointly produced by TOHO, which has delivered the anime series, and Amazon MGM Studios.

To fully recreate the grand world of the inner palace in live action, the production established a large scale filming environment and pursued the highest standards across production design, costumes and VFX. Filming took place over six months on an extensive set that fully recreated the world of the inner palace.

Yuki Saito serves as director, while Erika Yoshida is handling the screenplay. The project brings together a leading Japanese production team with the aim of delivering the series to audiences around the world.

Maomao, played by Ashida, is an eccentric young woman with an intense fascination for medicines and poisons. At the same time, her sharp insight and extensive pharmaceutical knowledge allow her to solve one incident after another within the inner palace.

The newly released teaser visual deliberately conceals the eyes of Ashida’s Maomao. Instead, it focuses on her firmly closed lips and dignified presence as she holds a handkerchief, creating an image that is certain to remind fans of a memorable scene from the early part of the story.

Mana Ashida Comments

“I was already a huge fan of the original novels, so there were many moments when I felt a great sense of pressure about being involved in a work I love so much. At the same time, the cast and staff showed tremendous respect for the original work and worked with me to think through every detail. I feel that the filming period was one in which I poured my heart and soul into my love for Maomao and for the work itself.

“There were also many moments when, even as I was acting, the fan in me was stirred and I could not stop my heart from racing. I would be extremely happy if I could share that excitement both with fans of the original work and with those experiencing the story for the first time. I hope everyone will look forward to its release.”

Natsu Hyuuga Comments

“A live action adaptation. We have really come a long way. It felt so far removed from where we began, and novels and live action productions are also very different things, so I felt the best thing was to leave it in their hands. Everyone involved in the production has done truly wonderful work, and I am very grateful.

“When it was decided that Ms. Ashida would play Maomao, I thought, ‘Ah, I can safely leave this in her hands.’ Then when I actually met her, I thought, ‘That is Maomao!’
“I was also able to visit the set several times. When I saw the incredibly lavish sets and costumes, I found myself thinking rather vulgar things such as, ‘Just how much did all of this cost?’

“From the screenplay and props to hair and makeup, as well as instruction in etiquette and even how the characters walk, I could see the attention to detail everywhere. I believe the result is something everyone will be satisfied with.

“As an aside, when I brought my niece along on one of my visits, the actor playing Jinshi happened to be there. My niece suddenly had a huge smile on her face. Thinking that her standards would become far too high at this rate, I quietly covered her eyes. A real life Jinshi.”

Source : ORICON NEWS