by The hugely popular The Apothecary Diaries franchise has reached another major milestone, with its worldwide cumulative circulation surpassing 57 million copies. The figure includes the series’ growing international readership and marks a significant increase from the sales recorded before the anime adaptation began.
The franchise is also entering an especially exciting period. Season 3 of The Apothecary Diaries is scheduled to begin in October 2026, while the series’ first theatrical anime film is scheduled for release in December 2026. The film will feature a completely new story written by original author Natsu Hyuga, making it a particularly important release for longtime fans.
The Apothecary Diaries Reaches 57 Million Copies Worldwide
The Apothecary Diaries began as a light novel series and has grown into a major multimedia franchise involving novels, manga adaptations, television anime, and now a theatrical film.
The first volume was published in August 2014, and the novel series has continued to expand over the years. The story follows Maomao, a young woman with extensive knowledge of medicine and poisons, who becomes involved in mysterious incidents inside the imperial palace.
Rather than being a conventional fantasy adventure, The Apothecary Diaries combines historical-inspired palace drama, mystery, medicine, comedy,y and character relationships. Maomao’s unusual personality and her fascination with poisons are central to the series’ appeal.
The manga has also been adapted into two separate versions, published by Square Enix and Shogakukan, giving the franchise an especially broad presence across the Japanese manga market.
The Anime Helped Propel the Franchise to New Heights
The anime adaptation had a major impact on the popularity of the franchise.
Before the first TV anime season began, the series’ cumulative circulation was reported at around 24 million copies as of the end of September 2023. Following the first season, that figure had increased to approximately 33 million copies.
After the second season, the total rose to around 45 million copies. The latest milestone of more than 57 million copies worldwide represents another substantial increase.
One important factor behind the latest figure is the inclusion of translated editions in 16 languages, reflecting the growing international popularity of the franchise.
This expansion shows that The Apothecary Diaries is no longer simply a successful Japanese light novel and manga series. It has become a major international anime property with a rapidly expanding global audience.
What Is The Apothecary Diaries About?
For newcomers, The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a young apothecary who was raised in the pleasure district.
After being kidnapped and brought to the imperial palace, Maomao initially attempts to keep a low profile. However, her knowledge of medicine, poisons, and unusual symptoms quickly draws attention.
When mysterious illnesses begin affecting members of the imperial household, Maomao quietly investigates the incidents.
Her analytical approach allows her to uncover clues that others overlook. Although she often has little interest in court politics, her curiosity repeatedly pulls her into complicated situations.
One of the most important characters in her life is Jinshi, a beautiful and mysterious palace official whose relationship with Maomao provides much of the series’ comedy and emotional tension.
The result is a story that combines small-scale mysteries with a much larger narrative involving the imperial court, political power,r and relationships between its characters.
Season 3 Begins in October 2026
Fans will not have to wait much longer for the next chapter of the anime.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 will begin in October 2026 and will be released as a split two-cour season. The second cour is scheduled to begin in April 2027.
The story will continue to expand beyond the events of the previous seasons.
According to the official international streaming information, Maomao returns to her life as an apothecary after the Shi Clan’s rebellion. However, a seemingly ordinary breakfast leads her to notice something unusual and begin another investigation.
At the same time, Jinshi has revealed his true identity as the Imperial brother and must confront the responsibilities that come with his position.
A warning left by Loulan about a coming disaster also creates a much larger mystery.
The new season will therefore move beyond the familiar palace setting and broaden the world surrounding Maomao and Jinshi.
Season 3 Will Be Split Into Two Courses
The decision to split Season 3 into two parts is significant for fans.
The first cour is scheduled for October 2026, followed by the second cour in April 2027. This means the third season’s story will continue across two separate broadcast periods rather than airing continuously.
The split format also means viewers will have another major Apothecary Diaries event to look forward to between the two cours: the franchise’s first theatrical movie.
That creates an unusually busy period for the series, with new anime content arriving across both television and theaters.
The First Apothecary Diaries Movie Is Coming in December
Alongside Season 3, the first theatrical anime film in The Apothecary Diaries franchise is scheduled for December 2026.
The movie will feature an all-new story written by original author Natsu Hyuga, rather than simply adapting an existing story from the novels.
This makes the film especially interesting for longtime fans.
Because the story is being created specifically for the movie, viewers will not simply be watching a familiar arc from the source material. Instead, the film will offer a new story within the world of The Apothecary Diaries.
TOHO has confirmed that the theatrical film is being produced by TOHO Animation Studio, while the television anime is being produced by OLM.
The movie is currently scheduled for a December 2026 theatrical release in Japan.
Why the 57 Million Milestone Matters
Passing 57 million copies is more than just a large sales number.
It demonstrates how dramatically the franchise has expanded since the anime adaptation began.
The progression is particularly striking:
September 2023: approximately 24 million copies
After Season 1: approximately 33 million copies
After Season 2: approximately 45 million copies
2026: more than 57 million copies worldwide
The latest figure also incorporates overseas translated editions in 16 languages, showing the increasing importance of international audiences to the franchise.
The second anime season also performed strongly. TOHO reported that The Apothecary Diaries ranked first across several categories in ABEMA’s 2025 first-half anime rankings, including overall streaming, new anime streaming and multiple age-group categories. It also ranked first in Crunchyroll’s North American anime rankings for titles airing in April 2025.
These results help explain why anticipation for Season 3 and the movie is so high.
Maomao and Jinshi’s Story Is About to Get Bigger
One of the biggest attractions of the upcoming material is the changing relationship between Maomao and Jinshi.
Maomao remains primarily interested in solving mysteries, studying medicine, and investigating unusual cases. Jinshi, meanwhile, is increasingly forced to confront his political responsibilities.
Their personal relationship is therefore developing alongside a much larger political story.
The official Season 3 synopsis hints at a wider conflict involving mysterious rumors, a shrine maiden and a potential disaster threatening the country.
For viewers who enjoy the series mainly for its mysteries, the new season promises more investigations. For fans invested in Maomao and Jinshi, the increasing political pressure surrounding them could add another layer to their relationship.
A Strong Future for The Apothecary Diaries
The franchise is entering 2026 with considerable momentum.
Season 3 will begin in October, its second cour will follow in April 2027, and the first theatrical film will arrive in December 2026.
That means fans can expect The Apothecary Diaries to remain a major anime title well beyond the current year.
The 57-million-copy milestone is also particularly impressive because the number continues to grow as the anime reaches more international viewers.
For new fans, this is an excellent time to discover the series. The story is accessible even if you are unfamiliar with the original novels, while the combination of mystery, palace intrigue, medicine and character drama gives the anime a distinctive identity.
Final Thoughts
The Apothecary Diaries has officially surpassed 57 million copies in worldwide cumulative circulation, marking another huge milestone for the popular franchise.
With Season 3 beginning in October 2026, its second cour arriving in April 2027, and a brand-new theatrical film written by Natsu Hyuga coming in December 2026, the series is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history.
For fans of Maomao, Jinshi and the mysterious world of the imperial palace, the next chapter promises more mysteries, political intrigue and character development.
And with the franchise continuing to grow rapidly overseas, The Apothecary Diaries appears set to become an even bigger global anime phenomenon.
