by Fans of The Apothecary Diaries will have another chance to step into the mysterious world of Maomao and Jinshi. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has announced a second collaboration with the hugely popular anime as part of Universal Cool Japan 2027.
The new Apothecary Diaries collaboration will be held for a limited time from February 10 through June 30, 2027. Unlike the previous collaboration, which centered on a mystery-solving attraction, the new program will be connected to the upcoming theatrical film and will introduce visitors to a new setting inspired by the movie.
The announcement comes at an exciting time for the franchise. The Apothecary Diaries is preparing for its third TV anime season, which begins in October 2026, while a new theatrical film is scheduled to open in Japanese cinemas on December 11, 2026.
The Apothecary Diaries Returns to USJ
The upcoming collaboration will be part of Universal Cool Japan 2027, USJ’s annual event that transforms popular Japanese entertainment franchises into immersive attractions and experiences.
For fans, this means that Maomao and Jinshi will once again appear at Universal Studios Japan in a special experience designed to bring the atmosphere of The Apothecary Diaries into the real world.
The 2027 collaboration is particularly notable because it is not simply a repeat of the previous event. USJ is preparing a new program connected to the upcoming theatrical film, giving visitors a different way to experience the story and its characters.
The collaboration is scheduled to run from February 10 to June 30, 2027. Additional information about the attraction, ticketing, merchandise, food, and other details is expected to be announced separately.
A New Experience Inspired by the Upcoming Movie
One of the biggest highlights of the 2027 collaboration is its connection to the new The Apothecary Diaries movie.
The film, currently scheduled for release in Japan on December 11, 2026, is a new story written for the screen by light novel author Natsu Hyūga. The movie will follow Maomao and Jinshi as they become involved in another mysterious case outside the familiar palace setting.
The USJ experience is expected to incorporate elements connected to the film’s setting, including a city built around water. The main characters will appear as though they have stepped directly out of the world of the anime, creating an immersive experience for visitors.
This makes the new attraction particularly interesting for fans who want to experience the atmosphere of the movie before or after seeing it in theaters.
How the 2027 Collaboration Differs From the 2025 Event
This will be the second Universal Studios Japan collaboration with The Apothecary Diaries.
The franchise first appeared at USJ as part of Universal Cool Japan 2025. That collaboration ran from July 2025 through January 2026 and introduced visitors to Maomao and Jinshi through an immersive mystery experience.
The previous program included a participatory mystery attraction in which guests worked alongside Maomao to investigate a strange case. The experience was designed around the series’ combination of mystery, medicine, palace intrigue,e and comedy.
For 2027, USJ is taking a different approach. Rather than simply bringing back the previous mystery walk, the new program will be connected directly to the theatrical film and its world.
This change should give returning fans something new to discover while maintaining the core appeal of the franchise: Maomao’s sharp deductions, Jinshi’s mysterious charm, rm and the elaborate historical-inspired setting.
Why The Apothecary Diaries Has Become So Popular
The Apothecary Diaries, also known as Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, follows Maomao, a young apothecary with an unusual fascination with medicines and poisons.
After being taken to the imperial palace, Maomao becomes involved in solving mysterious incidents affecting members of the royal court. Her knowledge of medicine and her ability to notice details that others overlook repeatedly make her an important part of the investigations.
Jinshi, a beautiful and influential palace official, quickly notices Maomao’s unusual abilities. Their relationship is one of the central attractions of the series, combining mystery, humor, and slow-building emotional tension.
The series stands out because it is not simply a romance or mystery anime. It combines historical-inspired palace drama, medical mysteries, character relationships, and comedy, creating a story that can appeal to viewers with different interests.
USJ’s decision to bring the franchise back for a second collaboration reflects the continuing popularity of these characters and the world they inhabit.
Season 3 Adds Even More Excitement
The USJ announcement arrives just as the anime franchise enters another major period.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 is scheduled to begin in October 2026. The season will be released in two parts, with the second part scheduled for April 2027.
This means fans will have several major releases and events to look forward to around the same period:
- October 2026: The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 begins.
- December 11, 2026: The new theatrical film opens in Japanese cinemas.
- February 10, 2027: The second USJ collaboration begins.
- April 2027: The second part of Season 3 is scheduled to begin.
- June 30, 2027: The USJ collaboration is scheduled to conclude.
The timing creates a particularly busy period for fans of Maomao and Jinshi, with the anime, movie,e and theme-park experience all connected within a relatively short period.
Maomao and Jinshi Return to the Real World
One of the most appealing aspects of USJ’s collaborations is the way they transform fictional characters into physical experiences.
For The Apothecary Diaries, that approach is especially suitable because the series has such a detailed visual identity. The imperial palace, traditional clothing, medicine-related imagery,ry and mysterious cases provide plenty of material for an immersive attraction.
USJ previously described its The Apothecary Diaries collaboration as a “Super Real” experience, allowing visitors to enter the world of the series alongside Maomao and Jinshi.
The 2027 program is expected to continue that approach while introducing elements from the new movie.
A Major Period for The Apothecary Diaries
The franchise has grown from a popular light novel series into a major multimedia property with manga adaptations, television anime and a theatrical film.
The anime’s international popularity has also helped introduce Maomao and Jinshi to audiences outside Japan. The series has attracted attention for its distinctive heroine, carefully constructed mysteries and unusual combination of palace drama and humor.
With Season 3 beginning in October 2026, a theatrical movie arriving in December, ber and the new USJ collaboration launching in February 2027, the franchise is entering one of its most active periods yet.
For visitors to Universal Studios Japan, the 2027 event will offer an opportunity to experience the world of The Apothecary Diaries in a completely different format. For anime viewers, it also provides another reason to follow Maomao and Jinshi’s latest adventures.
When and Where Can Fans Experience the Collaboration?
The new Apothecary Diaries program will be held at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka as part of Universal Cool Japan 2027.
Event period: February 10–June 30, 2027
Location: Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan
Event: Universal Cool Japan 2027
Franchise: The Apothecary Diaries
Theme: A new experience connected to the upcoming theatrical film
USJ has not yet revealed every detail of the attraction, including its official title and all ticketing information. More information is expected to be announced as the event approaches.
What Fans Can Expect
While full details are still being revealed, the announced concept gives fans several things to look forward to. Maomao and Jinshi will return to USJ, the new program will be connected to the theatrical movie, and visitors will be transported into a setting inspired by the film.
The attraction is also expected to benefit from the franchise’s growing popularity following Season 3 and the theatrical release.
For longtime fans who experienced the 2025 collaboration, the new program should provide a fresh experience rather than simply repeating the previous attraction.
For newcomers, the timing is also ideal: the third season and movie will provide an introduction to the latest developments in the franchise before the USJ collaboration begins.
The Apothecary Diaries is returning to Universal Studios Japan for a second collaboration, and this time the experience will be closely connected to the franchise’s upcoming theatrical movie.
With Season 3 beginning in October 2026, the movie arriving in December 2026, and the USJ collaboration running from February 10 to June 30, 2027, fans have plenty to look forward to.
More information about the attraction, exclusive merchandise, food, and other USJ offerings is expected to be announced in the future. Fans of Maomao, Jinshi, and the mysterious world of The Apothecary Diaries will want to keep an eye on the latest announcements from Universal Studios Japan.
