by The highly anticipated The Apothecary Diaries theatrical film has officially unveiled a wealth of new information, including its official subtitle, release date, teaser trailer, character visuals, and a major cast announcement. The upcoming anime film is titled The Apothecary Diaries: The Treasure of the Deceased Empress and is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters on December 11, 2026.
Alongside the announcement, fans were treated to a thrilling new teaser trailer, an atmospheric key visual featuring Maomao, Jinshi, and the mysterious new character Muqing, as well as confirmation that acclaimed voice actress Mariya Ise will join the cast.
As the first theatrical installment in the beloved mystery series, the movie promises an original adventure filled with palace intrigue, hidden treasure, dangerous conspiracies, and one of the biggest mysteries in the franchise’s history.
The Apothecary Diaries Continues Its Global Success
Based on the bestselling light novel series by Natsu Hyuga with illustrations by Shino Touko, The Apothecary Diaries has become one of the most popular mystery anime franchises in recent years.
With more than 45 million copies in circulation worldwide, the series has captivated audiences through its unique blend of:
- Historical palace drama
- Mystery-solving adventures
- Medical knowledge and herbal medicine
- Political intrigue
- Memorable character relationships
- Subtle romance and humor
The story follows Maomao, a brilliant young apothecary who is forced to work in the Imperial Palace after being kidnapped. Using her vast medical knowledge and keen deductive skills, she solves mysterious incidents while gradually becoming involved in the complex politics of the royal court.
Her partnership with the enigmatic palace official Jinshi has become one of the series’ biggest attractions.
Original Movie Story Written by Natsu Hyuga
Unlike previous story arcs adapted from the novels, The Treasure of the Deceased Empress features a completely original story concept supervised by original author Natsu Hyuga.
The film introduces an all-new mystery that expands the world beyond the Imperial Palace and takes Maomao and Jinshi on their most dangerous journey yet.
According to the production team, this will be the largest mystery ever depicted in the franchise, combining hidden treasure, palace secrets, ancient conspiracies, pirates, and long-forgotten history into one grand adventure.
Story: A Journey to the Southern Floating City
The movie begins when the Emperor assigns Jinshi a special mission.
His task is to fulfill the final wish of a former imperial consort who died five years earlier by returning her remains to her hometown.
However, when the woman’s body is examined, Maomao discovers something astonishing.
Rather than showing signs of decay, the deceased empress appears almost perfectly preserved—as though she were merely asleep.
Unable to ignore the mystery, Maomao accompanies Jinshi on a journey to the southern province ruled by the influential Mi Clan, where they hope to uncover the truth behind the mysterious body.
Their destination is a vibrant floating city filled with bustling markets, exotic medicines, rare herbs, and unfamiliar cultures. While Maomao is fascinated by the opportunity to study new medicinal plants, the seemingly peaceful city hides numerous dangers.
Pirates are terrorizing the surrounding waters in search of a legendary hidden treasure left behind by the region’s former ruler, and political tensions continue to rise.
As the investigation unfolds, Maomao realizes that the preserved body, the hidden treasure, and the city’s troubled past are all connected in unexpected ways.
New Trailer Reveals Bigger Mysteries
The newly released teaser trailer offers fans their first real glimpse at the movie’s story.
The footage follows Maomao and Jinshi as they travel through mysterious caves, bustling waterways, and dangerous battlefields while investigating the secrets surrounding the deceased empress.
The trailer also introduces several brand-new characters, including a frightened young boy named Muqing, whose desperate plea for help suggests he holds the key to the film’s central mystery.
As Maomao quietly asks,
“What kind of secrets are they hiding?”
the trailer shifts into a series of dramatic scenes featuring pirate attacks, flaming arrows, hidden caves overflowing with treasure, and large-scale action sequences unlike anything previously seen in the television series.
The preview suggests that the film will balance detective work with cinematic adventure, making it one of the franchise’s most ambitious projects to date.
New Teaser Visual Hints at Hidden Treasure
A striking teaser visual has also been released.
It features Maomao, Jinshi, and Muqing standing inside a mysterious cave illuminated by the glow of scattered treasure.
Maomao holds a torch while carefully observing the surroundings, her expression reflecting both curiosity and caution.
In the background, viewers can spot a burning shoreline and countless flaming arrows flying through the night sky, hinting that the search for treasure will quickly become a dangerous struggle involving multiple factions.
The tagline,
“That mystery will lead you to the hidden treasure,”
perfectly captures the film’s central theme and teases another unforgettable investigation led by Maomao.
Mariya Ise Joins the Cast as Muqing
One of the biggest announcements is the addition of acclaimed voice actress Mariya Ise to the cast.
She will portray Muqing, a mysterious young boy from the powerful Wei Clan, which governs the prosperous floating city visited by Maomao and Jinshi.
Although little is known about him, Muqing appears terrified when he begs the protagonists,
“Please help me.”
His desperate request suggests that he may be deeply connected to the conspiracy surrounding the deceased empress and the legendary hidden treasure.
Fans are already speculating about how important Muqing’s role will become as the story unfolds.
Mariya Ise’s Impressive Voice Acting Career
Mariya Ise is widely recognized as one of Japan’s most versatile voice actresses.
Over the years, she has voiced numerous fan-favorite characters, including:
- Killua Zoldyck (Hunter × Hunter)
- Serie (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)
- Himeno (Chainsaw Man)
Known for portraying everything from energetic children to mysterious and emotionally complex characters, Ise’s addition to the cast has generated considerable excitement among anime fans.
New Movie Character Visuals Released
The production team also revealed brand-new theatrical character visuals for both protagonists.
Maomao
Maomao appears wearing an updated version of her signature green outfit while maintaining her calm, intelligent expression. Her crossed arms and observant gaze emphasize her sharp analytical personality.
Jinshi
Jinshi appears in an elegant deep-blue traveling outfit created specifically for the movie. His refined appearance perfectly reflects his noble status while suggesting that this adventure will take him far beyond the Imperial Palace.
The updated costumes give the film a fresh visual identity while remaining faithful to the beloved character designs from the television series.
TV Anime Season 3 Also Confirmed
The movie announcement follows the enormous success of the television anime’s second season.
After Season 2 concluded in July 2025, the production committee officially announced both:
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 3
- The Apothecary Diaries theatrical film
Season 3 is scheduled to premiere in October 2026 as a split-cour production, while the movie will arrive just two months later in December.
Together, these projects ensure that fans will enjoy nearly continuous new content from the franchise throughout late 2026.
Staff
- Original Story Concept: Natsu Hyuga
- Original Character Design: Shino Touko
- Director: Norihiro Naganuma
- Screenplay: Yuko Kakihara
- Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yukiko Nakatani
- Music: Satoru Kousaki, Kevin Penkin, Arisa Okehazama
- Animation Production: TOHO Animation Studio
- Distributor: Toho
The returning staff members are expected to deliver the same high production quality, beautiful historical settings, and emotional storytelling that made the television anime a worldwide success.
Main Voice Cast
- Maomao: Aoi Yuki
- Jinshi: Takeo Otsuka
- Muqing: Mariya Ise
Release Date
The Apothecary Diaries: The Treasure of the Deceased Empress will open in theaters across Japan on:
December 11, 2026 (Friday)
Final Thoughts
The Apothecary Diaries: The Treasure of the Deceased Empress is shaping up to be one of the biggest anime films of 2026.
With an original story supervised by author Natsu Hyuga, a thrilling new mystery involving hidden treasure and palace secrets, stunning visuals, the addition of Mariya Ise as the mysterious Muqing, and the return of Maomao and Jinshi in an all-new adventure, the movie promises to deliver everything fans love about the series on an even grander scale.
Whether you’re a longtime follower of The Apothecary Diaries or discovering the franchise for the first time, this theatrical release looks set to offer an unforgettable blend of mystery, historical drama, action, and emotional storytelling when it arrives in theaters this December.
