How to Watch The Apothecary Diaries in Order + Episode Guide
Updated: 1 day ago
Published on October 25, 2026
The Apothecary Diaries has always been one of those series that has captivated the more relaxing side of anime. It's nowhere near as action oriented as the Dragon Ball or Naruto franchise. However, it does give you that addiction of non stop watching and honestly, the series has kept up into the early hours of the morning when binge watching. This leads me to how to watch the series in the perfect order and show you exactly what's available so far.
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There is tons of material to go through since the anime aired, of course this is largely because of the massive success the anime has seen, and rightfully so. This is truly a work of art, from the main series, to the spin-offs, to the movies, there is enough content to keep you engaged for hours.
How to Watch The Apothecary Diaries in Order
The Apothecary Diaries started its airing of it's first season in 2023 and it was all uphill from there. I think it was also in part to the beautiful animation done by TOHO and OLM.
But it's also definately due to the way the story comes together as Maomao solves the mysteries one after another, including the politics and secrets hidden behind the palace walls. This is what makes the series so captivating. There's always something going on beneath the surface, and that's what keeps you wanting to watch more.
Release Order
NOTE: This list follows the anime’s release order, covering the main seasons, optional mini-anime, and the upcoming movie. While Maomao no Hitorigoto is not essential to the main storyline, it offers extra character moments and additional content for fans who want to experience more of the series. The main seasons are all you need to follow, but watching the bonus shorts as well gives you a more complete experience of the anime.
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The Apothecary Diaries (Season 1, Episodes 1-24) (October 2023 - March 2024)
Maomao no Hitorigoto (Season 1 mini-anime, 24 short episodes) (released alongside Season 1: optional bonus content)
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Episodes 1-24) (January - July 2025)
Maomao no Hitorigoto Season 2 (24 short episodes) (Released alongside Season 2: optional bonus content)
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, Part 1 (October 2026 - currently airing)
The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady's Treasure (original anime movie) (scheduled for December 11, 2026, in Japan: international release dates TBA)
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, Part 2 (scheduled for April 2027) (continuation of Season 3)
Canonical Order
Maomao no Hitorigoto - Season 1, Episodes 1-24 (optional mini-anime)
Maomao no Hitorigoto - Season 2, Episodes 1-24 (optional mini-anime)
Season 3, Part 1 (October 2026 - currently airing; continue the main story after Season 2)
Maomao no Hitorigoto — Season 3 (optional mini-anime)
The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure (original anime movie - scheduled for December 11, 2026, in Japan: exact chronological placement is unconfirmed)
Season 3, Part 2 (scheduled for April 2027 - continuation of Season 3)
Season 1
Season 1 introduces us to the story, where Maomao gets kidnapped and sold to work in the Imperial Palace. This is where she uses her extensive knowledge of being an apothecary and showcases her love for poison and this is also where the hook started. This season made a huge impression on the anime community, not just for the animation, but the story was so captivating that it caused a stir.
During Season 1, Maomao hopes to keep a low profile, but instead finds herself in the most unexpected situations, including gaining the spotlight from one of the most important characters in the series – Jinshi, a high-ranking palace official who draws her into the most complicated cases.
Season 2
Season 2 continues from where Season 1 left off, where the mysteries become even more dangerous and political tensions escalate dramatically. What sets this one apart, especially compared to season 1, is some of the events take place far away from the palace walls, and her relationship with Jinshi continues to grow.
We also get to see a more in-depth view of her biological father, who plays a major role in this season. He's highly knowledgeable, which is one of the reasons why Maomao is so clever: her mind comes directly from the great, highly influential military strategist Lakan. As this season progresses, more of their shared past is revealed, and honestly, their complicated relationship is one of the most memorable moments from Season 2, well for me at least.
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