The Apothecary Diaries is a series that has become a massive global phenomenon, blending a unique story of historical palace intrigue, pharmaceutical knowledge, and a sharp-witted cat-like protagonist named Maomao. It’s popular among the light novel, manga, and anime communities, and now the momentum continues as it debuts in the gaming scene with “The Apothecary Diaries Palace Chronicles.” We had the honor of speaking with CTW’s Game Product Manager, Yuiko Otomo, who gave us a closer look into how this game was brought to life.
This interview explores all the fun and little details that make The Apothecary Diaries Palace Chronicles game worth playing, including its unique concept, the modern browser-based gameplay approach, and the authentic experiences it offers to both new and long-time fans of the series.
Q: How did The Apothecary Diaries Palace Chronicles come to life? Out of all the series out there, why did you pick The Apothecary Diaries?
A: The Apothecary Diaries stood out to us because it has all the qualities needed for a game that players can enjoy for years to come. While it’s not a traditional action series, its compelling characters, intricate storytelling, and richly realized world have earned it an incredibly passionate global fanbase. At the same time, its broad appeal makes it a great fit for a wider audience, including casual players who can jump in and experience the charm of the series through intuitive, easy-to-pick-up gameplay.
What impressed us most was the enthusiasm surrounding characters like Maomao and Jinshi, and how deeply fans are invested in the world itself. That kind of long-term engagement makes it an ideal fit for a browser game, where players can return anytime without the barriers of downloads or lengthy updates. We saw an opportunity to create an experience that feels like a natural extension of the series—one that’s instantly accessible while giving both longtime fans and newcomers a fun new way to immerse themselves in the world of The Apothecary Diaries.
Q: The game launched as a browser-based game on the G123 platform rather than as a traditional downloadable mobile or PC game. What advantages does this approach offer?
A: Our philosophy is simple: great games should be as easy to access as they are to enjoy. By launching on G123, players can jump into the game almost instantly from their PC, tablet, or smartphone—no downloads, lengthy installations, or high-end hardware required.
That browser-based approach doesn’t just make getting started easier; it also lets us support the game more effectively over the long term. Unlike traditional app-based games, we’re not constrained by app store approval processes or large client updates. We can roll out new content, gameplay improvements, bug fixes, and quality-of-life enhancements much more quickly, allowing us to respond to player feedback faster and keep the experience fresh. Players always have access to the latest version simply by opening their browser, with no disruptive downloads or update prompts standing in the way.
Q: Can you walk us through what the development process was like? Were there any challenges in bringing the world of The Apothecary Diaries into a game format?
A: From the very beginning, our goal was to create a game that felt like a natural extension of The Apothecary Diaries, rather than simply another character collection game. We wanted players to experience life within the imperial palace by managing a medical clinic, building relationships with allies, gathering medicinal herbs, and becoming involved in the various incidents and mysteries that define the series. Those simulation and management elements were established early in development because they naturally complemented the world and themes of the original work. We also made a conscious effort to capture the satisfaction of solving problems through observation, deduction, and knowledge—qualities that are central to Maomao’s character—and weave them into the game’s progression and growth systems.
One of the biggest challenges was faithfully recreating the atmosphere of The Apothecary Diaries. The series is incredibly meticulous in its world-building, from each character’s unique personality and way of speaking to the relationships within the imperial palace and even its portrayal of pharmacology. Throughout development, we constantly asked ourselves questions like, “Would this character really respond this way?” and “Does this interaction feel authentic to the character, their relationships, and the setting?” We worked closely with the production committee and other partners, whose feedback was invaluable in helping us preserve the spirit of the original work.
Ultimately, the development process was about finding the right balance between engaging gameplay and staying true to what fans love about The Apothecary Diaries. We wanted every system and interaction to feel like a natural part of the series’ world while still delivering a fun and rewarding gameplay experience.
Q: How did you decide which parts of the original story and characters to include in the game?
A: So that players can enjoy the setting and world of the series as much as possible, we’ve included nearly all of the characters and costumes from the anime in the game. Among them, we’ve focused on designing the key characters and memorable costumes that symbolize the series and play central roles in the game as well. Ultimately, our goal is for fans of The Apothecary Diaries to enjoy the world even more deeply alongside their favorite characters.
Q: Do you have a memorable behind-the-scenes story or favorite moment that fans would probably want to hear about?
A: One memorable part of development was how carefully the team worked to recreate the world of the anime. The designers made a point of ensuring that the props, furnishings, and other environmental details featured throughout the game were faithful to what appeared in the series.
As development progressed, we often found ourselves rewatching episodes to double-check even the smallest details. More than once, someone would recognize an object or decoration and say, “Oh, right—that was in the show too!” Those little moments became a fun reminder of just how much care had gone into recreating the setting.
We hope players will experience that same sense of familiarity and déjà vu as they explore the game, noticing details they remember from the anime and feeling even more immersed in the world of The Apothecary Diaries.
Q: The music of The Apothecary Diaries Palace Chronicles has such an enjoyable and calming vibe that is perfect for Maomao’s apothecary adventures. How did you decide on the soundtrack for different areas and gameplay moments?
A: The music was composed by our in-house sound team, many of whom are longtime fans of The Apothecary Diaries. Because of that, they took great care to preserve the atmosphere and charm of the series throughout the production process.
Since players typically return to browser games on a daily basis, we wanted to create a soundtrack that remains pleasant and relaxing no matter how many times it’s heard. At the same time, each piece was composed to suit the different areas and gameplay moments, helping to reinforce the mood of each scene without becoming distracting.
Every track was carefully crafted to capture the essence of the world of The Apothecary Diaries while maintaining the calm, immersive atmosphere that we hope players will enjoy throughout their adventures.
Q: What was your strategy for launching the game in English, and how did it support your goal of reaching a global audience?
A: We believe that developing IP with the global market in mind from day one is essential. Through the G123 platform, we’re able to launch our titles simultaneously across multiple regions—including North America—without requiring players to download the game. This allows fans around the world to start playing at the same time and share the experience together.
To better support this global audience, we recently opened a U.S. office in New York City. Having a local presence puts us closer to Western fans, creators, and media, allowing us to better understand what English-speaking players are looking for. It also helps us build a genuine community around our games, rather than simply operating as a platform from overseas.
Launching the English version alongside other regions was an important part of that strategy. We want players everywhere to feel that they are part of the same global community from day one, regardless of where they live.
Q: Is there anything you can share about the future of The Apothecary Diaries Palace Chronicles that fans can look forward to?
A: Fans can look forward to a true live-service experience designed to keep them connected to Maomao’s world for years to come. Because it’s a browser-based game, we will be continually rolling out ongoing in-game events, new story content, and regular updates to keep the experience fresh. Players may come for the IP, but our goal is to keep providing fun, evolving gameplay that gives them a reason to stay.
Q: Finally, how would you describe the game in one phrase?
A: An authentic, fun, and instantly accessible extension of The Apothecary Diaries world!
We’d like to thank Yuiko Otomo for taking the time to speak with us for this interview! The Apothecary Diaries Palace Chronicles game can be found on the G123 website. Make sure to follow their official social media accounts for more updates.
The Apothecary Diaries anime is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Netflix. The first cour of Season 3 is set to premiere in October 2026, followed by the second cour in April 2027. The movie will be released in December 2026.
You can also check out our interview with voice actors Aoi Yuki and Takeo Otsuka at this year’s Anime Expo, as well as another interview with CTW CEO Ryuichi Sasaki, who shared why browser-based gaming is still relevant.
Photos via G123 YouTube Channel
© Hyuganatsu, Imagica Infos / The Apothecary Diaries Project
© CTW, Inc.
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