The Apothecary Diaries anime will be premiering this October 21, and a new visual was released as part of the announcement. The series will run over two cours, and episodes one to three will be pre-screened at a special stage event on October 1, as well as on October 21 (the premiere day).
The cast for the anime includes Aoi Yuki as Maomao and Takeo Otsuka as Jinshi. Studios TOHO Animation and OLM are animating the series under the direction of Norihiro Naganuma, who will also be doing the series composition. The rest of the staff includes:
- Music: Arisa Okehazama, Kevin Penkin, Satoru Kousaki
- Character Design: Yukiko Nakatani
- Art Director: Katsumi Takao
- Sound Director: Shoji Hata
- CGI Director: Yu Nagai
- Director of Photography: Rumi Ishiguro
- Assistant Director: Akinori Fudesaka
- Color Design: Misato Aida
- Editing: Daisuke Imai
The Apothecary Diaries anime is based on a light novel series by Natsu Hyuga and is published by Shufunutomo. Itsuki Nanao launched a manga adaptation in May 2017. Square Enix is currently publishing the manga and has 10 volumes as of now. J-Novel Club is publishing The Apothecary Diaries in English and describes the plot as:
In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That’s her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao’s façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor’s favorite consort… so she can taste the lady’s food for poison!
At her lady’s side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?
Source: Official Website
©Natsu Hyūga, Shufunutomo / “Kusuriya no Hitorigoto” Production Committee
