The production committee for The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady's Treasure has released a new character trailer featuring the series' central duo, Maomao and Jinshi. This promotional video, which debuted on October 11, 2026, marks the start of a four-day campaign leading up to the film's theatrical debut in Japan this December.
What We Know
According to a report from Crunchyroll News, the film is titled The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady's Treasure (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bohi no Hiho) and is scheduled for release in Japan on December 11, 2026. Unlike the television series, which transitioned to studio OLM for its third season, the feature film is being produced by TOHO animation STUDIO. Norihiro Naganuma is directing the project, which features an entirely original mystery written by the light novel author, Hyuganatsu.
The story follows Maomao and Jinshi as they travel to a city on the water to return the remains of a concubine, only to stumble upon a mystery involving pirates and a perfectly preserved body. Anime Corner notes that the trailer focuses on the evolving dynamic between the cynical apothecary and the beautiful palace official, showcasing the high-production values expected from the series' first theatrical outing.
Why It Matters
The timing of this trailer coincides with a period of intense activity for the franchise. Season 3 of the TV series premiered on October 2, 2026, and is currently trending at #8 on AniList. Releasing a film trailer while the show is actively airing maintains momentum for the theatrical project. From a production standpoint, the film represents a rare instance of a franchise creating a standalone original story rather than adapting existing light novel volumes. This gives even dedicated readers a reason to show up, as the "treasure" mystery has not appeared in any previous source material.
Where to Watch
Fans can currently stream all episodes of The Apothecary Diaries TV series on Crunchyroll. The platform offers a Fan tier starting at $7.99 per month, along with Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan options. While Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment have acquired the worldwide theatrical rights for the film (excluding most of Asia), international release dates have not yet been set as of October 12, 2026. The TV series' third season is currently airing in Japanese with English subtitles, following the previous two seasons which are available in both subbed and dubbed formats.
What Happens Next
The Late Lady's Treasure opens in Japanese theaters on December 11, 2026. Meanwhile, the first cour of the TV series' third season will continue airing through the Fall 2026 season. The series is confirmed as a split-cour production, with the first 12 episodes concluding this winter and the second half scheduled to return in April 2027. No specific date has been announced for the film's international theatrical run.