The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure Anime Film Acquired by Crunchyroll for Global Theatrical Release

Crunchyroll has acquired the North American and worldwide distribution rights for The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure anime film. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will distribute the film, with theatrical release dates to be announced. The worldwide distribution excludes Asia but includes India.

The movie is the first theatrical feature in The Apothecary Diaries franchise and features a new mystery written by original series creator. Norihiro Naganuma directs, with TOHO Animation STUDIO handling animation production. The movie will premiere in Japan on December 11, 2026.

The official film synopsis reads:

The curtains rise on a new mystery surrounding a secret treasure hidden in a city on the water.

The emperor gives Jinshi an order. He must grant the final wish of a concubine who passed away five years ago by returning her to her homeland.

In order to return her to her family, Jinshi examines the remains, only to discover that they’re in pristine condition. She’s beautiful, as if she were still alive.

To solve the mystery of the remains, Jinshi drags Maomao along on a journey to Binan-shu, the southern province ruled by the Bi clan.

They arrive at a bustling city on the water. Maomao is excited to see herbs and medicines she has never seen before, but tensions are high in the area, as pirates are viciously trying to find the treasure their late leader hid away.

“I hope nothing happens…”

Jinshi’s premonition comes true. On the day of the concubine’s funeral, a huge incident occurs, triggering a chain of events that nobody could see coming.

Natsu Hyuga writes the The Apothecary Diaries light novel, with illustrations by Toko Shino. The series is serialized by Shunfunotomo. The series has 2 manga adaptations, one written by Itsuki Nanao and illustrated by Nekokurage, and one written and illustrated by Minoji Kurata.

J-Novel Club is publishing the novel in English, while Squre Enix is publishing the manga. The story follows Maomao, a young apothecary who ends up getting sold to the emperor’s palace as a lowly servant. She’s not the type of character who can just stay obedient, so she ends up helping Jinshi, the handsome official at the palace.

The franchise recently also announced its first live-action series adaptation, as well as the first console game. The Failure at God School, a manga with story written by Natsu Hyuga, also recently announced an anime adaptation.

Source: Press Release
©Hyuganatsu/Imagika Infos/”The Apothecary Diaries”Project