Mana Ashida will play Maomao in a live-action adaptation of “The Apothecary Diaries” scheduled to stream exclusively worldwide on Prime Video in 2028, Amazon announced Thursday. Amazon MGM Studios and Toho are jointly producing the series, according to Oricon.
Yuki Saito will direct the adaptation, with Erika Yoshida handling the screenplay. The announcement also included a teaser visual featuring Ashida as Maomao.
Ashida’s previous roles include appearances in “Pacific Rim” and the Japanese television drama “Mother.”
The series follows Maomao, a young apothecary whose knowledge of medicine becomes essential to solving mysteries within an imperial palace. After she is kidnapped and sold into service, her abilities attract the attention of Jinshi, a palace official. Her new responsibilities include checking a consort’s food for poison, drawing her further into the affairs of the court. The original light novels are written by Natsu Hyuuga, also known as Hyuganatsu, and illustrated by Touko Shino.
The live-action announcement comes ahead of the anime’s third season, which begins Oct. 2 in Japan. The season will air in two parts, with the second scheduled for April 2027.
Key Visual:
The Apothecary Diaries: The Movie is also scheduled to open in Japanese theaters Dec. 11. The film will feature an original story by Hyuuga.
Hyuuga began publishing the story online in 2011. J-Novel Club releases the light novels digitally in English, while Square Enix Manga & Books publishes print editions and the manga adaptation illustrated by Nekokurage. The anime’s first season debuted in October 2023, followed by its second season in January 2025.
Both seasons are available on Crunchyroll with English subtitles and an English dub:
Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she’s sold as a lowly servant to the emperor’s palace. But she wasn’t meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she’s making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!
Source: Comic Natalie
© Hyuganatsu, Imagica Infos/”The Apothecary Diaries”Project
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