One of anime and manga’s biggest success stories is expanding even further in 2026. As anticipation builds for The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, English-speaking readers are finally getting access to a version of the series that has never before been officially available outside Japan. The release adds another way for fans to experience Maomao’s story before the anime returns this fall.

With more than 45 million copies of its light novels and manga combined in circulation, The Apothecary Diaries has become a global phenomenon. Between its acclaimed anime adaptation, growing multimedia presence, and upcoming feature film, the franchise is having one of its busiest years yet. Now, Viz Media is giving international readers another reason to revisit the world of the Imperial Palace.

A Second Apothecary Diaries Manga Finally Comes To English Readers

Viz Media has confirmed that The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace, Vol. 1 will receive its first official English release on October 20, 2026. The publisher will release the volume in both paperback and digital formats, with a listed retail price of $22.99 for the print edition. Pre-orders have already opened through major booksellers ahead of the launch.

Many anime-only fans may not realize the franchise actually has two separate manga adaptations. While the best-known version, illustrated by Nekokurage, debuted through Square Enix in May 2017, another adaptation by Minoji Kurata began serialization just a few months later in August 2017. Both reinterpret Hyūganatsu’s original light novel rather than adapting each other.

Although they follow the same overarching story, the two manga have developed distinct identities. Kurata’s artwork, pacing, and presentation offer a noticeably different reading experience, making the new English edition of one of the manga in The Apothecary Diaries more than just another printing of familiar material. Until now, this version had remained unavailable to international audiences despite the franchise’s worldwide popularity.

2026 Continues To Be A Huge Year For The Apothecary Diaries Franchise

The English manga release joins an already packed schedule for The Apothecary Diaries. Earlier this year, the franchise debuted its first official browser game, The Apothecary Diaries: Palace Chronicles, developed by CTW. The title launched in Japan before expanding to additional regions, giving fans another way to explore Maomao’s world beyond the anime and novels.

The anime itself is also preparing for a major comeback. Season 3 premieres in October 2026 and has already been confirmed as a split two-cour production, with its second half scheduled for Spring 2027. The new episodes are expected to begin adapting Volume 5 of the original light novels, introducing a mystery surrounding a string of unusual incidents in northern farming villages after Jinshi requests Maomao’s help.

The franchise’s momentum won’t stop there. The Apothecary Diaries will also receive its first theatrical film titled The Apothecary Diaries: The Secret Treasure of the Deceased Consort on December 11, 2026, opening in Japanese cinemas with an original story written by creator Hyūganatsu. The movie will follow Maomao and Jinshi as they investigate the suspicious death of a mid-ranking concubine, while international fans continue waiting for news about a global theatrical release. Together with the newly localized manga, 2026 has become one of the most significant years in The Apothecary Diaries’ history.

Release Date

2023 – 2025-00-00

Network

Nippon TV, RAB, TVI, YBC, JRT

Directors

Jun Owada, Akira Koremoto, Erkin Kawabata, Shintaro Itoga, Kentaro Fujita, Yukihiko Asaki, Tsuyoshi Nakano, Masahiro Matsunaga, Akira Shimizu, Yuushi Ibe, Yuu Kinome, Kyohei Yamamoto, Takanori Yano, Tadao Okubo, Misu Yamaneko

Writers

Yuko Kakihara, Misuzu Chiba, Hitomi Ogawa

Franchise(s)

The Apothecary Diaries

• 

• 

  Takeo Otsuka

  Jinshi (voice)