The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) has established itself as a pinnacle of historical mystery anime, blending botanical expertise with intricate palace intrigue. As of early 2026, the series has completed two full seasons, totaling 48 episodes. This collection follows the journey of Maomao, a young apothecary from the pleasure district who finds herself entangled in the complex web of the Emperor's Rear Palace and the political machinations of the Outer Court.

Overview of The Apothecary Diaries Anime Structure

The anime adaptation, produced by Toho Animation and OLM, follows a chronological progression that closely mirrors the original light novels by Natsu Hyūga. The 48 episodes released so far are divided into two distinct production blocks, each consisting of 24 episodes.

Season 1 aired from October 2023 to March 2024, focusing on Maomao's involuntary entry into the Rear Palace and her rise to the position of food taster for Consort Gyokuyou. Season 2 followed from January 2025 to July 2025, expanding the scope of the world to include the Outer Court and deeper historical conspiracies involving the high-ranking official Jinshi.

Season 1 Episode List: The Rear Palace Mysteries

The first season introduces the core mechanics of the series: Maomao’s obsession with poisons, Jinshi’s enigmatic beauty, and the "curse" that plagues the imperial heirs.

The Inner Palace Introduction Arc (Episodes 1-5)

Episode 1: Maomao The series opens with Maomao’s abduction and her subsequent life as a low-ranking laundry maid. When she hears about the mysterious deaths of imperial infants, she leaves an anonymous tip about lead-based cosmetics. This attracts the attention of the eunuch Jinshi, marking the beginning of their partnership. In our analysis, this episode perfectly sets the tone, establishing Maomao’s pragmatism over typical protagonist idealism.

Episode 2: Chilly Apothecary Maomao is promoted to a lady-in-waiting for Consort Gyokuyou. Her primary task is to be a food taster, a role she accepts with terrifying enthusiasm due to her immunity to many toxins. The episode highlights her first interaction with high-level palace politics when she prepares an "aphrodisiac" for a requested task.

Episode 3: The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit This episode tackles the "ghost" of a sleepwalking concubine. Maomao uses her medical knowledge to deduce that the sleepwalking is a physical reaction rather than a supernatural event. The visual execution of the "dancing spirit" on the palace walls remains one of the most hauntingly beautiful sequences of the first cour.

Episode 4: The Threat Maomao is sent to treat Consort Lihua, who is dying of the same "curse" that killed her child. Maomao discovers that Lihua’s maids are still using the poisonous powder despite her warnings. Her rare display of anger here provides a deep look into her ethical code as an apothecary.

Episode 5: Covert Operations The preparation for the Garden Party begins. Maomao is subjected to a "makeover" by the other maids. We see the contrast between her desire to remain invisible and Jinshi’s desire to keep her under his watchful eye.

The Garden Party and its Aftermath (Episodes 6-12)

Episode 6: The Garden Party The center-piece of the first cour. During the banquet, Maomao detects poison in a soup meant for Consort Lishu. Her reaction to eating the poison—pure bliss—is a standout moment for the character. The episode introduces the four high-ranking consorts and the underlying tension between them.

Episode 7: Homecoming Following the events of the Garden Party, Maomao earns a brief leave of absence to visit her home in the pleasure district. This episode introduces the Verdigris Pavilion and Maomao’s adoptive father, Luomen.

Episode 8: Wheat Stalks Back in the pleasure district, Maomao is asked to investigate a suspicious case involving a courtesan and her client. This episode explores the darker, more transactional nature of the world outside the palace.

Episode 9: Suicide or Murder? Jinshi presents Maomao with a case involving the death of a court official who supposedly died from excessive drinking. Maomao’s deduction reveals a complex assassination attempt involving specialized chemicals, further proving her value to Jinshi’s hidden agenda.

Episode 10: Honey During a tea party, Maomao discovers that Consort Lishu has a life-threatening allergy to honey. She realizes that someone is deliberately targeting the young consort, hinting at a long-term conspiracy within the palace.

Episode 11: Reducing Two to One The climax of the Rear Palace conspiracy. Maomao confronts the head lady-in-waiting, Fengming, regarding the death of a previous infant heir. The emotional weight of this episode is enhanced by the realization that even "villains" in this world often act out of misguided loyalty.

Episode 12: The Eunuch and the Courtesan Maomao is released from her service due to her term ending but is promptly "re-bought" by Jinshi. The chemistry between the two leads evolves as Maomao begins to see Jinshi as more than just a "beautiful annoyance."

The Outer Court and Lakan Arc (Episodes 13-24)

Episode 13: Serving in the Outer Court Maomao takes a civil service exam to work in the Outer Court. Her new position brings her closer to the heart of the empire's administration, where she encounters more complex, non-medical mysteries.

Episode 14: The New Pure Consort A new consort arrives to replace the outgoing Ah-Duo. Maomao is tasked with educating the consorts on intimate matters, leading to some of the show's most comedic yet informative moments.

Episode 15: Raw Fish A case involving food poisoning at a high-level banquet allows Maomao to showcase her knowledge of parasites and food safety. Meanwhile, the mysterious official Lakan begins to take a keen interest in her.

Episode 16: Lead Maomao investigates a strange will left by a blacksmith to his sons. The "magic" involved in the will is revealed to be a clever application of metallurgy and chemistry.

Episode 17: A Jaunt Around Town Jinshi disguises himself as a commoner to explore the city with Maomao. This episode serves as a character study for Jinshi, revealing his disconnect from the common people and his growing affection for Maomao.

Episode 18: Lakan The eccentric and terrifying strategist Lakan makes his move. We learn about his peculiar "face-blindness" and why Maomao is the only person he sees with a distinct identity.

Episode 19: Chance or Something More A series of seemingly unrelated incidents (the warehouse fire, the blacksmith's will, the poisoned official) begin to coalesce into a single plot. Maomao starts connecting the dots.

Episode 20: Thornapple Maomao saves Jinshi from a falling beam during a ritual. Her injuries are severe, leading to a moment of vulnerability for both characters. The "Thornapple" (Datura) plays a key role in the mystery.

Episode 21: How to Buy Out a Contract The mechanics of the pleasure district are explained in detail as Li Haku seeks to buy out a courtesan's contract. Maomao provides the harsh financial reality of such an endeavor.

Episode 22: Blue Roses Lakan challenges Maomao to produce blue roses for a garden party. This episode is a masterclass in horticultural science as Maomao uses temperature control and dyes to achieve the impossible.

Episode 23: Balsam and Wood Sorrel The backstory of Lakan and Fengxian (Maomao’s mother) is revealed. It is a tragic tale of missed connections and the brutal reality of the courtesan trade.

Episode 24: Jinshi and Maomao The season 1 finale sees Maomao performing a ritual dance. The tension between her and Lakan reaches a resolution, and her relationship with Jinshi enters a new phase of mutual, albeit unspoken, respect.

Season 2 Episode List: Political Shadows and the Imperial Court

Season 2, which aired in early 2025, moves away from the "case-of-the-week" format toward a serialized political thriller.

The Caravan and Poisoning Arc (Episodes 25-36)

Episode 25 (S2 E1): Maomao and Maomao The season opens with a look at Maomao’s dual life as a court servant and an apothecary. A new threat emerges from a visiting trade caravan, introducing foreign poisons into the capital.

Episode 26: The Foreign Envoy A diplomatic crisis arises when an envoy falls ill. Maomao must determine if it’s an assassination attempt or a cultural misunderstanding regarding diet.

Episode 27: Salt and Ice This episode deals with the logistics of the imperial ice houses. A body is found in the ice, leading to a forensic investigation that tests Maomao’s ability to determine time of death in sub-zero conditions.

Episode 28: The Empress Dowager Maomao is summoned by the Empress Dowager to investigate a "ghost" from the previous Emperor’s reign. This begins the deep dive into the empire’s dark history.

Episode 29: Corpse Fungus A macabre mystery involving a rare fungus growing on a deceased official. Maomao’s botanical knowledge is put to its most gruesome test yet.

Episode 30: The Hunt During an imperial hunting trip, an assassin uses a specialized long-range weapon. Maomao must analyze the trajectory and the toxins used on the projectiles.

Episode 31: Moon Fairy Jinshi’s true identity becomes increasingly difficult to hide. This episode focuses on the "Moon Fairy" legend and how it parallels Jinshi’s own position in the court.

Episode 32: The Shaman’s Curse A village on the outskirts of the capital claims to be cursed. Maomao discovers that the "curse" is actually a form of mass ergot poisoning from contaminated grain.

Episode 33: The Verdigris Secret Information from the pleasure district helps solve a high-level palace theft. The link between the underworld and the upper court is further solidified.

Episode 34: Fire on the Horizon A major fire in the capital serves as a distraction for a prison break. Maomao realizes that the masterminds are people she has encountered before.

Episode 35: The Apothecary’s Choice Maomao is forced to choose between her loyalty to the court and her duty as a doctor when a "traitor" requires medical attention.

Episode 36: Mid-Season Climax The identity of the main antagonist for Season 2 is finally revealed, linking back to the events of the first season's Garden Party.

The Inner Court Conspiracy Arc (Episodes 37-48)

Episode 37: Re-entry Maomao must return to the Rear Palace under a different guise to root out a spy. The shift in atmosphere within the palace is palpable.

Episode 38: The Poisoned Brush A subtle assassination attempt using poisoned ink. This episode highlights the extreme precautions officials must take in their daily lives.

Episode 39: Mirror and Light Using optics and mirrors, Maomao solves a mystery involving a "disappearing" message. This shows her proficiency in physics as well as chemistry.

Episode 40: The Concubine’s Legacy A deep dive into the lineages of the various consorts, revealing hidden claims to the throne that could destabilize the empire.

Episode 41: Winter Solstice During the winter festival, a poisoning occurs in plain sight. Maomao’s quick thinking prevents a massacre.

Episode 42: The Surgeon’s Skill Maomao performs a rudimentary but life-saving surgical procedure. This episode was noted by viewers for its intense medical realism.

Episode 43: A Letter from the West Foreign politics interfere with domestic peace. The introduction of the Western Duchy adds a new layer of complexity to the plot.

Episode 44: The Hidden Room Maomao discovers a secret laboratory within the palace that belonged to a previous generation of apothecaries.

Episode 45: The Strategist’s Move Lakan returns to assist Jinshi in a political game of Go that mirrors a real-world military maneuver.

Episode 46: Poison and Wine A tense dinner where every dish is a potential weapon. Maomao’s role as food taster becomes the most dangerous job in the world.

Episode 47: The Revelation The truth about Jinshi’s birth and his relationship to the Emperor is finally brought to light, changing the stakes for the entire series.

Episode 48: The Future of the Apothecary Season 2 concludes with Maomao and Jinshi standing on the precipice of a new era. While the immediate threat is neutralized, the path ahead is fraught with even greater danger.

Themes and Character Development in the Episode List

Tracing the series through its 48 episodes reveals a clear evolution in Maomao’s character. In Episode 1, she is a survivalist who wants nothing to do with the "great and powerful." By Episode 48, she has become a pivotal figure who understands that her knowledge is a weapon that can protect or destroy the foundation of the state.

Jinshi’s arc is equally compelling. He transitions from a flirtatious, somewhat bored official into a man burdened by his lineage and his genuine concern for Maomao’s safety. The interplay between his "heavenly beauty" and Maomao’s "disgusted" expressions remains a highlight throughout both seasons.

Future Content: Season 3 and The Apothecary Diaries Movie

Fans of the series have much to look forward to following the conclusion of the 48th episode.

Season 3 Premiere (October 2026)

Season 3 has been officially confirmed for an October 2026 release. It is expected to cover the "Western Duchy" arc from the light novels, where Maomao travels far from the capital. This season will likely be a split-cour broadcast, similar to the first two.

Original Anime Film (December 2026)

In a surprise announcement, Toho Animation revealed an original film scheduled for December 2026. While details are scarce, it is rumored to be a self-contained mystery set between the events of Season 2 and Season 3, potentially focusing on a high-stakes case involving the Emperor’s personal past.

Where to Watch The Apothecary Diaries

To follow the full episode list of The Apothecary Diaries, several streaming options are available depending on your region:

  • Crunchyroll: This is the primary home for the series globally (outside of Asia). They offer both the original Japanese audio with subtitles and a highly-regarded English dub.
  • Netflix: In many Asian territories and select European regions, Netflix carries both seasons of the show.
  • Hulu: Available for subscribers in the United States, often mirroring the library of Crunchyroll.

Summary

The Apothecary Diaries is more than just a detective story; it is a meticulously researched historical drama that rewards attentive viewers. With 48 episodes currently available, the series has built a rich world of science, politics, and romance. Whether you are watching for Maomao’s brilliant deductions or the slow-burn relationship between her and Jinshi, this episode list provides the roadmap for one of the most significant anime of the decade.

FAQ

How many episodes are there in The Apothecary Diaries? As of now, there are 48 episodes in total, split across two seasons of 24 episodes each.

Will there be a Season 3 of The Apothecary Diaries? Yes, Season 3 has been officially announced and is scheduled to premiere in October 2026.

Is The Apothecary Diaries finished? The anime is ongoing. While Season 2 has concluded, the light novel series continues to release new volumes, and more anime content is in production.

What is the best order to watch the episodes? The episodes should be watched in chronological order, starting from Season 1, Episode 1 through Season 2, Episode 24 (Episode 48 overall).

Does Maomao end up with Jinshi in these episodes? The relationship between Maomao and Jinshi is a "slow-burn" romance. While their bond significantly deepens over the 48 episodes, they have not officially become a couple by the end of Season 2, as their focus remains on solving mysteries and surviving palace politics.