The film is a brand new story by series creator Hyuganatsu and first feature film in The Apothecary Diaries franchise
Crunchyroll, the leading destination for anime around the world, announced today that it has acquired the North American and worldwide rights (excluding Asia but including India) to the upcoming mystery feature film The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure. Crunchyroll will distribute the film alongside Sony Pictures Entertainment, with release dates to be announced.
The film marks the first theatrical feature in the popular Apothecary Diaries franchise and presents an original story written by series creator Hyuganatsu. Direction is handled by Norihiro Naganuma, with animation produced by TOHO Animation STUDIO.
The series has already built a strong following. Season 1 premiered in October 2023, Season 2 followed in January 2025, and Season 3 launched on Crunchyroll on October 2, 2026. All three seasons are currently streaming on the platform.
Where to watch the series:
Crunchyroll: Seasons 1–2 (Season 3 available as it airs) in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu
Netflix: Seasons 1–3 (Japanese with English subtitles); Season 1 also available in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu
Official Film Synopsis:
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.
About The Apothecary Diaries Series :
“The Apothecary Diaries” is a smash hit series selling over 57 million copies throughout the world Its television animation adaptation, which began broadcast in October 2023, gained popularity not just from Maomao’s gratifying character, but also for its authentic mystery and the touching human drama taking place in an exotic world setting. The series has truly become a franchise popular with global audiences.
An apothecary who grew up in the pleasure district with an unhealthy fascination with poisons and medicines, Maomao began working at the rear palace after being kidnapped and sold. While working there, she saved the life of Concubine Gyokuyou’s daughter from poison, which caused Jinshi, a handsome palace officer, to recognize her true talents and assign her to poison tasting duties. Now, she has returned to the pleasure district, and works as an apothecary at the Verdigris House, a high-class brothel. Her boundless curiosity and hunger for knowledge—combined with just a touch of a sense of justice—have a habit of pulling her into all kinds of unexpected trouble.
About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group. Films distributed and marketed by Crunchyroll—domestically and internationally—have a proven track record of both box office and critical success. Crunchyroll’s theatrical team has been behind 10 of the Top 20 best-performing anime films in U.S. box office history, including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train, Suzume, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, One Piece Film: Red, and more. Not only have Crunchyroll films seen box office success, but have also been recognized with numerous awards and accolades and been accepted and screened at international film festivals around the globe.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.
