The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1: Release Date, Preview Images, Synopsis & Where To Watch

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 is back with new mysteries, political intrigue and of course the charm of Maomao and Jinshi. However, the biggest change is that the story will now take place outside the Rear Palace, bringing the main characters into a very different setting and making this latest instalment all the more exciting.

With the third season set to introduce a looming threat to the country, here is everything you need to know about The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1, including its release date, preview images, synopsis, and where to watch.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 Preview:

The official website of The Apothecary Diaries revealed the premise of season 3 episode 1. It is as follows:

After the aftermath of the Shi clan rebellion had settled down, Maomao, who had been dismissed from her position as a poison taster in the Rear Palace, had returned to her life as an apothecary in the pleasure district.

Meanwhile, Jinshi, who had publicly revealed himself to be the Emperor’s younger brother, had formally begun participating in government affairs. He was troubled by the “signs of a disaster that would befall the country” that Loulan had entrusted to him before her departure.

One morning, Maomao and Chou-u were served locust stew for breakfast by the proprietress of the Verdigris House. After taking a bite, Chou-u said something that caught Maomao’s attention…

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 is titled “Locusts“. The preview images for the episode are as follows:

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 Release Date & Time:

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 will release on Oct. 2, 2026. The release time of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 is 11:00 p.m. JST.

For global audiences, the corresponding release date & time of the episode (based on the TV airing time in Japan) is as follows:

• The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 release time in United States: 10:00 a.m. EDT / 7:00 a.m. PDT on October 2
• The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 release time in United Kingdom: 3:00 p.m. BST on October 2
• The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 release time in India: 7:30 p.m. IST on October 2
• The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 release time in Australia: 11:30 p.m. ACST on October 2
• The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 release time in France: 4:00 p.m. CEST on October 2
• The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 release time in Brazil: 11:00 a.m. BRT on October 2

Where to watch The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1:

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 will be streamed on Crunchyroll at 8 a.m. PT in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS and Indian Subcontinent.

The season will also be streaming on Netflix.

In Japan, the anime will be airing on Nippon TV’s Friday Anime Night programming block.

More info on The Apothecary Diaries Season 3:

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 is produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM. The cast and staff of the anime include:

Cast:

• Aoi Yuki as Maomao
• Takeo Otsuka as Jinshi
• Ami Koshimizu as Pairin
• Hiroki Nanami as Joka
• Katsuyuki Konishi as Gaoshun
• Koki Uchiyama as Rikuson
• Megumi Han as Meimei
• Natsumi Fujiwara as Kyou-u
• Reina Ueda as Bai Niangniang
• Takuya Kirimoto as Lakan
• Tatsumaru Tachibana as Basen
• Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Lahan
• Sumi Shimamoto as Narrator

Staff:

• Director: Akinori Fudesaka
• Series Composition: Norihiro Naganuma
• Script: Hitomi Ogawa, Misuzu Chiba, Yuko Kakihara
• Music: Arisa Okehazama, Kevin Penkin, Satoru Kōsaki
• Character Design: Yukiko Nakatani
• Art Director: Katsumi Takao
• Sound Director: Shōji Hata
• Cgi Director: Tamotsu Nagai
• Director of Photography: Mayo Suzuki
• Assistant Director: Wataru Nakagawa

The season’s opening theme, “Beyond the Clouds, Only Me Downwind,” is performed by Yorushika, while Eve performs the ending theme, “AIYOU.”

The third season will air in two parts, with the first cour premiering on Oct 2, 2026 and the second in April 2027.

An anime film titled The Deceased Empress’ Treasure is set to premiere in Japan in December 2026.