The Apothecary Diaries (Season 1)

The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと, 2023) is a Japanese anime mystery series from TOHO animation STUDIO and OLM you can watch online on iFILM. Set in a stylised imperial court inspired by ancient China, the show follows Maomao — an apothecary's daughter sold into palace service — as she quietly solves the medical puzzles that stump every royal physician.

When two of the emperor's infants fall gravely ill, Maomao works out the cause before anyone else notices there is one. Aoi Yuuki voices her with a dry detachment that sets her apart from the usual shōjo lead. Palace official Jinshi (Takeo Otsuka) spots her talent and pulls her into his orbit — and from there the cases keep coming: poisonings, cosmetics with lethal side effects, court intrigues dressed up as accidents. The first season ran 24 episodes; the series is still in production on Nippon TV.

Based on Natsu Hikaru's light novel series, running since 2011. Stream all episodes of The Apothecary Diaries online on iFILM.