Crunchyroll, the ultimate home for anime worldwide, announced today it has acquired the North American and worldwide rights (excluding Asia but including India) for the mystery anime feature film The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will distribute the film (dates to be announced).

The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure is a brand new mystery from the The Apothecary Diaries series creator Hyuganatsu, and the first film in the popular anime franchise. The film is directed by Norihiro Naganuma with animation from TOHO Animation STUDIO.

The popular mystery series follows Maomao, a young woman obsessed with medicine and poisons. After being kidnapped and sold as a lowly servant at the emperor’s palace, she soon finds herself entangled in political schemes and solving medical mysteries, and catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 1 premiered in October 2023 and Season 2 in January 2025, with Season 3 recently premiering on Crunchyroll on October 2. All three seasons of the series are available on Crunchyroll.

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.

Source: Press Release

Josh Piedra

Senior Editor, Anime & Manga

Josh has been an anime fan for over twenty years. In addition, he is a light novel author with 38 books published across 5 series! He is also the owner of Meteora Press, his personal dba serving as a publishing label. Anime and otaku culture isn't Josh's only area of expertise. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and has created a handful of independent games along with a deep working knowledge of the gaming industry.