The Apothecary Diaries is officially heading to theaters, and fans finally have more than just a release window to celebrate. The anime’s first feature film has been unveiled as The Apothecary Diaries: The Secret Treasure of the Deceased Consort, with a brand-new teaser trailer confirming both the movie’s title and its next major mystery. The reveal gives viewers their first glimpse of what awaits Maomao after the dramatic events of Season 2.
The newly announced December 11 premiere, via @kusuriya_PR on X, applies only to the film’s Japanese theatrical release. At the time of writing, no U.S. or international release date has been announced, meaning overseas fans will have to wait for additional distribution news. Given the growing global popularity of The Apothecary Diaries, many expect an international theatrical or streaming announcement eventually, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The First Trailer For The Secret Treasure of the Deceased Consort Teases Maomao’s Biggest Adventure Yet
The newly released teaser finally offers the first concrete details about the movie’s story. It opens with an invitation to embark on a journey before revealing that the destination is a vibrant floating water city. Rather than simply introducing another classic Apothecary Diaries mystery, the trailer establishes a clear mission from the outset. Maomao is tasked with investigating the remains of a mid-ranking concubine who died five years earlier as they are returned to her hometown.
The preview also confirms that the film will tell an entirely original story written by original light novel author Natsu Hyūga, making it more than just another adaptation. According to the trailer, the investigation revolves around “the secret of the remains and a hidden treasure,” with another cryptic clue stating that “the key lies with a boy.” Brief flashes of danger and epic suspense prove that, once again, the case quickly becomes far more dangerous than a routine escort mission.
The teaser closes by raising the stakes even further, describing the film as “the greatest mystery in the series.” While much of the plot remains under wraps, the combination of an original story, an entirely new setting, and a new mystery tied to a deceased concubine gives The Apothecary Diaries’ new movie a distinctly larger scope than the television anime. It all culminates with one final question directed at viewers: “What is the hidden secret?”
The Secret Treasure of the Deceased Consort’s Official Title Offers The First Clues About The Story
One of the biggest announcements for The Apothecary Diaries new movie wasn’t just the release date, it was the reveal of the film’s official title. The project is now confirmed as The Apothecary Diaries: The Secret Treasure of the Deceased Consort, also being referred to by TOHO Animation as The Apothecary Diaries: The Movie, marking the first time fans have learned what the theatrical story will actually be called. Until now, the movie had only been announced without a subtitle or premise.
Now, the teaser makes it much easier to understand how that title connects to the story. The “deceased consort” referenced in the title appears to be the mid-ranking concubine who passed away five years before the events of the film. As Maomao investigates the circumstances surrounding her remains during their return to the woman’s hometown, the journey gradually uncovers a hidden treasure and a much larger conspiracy waiting beneath the surface.
The Next Era Of Apothecary Diaries Is Here, And Every Fan Needs To Check It Out ASAP (Exclusive)
The official next era of The Apothecary Diaries is here and available now, and it is something that every fan of the franchise needs to check out.
The trailer also confirmed the movie’s principal cast. Aoi Yūki and Takeo Ōtsuka will reprise their roles as Maomao and Jinshi, while Mariya Ise joins the film as a new character named Mu Qing. To accompany the announcement, the production team released individual character posters of Maomao and Jinshi, along with a separate visual introducing Mu Qing ahead of the film’s December theatrical debut.
To celebrate the trailer’s debut, the official Japanese social media account, @kusuriya_PR on X, also launched a promotional campaign. Five winners who follow the account and repost the announcement before July 17 will receive a B2 teaser poster featuring the film’s newly released key visual. While international fans continue waiting for overseas release news, the official title, story details, and first trailer have already made The Apothecary Diaries: The Secret Treasure of the Deceased Consort one of the year’s most anticipated anime films.
- Release Date
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2023 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Nippon TV, RAB, TVI, YBC, JRT
- Directors
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Jun Owada, Akira Koremoto, Erkin Kawabata, Shintaro Itoga, Kentaro Fujita, Yukihiko Asaki, Tsuyoshi Nakano, Masahiro Matsunaga, Akira Shimizu, Yuushi Ibe, Yuu Kinome, Kyohei Yamamoto, Takanori Yano, Tadao Okubo, Misu Yamaneko
- Writers
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Yuko Kakihara, Misuzu Chiba, Hitomi Ogawa
- Franchise(s)
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The Apothecary Diaries
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Takeo Otsuka
Jinshi (voice)
