Where can I watch The Apothecary Diaries?

It's available to stream on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix, so you can watch on whichever of those you already use.

How many episodes are there?

This first season runs 24 episodes, giving the mysteries and court intrigue plenty of room to breathe.

Do I need to watch anything before it?

No — this is the starting point of the series, so you can jump in with zero prior knowledge.

Is The Apothecary Diaries good for people who don't usually watch anime?

Very much so. Its blend of mystery-of-the-week storytelling, historical court drama, and a magnetic lead makes it one of the most approachable, widely loved shows around.

The Apothecary Diaries

8.8TV · 24 eps · 2023

You can stream The Apothecary Diaries on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix, so it's easy to reach no matter which service you already pay for. It's one of those rare shows that satisfies almost everyone at once — part cozy mystery, part opulent court drama, part slow-burn character study — all carried by Maomao, a deadpan apothecary whose fascination with poisons makes her the most dangerous mind in the palace. If you want lavish production, clever self-contained puzzles, and a heroine who feels truly one of a kind, this is a perfect place to start.

Rating

★ 8.8 /10

26K favorites

Ranked

#21

All time

Popularity

#122

About

Maomao grew up learning the apothecary's craft at her father's side, perfectly content among herbs, remedies, and the poisons she loves testing on herself. That quiet life ends the day she's snatched away and sold into the emperor's rear palace as a nameless serving maid. She fully intends to serve out her term unnoticed — but when a mysterious sickness begins creeping through the imperial household, she can't stand by, and she quietly leaves behind a cure only a trained hand could have devised. That clue reaches Jinshi, a dazzling and unreadable court official, who pulls her out of the servants' quarters and into his orbit. From there, the palace's poisonings, strange ailments, and carefully buried secrets all become Maomao's domain — and she chases each one with the glee of someone who has finally found work she adores.

Information

Japanese: 薬屋のひとりごと
Premiered: October 22, 2023
Episodes: 24
Duration: 23 min per ep.
Status: Finished Airing
Studio: olm, inc., toho animation studio co., ltd.
Source: Light Novel
Themes: drama, female protagonist, japanese production, slice of life, work, working life

Seasons & Watch Order

Good news for newcomers: this is the very beginning of the story, so there's nothing you need to watch first. Start right here with the first season. The tale does continue in a follow-up season for when you're hooked, but everything kicks off with this one.