Maomao and Jinshi Close Out a Two-Year Run
The final visual in The Apothecary Diaries' "Traveling the Four Seasons with Maomao and Jinshi" campaign dropped on June 22, marking the end of a project that has released themed illustrations on the 22nd of every month for two years. The concluding piece depicts Maomao teaching Jinshi how to weave a flower crown from white clover, a quiet domestic moment for two characters whose relationship is usually tangled up in palace intrigue and poison.
The campaign launched in July 2024, with each monthly visual pairing different characters with a seasonal plant. Earlier entries featured sunflowers, autumn leaves, daffodils, and osmanthus, rotating through the show's supporting cast alongside the leads. This final entry, reported by Japanese entertainment site Oricon News, closes the series on its two most popular characters.
The visuals have been distributed through the anime's official social channels and its LINE mini app, "Help Maomao! Maomao's Herbal Notebook," where users complete quizzes and video missions to collect medicinal herbs. The app ties into the show's premise: Maomao is a pharmacist's apprentice navigating life in an imperial court, solving crimes and political puzzles through her knowledge of medicine.
A Franchise With Momentum
The visual series wrapping now is a capstone on a strong run for the franchise. Season 1 aired from October 2023 through March 2024, and Season 2 followed from January through July 2025, both produced by TOHO animation STUDIO and OLM. The anime adaptation has become one of the more commercially successful light novel properties of the past few years.
The franchise's next phase is already locked in. A second-anniversary PV released in October 2025 confirmed both a third season and the series' first theatrical film. Season 3 will air in a split-cour format, with the first half starting in October 2026 on NTV and the second half in April 2027. The film, featuring an original story concept from author Natsu Hyuuga, opens in Japanese theaters in December 2026.
A special live event, "Summer Garden Party 2026," is also scheduled for August 15 at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center.
Looking Ahead
With Season 3 four months out, expect a new key visual, cast announcements, and a dedicated PV in the coming weeks. Crunchyroll streamed both previous seasons internationally, and while Season 3 streaming rights have not been formally announced, a continuation on the platform is widely expected. The source light novels by Natsu Hyuuga are published in English by J-Novel Club, and the manga adaptations are available from Square Enix Manga and Shogakukan Asia.