There has been a lot of speculation and hope about a third season of the place intrigue anime series The Apothecary Diaries. However, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 is not cancelled.
It has been officially confirmed and is currently in production.
The announcement came immediately after the Season 2 finale aired in Japan, accompanied by a teaser video from the production studios confirming the series’ continuation.
Here is what we know so far about The Apothecary Season 3.
What is Apothecary Diaries Season 3’s official status and production
The anime’s official channels, including Crunchyroll News, announced the official production of The Apothecary Season 3.
The producers have not announced the official premiere date, although the sequel is confirmed.
The story will continue to explore exciting and new developments in the lives of the key characters, Maomao and Jinshi. However, the producers have not confirmed the official premiere.
However, industry insiders speculate that the release will be in mid-2026 to early 2027, based on production timelines and patterns from previous seasons, as well as the studio’s likely schedule.
According to a guide from SuperHeroHype, a potential premiere could be in the summer or the latter part of 2026.
However, some sources suggest early 2027 might be more realistic, given the timelines for the quality production of The Apothecary Season 3.
Why has Apothecary Diaries Season 3 not been dated yet?
Here are some reasons the release of the third season has not been announced.
1. Heavy reliance on Managa Nekokurage
The studio may have to wait for sufficient material, as the anime is based on the light novel franchise, which has a manga adaptation.
Apothecary Season 3 might suffer from its unique adaptation process, since Season 2 is catching up to the Manga chapters, which complicates the adaptation.
2. High production
The Apothecary anime is known for its character design, detailed setting, and suspenseful pacing. High standards always equate to longer lead times.
What Fans Can Expect from Season 3
Apothecary Diaries Season 3 promises to retain the anime’s blend of character-driven storytelling, mystery, and historical drama.
The teaser and announcement hinted at a significant change of scenery, insinuating an expansion of the anime beyond the initial palace intrigue environment, introducing new challenges and interactions for Maomao and Jinshi.
Therefore, fans can expect the same high-quality pacing and intricate plotting that have been hallmarks of the previous seasons.
Why do some fans think Apothecary Season 3 is cancelled?
A lack of visible production updates and a firm release date can raise concerns among fans since they expect quick turnarounds. Some of the reasons include:
- Longer production gaps: The gap between Seasons 1 and 2 was longer than typical, compared to some anime with yearly seasons, which may suggest stagnation, though in the Apothecary series, it seems intentional.
- Lack of updates: Fans might start to fear a project has been dropped, given the lack of regular updates —such as cast announcements, visuals, and teasers.
However, to clear your worries, there is no indication that Season 3 of The Apothecary Diaries has been cancelled or shelved.
The project is actively moving forward, and fans are encouraged to remain patient for official updates.