The third season of the TV anime " The Apothecary Diaries ," based on the light novel by Natsu Hyuga that originated on the Shosetsuka ni Naro ni Narou," began airing on Nippon Television's anime block "FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT (FuraAni)" every Friday at 11 PM on October 2nd. The setting of the third season expands from the imperial harem to the common people and even to a neighboring country, where new trials await Maomao and Jinshi. Approximately three years have passed since the first season of the TV anime began in October 2023, and "The Apothecary Diaries" has become a hugely popular work loved by people of all ages. In addition to its authentic mystery and human drama, the frustrating relationship between the protagonist Maomao and the emperor's Jinshi, due to their difference in social status and misunderstandings, is a major attraction. We asked Aoi Yuki , who plays Maomao , and Takeo Otsuka , who plays Jinshi , to reflect on the past seasons and discuss the third season.
◇The intense second season
-- " The Apothecary Diaries" is loved by people of all ages. What do you two find appealing about it?
I think what's impressive about this work is how Yuuki's characters feel "alive." While they have an iconic quality as symbolic characters, you can imagine the background of every single character, thinking things like, "With this kind of upbringing, it makes sense that they would develop this kind of personality," or "What kind of experience did this character have to become who they are." That's why when the characters who played an active role in the first and second seasons are explored in more depth, it all makes sense, and the process itself is as interesting as solving a mystery. I think that's a major reason why it has been loved for so many years.
Mr. Otsuka, it's such a perfect story that there's nothing more we need to add (laughs). The depth of the scenario and the high level of perfection in the world are closely intertwined with the characters. As the story progresses, the characters become more and more appealing, and this creates a wonderful synergistic effect that makes the story even more exciting. I think that's what's amazing and appealing about this work.
--Looking back on the second season, what scenes stand out to you the most?
Yuuki-san's exchange between Jinshi and Maomao in the latter half was incredibly memorable, and it was so dense that I felt the original author must have written it with the intention of it being a grand finale. It must be incredibly difficult to expand on a story that has already been neatly wrapped up, so I was deeply moved that the story could still expand so much even in the third season. It's amazing how Jinshi's actions after revealing that he is the Emperor's younger brother and coming to help are depicted without wavering. Because the entire story is so beautifully connected, it's difficult to pick out just one particular scene, as they all remain as wonderful memories.
If I started listing Otsuka-san's favorite moments, I'd never finish. The first thing that comes to mind is the scene where he goes to rescue Maomao. Jinshi rushes over, worried, but when he sees her, Maomao is just like always (laughs). There's a moment when Jinshi, who had been on guard, lets his guard down for a bit. After that, Jinshi is kind of creepy (laughs). I was acting while thinking, "He's only allowed to do that because it's Jinshi!" I think the charm of their relationship lies in that exquisite balance that just barely avoids making you feel disgusted. I wasn't intentionally trying to make him creepy when I was acting (laughs). After I finished acting, I would get worried and think, "Is this okay...?"
Speaking of memorable scenes with Yuuki-san, there were also the "frog" and "moon fairy" scenes (laughs). The story is continuous and uninterrupted, so everything is connected. Because of the episodes with the young Sui and the others, it might seem like there are fewer opportunities for Jinshi and Maomao to interact directly, but each interaction is very meaningful, and they become closer and closer.
◇The third season saw a dramatic increase in the number of male cast members.
--After reading the script for Season 3, what differences or changes did you notice compared to previous seasons?
What's quite different from previous works is that the story unfolds as everyone travels together. The characters who were previously expected to be glamorous are now in a situation where Maomao"cannot stand out," and their positions change. However, Maomao hasn't changed that much; she always plays the role with the feeling of being "a cat that was brought along." I feel that the scale of the work itself has changed significantly.
For Otsuka- Jinshi, the biggest change for Jinshi is that his demeanor has had to change now that his position as the Emperor's younger brother has become clear. Not only will there be new characters, but the characters who have appeared so far will also play an increasingly active role. As the voice recording progresses and I watch everyone's performances, I feel that the atmosphere is changing.
--What was the most memorable part of recording for Season 3?
In the second season, Yuuki-san didn't interact with Luo Han that much, but there are scenes where she interacts with him a lot. There's a unique sense of rhythm that makes you feel that they're both from the same "Luo clan," and I had a lot of fun recording it. New characters appear, and some characters show a different side of themselves than before, so I'm excited to be doing the voice recording with the feeling of "I've been waiting for this!"
Otsuka- san said she found it refreshing and interesting to see Maomao acting together with Luo Ban and Lu Sun. As for Jinshi, there were many scenes with Ba Sen this time around, and it was fun to watch him in action. Unlike Gao Shun, he has an immaturity, but there are also scenes that show his earnestness and his connection to Gao Shun as a blood relative. It was fun recording those parts.
Yuuki-san, the number of male cast members has increased dramatically, hasn't it? Up until the second season, the setting was the imperial harem, so it was all women, but now the military officers who guard Jinshi are accompanying him. The proportion of men on set has increased dramatically, and the impression has changed completely. Of course, there are also times when the members of the imperial harem play an active role, so it's a good balance.
Otsuka-san, the added depth of the male cast's commentary is a huge help (laughs).
Yuuki-san, that's right! Up until now, there haven't been many men, so it's been tough getting the male voiceovers in (laughs).
There were times when it was just me, Mr. Otsuka , and Mr. Konishi (Katsuyuki Konishi, who played Gao Shun) doing the background voiceovers. We also had guests participate... It brings back fond memories. In the third season, Jinshi's position as the Emperor's younger brother is clearly established, so when he travels, he wants to be close to Maomao, but he has to hide his identity, which creates a dilemma. He uses different disguises and methods of hiding compared to when he was walking around town in the first season, and there's a sense of novelty to it, like, "So that's how he hides!" With the setting changing, you can clearly feel the difference in the overall atmosphere of the work.
--The fact that Reina Ueda will be appearing as the mysterious fairy Bai Niangniang has also become a hot topic.
Actually, at the time of this interview, Yuuki- san hasn't had many substantial interactions with Bai Niangniang yet. It's with Zhao Yu that she's had more interactions. There are many scenes where they chat excitedly like siblings, and it's uplifting to see Zhao Yu running around cheerfully despite his heavy circumstances and lingering paralysis. It's heartwarming to see that you can see how Maomao was raised. It's also interesting to see how characters like Luo Ban and Lu Sun are being explored in more depth, revealing their human side. As for Jinshi and Maomao, they've reached the point where they're "too in sync" (laughs).
Speaking of Otsuka-san's character, Rikuson, before the recording for the third season began, Uchiyama-san (Koki) asked me, "How much screen time will you be in?" (laughs).
Yuuki-san, I was asked that too! (laughs) I answered, "I appear quite often!" (laughs).
That's right, Otsuka-san . Rikusun plays a very active role. Maomao and Rikusun spend more time together, so there are times when Jinshi gets a little nervous (laughs). I think there will be plenty to see for fans who have read the original work.
◇A relationship of trust like that between the "pounder and the person turning the mochi" in mochi pounding.
--As the story progresses, Jinshi shows us more and more new sides of himself. Will there be any changes in the third season as well?
I feel that Mr. Otsuka's resolve regarding his position has grown stronger over time. However, troublesome events continue to occur one after another, and there are more and more situations where he has to speak out or confront others in his capacity as the Emperor's younger brother. That's why he has come to think more deeply about the inner thoughts of the Jinshi chooses to say, such as "What feelings does he have when he says these words?" or "Is he suppressing his emotions?"
Yuuki-san, important people have to quietly and diligently continue their work, don't they? While Maomao and the others were bustling about noisily, Jinshi, the Emperor's younger brother, continued his paperwork quietly, and from the sidelines I thought, "This must be tough." But thanks to Otsuka-san's acting, the transition to the dignified Jinshi who has taken on responsibility is brilliantly portrayed, and it's wonderful. Through the first and second seasons, Jinshi's growth and seriousness as he fully accepts his responsibilities really stand out. I hope you enjoy the contrast they show when they are alone together, and their well-coordinated interactions.
--You two have been working together for a long time since the first season. What do you keep in mind when acting and interacting with each other, and what inspires you?
By the time we reached the third season with Yuuki-san , there's a great sense of trust built from working together for so long. Even when recording extras and bonus features outside of the main story, our voice timing is perfectly synchronized. When I record my voice first, Otsuka-kun perfectly matches it, and it's becoming like the masterful "pounder and turner" in mochi pounding (laughs). In voice recording, there's a lot of cast turnover, so I think it's important that we, as the core, are stable, and that's something we're able to do thanks to Otsuka-kun, so I trust him completely and leave it to him.
Otsuka- san, no, no, Yuuki-san is putting in the perfect "moments" so that it's easy for me to match her, so all I have to do is "counter" it (laughs). That's really how it feels. At this point, I feel like we've reached a level where our bodies react naturally and we're in sync without having to consciously think about it.
During the first season, Ms. Yuuki and I were tentatively figuring things out, asking each other things like, "How far should we go with the comedy?" and "How much rudeness from Maomao is acceptable to Jinshi?" Now, Maomao is no longer so reserved, and we've gotten to know each other's rhythms. The accumulation of experience we've gained from overcoming tough situations together has been a big factor.
Otsuka-san: The set of "The Apothecary Diaries" is full of veterans and senior actors. As the youngest among the regular cast in terms of experience, I learn a lot and get a lot of inspiration from everyone every time.
--The subtle distance between Maomao and Jinshi, which also conveys a sense of frustration, is another appealing aspect of the story.
Perhaps the fact that Otsuka-san is so frustrating is precisely why we can watch her with a sense of relief (laughs).
It might look like a romance, but I think love isn't limited to romantic love. There's room for love that doesn't fit into any box. Two people with completely different positions, personalities, and areas of expertise are able to build a relationship of trust where they can talk about anything without reservation, even without it taking the form of a romance. I'm acting with the thought that this is one ideal form of communication between people.
Otsuka-san, that's right. I think the depth of trust is the most important thing, more than romance. The relationship where you can rely on each other, thinking "What will he do?" and "He'll be fine," is based on a deep understanding of each other's character, and the occasionalドキッ (heart-pounding) moment that's interspersed throughout is what makes it unique.
Even after all that, Yuuki's relationship with Jinshi doesn't progress, does it? Maomao's exasperated "good grief" at Jinshi is something she would never admit, but to me, it's the epitome of deep affection. Please watch over their exquisite relationship as she stays by his side while exasperated by his "too serious" attitude. Aside from their relationship, my personal favorite part is Maomao going to a new city, enjoying the delicious food, and being moved by the scenery she's never seen before. She's technically there for work, but she's thoroughly enjoying the trip. She's the kind of girl who can have fun even when she's kidnapped, so please look forward to seeing the adorable Maomao excitedly exploring a new culture with boundless curiosity!
Because Otsuka-san's Maomao can do everything on her own, she goes to all sorts of places and tries to do dangerous things, which makes Jinshi very anxious and worried. There are the usual slapstick gags, but there are also plenty of serious developments. In the third season, Jinshi shows significant mental growth, including the fact that he "had no choice but to grow up" due to his position. His resolve and transformation are also major highlights, so please look forward to it.
"The Apothecary Diaries" is a light novel series published by Hero Bunko (Imagica Infos), and its manga adaptation has also gained popularity. The story is set in the opulent imperial harem of a certain continent, where a young poison taster named Maomao becomes involved in incidents occurring in the harem, which is rife with intrigue and rumors, alongside the handsome harem administrator, Jinshi . The first season of the TV anime aired from October 2023 to March 2024, and the second season aired from January to July 2025. The third season of the TV anime will be split into two cours, with the second cour airing from April 2027. The theatrical anime film "The Apothecary The Apothecary Diaries: The Movie - The Treasure of the Dead Empress," with story concept by the original author Natsu Hyuga , will be released on December 11th. (Manami Anima/MANTANWEB)
