Prime Video Japan and TOHO have officially announced a live-action drama series adaptation of Natsu Hyuga’s best-selling light novel The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto), with acclaimed actress Mana Ashida starring as the sharp-witted court poison-taster Maomao.
The upcoming series is scheduled to premiere exclusively worldwide on Prime Video in 2028.
Co-produced by Amazon MGM Studios and TOHO, the live-action project is directed by Yuki Saito, featuring screenplays written by Erika Yoshida (Bocchi the Rock!). Principal photography has already wrapped following an intensive six-month shoot on a custom-built imperial harem set created specifically for the production.
While Mana Ashida (Pacific Rim, Mother) takes the lead as Maomao, producers confirmed that the actor portraying the handsome palace administrator Jinshi has been cast, though the identity remains unrevealed.
Mana Ashida described the project as a labor of love, revealing that as a fan of the original work, she poured her heart and soul into portraying Maomao alongside a production team dedicated to capturing every detail.
Series creator Natsu Hyuga praised the production setup and expressed high confidence in Ashida’s performance, remarking, “That’s Maomao!” upon meeting the lead actress.
The Apothecary Diaries originally began as a web novel in 2011 before expanding into a massive franchise with over 57 million copies in cumulative circulation across its light novel and manga releases. The milestone live-action announcement arrives as the franchise’s popular TV anime adaptation prepares to broadcast its third season in October 2026.