Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she's sold as a lowly servant to the emperor's palace. But she wasn't meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she's making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!
Cast: Aoi Yuuki, Takeo Otsuka, Katsuyuki Konishi
TV-14HDCC
Season 1
48 episodes
1. MaomaoAfter being kidnapped and forced to work as a servant in the rear palace, former apothecary Maomao inadvertently draws the attention of the higher ranks when she investigates what's causing the emperor's infant heirs to fall mysteriously ill.TV-14CC23minOct 22, 2023
2. Chilly ApothecaryMaomao tries to settle into her promotion to lady-in-waiting and food taster, but struggles to fend off both boredom and the overly-familiar Jinshi. That is, until she gets an assignment of her dreams: to concoct an aphrodisiac.TV-14CC23minOct 22, 2023
3. The Unsettling Matter of the SpiritTasked with investigating a ghostly woman dancing nightly on the palace walls, Maomao finds a sleepwalking Concubine Fuyou. But with no medicinal cure for sleepwalking, she's forced to dig deeper to find the real reason behind Fuyou's affliction.TV-14CC23minOct 22, 2023
4. The ThreatUnder direct orders from the emperor himself, Maomao tries to care for an ailing Concubine Lihua, but finds her work impeded by Lihua's own ladies-in-waiting.TV-14CC23minOct 29, 2023
5. Covert OperationsA eunuch stricken by a curse comes begging for aid. Meanwhile, the rear palace buzzes with excitement as everyone prepares for the upcoming garden party, and Gyokuyou's ladies-in-waiting aren't about to let Maomao get away without dressing her up.TV-14CC23minNov 5, 2023
6. The Garden PartyMaomao does her best to navigate the complex social situations at the garden party, including meeting the other Upper First rank concubines. But once she settles down to do her work as a food-taster, she discovers a surprise in a bowl of soup.TV-14CC23minNov 12, 2023
7. HomecomingGaoshun goes to Maomao to get her help in resolving the events of the garden party. Later, Xiaolan explains the purpose of the hairpins Maomao was gifted, and Maomao makes a deal with Lihaku in order to finally visit home.TV-14CC23minNov 19, 2023
8. Wheat StalksMaomao's peaceful morning at home is interrupted when she's called in to investigate an apparent double suicide at one of the local brothels.TV-14CC23minNov 26, 2023
9. Suicide or Murder?An older acquaintance of Jinshi's dies while drinking at a party. A servant's body turns up in a moat. Both deaths are written off as self-inflicted, but Maomao's keen observations tell her that there's more to both stories.TV-14CC23minDec 3, 2023
10. HoneyA tea party hosted by Lady Gyokuyou puts the politics of the rear palace at the forefront, and Maomao learns something new about Lady Lishu. His true intentions unclear, Jinshi sends Maomao to work for Lady Ah-Duo.TV-14CC23minDec 10, 2023
11. Reducing Two to OneMaomao confronts Fengming about the dark secret she's been hiding from her noble Lady Ah-Duo.TV-14CC23minDec 17, 2023
12. The Eunuch and the CourtesanDiscovering that Maomao's kidnappers were connected to Fengming's family, Jinshi is faced with a choice between keeping Maomao in the rear palace where he can be near her or releasing her from her service.TV-14CC23minDec 24, 2023
13. Serving in the Outer CourtTo Maomao's surprise, Jinshi brings her directly to his house instead of taking her back to the rear palace, and tells her she's to work in the outer court. Not only is there much to learn, it seems there's many eyes on her as the new hire.TV-14CC23minJan 7, 2024
14. The New Pure ConsortAh-Duo's replacement has arrived in the rear palace, and Maomao is assigned to give a certain lecture to all four high concubines. Later, Maomao helps Lihaku investigate a warehouse explosion.TV-14CC23minJan 14, 2024
15. Raw FishGaoshun requests Maomao's help in solving an apparent poisoning case. Meanwhile, Jinshi deals with an unwelcome visitor who's taken to lingering in his office.TV-14CC23minJan 21, 2024
16. LeadA shack, a chest of drawers, and a fishbowl are all that a talented metalworker leaves to his three sons upon his death. Maomao is assigned to investigate how these strange inheritances all fit together.TV-14CC23minJan 28, 2024
17. A Jaunt Around TownCovering up Jinshi's otherworldly beauty is no easy task, but after Maomao takes the challenge head-on, she's surprised when she's also asked to don the disguise of a noblewoman and escort "Jinka" outside the palace.TV-14CC23minFeb 4, 2024
18. LakanBack at home, Maomao visits an annex building at the Verdigris House that hides one of the brothel's secrets. Lakan continues to antagonize Jinshi as his connection to Maomao becomes clear.TV-14CC23minFeb 11, 2024
19. Chance or Something MoreA discussion with Lihaku about recent events leads Maomao to realize that the mysteries she's helped to solve are connected. As the final piece of the puzzle falls into place, she rushes to stop impending disaster.TV-14CC23minFeb 18, 2024
20. ThornappleMaomao was able to stop the assassination attempt, but was heavily injured in the process. However, the injuries aren't enough to stop her curiosity, driving her to confront the culprit behind the incident.TV-14CC23minFeb 25, 2024
21. How to Buy Out a ContractBack to work at the rear palace, Maomao listens to Guen talk about his family's business. Meanwhile, Lihaku hears a rumor that whips him into action.TV-14CC23minMar 3, 2024
22. Blue RosesLakan challenges Jinshi to produce blue roses to present at the upcoming garden party, forcing Jinshi to turn once again to Maomao for her help.TV-14CC23minMar 10, 2024
23. Balsam and WoodsorrelNo longer willing to keep running away from Lakan, Maomao decides to face off against him. She challenges him on his own turf, in a chess match.TV-14CC23minMar 17, 2024
24. Jinshi and MaomaoLakan must now choose a courtesan to buy out. As a high-ranking military official, he can afford to freely choose, even from one of the Three Princesses. Who will he choose? Who does Maomao really want him to choose?TV-14CC23minMar 24, 2024
25. Maomao and MaomaoThe spring garden party concludes without incident. Maomao returns to her regular life as Concubine Gyokuyou’s taster. Meanwhile, novels become popular in the rear palace. Maomao wonders how this came to be, as novels were typically considered low-class. But behind the scenes lies Jinshi and his goals as manager of the rear palace.TV-14CC24minJan 10, 2025
26. CaravanThe caravan stirs up excitement in the inner palace. The merchants bring all kinds of goods. However, something gives Maomao a bad feeling.TV-14CC24minJan 17, 2025
27. Corpse FungusA concubine passes away, and a woman goes missing. Jinshi sends Maomao to investigate - not these incidents, but mushrooms growing in the rear palace.TV-14CC24minJan 24, 2025
28. MirrorThe special envoy from a foreign land gifts mirrors - a rarity in this country - to the high concubines. However, they bring mysteries as well.TV-14CC24minJan 31, 2025
29. The Moon FairyIn order to realize the seemingly impossible request from the foreign envoy, Maomao speaks to the “Moon Fairy” herself.TV-14CC24minFeb 7, 2025
30. The Crystal Pavilion, for the Third TimeThe woman from the clinic finds out that Maomao knows a thing or two about medicine, and asks for her help.TV-14CC24minFeb 14, 2025
31. The Shrine of ChoosingMaomao directs her curiosity towards an old, oddly-shaped building.TV-14CC24minFeb 21, 2025
32. The Empress DowagerMaomao's reputation for resolving conflicts reaches the empress dowager, who will ask for her help to unravel a mystery that won't leave her mind.TV-14CC24minFeb 28, 2025
33. The Late EmperorMaomao's investigation of the "curse" reveals more about the late emperor than anticipated.TV-14CC24minMar 7, 2025
34. A Ghost StoryMaomao joins some women exchanging scary stories on a hot summer night to provide chills.TV-14CC24minMar 14, 2025
35. The HuntJinshi goes on a hunting trip, and brings Maomao along. He seems ready to share his secret with her.TV-14CC24minMar 21, 2025
36. Ka ZuigetsuMaomao discovers Jinshi's secret. She wants nothing to do with whatever the politics behind it is.TV-14CC24minMar 28, 2025
37. The BathsXiaolan's term of service is almost up, so she must find a new job. Maomao and Shisui decide to help.TV-14CC24minApr 4, 2025
38. The Dancing GhostConcubine Lishu reports sightings of a ghost in the baths in her pavilion. Maomao goes to investigate.TV-14CC24minApr 11, 2025
39. IceXiaolan accidentally ruins an expensive block of ice. Maomao comes up with a delicious backup plan.TV-14CC24minApr 18, 2025
40. Festering ResentmentLuomen returns to the rear palace. His observations trigger Maomao's curiosity.TV-14CC24minApr 25, 2025
41. The Fox VillageSuirei smuggles Maomao and Shisui out of the rear palace. Jinshi begins to search for Maomao.TV-14CC24minMay 2, 2025
42. Lantern PlantMaomao has been missing for ten days now. Jinshi's investigations lead him to a forgotten graveyard.TV-14CC24minMay 9, 2025
43. FestivalThe village holds a festival. Maomao attends, and Shisui introduces some of the village's history to her.TV-14CC24minMay 23, 2025
44. The StrongholdMaomao is taken to a mountain stronghold, where many of the secrets of the Shi clan are revealed to her.TV-14CC24minMay 30, 2025
45. TaibonMaomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.TV-14CC24minJun 6, 2025
46. Royal GuardThe royal guard, led by Jinshi, arrives, sealing the Shi clan's fate. Maomao wants to save her friend, Shisui.TV-14CC24minJun 13, 2025
47. The Shi ClanJinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.TV-14CC24minJun 27, 2025
48. The BeginningAfter the war, Jinshi's work piles up and Maomao returns to the pleasure district.TV-14CC24minJul 4, 2025
Viewers also watched
The Apothecary Diaries
★ 8.6/1020231 season48 episodesReturning Series
Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she's sold as a lowly servant to the emperor's palace. But she wasn't meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she's making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Yuito Hirahara, Takahiro Sato, Nobumasa Sawabe, Ryuji Abe
- Studio
- OLM, TOHO animation STUDIO, TOHO
