The Apothecary Diaries: Season 1
2023 · 60 episodes · ★ 7.7
What Season 1 of The Apothecary Diaries
Maomao grows up in the capital's pleasure quarter, where she learns medicine from the people around her. After being kidnapped, she ends up sold as a low-ranking laundry maid in the Imperial Palace. Her plan is to quietly fulfill the two-year contract and leave. Soon she learns of a mysterious illness affecting the emperor's young children. Maomao suspects the toxic face powder used by the concubines, and in a place where speaking up can be costly, she has to decide how much to keep quiet. Jinshi notices her because she isn't swayed by his charms, and the concubine Hongniang is one of the figures surrounding her in the palace.
Season 1 Episodes
1x01 Maomao
After 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.
Directing: Akinori Fudesaka · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Sayaka Kinoshita, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka
1x02 Chilly Apothecary
Maomao 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.
Directing: Kentarou Fujita · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x03 The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit
Tasked 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.
Directing: Kyohei Yamamoto · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x04 The Threat
Under 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.
Directed by: China · Written by: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Rie Hikisaka, Takaaki Torashima, Sumi Shimamoto, Takako Tanaka
1x05 Covert Operations
A 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.
Directing: Gaku Shiga · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takaaki Torashima, Takako Tanaka
1x06 The Garden Party
Maomao 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.
Directing: Wataru Nakagawa · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x07 Homecoming
Gaoshun 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.
Directing: Tadao Okubo · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Sumi Shimamoto, Takako Tanaka
1x08 Wheat Stalks
Maomao's peaceful morning at home is interrupted when she's called in to investigate an apparent double suicide at one of the local brothels.
Directing: Kentarou Fujita · Writing: Yuniko Ayana · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x09 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.
Directed by: Akira Koremoto · Written by: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Hiroki Goto, Genta Nakamura, Satoru Ito, Ryuho Nagaoka
1x10 Honey
A 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.
Directing: Erkin Kawabata · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Rie Hikisaka, Misa Ishii, Umeka Shouji, Mikoto Nakai
1x11 Reducing Two to One
Maomao confronts Fengming about the dark secret she's been hiding from her noble Lady Ah-Duo.
Directing: Yukihiko Asaki · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Satoru Ito, Umeka Shouji, Mikoto Nakai, Saima Nakano
1x12 The Eunuch and the Courtesan
Discovering 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.
Directing: Mitsuyo Yokono · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Sumi Shimamoto, Tatsumaru Tachibana, Yuu Wakabayashi, Misaki Kuno
1x13 Serving in the Outer Court
To 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.
Directing: Wataru Nakagawa · Writing: Yuniko Ayana · Starring: Sumi Shimamoto, Daichi Endo, Takuya Kirimoto, Mika Doi
1x14 The New Pure Consort
Ah-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.
Directing: Jun Owada, Akira Shimizu · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Umeka Shouji, Takuya Kirimoto, Mika Doi
1x15 Raw Fish
Gaoshun 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.
Directing: Kentarou Fujita · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Takuya Kirimoto, Mika Doi, Masato Niwa
1x16 Lead
A 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.
Directing: So Toyama · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Takuya Kirimoto, Mika Doi, Hiroshi Yanaka
1x17 A Jaunt Around Town
Covering 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.
Directed by: Club Kadomatsu · Written by: Yuniko Ayana · Starring: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Takuya Kirimoto, Mika Doi, Takaaki Uchino
1x18 Lakan
Back 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.
Directing: Mayu Tanimoto, Jun Owada · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Takuya Kirimoto, Mika Doi, Kaori Nazuka, Hiroshi Yanaka
1x19 Chance or Something More
A 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.
Directing: Wataru Nakagawa · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Takuya Kirimoto, Kenji Akabane, Hiroshi Yanaka, Shinya Takahashi
1x20 Thornapple
Maomao 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.
Directed by: Akira Koremoto · Written by: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x21 How to Buy Out a Contract
Back 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.
Directing: Yuushi Ibe · Writing: Yuniko Ayana · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Takuya Kirimoto, Koki Uchiyama, Kenji Akabane
1x22 Blue Roses
Lakan challenges Jinshi to produce blue roses to present at the upcoming garden party, forcing Jinshi to turn once again to Maomao for her help.
Directing: Erkin Kawabata · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x23 Balsam and Woodsorrel
No 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.
Directed by: Jun Owada · Written by: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Takuya Kirimoto, Hiroshi Yanaka, Megumi Han, Kimiko Saito
1x24 Jinshi and Maomao Season Finale
Lakan 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?
Directing: Wataru Nakagawa · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Sumi Shimamoto, Takako Tanaka
1x25 Maomao and Maomao
The 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.
Directing: Jun Owada · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Sumi Shimamoto, Takako Tanaka
1x26 Caravan
The caravan stirs up excitement in the inner palace. The merchants bring all kinds of goods. However, something gives Maomao a bad feeling.
Directing: Akira Koremoto, Mayu Tanimoto · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Sayaka Kinoshita, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka
1x27 Corpse Fungus
A concubine passes away, and a woman goes missing. Jinshi sends Maomao to investigate - not these incidents, but mushrooms growing in the rear palace.
Directing: Wataru Nakagawa · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Mitsuaki Kanuka, Atsumi Tanezaki
1x28 Mirror
The special envoy from a foreign land gifts mirrors - a rarity in this country - to the high concubines. However, they bring mysteries as well.
Directing: Tsuyoshi Nakano · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Kimiko Saito
1x29 The Moon Fairy
In order to realize the seemingly impossible request from the foreign envoy, Maomao speaks to the “Moon Fairy” herself.
Directing: Shintaro Itoga · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Misa Ishii, Misaki Kuno
1x30 The Crystal Pavilion, for the Third Time
The woman from the clinic finds out that Maomao knows a thing or two about medicine, and asks for her help.
Directing: Yukihiko Asaki · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Sayaka Kinoshita, Rie Hikisaka, Misa Ishii, Daichi Endo
1x31 The Shrine of Choosing
Maomao directs her curiosity towards an old, oddly-shaped building.
Directing: Wazuka Komamiya · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Daichi Endo, Misaki Kuno, Megumi Han, Sayuri Sadaoka
1x32 The Empress Dowager
Maomao'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.
Directed by: Jun Owada · Written by: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x33 The Late Emperor
Maomao's investigation of the "curse" reveals more about the late emperor than anticipated.
Directed by: Akira Koremoto · Written by: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Mika Doi, Mamiko Noto, Megumi Han, Kaho Kohda
1x34 A Ghost Story
Maomao joins some women exchanging scary stories on a hot summer night to provide chills.
Directing: Oh Jin-koo · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Misa Ishii, Atsumi Tanezaki
1x35 The Hunt
Jinshi goes on a hunting trip, and brings Maomao along. He seems ready to share his secret with her.
Directing: Shintaro Itoga · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Rie Hikisaka, Tatsumaru Tachibana, Mika Doi, Kenji Akabane
1x36 Ka Zuigetsu
Maomao discovers Jinshi's secret. She wants nothing to do with whatever the politics behind it is.
Directing: Masahiro Matsunaga · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Sumi Shimamoto, Tatsumaru Tachibana, Kenji Akabane, Tsuguo Mogami
1x37 The Baths
Xiaolan's term of service is almost up, so she must find a new job. Maomao and Shisui decide to help.
Directed by: Mayu Tanimoto · Written by: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Umeka Shouji, Hina Kino, Misaki Kuno
1x38 The Dancing Ghost
Concubine Lishu reports sightings of a ghost in the baths in her pavilion. Maomao goes to investigate.
Directing: Jun Owada, Kaho Asai · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Umeka Shouji, Hina Kino, Misaki Kuno
1x39 Ice
Xiaolan accidentally ruins an expensive block of ice. Maomao comes up with a delicious backup plan.
Directing: Misu Yamaneko · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x40 Festering Resentment
Luomen returns to the rear palace. His observations trigger Maomao's curiosity.
Directing: Tsuyoshi Nakano · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Rie Hikisaka, Sumi Shimamoto, Takako Tanaka, Tatsumaru Tachibana
1x41 The Fox Village
Suirei smuggles Maomao and Shisui out of the rear palace. Jinshi begins to search for Maomao.
Directing: Shintaro Itoga · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Satoru Ito, Takako Tanaka
1x42 Lantern Plant
Maomao has been missing for ten days now. Jinshi's investigations lead him to a forgotten graveyard.
Directing: Erkin Kawabata · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Satoru Ito, Takako Tanaka
1x43 Festival
The village holds a festival. Maomao attends, and Shisui introduces some of the village's history to her.
Directed by: Mayu Tanimoto · Written by: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Kaori Nazuka, Asami Seto, Lynn, Natsumi Fujiwara
1x44 The Stronghold
Maomao is taken to a mountain stronghold, where many of the secrets of the Shi clan are revealed to her.
Directing: Akira Koremoto, Yuu Kinome · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Takuya Kirimoto, Kaori Nazuka, Hiroshi Yanaka
1x45 Taibon
Maomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.
Directing: Takanori Yano · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Kaori Nazuka, Natsumi Fujiwara, Rica Fukami, Asami Seto
1x46 Royal Guard
The royal guard, led by Jinshi, arrives, sealing the Shi clan's fate. Maomao wants to save her friend, Shisui.
Directed by: Masahiro Matsunaga · Written by: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Sumi Shimamoto, Tatsumaru Tachibana, Takuya Kirimoto, Kaori Nazuka
1x47 The Shi Clan
Jinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.
Directing: Akinori Fudesaka, Wataru Nakagawa · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Takaaki Torashima, Kaori Nazuka, Cho
1x48 The Beginning Season Finale
After the war, Jinshi's work piles up and Maomao returns to the pleasure district.
Directed by: Jun Owada, Kaho Asai · Written by: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Rie Hikisaka, Takako Tanaka, Misa Ishii
1x49 Locusts
A locust plague is looming, and mysteriously, a book on insects belonging to the Shi clan appears.
Directing: Jun Owada · Writing: Yuko Kakihara · Starring: Satoru Ito, Sumi Shimamoto, Daichi Endo, Tatsumaru Tachibana
1x50 The Fire-Rat Cloak
An interesting cloak points Maomao's imagination towards international politics.
Directing: Yuu Kinome · Writing: Misuzu Chiba · Starring: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Hiroshi Yanaka, Ami Koshimizu, Kimiko Saito
1x51 Let Them Eat Cake
Maomao treats a sick girl, but food poisoning and malnutrition are not the true problems that need solving.
Directing: Wataru Nakagawa · Writing: Hitomi Ogawa · Starring: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Kaori Nazuka, Yuhko Kaida, Ami Koshimizu
1x52 The Last Volume
Trying to track down the missing final book, Maomao visits Suirei, who is now living with Ah-Duo.
Directing: Shigeru Yamazaki · Writing: Yuko Kakihara
- 1x53
1x53 The White-Snake Immortal Coming soon
- 1x54
1x54 Episode 54 Coming soon
- 1x55
1x55 Episode 55 Coming soon
- 1x56
1x56 Episode 56 Coming soon
- 1x57
1x57 Episode 57 Coming soon
- 1x58
1x58 Episode 58 Coming soon
- 1x59
1x59 Episode 59 Coming soon
- 1x60
1x60 Episode 60 Mid-Season Finale
Season 1 Cast
Katsuyuki KonishiGaoshun (voice)60 episodes
Rie HikisakaLishu's Lady-in-Waiting (voice)28 episodes
Takako TanakaBoy (voice)25 episodes
Misa IshiiAilan (voice)21 episodes
Tatsumaru TachibanaBasen (voice)17 episodes
Mitsuaki KanukaGuen / Quack Doctor (voice)17 episodes
Asami SetoLoulan (voice)17 episodes
Takuya KirimotoLakan (voice)16 episodes
Kimiko SaitoOld Madam (voice)16 episodes
Kaori NazukaSuirei (voice)12 episodes
Kenji AkabaneLihaku (voice)11 episodes
Mika DoiSuiren (voice)10 episodes
Daichi EndoEmperor (voice)9 episodes
Takaaki TorashimaSubordinate Official (voice)9 episodes
Hina KinoLishu (voice)9 episodesWhere to Watch Season 1 of The Apothecary Diaries
Subscription
More info and links
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Season 1 of The Apothecary Diaries have?
Season 1 of The Apothecary Diaries has 60 episodes.
When Did Season 1 of The Apothecary Diaries Premiere?
Aired October 22, 2023.
Where to Watch The Apothecary Diaries Season 1?
Available with a subscription on Crunchyroll and Crunchyroll Amazon Channel (availability may vary by country).
What is the best episode of Season 1?
According to the audience rating on TMDB, episode 1x33, «The Late Emperor», with a 8.5.