The second season of the popular anime series, The Apothecary Diaries, has introduced three new members to its voice cast, signaling an expansion of the intricate world and deepening the mysteries within the Imperial Palace. As Maomao continues her work as an apothecary and unravels the secrets of the court, these new characters are poised to bring fresh dynamics and challenges to her path.
New Faces in the Jade Palace: Hakū, Kokū, and Sekiu Join the Cast
The latest additions to the cast will play the roles of new maids serving in the Jade Palace. These characters made their debut in the 34th episode of the season, adding new layers to the story.
- Satomi Satō as Hakū: Satō is known for roles in Fairy Tail and Guilty Crown.
- Hitomi Ueda as Kokū: Ueda has voiced characters in * takt op.Destiny* and World’s End Harem.
- Miku Itō as Sekiu: Itō’s previous work includes roles in BanG Dream! and The Quintessential Quintuplets.
Ayla and Aylin: Double the Trouble?
Earlier in the season, The Apothecary Diaries also welcomed two more voice actresses to the cast: Yumi Hara (known for her role as Albedo in Overlord) as Aylin and Lynn (Princess Hibana in Fire Force) as Ayla. These characters are foreign envoys who bear a striking resemblance to each other, which could lead to confusion and intrigue within the palace.
Returning Cast and Crew Maintain Continuity
While new characters are always exciting, continuity is key. The original cast from Season 1 is reprising their roles in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2. This includes:
- Aoi Yūki as Maomao
- Takeo Ōtsuka as Jinshi
- Katsuyuki Konishi as Gaoshun
Many supporting cast members are also returning to maintain consistency in character portrayals.
The production is in the hands of:
- Chief Director & Series Screenwriter: Norihiro Naganuma (from Season 1)
- Director: Akinori Fudesaka (Season 1 assistant director)
- Character Designer: Yukiko Nakatani
- Music Composers: Satoru Kosaki, Kevin Penkin, and Alisa Okehazama
What to Expect from The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
The second season is set to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Imperial Palace, with Maomao continuing to use her sharp wit and extensive knowledge of medicine to solve complex cases. New promotional material suggests a focus on Jinshi’s origins and his path to becoming a eunuch. As Maomao and Jinshi navigate court intrigues and conspiracies, their bond deepens, hinting at romantic feelings from Jinshi’s side.
The Apothecary Diaries is based on the light novel series written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino. The novels originated online before being published by Shufunotomo under their Hero Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation by Itsuki Nanao and Nekokurage is also available.
Where to Watch
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 premiered on January 10, 2025, and airs on Nippon TV’s FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT programming block. International fans can stream the series on Crunchyroll, with new episodes released every Friday. Dubbed episodes are typically available two weeks after the original Japanese air date.
Episode Release Schedule
New episodes of The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 are released according to the following schedule:
- Episode 1: January 10, 2025
- Episode 2: January 17, 2025
- Episode 3: January 24, 2025
- Episode 4: January 31, 2025
- Episode 5: February 7, 2025
- Episode 6: February 14, 2025
- Episode 7: February 21, 2025
- Episode 8: February 28, 2025
- Episode 9: March 7, 2025
- Episode 10: March 14, 2025
- Episode 11: March 21, 2025
- Episode 12: March 28, 2025
The season is expected to run for 24 episodes, airing back-to-back.
About The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a young woman with a background in herbal medicine, who is kidnapped and sold into servitude in the Imperial Palace. Her knowledge and skills catch the eye of Jinshi, a handsome and influential eunuch, leading her to become a lady-in-waiting and solve medical mysteries within the court. The series blends mystery, drama, and romance within a historical setting inspired by Imperial China.
