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The Apothecary Diaries Watch Order
The Apothecary Diaries is an almost entirely linear watch: start with Season 1 (2023-2024, 24 episodes), then continue straight into Season 2 (2025, 24 episodes). The story so far has been one continuous mystery, so release order and story order are the same. Looking ahead, the franchise is expanding: a confirmed Season 3 arrives in two cours (October 2026 and April 2027), and an original theatrical film with a brand-new story lands in December 2026.
The Apothecary Diaries Watch Order โ complete list
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Why this order?
The good news about The Apothecary Diaries is that the core viewing order requires almost no detective work of its own. The two seasons that have aired so far tell a single continuous story, so you watch Season 1, then Season 2, and the "watch" order is simply release order. For everything currently out, release order and story order are identical.
Season 1 is the foundation. It ran across two consecutive cours from late 2023 into early 2024 for a total of 24 episodes, introducing Maomao, a sharp-witted apothecary girl sold into service at the imperial rear palace, who quietly solves poisonings, medical mysteries, and court intrigue while sparring with the enigmatic eunuch official Jinshi. The episodic cases gradually build a larger plot, so watching in sequence matters more than the standalone mysteries first suggest.
Season 2 arrived in 2025 and also ran 24 episodes across two cours (January and April 2025), continuing directly from where Season 1 ended and deepening the palace politics and relationships. There is no recap film or alternate cut you need before it; jumping in without Season 1 spoils character reveals and leaves the court factions confusing.
Where the order does get more interesting is what comes next. In October 2025, the franchise announced both a Season 3 and an original theatrical film. Season 3 is split into two cours, premiering in October 2026 and April 2027, and will follow Season 2 in continuity. The film, opening December 2026, is different: it is an original story written by light novel author Natsu Hyuuga, not an adaptation of an existing arc, so it sits alongside the series rather than gating it.
One small gotcha: each season's two cours are sometimes labeled "Part 1" and "Part 2," but each is one continuous 24-episode season, not separate entries. Press play on Season 1, keep going, and slot the upcoming film and Season 3 in when they release.
Timeline 2023โ2026
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I watch The Apothecary Diaries in?
Watch Season 1 first (2023-2024, 24 episodes), then Season 2 (2025, 24 episodes). The aired story is linear, so release order and story order are the same. After that, a confirmed Season 3 arrives in October 2026 (with a second cour in April 2027), plus an original theatrical film in December 2026.
How many seasons and episodes are there?
Two seasons have aired so far. Season 1 has 24 episodes (two cours, 2023 into 2024) and Season 2 has 24 episodes (two cours, January and April 2025). A third season is officially announced for 2026-2027, and an original film is confirmed for December 2026, so the franchise is no longer a two-season-only property.
Is The Apothecary Diaries Season 1 split into two parts?
It aired in two consecutive cours that are sometimes labeled Part 1 and Part 2, but it is one continuous 24-episode season, not two separate entries. Season 2 was structured the same way.
Is there a Season 3 or a movie?
Yes. Both were officially announced in October 2025. Season 3 airs in two cours, premiering October 2026 and April 2027. A separate original theatrical film, with a brand-new story by light novel author Natsu Hyuuga, opens in December 2026. As of mid-2026 neither has released yet.
Do I need to read the light novels first?
No. The anime adapts the light novels faithfully and stands on its own. The novels are a great companion if you want to read ahead, but they are not required.
Can I start with Season 2?
It is not recommended. Season 2 continues the palace intrigue and relationships from Season 1, so starting there would spoil reveals and leave the court factions confusing.
Where can I stream The Apothecary Diaries?
It streams on Crunchyroll, and is available on Netflix in select regions. Availability varies by country, so check your local catalog.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, animenewsnetwork.com, Wikidata
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