On the 22nd of every month, The Apothecary Diaries anime team shared a special seasonal illustration inspired by flowers and plants. The date is known as “Cat Day” in Japan due to wordplay based on the sound cats make. Today, June 22, 2026, marks the end of that two-year tradition. To celebrate the occasion, The Apothecary Diaries’ official website shared its final seasonal illustration.
The new illustration features Maomao and Jinshi surrounded by white clover flowers. In Japan, white clover is often associated with good luck, happiness, and new beginnings. This makes it a perfect symbol for a franchise entering an exciting new chapter.
The Meaning Behind The Apothecary Diaries’ New Visual
The tradition of sharing monthly artwork was never just for fun. Over the last two years, the monthly artwork series has served as a special connection between The Apothecary Diaries team and its fans. It helped keep the anime at the centre of attraction, even when no new episodes were airing. Each month, a new illustration was released on the 22nd, featuring a different seasonal plant or flower.
The artwork reflected the herbal and botanical themes that play an important role in Maomao’s story. Choosing white clover for the final artwork feels appropriate. The flower’s quiet resilience and humble nature mirror many of the traits that have made Maomao such a beloved character.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Is Set for October 2026
As the monthly visual campaign comes to a close, The Apothecary Diaries is preparing for its biggest chapter yet. The series has confirmed Season 3 and an original anime movie. Season 3 will air in two parts, with the first arriving in October 2026 and the second following in spring 2027.
The story expands beyond the imperial palace and into the city, where new challenges await. As signs of a national crisis emerge, a mysterious woman claiming to be an oracle draws public attention, while Jinshi takes on new responsibilities as an imperial prince. At the center of all this is Maomao, who is facing the greatest challenges of her journey so far.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 will once again be directed by Akinori Fudesaka, who previously led Season 2, ensuring continuity for the anime adaptation. The upcoming anime is produced by OLM and TOHO Animation, and Crunchyroll is streaming the series worldwide outside Asia, the Middle East, the CIS regions, and South Asia.
The Apothecary Diaries Creator Is Working on the New Anime Film
One of the biggest announcements alongside the final seasonal visual is the upcoming The Apothecary Diaries film, set to release in December 2026. The movie will tell a brand-new story written by Natsu Hyuuga, the creator of the original light novel series, rather than adapting material from the books.
The film will be directed by Norihiro Naganuma, who previously directed The Apothecary Diaries Season 1 and served as chief director and series composer for Season 2. With Natsu Hyuuga writing the story and Naganuma leading the film, the project is in the hands of the creative team that helped make the series a success.
Voice actress Aoi Yuki, who plays Maomao, teased her excitement at a live event, saying: “It’s going to be something amazing… It’s the kind of story that really deserves a theatrical experience. It’ll be incredibly fun to watch on a large screen, while still delivering exactly what fans want from The Apothecary Diaries” — as reported by VVIPTimes
The Apothecary Diaries Continues to Grow in Popularity
Since premiering in fall 2023, The Apothecary Diaries anime has become one of the most popular series in recent years. Produced by OLM and TOHO Animation, the show has released two 24-episode seasons so far. The franchise’s success extends beyond the anime, with the light novels surpassing 45 million copies in circulation and the manga selling over 38 million copies as of September 2024.
What started as a mystery set in an imperial court has grown into one of anime’s most acclaimed series. The Apothecary Diaries is known for its storytelling, strong characters, and mix of mystery, politics, and emotion.
As the final white clover illustration brings the monthly artwork series to a close, it also marks the beginning of a new chapter for The Apothecary Diaries. With Season 3 and an original anime film on the way, the franchise is entering one of its most exciting periods yet.
