The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady's Treasure Film Drops New Video Revealing Kajadan Pirates Cast

The world of The Apothecary Diaries just got a major upgrade. On Tuesday, TOHO Animation released a brand‑new character trailer for the upcoming anime film The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady's Treasure (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bо̄hi no Hihо̄), and the teaser is already sending shockwaves through the fanbase. The trailer spotlights the infamous Kajadan river pirates and, for the first time, reveals the voice actors behind the group’s leaders. With the film slated to hit Japanese theaters on December 11, this announcement feels like a countdown to a cinematic event that’s already on everyone’s radar.

What We Know

• TOHO Animation streamed the new character trailer on its official channel on Tuesday.
• The trailer focuses on the Kajadan river pirates and introduces the cast for the group’s leaders.
• Kenshō Ono voices Suija, the current head of the Kajadan who is on a quest to find his late father Kaja’s hidden treasure.
• Ryōta Takeuchi voices Eishō, Suija’s loyal subordinate.
• Jirō Saitō voices Kaja, the former leader who died a year ago and left behind a hidden treasure.
• A visual for Seisei, Suija’s older sister and Kaja’s daughter, was also shown, though her voice actor has not yet been announced.
• The film’s website hinted at an upcoming character video for Ruo Qing and Yi Shan (romanizations not confirmed) to be released tomorrow.
• The story follows Maomao and Jinshi as they travel to the hometown of a concubine who died five years ago in the imperial harem, where they encounter pirates, hidden treasures, the secret of the Empress' remains, and a mysterious boy who holds the key to the story.
• The film will open in Japan on December 11 and features a brand‑new story by the original novel series’ author Hyuganatsu.
• Mariya Ise joins the cast as the key character Mu Qing (Bi clan son). Nobuo Tobita plays Birō (Bi clan head), Kumiko Watanabe plays Shūu (Birō’s wife), and Hirofumi Nojima plays Bisen (Bi clan’s eldest son). All name romanizations are not confirmed.
• Crunchyroll has acquired the North American and worldwide rights (excluding Asia but including India) to the film. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will announce the release date at a later time.
• The third television anime season premiered on October 2 in the “Friday Anime Night” block on NTV and 29 affiliated channels, airing for a first cours. The second cours will premiere in April 2027.
• The first season premiered in October 2023 with the first three episodes and aired for two cours. The second season premiered in January 2025 on Nippon TV’s FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT block and aired for two consecutive cours.
• Crunchyroll streamed both seasons as they aired in Japan and also streamed English dubs.
• J‑Novel Club publishes the novel series digitally, and the manga adaptation is published by Nekokurage in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine. Square Enix Manga & Books is releasing the manga adaptation in English.
• Viz Media is releasing Minoji Kurata’s separate manga adaptation titled The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace.

Why Fans Are Excited

The announcement hits several high‑impact notes that resonate with the community:

1. Voice Cast Reveal – Fans have been clamoring for the voice actors behind the mysterious Kajadan pirates. Seeing names like Kenshō Ono, Ryōta Takeuchi, and Jirō Saitō instantly elevates anticipation, especially given their previous work in the anime industry.
2. New Story Hook – The film’s plot, involving a quest to a concubine’s hometown, hidden treasures, and a mysterious boy, offers fresh narrative territory beyond the original series. The promise of a brand‑new story by Hyuganatsu adds credibility and excitement.
3. Crunchyroll Licensing – With Crunchyroll securing worldwide rights, fans outside Japan can look forward to a timely release and official subtitles, eliminating the frustration of unofficial streams.
4. Visual Teasers – The trailer’s high‑quality visuals, especially the depiction of the Kajadan pirates and the dramatic river setting, provide a cinematic feel that fans anticipate will translate into a high‑production film.
5. Cross‑Media Synergy – The simultaneous promotion across the anime, manga, and novel platforms creates a multi‑layered experience, encouraging fans to dive into multiple formats.

Background

The Apothecary Diaries began as a light novel series serialized on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in October 2011 by Hyuganatsu. The series was later published in print by Shufunotomo in August 2014, with illustrations by Touko Shino. A manga adaptation started in May 2017 under Nekokurage in Monthly Big Gangan, and the manga has been licensed in English by Square Enix Manga & Books.

The story centers on Maomao, an unassuming girl with a sharp mind and extensive medical knowledge, who is kidnapped and sold into service at the imperial harem. There, she becomes a lady‑in‑waiting to the Emperor’s favorite consort, using her medical expertise to uncover poisons. Her partnership with the head eunuch Jinshi forms the core dynamic of the series.

The anime adaptation began airing in October 2023, with two seasons completed by early 2025. The series has been streamed by Crunchyroll, which also offers English dubs, making it accessible to a global audience.

What's Next

• Tomorrow’s Character Video – TOHO Animation is set to release another character video featuring Ruo Qing and Yi Shan. Fans should keep an eye on the official channel for more voice cast announcements.
• Film Release Schedule – While the film opens in Japan on December 11, Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will announce the North American release date later. Fans are advised to monitor Crunchyroll’s announcements.
• Merchandise and Event – With the film’s release, related merchandise, special edition DVDs, and possibly a fan event are likely to follow, as seen with previous anime film releases.
• Third Season – The third television season is slated to premiere in October 2026, continuing the story while the film expands the universe.

Closing

The new trailer for The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady's Treasure is more than just a visual treat; it’s a gateway to a richer, more adventurous chapter in a beloved franchise. With the Kajadan pirates’ voice cast now unveiled, the promise of a brand‑new story, and Crunchyroll’s global distribution, fans worldwide have a clear reason to mark their calendars for December 11. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s character video and keep an eye on Crunchyroll for the official release date. The Apothecary Diaries community is buzzing, and the next chapter is about to unfold on the big screen. Stay alert—this cinematic adventure is about to set sail!