
Episode 50 of the TV anime Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, titled “Hi Nezumi no Kawagoromo” (Fire Rat’s Fur Robe), aired on Friday, October 9, 2026. The episode delivered the long-awaited scene between Jinshi and Maomao, along with comical exchanges that set social media ablaze.

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto is a mystery entertainment series based on the light novel by Hyuuga Natsu. Set in the rear palace, it follows Maomao, a girl working as a poison tester, as she solves various difficult cases. The series has gained widespread acclaim for Maomao’s refreshing heroism, its authentic mystery elements, and the human drama woven into its exotic worldview.
The third season of the TV anime began airing in October 2026. The story moves from the rear palace to the city, as omens of disaster threaten the nation, a mysterious shrine maiden bewitches the people, and Jinshi faces his duty as the emperor’s younger brother. New trials await Maomao and Jinshi. The cast includes Yuuki Aoi as Maomao and Ootsuka Takeo as Jinshi, along with Toyonaga Toshiyuki as Rahan, Fujiwara Natsumi as Chou, Uchiyama Kouki as Rikuson, and Ueda Reina as Byakuyan.
Note: The following text contains spoilers for those who have not seen the episode.
Jinshi’s Exhaustion and the Heavenly Maiden’s Robe
In the city, rumors about the Shi clan rebellion and ill talk concerning Rouran were rampant. Books discussing Jinshi and Maomao’s relationship—both true and false—were even circulating. When Jinshi received the report, his face looked considerably haggard, prompting fans to worry: “He’s in tired mode,” “His dark circles are intense,” “He’s completely worn out.”
Meanwhile, Maomao and Chou went shopping and found a white kimono in a shop. The shopkeeper claimed it was “the robe worn by a heavenly maiden.” On social media, fans made free-spirited comments: “That looks like Frieren’s clothes,” “It’s like Lelouch’s outfit from the final episode,” “It’s like that Index character’s robe.”

The shopkeeper then began telling the legend of the heavenly maiden. It was a story about a beautiful girl with golden hair and white skin who wove clothes for a villager who had helped her. Viewers responded with remarks such as “Isn’t this just The Crane’s Return of a Favor?” “It’s a variant of the Hagoromo legend,” “The blonde girl’s repayment.”

When the shopkeeper quoted a price, Maomao couldn’t help but exclaim, “That’s expensive!” Then she noticed something and brought out the robe and some charcoal. As the iconic Kusuriya no Hitorigoto background music played, fans rejoiced: “It’s the theme song BGM!” “The music is getting exciting!” “God-tier BGM!!” “This music makes me so hyped.”
The heavenly maiden’s robe, which did not burn even when charcoal was dropped on it, turned out to be made of asbestos—a cloth woven from stone fibers, also known as the “fire rat’s fur robe.” As the trick behind the vanished heavenly maiden was revealed, social media buzzed with comments: “Asbestos = asbestos,” “The asbestos robe!” “What’s the deal with an asbestos-made robe?” “That seems bad for your health…” “Today it would be banned for safety reasons,” “This is poison (asbestos).”
Jinshi and Gaoshun Reunite at Ryokuseikan

Maomao summoned Jinshi and Gaoshun to Ryokuseikan. Fans were delighted by the long-awaited reunion of the two, and Maomao’s business smile and Gaoshun’s overly rude remarks drew laughter as well.
Maomao discussed the illustrated guide sold by the watchman who had changed his name to Sazen, as well as the locust plague. When the Mi clan, whom she had asked for cooperation to make up for the poor harvest, appeared on screen, the boy Muchin—who had appeared in the trailer for the movie scheduled for release in December—was among them. Viewers were surprised: “Huh? The boy from the movie?” “The movie boy was there!?” “Those people are from the movie!” “So this connects to the movie here.”
Maomao’s Care and Gaoshun’s Comedic Suffering

Noticing that Jinshi looked far too gaunt, Maomao hurriedly prepared a bed for him. Jinshi became stubborn after hearing Maomao’s joke, and fans were thrilled: “Whiny Jinshi is here!” “Go, Jinshi-sama!” “Jinshi-sama is cute,” “His cute cheeks are turning red.”
To show appreciation for the tired Jinshi, Maomao arranged for a courtesan to give him a massage and even prepared a nourishing tonic. In the end, she lined up courtesans and said, “I’ve gathered virgin girls for you.” Social media erupted in laughter: “Why is something so pitiful so funny? I’m dying laughing,” “Too funny, I can’t breathe lol,” “Well, it is that kind of place lol.”
What stole even more laughter was Gaoshun, who was rubbing his head as if to say, “No, no,” while watching the two. When Gaoshun was offered the virgin girls in Jinshi’s place, it was revealed that he is a henpecked husband with a fastidious daughter who tells him, “Papa is dirty, take a bath last.” Fans burst out laughing and offered a bit of sympathy: “Papa is dirty lol,” “Poor guy… lol,” “He’s got it rough,” “So pitiful…” “Papa, hang in there!” “This is just too funny, oh man lol.”
The Lullaby Scene and a Mysterious Ending

After covering Jinshi with a blanket, Maomao tried to leave, but Jinshi took her hand. She reluctantly sang him a lullaby, and a heartwarming scene unfolded as Jinshi fell asleep listening to it. Fans sent highly enthusiastic comments: “A lullaby! Good for you, Jinshi-sama!” “Jinshi, is a lullaby all you need?” “Do you like baby play?” “Just date already!” “Ah, so precious, hurry up and get married.” Some viewers also noticed a fine detail: “Is that the lullaby Rahan sang when he bought Maomao’s mother?”
As Maomao saw Jinshi off, Byakuyan smiled and said, “Isn’t it about time you gave up?” While happy moments passed, an old man sat in an alley, and a suspicious fairy appeared before him. The fairy gave him food, and as the old man devoured it, the fairy wore an ominous smile. Episode 50 then ended.

Episode 50 featured the first Jinshi and Maomao scene of the third season, and social media was greatly excited. The next episode preview showed emaciated people and the suspicious food that the fairy seemed to have handed out. What trials await them? Episode 51, “麺麭がなければ” (If There Is No Bread), is scheduled to air on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Broadcast Information
TV Anime Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Season 3
Broadcast start date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Every Friday at 23:00 on Nippon TV network’s 30 stations, nationwide simultaneous broadcast within “FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT”
* Streaming will also begin sequentially on various platforms after the broadcast.
* Broadcast dates and times are subject to change without notice.
(First cour: October 2026 / Second cour: April 2027)
Staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Original Work | Hyuuga Natsu (Hero Bunko / Imagica Infos Publishing) |
| Character Draft | Shinotouko |
| Director | Fudesaka Akinori |
| Assistant Director | Nakagawa Wataru |
| Series Composition | Naganuma Norihiro |
| Script | Kakihara Yuuko, Chiba Misuzu, Ogawa Hitomi |
| Character Design | Nakatani Yukiko |
| Art Director | Takao Katsumi |
| Color Design | Aida Misato, Okazaki Nanako |
| CGI Director | Nagai Yuu |
| Director of Photography | Suzuki Mayo |
| Editing | Imai Daisuke |
| Sound Director | Hata Shouji |
| Music | Kousaki Satoru, Kevin Penkin, Okegawa Arisa |
| Opening Theme | “Kumo wo Nuke Kafuu e Watashi Dake” by Yorushika |
| Ending Theme | “AIYOU” by Eve |
| Animation Production | OLM |
| Production | “Kusuriya no Hitorigoto” Production Committee |
Cast
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Maomao | Yuuki Aoi |
| Jinshi | Ootsuka Takeo |
| Gaoshun | Konishi Katsuyuki |
| Bashan | Tachibana Ryuumaru |
| Rahan | Toyonaga Toshiyuki |
| Rikuson | Uchiyama Kouki |
| Chou | Fujiwara Natsumi |
| Byakuyan | Ueda Reina |
| Narration | Shimamoto Sumi |
(C)Hyuuga Natsu・Imagica Infos/”Kusuriya no Hitorigoto” Production Committee






