The worldwide cumulative circulation of the Kusuriya no Hitorigoto series has surpassed 57 million copies. The milestone arrives just as the TV anime prepares for its third season and a brand-new theatrical film based on an original story by author Hinata Natsu.
The series first launched with its first volume at the end of August 2014, and 16 volumes are currently available. Widely regarded as a pioneer of the current “harem palace” boom, the story follows a young pharmacist raised in the pleasure district as she solves a variety of intricate mysteries. The manga adaptations are published by both Square Enix and Shogakukan.
In 2026, the long-awaited third TV anime season and a theatrical film are set to arrive. The third season will be split into two cours, with the first cour beginning on October 2, 2026, on Nippon TV and affiliates every Friday at 23:00, and the second cour scheduled to start in April 2027.
Additionally, Gekijouban Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bouhi no Hihou (The Apothecary Diaries the Movie: The Late Consort’s Secret Treasure) is slated for release on December 11, 2026. This film features a completely new story written by the original author, Hinata Natsu, and has already drawn significant attention.
The series’ momentum is also reflected in its sales figures. Before the first TV anime season aired (as of the end of September 2023), the cumulative total stood at 24 million copies. That number jumped to over 33 million by the end of the first season, then surged to 45 million after the second season. Now, ahead of the third season, it has finally broken past 57 million copies.
This latest record also incorporates overseas translated editions in 16 languages, in addition to domestic counts, marking a significant upward revision. With the third TV anime season and the theatrical film on the horizon, all eyes remain on what comes next.
(C) Hinata Natsu / Imagica Infos
