The preview for The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 21 is now available on the official website. The episode, titled “Taibon,” will air in Japan on June 6 and will later be accessible with English subtitles on Crunchyroll and Netflix (in Asia).
By Shenmei’s orders, Maomao spends her days trying to make an elixir of immortality. One day, Kyou-u comes up with a plan to help Maomao escape, but is soon found by the guards. Hearing the commotion, Suirei stepped in to mediate, but just as things were about to be fine, Shenmei appeared. She enjoys herself with the thought of how to torture Maomao, Kyou-u, Suirei, and the guards. Then, Maomao blurted out some words that angered Shenmei, and sent the apothecary to the torture room.
See The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 21 (Episode 45 overall) preview images:
In case you missed it, the manga series by Itsuki Nanao and Nekokurage, published in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan, has recently gone on a sudden hiatus. Interestingly, The Apothecary Diaries is based on a light novel series by Natsu Hyuga, which has released 15 volumes to date. Volume 16 was released in Japan on May 30, coinciding with the English release of Volume 14.
The anime adaptation has also scheduled a special live program on June 20, featuring voice actors Aoi Yuki (Maomao), Takeo Otsuka (Jinshi), Asami Seto (Shisui), and Kaori Nazuka (Suirei) to recap the story so far. This program will air during the anime’s time slot at 10:30 PM JST, meaning no new episode will be released that week.
The Apothecary Diaries, written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Touko Shino, has inspired two manga adaptations: one by Itsuki Nanao and Nekokurage in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan, and another by Minoji Kurata in Shogakukan’s Monthly Sunday Gene-X. The first season of the anime, animated by TOHO Animation Studio and OML, aired in 2023, and the second season is currently ongoing. According to Crunchyroll, the story follows Maomao as she navigates palace intrigues, including protecting a pregnant concubine, investigating an attempt on Jinshi’s life, and dealing with a foreign envoy’s impossible demands, all hinting at a larger conspiracy that threatens the empire.