As I mentioned back in October, I’ve been slowly making my way through Natsu Hyūga’s The Apothecary Diaries light novel Volume 3. The way these are written, it’s easy to pick up and put down because each chapter is succinct. They are almost like a series of connected short stories collected in light novel form. This is brilliant if you’re reading a lot of other material and don’t have time for a long novel format.
I finally finished Vol. 3 after a bunch of back to back appointments that required some long waits. Much like the first two books, it was well worth savoring every single chapter. I can’t wait to break down the best parts. I’ve been especially excited since the announcement that The Apothecary Diaries anime Season 3’s first cour will be release October 26, 2026.
I’m So Ready for All the 2026 Anime, Especially The Apothecary Diaries
With an original The Apothecary Diaries story movie coming December 2026, and the second cour for Season 3 returning in April 2027, there is plenty to look forward to in 2026. It also gives me a decent amount of time to finish reading the light novels. Then, I’ll be all caught up and ready to relive the story in all its epic anime glory.
Some of my favorite anime are returning with new seasons in January 2026. Hell’s Paradise is finally bringing us a long awaited second season, and Jujutsu Kaisen returns for Season 3. There’s also a second season incoming for Anyway, I’m Falling In Love With You and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. With three whole anime seasons between now and next October, I’ll have plenty to tide me over until then. Especially since I’ll be reading more vigorously as I approach material that hasn’t been adapted yet.
The Plot Thickens in The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 3
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Volume 3 of Hyūga sensei’s historical masterpiece is where things really start to heat up for Maomao. Introducing some of the series’ most enticing mysteries for our heroine to solve, this volume covers the material presented in the The Apothecary Diaries anime Season 2, Cour 1.
On loan to the Jade Pavilion from Master Jinshi, Maomao returns to her duties as food taster for a pregnant Consort Gyokuyou. Though very few people outside the Jade Pavilion know of her condition, there is definitely someone out there who will stop at nothing to destroy the Ka line. With Maomao as the first line of defense for the imperial heir’s survival, she can’t afford to be distracted.
With that in mind, she still has plenty of work to keep her busy, including helping out with caring for Princess Lingli. Not only do we get to see Maomao the cat and Shisui for the first time, but there are still mysterious happenings afoot all over the Inner Palace. From a mysterious death brought on by poisoning to the western emissaries arriving in search of a beautiful moon fairy their grandfather told them stories of, Jinshi has plenty of tasks to make sure she’s earning any medicinal ingredients she might want.
Volume 3’s Most Unforgettable Mystery Highlights
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With so many intriguing new secrets and riddles to uncover and solve, some of the best ones anime and manga fans have seen to date appear in The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 3 light novel. That is not to say the other stories and mysteries aren’t just as intriguing, but there are definitely a few that really stand out as favorites. Here’s a quick peek at the best of the best:
- “Corpse Fungus,” in which Maomao digs up the truth about a hidden death by poisoning.
- “Mirrors” brings Gaoshun to Maomao in search of an answer to a tricky puzzle
- Maomao convinces Jinshi to play the part of a mysterious moonlit dancer in “The Moon Spirit”
- The Emperor seeks Maomao’s aid in “The Shrine of Choosing”
- Readers learn the truth about “His Former Majesty” and his depravity
- Maomao discovers something she’d rather not know about Jinshi in “The Hunt”
Among these are some incredible story threads. From Jinshi’s efforts toward female literacy and the adorable Xiaolan learning to read and write to Maomao finally get the reward Jinshi promised her all those chapters ago back in Volume 1, there’s so much coming into the light in Volume 3.
Xiaolan becomes (impossibly) more adorable than she already is, and you can really see even Maomao noticing their friendship. It isn’t something she’s ever really had, beyond her big sisters at the Verdigris House. As she recognizes how much she’s come to rely on Xioalan’s company for more than just information, it softens her just in time for what comes next with Shisui.
Maomao and Jinshi Grow Even Closer In Vol. 3
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One of the things I look for while reading is how closely the anime (and in some cases the manga) follows the material in the book. There is a difference, and though it’s a minor one, it is also very important. The anime often paints Maomao as being disgusted by Jinshi. Sometimes, that’s true, sure. There are a lot more moments in the light novels, however, where she is almost transfixed by his beauty and perfection. Even she can’t help herself from admiring him.
There’s an undeniable attraction, but her medicinal curiosity outweighs any notions of romance. She is also hyper aware of her station. Not only is Jinshi her boss, he’s also a noble. Maomao has already crossed several lines in her conduct when it comes to Jinshi and Gaoshun. Crossing that kind of line is something even she can’t fathom doing. No matter how often Jinshi teases her, she refuses to bite (back.)
But Volume 3 of The Apothecary Diaries sees a subtle shift in their dynamic. Maomao is more often admitting to herself that he’s beautiful. She may still be immune to his charms, but she definitely isn’t blind. Deep down, a part of her knows exactly who he is, and it’s all but confirmed when she accompanies him on the hunt. He is no eunuch. The frog says it all. And I loved reading that scene, even after having already experiencing it.
Overall, it felt more impactful, discovering Jinshi’s “real” identity as a reader. I already knew, of course, but there is something about seeing it as it was initially intended that makes it even better.
The Apothecary Diaries Volume 3 On a Scale of 1 to 10
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I’m going full 10 out of 10 on this one. I found myself wanting to savor every page, even though I’d already been there before. I love the way the narrative works. Now that I’m heading into Volume 4, I’ll be catching up to where the anime left off. Then I can start reading never-before-experienced by me material. I can’t wait!
