J-Novel Club has announced that it will release an audiobook adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries light novel series. The audiobook was first announced during a panel at Anime Boston 2026, which was hosted by the publisher and series writer Hyuganatsu (who was a guest at the convention).
Audiobook publisher RB Media is overseeing production for the adaptation, with the first volume slated for release sometime in 2026. Additional updates will be made at future conventions and across the publisher’s social media channels as production continues.
Toko Shino illustrates Hyuganatsu’s mystery drama light novel series, which was first published by Shufunotomo’s Hero Bunko imprint on August 29, 2014. Sixteen physical volumes have been released in Japan as of May 2025. Square Enix releases the light novels in English print.
The series began as a Shosetsuka ni Naro web novel in October 2011. It was later republished by Shufunotomo as a single volume under its Ray Books imprint.
A manga adaptation by Nekokurage was released in May 2017. Another manga by Minoji Kurata titled The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace was launched in August 2017 and was licensed by VIZ Media for English release.
Crunchyroll is currently streaming both seasons of The Apothecary Diaries TV anime adaptation worldwide in select countries and territories. A split-cour third season will debut in Japan in October 2026 and an anime film will screen in Japanese theaters in December 2026.
J-Novel Club publishes The Apothecary Diaries light novel series in English digitally. It describes the main synopsis as:
In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.
Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That’s her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao’s façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor’s favorite consort… so she can taste the lady’s food for poison!
At her lady’s side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?
Source: press release
