Summary

Fans can start reading The Apothecary Diaries light novel volume 5 after season 2.
The Apothecary Diaries anime is ahead of the manga adaptation.
The first two seasons covered four light novel volumes. Season 3 is confirmed, but the release date is pending.

The Apothecary Diaries is one of the most popular anime and light novel series of modern times. Fans instantly fell in love with the very talented and adorable main character, Maomao, when she made her anime debut two years ago. Now, two seasons have already been released on Crunchyroll and Netflix, but fans are still craving more. Luckily, those who wish to read ahead of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 can start reading the light novel series after season 2.

So far, The Apothecary Diaries has already released 48 episodes in total. The first season debuted in 2023 with 24 episodes, followed by the second season in the 2025 winter anime season with the same episode count. Maomao’s story is far from over, as more adventures are waiting for her in the source material. While waiting for Season 3 to come out, fans can turn to the light novel series to find out what happens next after Season 2.

apothecary-diaries-maomao-group-skeptical-1

Apothecary Diaries: Does it Pass The Bechdel Test?

With a vibrant cast and unique take on an often romanticized period of history, fans may be wondering: does Apothecary Diaries pass the Bechdel test?

Posts 1

By Angela Drake

Where to Start Reading The Apothecary Diaries After Season 2?

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2’s Place in the Light Novel

picture: maomao in the apothecary diaries manga.

Fans can start reading The Apothecary Diaries light novel volume 5 after season 2.

The Apothecary Diaries season 2 ended as the 2025 summer anime season started to sizzle with new titles. But before fans got busy with popular titles like Dan Da Dan, Kaiju No. 8, or even Lord of Mysteries, many couldn’t get over the final episode of The Apothecary Diaries season 2. The final episode, titled “The Beginning,” literally marks a new beginning for Maomao and Jinshi, closing light novel volume 4 for good.

That said, fans who wish to read ahead of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 can start reading from light novel volume 5, written by Natsu Hyuga with illustrations by Touko Shino. It has 16 chapters, beginning with “Locusts” and ending with “The Banquet,” complete with a prologue and epilogue as well. While waiting for the new episode of The Apothecary Diaries, fans can use this downtime to read the light novel to continue Maomao’s story.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2’s Place in the Manga

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 is already ahead of the manga adaptation as of writing.

While fans can turn to the light novel after The Apothecary Diaries season 2, the manga adaptation is already behind the anime adaptation. This means that fans won’t be able to continue Maomao’s journey in the manga, as The Apothecary Diaries anime is already ahead of it for now. In fact, the latest chapter of the manga illustrated by Nekokurage, chapter 80, only contained content animated in episodes 21 and 22 of season 2. But since the release date of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 remains unconfirmed, it’s only a matter of time before the manga pulls ahead of the anime.

If I should die, I'd want to die of poison.—Maomao

Those who wish to revisit Maomao’s journey from the very beginning could read the manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries from chapter 1. There are two manga adaptations in circulation, one illustrated by Nekokurage and the other by Minoji Kurata. Based on reviews, Nekokurage’s version is more romance-focused, whereas Kurata leans more on the mystery side of the series.

How Much of The Apothecary Diaries Did the Anime Cover?

The Apothecary Diaries Covered Four Light Novel Volumes

At this point, the first two seasons of The Apothecary Diaries anime have already covered four light novel volumes, with over 80 chapters. Maomao has truly come a long way since the day she was kidnapped and sold to the rear palace as a maidservant. Her career as an apothecary continues to flourish the more she shows off her knowledge of poison and medicine.

Of course, Maomao’s story doesn’t end even after the new Empress and Crown Prince have been hailed. There’s so much more story in the light novel that would interest fans of the series, especially the exciting changes in Maomao’s career and her relationship with Jinshi.

This section contains spoilers from The Apothecary Diaries light novel.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Is Now Confirmed

What to Expect in The Apothecary Diaries Season 3

Shortly after the second season of The Apothecary Diaries ended, the third season was announced. It's currently in production, but there’s no release date set yet for The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, so fans will have to stay tuned for more updates and announcements in the long run.

Without spoiling too much, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 will focus more on Maomao’s life outside the palace. More members of the La clan will also be introduced, not to mention more politics and controversial moments that could divide the fandom, based on the events of the light novel.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image