The Apothecary Diaries anime doesn’t really have a complicated watch order, nor does it have many seasons, with only two released so far. Therefore, even a newbie planning to start the series now will have a smooth watch experience. That said, while the overall narrative is linear, the plot requires your full attention to understand.
After all, what makes The Apothecary Diaries stand out is its focus on intricate episodic mysteries spread throughout the anime. So, even though the watch order is easy to follow, the narrative itself may not always be the same. Still, here, we’ve provided a more detailed guide covering both seasons of the anime released so far.
| TITLE | The Apothecary Diaries |
| RELEASE DATE | Season 1: October 22, 2023 Season 2: January 10, 2025 |
| ANIMATION STUDIO | TOHO Animation x OLM Studio |
| MAL SCORE (as of July 16, 2026) | Season 1: 8.85/10 Season 2: 8.91/10 |
| WHERE TO WATCH | Crunchyroll |
What Is the Best Order to Watch The Apothecary Diaries?
The best way to watch The Apothecary Diaries anime is simply by going through both seasons one after the other. So, if you’re planning to watch the anime, you can stop reading this article, enjoy the series, and then come back later to check our detailed breakdown of the story arcs covered in each season. But if you’re just looking for a quick answer, here’s the watch order you need to follow:
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 1 (Episodes 1-24)
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Episodes 25-48)
The Chronological Watch Order for The Apothecary Diaries
Although The Apothecary Diaries has only two seasons, it has covered five major arcs from the light novel. Therefore, listing them in chronological order, meaning the sequence in which they take place in the story, can help you better understand the anime’s overall narrative. So, without further ado, let’s check them out.
1. The Rear Palace Arc (Episodes ~ 1-7)
Maomao’s grand adventure begins here. Even she had no idea that after being kidnapped and sold to the palace, she would unintentionally attract the attention of some of the biggest names in the Emperor’s court. The moment she caught Jinshi’s eye, and the rest is history. From there, Maomao tackled many mysteries in the Inner Court, solving them with her exceptional knowledge as an apothecary.
2. The Verdigris Pavilion Arc (Episode ~ 7-13)
After spending much of her time in the Inner Palace, Maomao is finally allowed to visit her home in the Verdigris District. There, she reunites with Luomen, her adoptive father, and checks on her peers at the Verdigris House: Pairin, Meimei, and Joka. However, the stakes rise when she is asked to investigate the death of a high-ranking official. But once again, despite many twists and turns, Maomao comes out victorious.
3. The Courtesan and the Bureaucrat Arc (Episodes ~ 13-24)
The whole revelation about Lakan’s past and how he is connected with Maomao made for one of the best arcs in the anime. Though Lakan was introduced as a menacing figure in the story, it later turns out that he is Maomao’s biological father. In fact, the arc goes even deeper and explores Maomao’s past as well, which is, of course, closely tied to Lakan’s. This was also the arc where we got to see Maomao’s real mother, and her entire story was extremely emotional.
4. The Inner Court Poisoning Arc (Episodes ~ 25-37)
This arc marked the start of Season 2. The biggest highlight of this arc was the assassination attempt on Jinshi. If Maomao hadn’t been there, it could very well have been game over for Jinshi. It once again proved that Maomao is the GOAT. Also, the whole incident about Suirei faking her death took place in this arc. And after things settled down for the time being, we were hit with an even bigger revelation: Jinshi is actually the Crown Prince.
5. The Shisui and the Clan Arc (Episodes ~ 37-48)
Shisui’s introduction in The Apothecary Diaries was the biggest turning point. She single-handedly raised the stakes manifold. Hiding her true identity as Concubine Loulan, Shisui befriends Maomao and Xiaolan. But this escalates the events, as Maomao later gets kidnapped by her and Suirei and taken to the Shi Clan. The conclusion to this arc is arguably the best in the anime so far. Even the relationship between Maomao and Jinshi is strengthened by the end of Season 2, which will be further explored in Season 3.
Every The Apothecary Diaries Arc in Release Order
If we chronologically follow The Apothecary Diaries anime from Season 1 to Season 2, the order of each story arc remains the same as in the light novel. So, the table below essentially highlights the release dates of every The Apothecary Diaries arc in the anime:
| STORY ARCS | RELEASE DATE |
| Season 1 | |
| 1. The Rear Palace Arc | October 22, 2023 |
| 2. The Verdigris Pavilion Arc | November 18, 2023 |
| 3. The Courtesan and the Bureaucrat Arc | January 6, 2024 |
| Season 2 | |
| 4. The Inner Court Poisoning Arc | January 10, 2025 |
| 5. The Shisui and the Clan Arc | April 4, 2025 |
Is There Any Filler Episode in The Apothecary Diaries?
No, there are no filler episodes in The Apothecary Diaries‘ main storyline across its two seasons (48 episodes). However, alongside Seasons 1 and 2, a special ONA series titled Maomao no Hitorigoto was released, featuring short snippets (1 minute per episode) of Maomao’s interactions with other characters in a wholesome and lighthearted tone. Here’s what it all has:
- Maomao no Hitorigoto (24 episodes)
- Maomao no Hitorigoto 2nd Season (24 episodes)
Since these episodes are not part of the main storyline and skipping them won’t affect your viewing experience, they can be considered filler. That said, the ONA episodes do a great job of fleshing out the cast and helping viewers get to know the characters, especially Maomao, better.
Where to Watch The Apothecary Diaries Online?
Both seasons of The Apothecary Diaries are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. The platform has listed the anime for global streaming outside of Asia. There are even multiple dub options available for The Apothecary Diaries on Crunchyroll, along with several regional subtitle languages. However, there is currently no free legal platform to watch the anime online.
Netflix also has The Apothecary Diaries available for streaming in select Asian regions, but US viewers will have to head to Crunchyroll to binge-watch it before Season 3 releases.
Now that Season 3 has been confirmed, which will run two cours: Cour 1 in October 2026, and Cour 2 in April 2027, along with an original movie releasing in December 2026, the watch order is subject to change. So, how excited are you for the upcoming installments if you’re already caught up with the anime?
The Apothecary Diaries is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
