When a
franchise reaches the peak of success, making the leap to the live-action
format is an almost inevitable step that always holds the community's breath.
In a move of enormous impact for the industry, Amazon Prime Video officially
confirmed that it is producing a live-action series adaptation
based on the popular play The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya
no Hitorigoto), which will premiere exclusively worldwide within its
catalog in 2028.
For the
peace of mind of those who fear hasty adaptations, the project is backed by a
powerful alliance between Toho and Amazon MGM Studios.
The renowned actress Mana Ashida, remembered for her roles in
productions such as Pacific Rim and Mother, will
be in charge of giving life to the cunning apothecary Maomao, also revealing
her first promotional image characterized in the palace attire.
Behind the
scenes, the direction of the series will be in charge of Yuki Saito,
while the scripts will be written by Erika Yoshida. The story will
maintain the premise that made the audience fall in love, following in Maomao's
footsteps after being kidnapped and sold to the Emperor's inner palace. With
her keen intellect and vast knowledge of herbs and poisons, the young woman
will end up catching the attention of Jinshi, the chief eunuch, who will turn
her into the food tester of the ruler's favorite consort to protect her from
intrigues and conspiracies.
This
announcement comes at the best time for the franchise, which has not stopped
reaping success on the screens. After the premiere of the first season of
its anime in October 2023 and the broadcast of the second season in
January 2025, the animated adaptation is preparing to receive the first part of
its third season this coming October 2, leaving its second
half ready for April 2027. In addition, movie theaters will host the premiere
of the film The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress' Treasure on
December 11 with a totally unpublished plot.
Sobre
The Apothecary Diaries
Written
by Hyuganatsu and illustrated by Touko Shino, the
story was originally born as a web novel on the Shosetsuka ni Naro portal in
October 2011, making the leap to the printed format under the Shufunotomo
publishing house in August 2014. The work also features a popular manga adaptation
illustrated by Nekokurage in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan
magazine. Combining mystery, traditional medicine and imperial dramas, the
series has positioned itself as one of the most loved and read titles in
Japanese entertainment around the world.
