‘The Apothecary Diaries’ Season 3 Episode 3 Release Date, Time and Where to Watch Maomao’s New Mystery
Fans of Maomao’s sharp mind and sharper tongue are already eyeing their calendars, because the next chapter of the hit anime is closing in fast. With the premiere behind us and the story only just warming up, the question on everyone’s lips is when exactly the following episode drops and how to catch it.
The short answer is that episode 3 of ‘The Apothecary Diaries‘ is scheduled for October 16, 11 AM EDT or 8 AM PDT. Here is everything we know about the release date and time, where to stream it, and what the story is building toward.
The Release Date and Time for the Next Episode
The new season follows a weekly rhythm, and new episodes release on Fridays at 8:00 a.m. on Crunchyroll. That puts the third installment one week after the second, which a published schedule lists for October 9, followed by October 16.
You may spot a database listing that shows the third episode airing on October 9. The broadcaster schedule counts that date as the second episode, so October 16 is the date to circle for the third.
In Japan, the series airs on Nippon TV, and the season opener began on Friday, October 2, at 11 PM JST. Viewers abroad should convert that to their own clock, and it is worth remembering that the official notice warns the broadcast time can change.
Where to Watch the Series Right Now?
International fans have one clear home for the show. The third season is available on Crunchyroll, and the earlier seasons are currently streaming on the platform too. That makes it easy to catch up if you are new to the palace intrigue.
If you are starting from scratch, the advice is simple. Newcomers should start with the first season, then the second, before jumping into the new episodes.
Dub fans will need patience, since the English dub date for the new season has not been announced, and there is no promise of a same day release. Subtitled viewers get the first look every Friday.
Episode Preview and What Comes After the Premiere
Official details on the third episode are thin at the moment, and the sources I found do not list a title or synopsis for it yet. What we do know is where the story stands. The opener was titled ‘Locusts’, and a review described how the premiere explains what is about to happen and hints at the consequences.
The overall setup is a story about aftermath. The rebellion is over, but peace and quiet rarely last, and as Maomao resumes her pharmacist life a strange breakfast pulls her into a new mystery. Meanwhile, Jinshi takes on his responsibilities as the Imperial Brother while haunted by a warning.
In its season preview, Anime News Network observed that the first episode has a lot going on, mostly as setup for what looks like the next major story arc. That suggests the third episode could be where the pieces begin to lock together.
Anyone hoping for a full look at the upcoming installment should keep an eye on the official site, which is where the premise for the premiere appeared first. The official website revealed the premise of the first episode, so a similar update for the next ones would be no surprise.
The Season 3 Schedule and the Road Ahead
This run is not a single block of episodes. The season will run for two cours, with the second cour premiering in April 2027. One outlet’s schedule says the season will feature 24 episodes across two cours in total, though another report notes that the episode count has not been announced, so treat that number with caution.
The production has a fresh look behind the scenes as well. Toho Animation Studio, which co-produced the previous two seasons, is not involved this time, and the season is now produced solely by OLM. On the creative side, Akinori Fudesaka is credited as director, Aoi Yuki and Takeo Otsuka return as Maomao and Jinshi, and Reina Ueda joins the cast.
Fans also have a big screen treat waiting in the wings. An animated film titled ‘The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress’ Treasure’ is scheduled to premiere in Japan on December 11, 2026. It puts Maomao and Jinshi on a journey to a bustling city on the water, which gives the franchise plenty of momentum while the weekly episodes keep rolling.
With locusts, famine rumors and a mysterious maiden already stirring up trouble, which thread do you think the third episode will pull first, and is Maomao about to stumble onto the clue that ties it all together?
