The anime "The Apothecary Diaries," based on the light novel series with its unique Chinese-inspired setting and intriguing plot, became a massive hit after its late 2023 debut. Its soaring popularity has not only boosted sales of the original novels and manga but also paved the way for a third anime season, set to premiere this October.
Today (9/3), officials dropped a bombshell: a live-action drama adaptation is officially in the works! A joint production between Amazon MGM Studios and Toho, the series will star [[OBJ_4226]] as the protagonist, Maomao. They even unveiled the first teaser visual for the live-action series. Mark your calendars, because it's slated for a global exclusive premiere on Prime Video in 2028.
This live-action drama is a massive undertaking, aiming to fully capture the charm of "The Apothecary Diaries" through live-action visuals. It's a collaborative effort between Toho, who has been involved in the anime series production, and Amazon MGM Studios.
To faithfully recreate the grand imperial court setting without compromise, the production team established a comprehensive system, aiming for the highest standards in everything from art direction and costumes to VFX. The crew even spent half a year filming on massive studio sets, meticulously bringing the original's imperial court to life.
Helmed by Yuki Saito, director of "Ossan's Love: Returns," and scripted by Erika Yoshida, this project brings together Japan's top production talent to deliver the series to a global audience. The newly released teaser visual deliberately keeps [[OBJ_4226]]'s Maomao's eyes hidden, instead showcasing her with pursed lips, a handkerchief in hand, and a calm, poised demeanor.
Original author Natsu Hyuuga of "The Apothecary Diaries" also commented:
"A live-action adaptation, huh? It's truly come a long, long way. Because it's such a distant leap, and novels and live-action are fundamentally different mediums, I've always felt it's best left to the professionals. Every single person involved in the production has done an outstanding job, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone."
When I found out Ms. Ashida was confirmed to play Maomao, my first thought was, "Ah, I can safely leave it to her." And after actually meeting her, I had an even stronger feeling, "This is Maomao!"
I've visited the set a few times, and seeing such lavish sets and costumes, all I could think was, "How much did all this cost?" — very practical thoughts, you know. From the script, props, hair and makeup, to guidance on etiquette and walking, you can tell the production team poured immense effort into every detail. I believe the final product will truly satisfy everyone.
As an aside, I once brought my niece to visit the set, and she happened to meet the actor playing Jinshi. My niece just lit up with a brilliant smile. If this keeps up, her standards might get a bit too high, so I quietly covered her eyes. That's the real-life Jinshi for you!
However, the actor portraying Jinshi in the live-action series has yet to be officially revealed. Fans of the series can certainly look forward to seeing if this live-action drama can deliver a performance that lives up to the original.