Fans of The Apothecary Diaries have a new mystery to look forward to. The official anime account announced earlier today (October 21st) that The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother, the franchise's first home console game, will be released on March 18, 2027.
The announcement came with a second promotional video, packed with new characters, gameplay, and a closer look at how the game adapts the anime's distinctive look into 3D.
The game is being developed by Gust, the Koei Tecmo studio best known for the Atelier series, with TOHO Games handling planning and production. It is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam, with Japanese voices and English text.
A Brand New Story From Hyuganatsu
Rather than retelling events from the anime, The False Imperial Brother features an original story conceptualized by series creator Hyuganatsu. It is set not long after Maomao begins working as a maidservant in the rear palace, when a string of strange events known as the Five Mysteries starts unsettling the court. According to the official synopsis, they include "A faceless eunuch, a storehouse that wails every night, garments turning a deep red with no warning."
Jinshi, naturally, hands the investigation to Maomao. Later in the story, after the Shi clan's rebellion has been put down, a similar set of incidents called the Five Curses spreads through the capital. While investigating, Maomao runs into a masked man calling himself the imperial younger brother, a vigilante figure the whole city is talking about, but Jinshi insists it is not him. The official site teases that the truth will also uncover a mystery that was buried decades ago.
Meet Guanyu, Yanxi, And Chenhan
The new trailer formally introduces the three original characters created for the game. Guanyu is a popular traveling actor that Maomao befriends on a visit home, and he gradually pulls her into the drama of his own life. Yanxi is a high-ranking official from the rear palace's Bureau of Ceremonies, and Chenhan is an older regular customer at the Verdigris House, the brothel where Maomao grew up.
The returning cast is led by Aoi Yuki as Maomao and Takeo Otsuka as Jinshi, reprising their roles from the anime, while Yohei Azakami voices Guanyu.
Playing As Jinshi And The Cat
Maomao will not be investigating entirely alone. The official announcement confirms that players can also control Jinshi and Maomao the cat, the feline that shares the apothecary's name, and the trailer shows both of them helping to crack cases. The cat gets to explore the palace from angles no human can, including running along the rooftops.
Gameplay centers on what Maomao does best. Players gather evidence, craft medicines through a minigame, and use those medicines both as proof in cases and as items requested by other characters. Once the clues are in place, a deduction section lets players present evidence and lay out the full truth of an incident. Completing objectives earns achievement seals that unlock special illustrations.
Pre-Orders And Editions
Physical pre-orders have opened in Japan. In the West, the Switch 2 and PS5 versions will get physical releases, while the Switch and Steam versions are download only. A Digital Deluxe Edition adds formal costumes for Maomao and Jinshi, a set of fantasy outfits for Maomao, and accessories for the cat.
The release date lands while the anime's third season is airing, with Crunchyroll beginning the English dub last week. Between the new episodes and an original story from Hyuganatsu, it is a very good time to be a Maomao fan.
Which of the three new characters are you most curious about, and do you think the masked imperial younger brother could be connected to Jinshi's past?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.