Two members of “The Apothecary Diaries” cast opened up about their biggest Season 3 recording challenges at a preview screening Sept. 27 in Tokyo. Tatsumaru Tachibana, who voices Basen, and Aoi Yuki, who voices Maomao, shared behind-the-scenes stories during a stage greeting at Toho Cinemas Roppongi, according to CBR.
The returning Apothecary Diaries cast also includes Takeo Otsuka as Jinshi and Natsumi Fujiwara as Zhao Yu.
Tachibana’s ‘spectacular mistakes’ as Basen
Tachibana described the recording sessions as filled with what he called “spectacular mistakes.” He first played Basen as a man who disliked Maomao, based on how the character treated her. The directors stopped him mid-recording and asked for a more “balanced” approach.
That course correction helped Tachibana find “a new side of the character” as production continued, CBR reported.
In Season 3, Basen again backs Jinshi as the story moves west. The loyal attendant travels with Jinshi and Maomao to the homeland of Empress Gyokuyou, where they hope to find answers to a looming famine. Tachibana said Basen “will act for Jinshi’s sake again” in ways that complicate the group’s situation.
How the Apothecary Diaries cast handled a romantic lullaby
Yuki faced her own challenge. The romantic tension between Maomao and Jinshi has grown since Season 1, and Season 3 pushes it further. In one key scene, Maomao sings a lullaby to Jinshi — a moment Yuki read as openly romantic, unlike earlier exchanges between the two.
She admitted she felt “embarrassed” when she reviewed the finished recording, according to CBR.
Season 3’s expanding story
The third season marks a major shift for the series. With famine threatening the country, Jinshi and Maomao reunite and head west together. The bigger cast and more complicated relationships made the work more demanding for the Apothecary Diaries cast than in earlier seasons, the actors said.
When and where to watch
“The Apothecary Diaries” Season 3 premieres Oct. 2 and will stream on Crunchyroll. The season is split into two parts, with the second half set for spring 2027.
Reporting from CBR and Crunchyroll contributed to this story.
