The Apothecary Diaries Sets an Anime Expo 2026 Special Stage With Aoi Yuki and Takeo Otsuka

A special stage heads to Anime Expo 2026

TOHO animation has announced that The Apothecary Diaries will hold a dedicated special stage at Anime Expo 2026, the long-running anime convention in Los Angeles. According to a post from the official @TOHOanimationEN account, the panel will take place at the Peacock Theater and will bring members of the series' Japanese voice cast to the stage.

The account confirmed two of the guests: Aoi Yuki, the Japanese voice of Maomao, and Takeo Otsuka, who voices the palace official Jinshi. The pair anchor the show's central dynamic, so their appearance puts the series' two leads front and center for the convention crowd.

Where the stage fits

The stage slots into a broader Anime Expo showcase. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Crunchyroll is taking over the Peacock Theater at this year's convention with programming built around its biggest titles, with talent tied to The Apothecary Diaries among the names featured. The official announcement now confirms that the series' Japanese voice cast is part of that lineup rather than only behind-the-scenes staff.

No additional details about the panel's contents, such as new footage or announcements, were shared in the post. Fans hoping for series news will have to wait for the event itself.

What The Apothecary Diaries is

For newcomers, the series follows Maomao, who lived a quiet life helping her apothecary father until she was sold as a servant into the emperor's palace. Rather than blend into court life, she begins quietly solving the medical mysteries that surround the imperial heirs, which draws the attention of Jinshi, a handsome official who promotes her. From there she steadily makes a name for herself as the palace's unlikely problem-solver.

The mystery drama first premiered in 2023 and has run 24 episodes through its initial run, building a sizable international following in the years since. That popularity is a large part of why a stage built around its cast is a notable booking for a North American convention.