Rira Ikuta Composes New Opening Theme for "The Apothecary Diaries" Season 2
The highly anticipated second season of the popular light novel adaptation "The Apothecary Diaries" (薬屋のひとりごと) has unveiled its latest promotional video, featuring a brand new opening theme titled "Hyakka Ryouran" (百花繚乱) composed by the talented singer-songwriter Rira Ikuta (幾田りら). The new character, "Kisui," has also been introduced alongside her voice actress, set to premiere on January 10, 2025.
As a member of the renowned Japanese music group YOASOBI, Rira Ikuta has previously lent her voice to various anime songs. However, this marks her first time writing and composing a song under her own name for "The Apothecary Diaries." Expressing her excitement, Ikuta mentioned that she felt quite nervous while immersing herself in the storyline, hoping to infuse her love for the characters and plot into the song, thereby creating a fresh atmosphere for the anime.
Introducing the New Character: Kisui
The new character Kisui, a bright and talkative maid with a passion for insects, makes her entrance just as spring arrives at the palace, appearing before the protagonist, "Mao Mao." Voiced by Masami Seto, Kisui is described as someone who can’t stop talking once she starts, sharing a similar essence with Mao Mao. Seto encourages fans to pay attention to the interactions between the two characters as they grow closer throughout the series.
In the latest promotional video, viewers catch a glimpse of Kisui running off after leaving an intriguing line: "I still have things to accomplish." This hints at her potential role in the unfolding narrative, sparking curiosity among fans about her character's development.
The Story Behind "The Apothecary Diaries"
Set against a fictional medieval Eastern backdrop, "The Apothecary Diaries" follows the story of the young girl Mao Mao, who is captured by human traffickers and taken to the palace as a maid. With her obsession for tasting medicinal herbs and fascination with poisons, she navigates through various tricky cases within the palace. The original novel has been serialized since October 2011 on the "Shousetsuka ni Narou" website and later published in paperback by Hero Bunko.
The series has garnered immense popularity due to its captivating plot twists and the stark contrast of life within and outside the palace. Since 2017, the manga adaptation has been serialized in "Monthly Big Gangan" and "Monthly Sunday Gene-X," with the combined sales of the light novels and manga surpassing 38 million copies.
What to Expect in Season 2
Produced by Toho Animation Studio in collaboration with OLM, the first season aired from October 2023 to March 2024. The second season will delve deeper into the story following the pregnancy of the character Gyokuyahime, presenting new challenges for Mao Mao and her love interest, "Jinshi." Fans can look forward to the upcoming season airing on the "FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT" slot, with simultaneous broadcasts across Japan, while Netflix will exclusively stream it in Taiwan.
Additional Updates and Merchandise
In addition to the new promotional content, the official channels have announced a second batch of LINE stickers and an updated Spotify playlist featuring Mao Mao playing the erhu. Furthermore, a special advance screening event will take place at Toho theaters across Japan starting January 5, 2025, showcasing the first two episodes. Voice actors Aoi Yuuki, Takeo Otsuka, and Katsuyuki Konishi will also make appearances to greet fans before the screenings.
The Creative Team Behind the Series
The original work is penned by Natsu Hyuga (Hero Bunko / IMAGICA Infos), with character designs by Toko Shinoto. The series is directed by Akiki Fudezaka, with the script crafted by Yuko Kakihara, Misuzu Chiba, and Hitomi Ogawa. The animation team includes key roles such as art director Katsumi Takao and sound director Shouni Hata, ensuring high production quality for the series. With a talented cast and dedicated staff, fans eagerly await the continuation of this captivating story.