Prime Video is adapting one of the last few years’ biggest anime hits into a live-action series. Mana Ashida will play Maomao, the show’s poison-obsessed lead. In fact, she’s said the role is one she’s dreamed of for years. The series premieres on Prime Video in 2028.
Mana Ashida Steps Into Maomao’s Shoes
Ashida is a former child star now in her twenties. She grew up reading the source novels. She says she poured everything into understanding the character before landing the part. Original author Natsu Hyuga has already backed the casting publicly, saying the role felt safe the moment producers picked Ashida. So far, producers haven’t announced who will play Jinshi, the palace official who becomes Maomao’s investigative partner.
A TOHO and Amazon MGM Studios Co-Production
Meanwhile, TOHO and Amazon MGM Studios are co-producing the series together. Yuki Saito will direct, and Erika Yoshida is writing the screenplay. Prime Video will stream it exclusively worldwide. As a result, a major domestic Japanese studio and an international streamer are backing the same live-action swing.
The Story Getting the Live-Action Treatment
The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, an apothecary sold into servitude at the emperor’s palace. In particular, she ends up solving mysteries and court intrigue alongside a handsome, unusually perceptive official. The novels spawned a manga and a widely acclaimed anime adaptation. That franchise built a big enough audience that a live-action version felt inevitable. Still, whether it can capture the same tone in live action remains the open question for 2028.
Source: Anime Corner
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