The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother launches March 18, 2027

Koei Tecmo Games announced that The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother will be released on March 18, 2027, for PS5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via Steam. The standard edition is priced at 8,580 yen including tax, according to Automaton Media.

The title is a mystery adventure game based on The Apothecary Diaries, with an original story conceived by Natsu Hyuuga. Development is handled by Koei Tecmo Games' Gust brand, and a new promotional video was released alongside the announcement.

New characters and cast

Three original characters were revealed. Ganyu is a traveling stage actor voiced by Yohei Azakami, Yanshi is a high official of the Shangyi Bureau voiced by Yumi Uchiyama, and Chenhan is a gentle elderly man who visits the Rokushokukan, voiced by Takahiro Miyamoto.

In exploration sections, players can also control Jinshi and the cat Maomao. Beyond the standard edition, a premium box is priced at 15,510 yen, a special premium box at 25,960 yen, and a digital deluxe edition at 10,010 yen.

The Apothecary Diaries is a mystery novel series by Natsu Hyuuga whose protagonist Maomao is a former apothecary girl who is kidnapped and made to work in the rear palace. The series has been adapted into manga and TV anime, and the third anime season has been airing since October 2026. The game was previously announced, and because Gust develops the Atelier series and the title includes an alchemy-like medicine-making part, players nicknamed it "Maomao's Atelier" — an idea that also became the starting point of the project.