The Apothecary Diaries Gets Its First Console Game, Out in Japan on March 18, 2027

The Apothecary Diaries is getting its first console game. The mystery adventure, titled 薬屋のひとりごと ～偽りの皇弟～ in Japanese, comes out in Japan on Thursday, March 18, 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam), the official anime website announced. No English title has been announced.

The story is completely new, with original author Natsu Hyuuga writing its concept.

The story

Soon after Maomao starts working as a lady-in-waiting, a series of strange events known as the “five mysteries” spreads unease through the rear palace, and Jinshi asks her to investigate. Later, after a clan's rebellion has been put down, rumours of “five curses” sweep the capital, and Maomao sees a masked figure presented as the Emperor's younger brother at the scene of an incident. Jinshi denies any involvement.

Players use Maomao's knowledge of medicine and her eye for detail to make medicines, negotiate, gather evidence and solve cases. At times they can also play as Jinshi, to get information Maomao cannot. The game also introduces original characters.

Editions and pre-orders

• Special Premium Box: 25,960 yen. Adds an original art book, a B3 fabric poster, a pill case, a book cover in Maomao's outfit pattern, a bound notebook styled as Maomao's case records and a medicine notebook case. Limited stock; in Japan it is sold only through Gust Shop, TOHO animation STORE ONLINE, GAMECITY, Amazon.co.jp, animate and AmiAmi.
• Digital Deluxe Edition: 10,010 yen, with outfit sets for Maomao and Jinshi. The same content is sold separately as a Digital Deluxe Upgrade Pack for 1,430 yen, so do not buy both.

The price of the standard edition is not listed on the official game website.

Physical editions are available for pre-order now, and digital pre-orders on PS5 and Steam opened on October 22. Early-purchase bonus items come with the first print run of the physical edition and with download copies bought by March 31, 2027.

Things to know before buying

• The Switch 2 version is sold only as a game-key card.
• The Switch and Switch 2 versions are separate: save data cannot be carried over, and there is no upgrade path from Switch to Switch 2.
• On Steam, the standard edition is download only.

Can you play it in English?

Not as far as anyone has announced. Neither the official anime website nor the official game website lists the game's languages or a release outside Japan, and no English version has been announced. We will update this article if that changes.

The Special Premium Box is sold only through Japanese shops. If you are thinking of ordering from outside Japan, see our guide: How to Buy Anime Merchandise From Japan’s Official Shops When You Live Overseas.

Meanwhile, the anime film The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure opens in Japan on December 11, with a theme song by Kenshi Yonezu.

Announced by the official The Apothecary Diaries website
Official sources: kusuriyanohitorigoto.jp (news/3157) · Official game website

How this was checked: written from the official announcement linked above and checked against it by a human editor before publication on October 23, 2026. Editorial policy