Image via Koei Tecmo
If you even tangentially pay attention to anime, it’s hard to miss the absolute sensation that is The Apothecary Diaries. This anime, based on the series of light novels by Natsu Hyuuga, arrived on Netflix in the United States back in April 2025. It has since taken the world by storm, as many fans eagerly await the new season this October. Earlier this year, the first Apothecary Diaries game arrived in the form of the Apothecary Diaries Palace Chronicles browser game. But during the September 9th Nintendo Direct, Koei Tecmo just casually dropped the news of the first-ever console video game for the hit anime. And it’s coming out in early 2027!
In a quick “blink and you’ll miss it” moment, fans got a first look at the upcoming The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother. Thankfully, that quick teaser during the Nintendo Direct was quickly followed by a longer, 2-minute trailer on the official Koei Tecmo YouTube account. So, we do have at least a few initial details about the first mainstream Apothecary Diaries game. Perhaps most importantly, The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother will release in early 2027 for PC via Steam, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Here’s what we know.
The First Apothecary Diaries Video Game Has Been Confirmed, And Just Take My Money Already
The full, 2-minute trailer for the brand-new Apothecary Diaries game gives us our first in-depth look at Maomao, Jinshi, and many other key characters in 3D video game form. As you might expect, the game will be a mystery-solving adventure, where players step into Maomao’s capable shoes to solve five different mysteries. Even better, the brand-new story comes from the author of the original light novels, so you know it’s going to do the universe and characters justice.
The trailer shows off a bit of gameplay, including palace exploration, ingredient gathering, and of course, crafting various medicines. We’ll also get to collect evidence to solve mysteries around the palace, as only Maomao can. Basically, it looks like everything you’d hope to see from the first-ever Apothecary Diaries video game. You can check out the extended announcement trailer from Koei Tecmo below:
As the trailer suggests, the voice acting for the game will be entirely in Japanese, but English text will be available. We don’t yet have a firm release date for The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother. However, it’s slated for early 2027, which likely means we don’t have too long to wait. Could this be yet another game release lined up for February 2027? Whether it arrives in that already crowded month or another time altogether, you best believe I’ll be as excited as Maomao getting her hands on an ox bezoar when this game releases. The game is available to wishlist now if you don’t want to miss a single update.
Looking for more Apothecary Diaries content? Check out my list of must-read books for Apothecary Diaries fans.
Still here? Good.
That means the article did its job! If you’d like to see more of them (and get first crack at what’s next) our Patreon’s the place.
About the Author
Discover more from Bonus Action
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
