Apothecary Diaries: The Perfect Replacement for My Ace Attorney Obsession

What’s going on, Nintendo?! You can’t just tease us with a two-second glimpse of a new Apothecary Diaries video game and act like it’s no big deal, especially after the excitement of Metroid Ravenous.

Despite that surprising lack of fanfare for one of the best anime series in recent years, Koei Tecmo has the full trailer for The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother ready to check out on YouTube.

The Apothecary Diaries follows Mao Mao, a modest apothecary who becomes a poison taster for the Imperial harem. Throughout her adventures, she uses her extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals to unravel various mysteries and solve gruesome murders. Imagine House, MD set in ancient Imperial China, with a young woman obsessed with poisons instead of a grumpy doctor. In this scenario, Master Jinshi, an imperial eunuch with a significant secret, plays the role of Dr. Wilson, assisting Mao Mao in her investigations while clearly harboring feelings for her. It’s basically House, MD with a twist.

The False Imperial Brother features an original storyline crafted by the series creator, Hyuganatsu, where Mao Mao and Jinshi take on “The Five Mysteries of the Rear Palace.” The gameplay seems to lean towards an Ace Attorney style, which is great news since there’s been no word from Capcom on the next Phoenix Wright installment. Players will investigate crime scenes, conduct interviews, and present their findings, but this time it’ll be in front of the emperor instead of a judge. There will also be exploration, gathering, and crafting mechanics to dive into.

Apothecary Diaries was the show that pulled me out of my long anime break. It’s the only new series I keep up with, and I’m thrilled that season three kicks off next month. While the game won’t drop until early 2027 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam, I can’t wait to immerse myself in the imperial palace once again.