Koei Tecmo and Gust have revealed that Maomao, the apothecary who works inside the imperial court and solves mysteries, is now getting a console game. It marks the franchise’s first adaptation for the platform.
Players can step into the role of Maomao, exploring poisons and puzzles throughout the rear palace, pleasure district, and capital city in this mystery adventure. The story’s concept comes from Hyuganatsu, the creator of the light novel series that gave rise to the game. Early 2027 release is planned for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
Maomao’s World
The series follows Maomao, who possesses exceptional intelligence. Her understanding of medicine and poisons continually draws her into perilous mysteries at the imperial court. She detects details that pass others by, and that trait has turned the show into one of anime’s most successful recent entries.
A light novel series created by Hyuganatsu was the starting point for what later grew into manga and anime versions. The blend of palace intrigue, slow-burning romance, and complex investigations sets it apart as a strong candidate for an interactive adaptation. Players now get to assist Maomao as she solves these cases.
The False Imperial Brother
The game’s title is The False Imperial Brother. Maomao’s investigations will involve palace intrigue, slow-burning romance, and elaborate investigations, continuing the series’ established pattern.
Koei Tecmo and Gust have adapted the property for the first time, with the announcement coming from both companies. The original story was built by Hyuganatsu, which keeps the game faithful to its source material.
Platforms and Release
The game is scheduled to land in early 2027, with releases set for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC through Steam.
- PlayStation 5
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch
- PC via Steam
What This Means for Fans
The announcement is a win for fans of the series. A console game means Maomao’s world can now be explored in a new way, and the focus on investigation fits the franchise’s strengths perfectly.
The game’s biggest recent hits revolve around Maomao’s habit of noticing what everyone else misses has made the series one of anime’, whose deep understanding of medicine and poisons keeps drawing her into perilous mysteries within the imperial court. Players can now step into her world and take part in those investigations themselves.
The anime series The Apothecary Diaries has never depended on sword fights or supernatural powers to hold its audience’s attention. Instead, it centers on Maomao, a highly intelligent apothecary whose expertise with medicine and poisons keeps drawing her into perilous mysteries at the imperial court.
The pace of her investigations is deliberate and involved, and the emphasis on palace intrigue, romance, and poisons suits the material well. With Maomao solving mysteries with player assistance, it matches what the series has always been about.
See the video the story is built around at Collider.
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