Anime News

Houko Kuwashima joins The Apothecary Diaries cast as Fengxian – a mysterious courtesan who has a connection to Maomao

February 9, 2024
Michelle Topham

Readers of The Apothecary Diaries light novels and manga series will already be familiar with Fengxian.



This week, the anime world will also meet the mysterious woman, as a fresh addition to the cast of The Apothecary Diaries anime has been unveiled.

Voice actress Houko Kuwashima (Yurie in My Happy Marriage) is joining The Apothecary Diaries as Fengxian.

The character, a former courtesan and someone with a deep connection to Maomao, is presently hidden away and ailing in a Verdigris House annex building.

Fengxian will appear for the first time this weekend in The Apothecary Diaries, Episode 18.

The Apothecary Diaries cast

Houko Kuwashima will join The Apothecary Diaries cast alongside lead VAs Aoi Yuuki (Maomao) and Takeo Ootsuka (Jinshi).

She will be a member of the superb supporting cast of Atsumi Tanezaki (Gyokuyou), Yuuko Kaida (Ah Duo), Yui Ishikawa (Lihua), Katsuyuki Konishi (Gaoshun), Hina Kino (Lishu), Misaki Kuno (Xiaolan), Daichi Endou (The Emperor), Kenji Akabane (Lihaku) and Takuya Kirimoto (Lakan).


The Apothecary Diaries story

The Apothecary Diaries manga series and light novel series are being published by Square Enix, who has this to say about the story:

Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn’t long for a life of drudgery!

Using her wits to break a “curse” afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster.

But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and…solving mysteries?!

Keep an eye out for Houko Kuwashima joining the cast of The Apothecary Diaries as Fengxian on Saturday.

Meanwhile, you can watch the series via Crunchyroll, and check out the preview for The Apothecary Diaries, Episode 18 in the video below — and yes, you will see a sneak peek of Fengxian.