What this is
Animate's nationwide retail fair for the TV anime *The Apothecary Diaries* runs across all Animate stores and the online shop throughout late August and September 2026. The hook is a spend-and-get bonus system: every ¥1,100 spent on eligible merchandise earns you one random bookmark-style card from a set of four designs, featuring Maomao's 'Ice Dessert' motif and Jinshi's 'Armor' motif. Exclusive clear files, acrylic stands, and other goods tied to these two themes are sold during the period, and bonus items are limited to stock on hand.
Who should go
Fans of *The Apothecary Diaries* anime who want themed merchandise or are chasing the random bonus cards. Casual shoppers browsing Animate will find little reason to seek this out specifically.
Good to know
Animate stores accept major credit cards including Visa and Mastercard at most locations, though smaller branches may be cash-preferred — carry some yen to be safe. The bonus bookmark cards are random from a set of four, so repeat purchases are common among collectors trying to complete the set; there is no guarantee of a specific design. Stock of bonus items is finite and not replenished, so the first weekend of the fair (August 29–30) will see the heaviest foot traffic at flagship stores like Animate Akihabara and Animate Ikebukuro. The Animate Online Shop is a reliable alternative but ships within Japan only — international visitors should use a package forwarding service or buy in-store during their trip. Check the official Animate website before visiting to confirm which specific store locations are participating.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.