The Apothecary Diaries

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The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto), is a Japanese light novel series written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino on Shufunotomo's Hero Bunko imprint. The light novel series was first released on August 29, 2014 and has produced 13 volumes through February 25, 2023. It was first published in web novel form starting on October 27, 2011 at the online site Shōsetsuka ni Narō and is ongoing. It was then published novel form on Shufunotomo's Ray Books imprint on September 26, 2012. A manga adaptation with additional writing by Nekokurage and Itsuki Nanao and illustrated by Nekokurage that was published by Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan seinen magazine with its serialization starting in May 25, 2017. The manga resulted in 11 tankōbon volumes through February 25, 2023. There is another manga adaptations illustrated by Minoji Kurata and serialized in Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday Gene-X seinen magazine beginning on August 19, 2017 which resulted in 16 tankōbon volumes also through February 25, 2023. An anime adaptation by Toho Animation Studio and OLM premiered on October 22, 2023 and ran for 24 episodes to March 24, 2024. On March 23, 2024, a second season was announced on the anime's official website.

Plot[]

In the East is a land ruled by an Emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the Hougong, the Rear Palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's facade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort… so she can taste the lady's food for poison! At her lady's side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?