The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと) is a Japanese light novel series written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino. Since 2011, it has been serialized online on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. In the following year, it was acquired by Shufunotomo, who initially published the series as a novel with a single volume in 2012 and then as a light novel series in 2014.

It has been adapted into two manga series in 2017, with one published by Square Enix in Monthly Big Gangan, and another one published by Shogakukan in Monthly Sunday Gene-X. The light novel is licensed digitally in North America by J-Novel Club and in print by Square Enix, and the manga illustrated by Nekokurage is also licensed by Square Enix. An anime television series adaptation produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM aired from October 2023 to March 2024. A second season is set to premiere in 2025.

Premise
Set in a fictional country based on Imperial China during the Tang dynasty, the series follows Maomao, a young girl working as an apothecary in the red-light district, who was kidnapped and sold to the Imperial Palace as a servant. However, she still retains her curious and eccentric personality and plans to work there until her years of servitude are over, without drawing the attention of anyone. One day, after hearing rumors that the emperor's newborns and concubines are critically ill, she begins to investigate the cause, using her experience as an apothecary she successfully solves the mystery of their illness. Even though she intends to remain anonymous, her actions eventually catch the attention of an influential eunuch, and soon she finds herself solving various mysteries for the royal court.

Main characters

 * Maomao (猫猫)
 * The plain-looking daughter of an apothecary who lives on the outskirts of the city who provides her services to a brothel in the capital and its courtesans. After being kidnapped by bandits who sell her to the Imperial Palace, she is accidentally dragged into palace intrigue, using her knowledge of poisons, medicine, plants, and basic chemistry to become an unofficial forensic pathologist, in addition to becoming a lady-in-waiting and poison taste-tester for one of the Emperor's concubines. While Jinshi is in love with her, she does not reciprocate at all, often looking at him with disgust, resenting his ways of involving her in palace intrigue. Instead she prefers to spend time testing out different poisons and medicines on herself. Even so, she often helps him solve whatever mystery he brings to her attention.
 * The plain-looking daughter of an apothecary who lives on the outskirts of the city who provides her services to a brothel in the capital and its courtesans. After being kidnapped by bandits who sell her to the Imperial Palace, she is accidentally dragged into palace intrigue, using her knowledge of poisons, medicine, plants, and basic chemistry to become an unofficial forensic pathologist, in addition to becoming a lady-in-waiting and poison taste-tester for one of the Emperor's concubines. While Jinshi is in love with her, she does not reciprocate at all, often looking at him with disgust, resenting his ways of involving her in palace intrigue. Instead she prefers to spend time testing out different poisons and medicines on herself. Even so, she often helps him solve whatever mystery he brings to her attention.


 * Jinshi (壬氏)
 * A eunuch who runs most of the administration of the rear palace, where the Emperor's concubines and their respective staff reside. Both men and women alike are attracted to his visage, but he finds himself attracted to Maomao, the only person he has met who does not unconditionally love him. Later it is revealed that Jinshi is not an eunuch, he merely pretends to be one to hide his identity as the Emperor's younger brother while consuming anaphrodisiacs on a daily basis. Behind his face lies a shrewd mind that tries to balance his duties to the Emperor while improving his own station within the Imperial Palace.
 * A eunuch who runs most of the administration of the rear palace, where the Emperor's concubines and their respective staff reside. Both men and women alike are attracted to his visage, but he finds himself attracted to Maomao, the only person he has met who does not unconditionally love him. Later it is revealed that Jinshi is not an eunuch, he merely pretends to be one to hide his identity as the Emperor's younger brother while consuming anaphrodisiacs on a daily basis. Behind his face lies a shrewd mind that tries to balance his duties to the Emperor while improving his own station within the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor's Concubines

 * Gyokuyō (玉葉)
 * One of the Emperor's concubines with bright red hair, and the mother of an infant daughter and later a son. She took Maomao as a Lady-in-waiting as thanks for warning her about the poisoned makeup. She is also one who supports Jinshi and Maomao.
 * One of the Emperor's concubines with bright red hair, and the mother of an infant daughter and later a son. She took Maomao as a Lady-in-waiting as thanks for warning her about the poisoned makeup. She is also one who supports Jinshi and Maomao.


 * Lihua (梨花)
 * One of the Emperor's concubines with dark blue hair who gave birth to his heir. However, when she ignored Maomao's warning about her poisoned makeup, her infant son died and she herself nearly passed away. After Maomao later nursed her back to health, she became more friendly to her. She later gave birth to a healthy son.
 * One of the Emperor's concubines with dark blue hair who gave birth to his heir. However, when she ignored Maomao's warning about her poisoned makeup, her infant son died and she herself nearly passed away. After Maomao later nursed her back to health, she became more friendly to her. She later gave birth to a healthy son.


 * Lishu (里樹)
 * Known as the Virtuous Consort, she is the youngest of the four leading concubines of the Emperor. Due to political reasons, she becomes the mother-in-law of the older Pure Consort. She has food allergies but her ladies-in-waiting think she is just picky with her food, making it a point to subtly bully her until Maomao suggests death from food allergies is as bad as poisoning and could lead to the execution of those responsible.
 * Known as the Virtuous Consort, she is the youngest of the four leading concubines of the Emperor. Due to political reasons, she becomes the mother-in-law of the older Pure Consort. She has food allergies but her ladies-in-waiting think she is just picky with her food, making it a point to subtly bully her until Maomao suggests death from food allergies is as bad as poisoning and could lead to the execution of those responsible.


 * Ah-Duo (阿多)
 * Known as the Pure Consort, one of the four leading concubines of the Emperor. She has a close relationship with Lishu. It is implied that she is the mother of Jinshi. She would later leave the rear palace to live in a detached palace in the south.
 * Known as the Pure Consort, one of the four leading concubines of the Emperor. She has a close relationship with Lishu. It is implied that she is the mother of Jinshi. She would later leave the rear palace to live in a detached palace in the south.


 * Loulan
 * Ah-Duo’s replacement as the Pure Consort. Behavior-wise, she is aloof and seems not to care.

Other members

 * Gaoshun (高順)
 * Jinshi's loyal attendant, often supporting him and Maomao more quietly.
 * Jinshi's loyal attendant, often supporting him and Maomao more quietly.


 * Guen (虞淵)
 * Guen is the palace's doctor, whom Maomao refers to at first as a quack. Though he was a bit hesitant around Maomao, he comes to accept and befriend her later.
 * Guen is the palace's doctor, whom Maomao refers to at first as a quack. Though he was a bit hesitant around Maomao, he comes to accept and befriend her later.


 * Jiaojiao (嬌嬌)


 * Lihaku (李白)
 * A soldier who happened to give Maomao a hairpin during the garden party. She requested him to escort her outside of the palace walls in exchange for time at the Verdigris, which caused misunderstanding on Jinshi's part.
 * A soldier who happened to give Maomao a hairpin during the garden party. She requested him to escort her outside of the palace walls in exchange for time at the Verdigris, which caused misunderstanding on Jinshi's part.


 * Xiaolan (小蘭)
 * A servant at the rear palace who is Maomao's close friend. Whenever she and Maomao comes together, she sometimes share the latest gossip and intel from all over the palace.
 * A servant at the rear palace who is Maomao's close friend. Whenever she and Maomao comes together, she sometimes share the latest gossip and intel from all over the palace.


 * Fengming (風明)
 * Ah-Duo's lead lady-in-waiting whose family owns an apiary. Despite her showing as an exemplary and respected lady-in-waiting, there is a secret behind her, which could be the reason Lishu fears her, even with just the mention of her name.
 * Ah-Duo's lead lady-in-waiting whose family owns an apiary. Despite her showing as an exemplary and respected lady-in-waiting, there is a secret behind her, which could be the reason Lishu fears her, even with just the mention of her name.


 * Lakan (羅漢)
 * He is said to be a tactician of the emperor's army. This monocle-wearing official is the head of the La clan, to which Maomao belongs, as he is her biological father.
 * He is said to be a tactician of the emperor's army. This monocle-wearing official is the head of the La clan, to which Maomao belongs, as he is her biological father.


 * Suirei (翠苓)
 * Suirei is a former court lady in the outer court. She is the first daughter of Shishou, Loulan's half-sister.
 * Suirei is a former court lady in the outer court. She is the first daughter of Shishou, Loulan's half-sister.


 * Rikuson (陸孫)
 * A subordinate of Lakan who is sent to become Gyokuyou's aide.
 * A subordinate of Lakan who is sent to become Gyokuyou's aide.


 * Empress Dowager

Others

 * Meimei (梅梅)
 * One of "The Three Princesses" of the famous Verdigris (緑青館), a super high-class brothel where Maomao once worked, and treats Maomao as a sister.
 * One of "The Three Princesses" of the famous Verdigris (緑青館), a super high-class brothel where Maomao once worked, and treats Maomao as a sister.


 * Pairin (白鈴)
 * One of the famous "Three Princesses" and the most popular courtesan of the Verdigris brothel who also acts like a sister to Maomao when she visits. It is later revealed Pairin breastfed Maomao as a baby so at times her sisterly affection for Maomao is more motherly than the other princesses
 * One of the famous "Three Princesses" and the most popular courtesan of the Verdigris brothel who also acts like a sister to Maomao when she visits. It is later revealed Pairin breastfed Maomao as a baby so at times her sisterly affection for Maomao is more motherly than the other princesses


 * Joka (女華)
 * The third of the famous "Three Princesses" of the ultra-exclusive Verdigris brothel.
 * The third of the famous "Three Princesses" of the ultra-exclusive Verdigris brothel.


 * Madam (やり手婆)
 * An old woman who owns the Verdigris brothel and offered Maomao a place to work, treating her like a granddaughter. She has a deal with Maomao not to make her a courtesan as long as she sends the princesses plenty of rich customers from the rear palace.
 * An old woman who owns the Verdigris brothel and offered Maomao a place to work, treating her like a granddaughter. She has a deal with Maomao not to make her a courtesan as long as she sends the princesses plenty of rich customers from the rear palace.


 * Luomen (羅門)
 * Maomao's adoptive father. She later knew from court records that he is a former court doctor who was banished from the rear palace. He is revealed to be one of a rare few to have been sent abroad by the empire to study medicine.
 * Maomao's adoptive father. She later knew from court records that he is a former court doctor who was banished from the rear palace. He is revealed to be one of a rare few to have been sent abroad by the empire to study medicine.


 * Fengxian (鳳仙)
 * Formerly the Verdigris's most valuable courtesan, she contracted a disease due to the nature of her profession, which made her of no use to the brothel. She is Maomao's biological mother, who once nearly killed her in her infancy, and whose attack is the reason for Maomao's crooked little finger. Maomao visits her regularly to help manage her disease through Luomen's medicine.
 * Formerly the Verdigris's most valuable courtesan, she contracted a disease due to the nature of her profession, which made her of no use to the brothel. She is Maomao's biological mother, who once nearly killed her in her infancy, and whose attack is the reason for Maomao's crooked little finger. Maomao visits her regularly to help manage her disease through Luomen's medicine.


 * Shishou
 * Loulan’s father who is also an influential politician.
 * Loulan’s father who is also an influential politician.

Novel
Originally, the series was only published by Natsu Hyūga on the user-generated web novel site Shōsetsuka ni Narō in October 2011. The publisher Shufunotomo acquired the series and then published it on their Ray Books imprint as a novel with a single volume on September 26, 2012, illustrated by Megumi Matsuda.

Light novel
In 2014, Shufunotomo began to publish the series again, illustrated by Touko Shino. This time, it was published as a light novel in their Hero Bunko imprint, which is mostly made of acquired Shōsetsuka ni Narō titles. Since then, the series continued to get more volumes with the story continuing, unlike the previous novel version which had just one volume. J-Novel Club announced in November 2020 that it had licensed the light novel series. In October 2023, Square Enix announced that it would release the light novels in print starting in May 2024.

Manga
A manga adaptation by Itsuki Nanao and illustrated by Nekokurage began in the 2017 6th issue of Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan, released on May 25, 2017. Square Enix has compiled its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on September 25, 2017. As of March 25, 2024, 13 volumes have been published.

In November 2019, Square Enix announced the English language release of the manga in North America under the title The Apothecary Diaries, and began publishing it in December 2020. The manga is also licensed in Indonesia by M&C!.

An alternative manga adaptation, titled Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Mao Mao no Kōkyū Nazotoki Techō (薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～), illustrated by Minoji Kurata, began in Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday Gene-X on August 19, 2017. Shogakukan has compiled its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on February 19, 2018. As of March 19, 2024, 18 volumes have been published.

Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on February 16, 2023. It is produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM, with Norihiro Naganuma directing and supervising the scripts, and Akinori Fudesaka serving as assistant director. Yukiko Nakatani designed the characters, and Satoru Kōsaki, Kevin Penkin, and Alisa Okehazama composed the music. The two consecutive-cour series aired from October 22, 2023, to March 24, 2024, on Nippon TV and its affiliates. The first opening theme song is "Hana ni Natte" (花になって), performed by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, while the first ending theme song is "Aikotoba" (アイコトバ), performed by Aina the End. The second opening theme song is "Ambivalent" (アンビバレント), performed by Uru, while the second ending theme song is "Ai wa Kusuri" (愛は薬), performed by Wacci. Crunchyroll licensed the series outside Asia, in addition to the Middle East, the CIS, and South Asia. Netflix has licensed the series for streaming in select regions of Asia.

After the airing of the final episode, it was announced that the series would be receiving a second season. It is set to premiere in 2025.

Sales
The Apothecary Diaries was the sixth best-selling light novel series in 2019, with 461,024 copies sold; the fifth best-selling light novel series in 2020, with 527,950 copies sold; and the third best-selling light novel series in 2021, with 496,626 copies sold.

By November 2023, the franchise (including the light novel and its two manga adaptations) had over 27 million copies in circulation. By January 2024, the franchise had over 31 million copies in circulation.

Critical response
In her review of the first novel for Anime News Network, Rebecca Silverman gave it an overall grade of B, writing: "It's an enjoyable read, one that gets better as it goes on, and if its pacing is a little too fast, it makes up for it in the way the characters interact and the story unfolds", though she criticized it for lacking in mystery elements despite being of the mystery genre. Silverman also gave the second novel a B grade, describing it as being "still an engaging read" and writing: "Maomao is a wonderful, if at times abrasive, heroine who takes no garbage from anyone, and watching her become more and more involved in the life of the court is interesting."

In his review of the first volume of the manga adaptation for Anime News Network, Theron Martin gave it an overall grade of B+. He praised the art, characters and the use of historical details, and noted several similarities with The Story of Saiunkoku. Silverman gave the second manga volume an overall grade of A−, writing: "The Apothecary Diaries' manga adaptation continues to be an excellent read. The art is beautiful, Maomao's the sort of female character who's actually strong rather than just being a Strong Female Character, and the story has nice continuity."

In 2019, the manga adaptation by Nekokurage ranked ninth on AnimeJapan's "Most Wanted Anime Adaptation" poll. The manga adaptation won the Next Manga Award in the print category. It also ranked fifth on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2020". In 2024, the light novel and manga adaptation by Nekokurage won the Piccoma Award in their respective categories.