The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries (Japanese: 薬屋のひとりごと, Hepburn: Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) is a Japanese light novel series written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino. It was serialized online since 2011 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. The series is set in a fictional country modelled after ancient China.
| The Apothecary Diaries | |
 Cover for the first volume of the light novel | |
| 薬屋のひとりごと (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama, mystery, romance[1] |
| Novel series | |
| Written by | Natsu Hyūga |
| Published by | Shōsetsuka ni Narō |
| Original run | October 27, 2011 – present |
| Novel | |
| Written by | Natsu Hyūga |
| Illustrated by | Megumi Matsuda |
| Published by | Shufunotomo |
| Imprint | Ray Books |
| Demographic | Female |
| Published | September 26, 2012 |
| Light novel | |
| Written by | Natsu Hyūga |
| Illustrated by | Touko Shino |
| Published by | Shufunotomo |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Hero Bunko |
| Demographic | Male |
| Original run | August 29, 2014 – present |
| Volumes | 13 |
| Manga | |
| Written by |
|
| Illustrated by | Nekokurage |
| Published by | Square Enix |
| English publisher | |
| Magazine | Monthly Big Gangan |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Original run | May 25, 2017 – present |
| Volumes | 11 |
| Manga | |
| Mao Mao no Kōkyū Nazotoki Techō | |
| Written by | Natsu Hyūga |
| Illustrated by | Minoji Kurata |
| Published by | Shogakukan |
| Magazine | Monthly Sunday Gene-X |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Original run | August 19, 2017 – present |
| Volumes | 16 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Norihiro Naganuma |
| Written by | Norihiro Naganuma |
| Music by |
|
| Studio |
|
| Original run | 2023 – scheduled |
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 in North America by J-Novel Club, and the manga illustrated by Nekokurage is licensed by Square Enix. An anime television series adaptation by Toho Animation Studio and OLM is set to premiere in 2023.
Premise
In a certain country in the East, Maomao, a young girl who works as a pharmacist in the red-light district, is 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 the rumors that the emperor's children are critically ill, she begins to investigate the cause, using her experience as a pharmacist, and 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 finds herself solving various mysteries in the imperial court.
Characters
- Maomao (猫猫)
- Voiced by: Aoi Yūki[2][3] (drama CD, anime)
- Jinshi (壬氏)
- Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai[2] (drama CD)
- Gaoshun (高順)
- Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda[2] (drama CD)
- Gyokuyō (玉葉)
- Voiced by: Yoko Hikasa[2] (drama CD)
- Guen (虞淵)
- Voiced by: Mitsuru Ogata[2] (drama CD)
- Jiaojiao (嬌嬌)
- Voiced by: Mari Hino[2] (drama CD)
Media
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.[4]
Light novel
In 2014, Shufunotomo began to publish the series again. 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 only one volume. J-Novel Club announced in November 2020 that it had licensed the light novel series.[5]
Volume list
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 29, 2014[6] | 978-4-07-298198-6 | February 14, 2021[7] | 978-1-71-836118-8 | ||
| ||||||
| 2 | January 31, 2015[8] | 978-4-07-410821-3 | June 3, 2021[9] | 978-1-71-836120-1 | ||
| ||||||
| 3 | June 29, 2015[10] | 978-4-07-401176-6 | September 14, 2021[11] | 978-1-71-836122-5 | ||
| ||||||
| 4 | September 30, 2015[12] | 978-4-07-403100-9 | January 5, 2022[13] | 978-1-71-836124-9 | ||
| ||||||
| 5 | April 30, 2016[14] | 978-4-07-416947-4 | May 9, 2022[15] | 978-1-71-836126-3 | ||
| ||||||
| 6 | November 30, 2016[16] | 978-4-07-420788-6 | October 10, 2022[17] | 978-1-71-836128-7 | ||
| ||||||
| 7 | February 28, 2018[18] | 978-4-07-429772-6 | March 1, 2023[19] | 978-1-71-836130-0 | ||
| ||||||
| 8 | February 28, 2019[20] | 978-4-07-436884-6 | — | — | ||
| 9 | February 28, 2020[21][2] | 978-4-07-442420-7 978-4-07-441030-9 (LE) | — | — | ||
| 10 | January 29, 2021[22] | 978-4-07-447215-4 | — | — | ||
| 11 | April 30, 2021[23][24] | 978-4-07-448226-9 978-4-07-448440-9 (LE) | — | — | ||
| 12 | July 29, 2022[25][26] | 978-4-07-452400-6 978-4-07-452386-3 (LE) | — | — | ||
| 13 | February 25, 2023[27] | 978-4-07-454379-3 | — | — | ||
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.[28] Square Enix has compiled its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on September 25, 2017.[29] As of February 25, 2023, eleven volumes have been published.[30]
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.[31]
The manga is also licensed in Indonesia by M&C!.[32]
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～, lit. "The Apothecary Diaries: The Palace Cloister Mystery-Solving Notebook of Mao Mao"), illustrated by Minoji Kurata, began in Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday Gene-X on August 19, 2017.[33] Shogakukan has compiled its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on February 19, 2018.[34] As of February 25, 2023, sixteen volume have been published.[35]
The Apothecary Diaries
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 25, 2017[29] | 978-4-06-388690-0 | December 8, 2020[36] | 978-1-64609-070-9 | ||
| ||||||
| 2 | February 24, 2018[37] | 978-4-7575-5640-9 | February 9, 2021[38] | 978-1-64609-071-6 | ||
| ||||||
| 3 | July 25, 2018[39] | 978-4-7575-5794-9 | September 21, 2021[40] | 978-1-64609-072-3 | ||
| ||||||
| 4 | February 25, 2019[41] | 978-4-7575-5963-9 | December 28, 2021[42] | 978-1-64609-073-0 | ||
| ||||||
| 5 | July 25, 2019[43] | 978-4-7575-6216-5 | July 12, 2022[44] | 978-1-64609-074-7 | ||
| ||||||
| 6 | March 25, 2020[45] | 978-4-7575-6581-4 | September 13, 2022[46] | 978-1-64609-086-0 | ||
| ||||||
| 7 | November 25, 2020[47] | 978-4-7575-6856-3 | December 13, 2022[48] | 978-1-6460-9120-1 | ||
| ||||||
| 8 | May 25, 2021[49] | 978-4-7575-7271-3 | June 6, 2023[50] | 978-1-6460-9134-8 | ||
| ||||||
| 9 | November 25, 2021[51] | 978-4-7575-7586-8 | August 8, 2023[52] | 978-1-6460-9135-5 | ||
| ||||||
| 10 | June 23, 2022[53] | 978-4-7575-7985-9 | November 7, 2023[54] | 978-1-6460-9136-2 | ||
| ||||||
| 11 | February 25, 2023[30] | 978-4-7575-8324-5 | — | — | ||
| ||||||
Mao Mao no Kōkyū Nazotoki Techō
| No. | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 19, 2018[34] | 978-4-09-157515-9 |
| 2 | July 19, 2018[55] | 978-4-09-157533-3 |
| 3 | September 19, 2018[56] | 978-4-09-157543-2 |
| 4 | February 19, 2019[57] | 978-4-09-157560-9 |
| 5 | June 19, 2019[58] | 978-4-09-157564-7 |
| 6 | November 19, 2019[59] | 978-4-09-157580-7 |
| 7 | February 19, 2020[60] | 978-4-09-157586-9 |
| 8 | June 19, 2020[61] | 978-4-09-157597-5 |
| 9 | October 16, 2020[62] | 978-4-09-157608-8 |
| 10 | February 19, 2021[63] | 978-4-09-157622-4 |
| 11 | June 18, 2021[64] | 978-4-09-157639-2 |
| 12 | October 19, 2021[65] | 978-4-09-157652-1 |
| 13 | February 18, 2022[66] | 978-4-09-157668-2 |
| 14 | June 17, 2022[67] | 978-4-09-157680-4 |
| 15 | November 17, 2022[68] | 97-8-40-9157692-7 |
| 16 | February 25, 2023[35] | 978-4-09-157731-3 |
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 will design the characters, and Satoru Kōsaki, Kevin Penkin, and Alisa Okehazama will compose the music. The series is set to premiere in 2023.[69][3]
Reception
Sales
The Apothecary Diaries was the sixth best-selling light novel series in 2019, with 461,024 copies sold;[70] the fifth best-selling light novel series in 2020, with 527,950 copies sold;[71] and the third best-selling light novel series in 2021, with 496,626 copies sold.[72]
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.[73] 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."[74]
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 use of historical details, and noted several similarities with The Story of Saiunkoku.[75] Martin 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."[76]
In 2019, the manga adaptation won the Next Manga Award in the print category.[77] The manga adaptation also ranked 5th on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2020".[78] In 2020, it ranked 9th in the AnimeJapan Most Wanted Anime Adaptation poll.[79]
References
- "The Apothecary Diaries". Square Enix Manga & Books. Square Enix. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと９ ドラマＣＤ付き限定特装版 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 15, 2023). "The Apothecary Diaries Novels About Palace Intrigue Get 2023 TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- 薬屋のひとりごと (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 14, 2020). "J-Novel Club Adds 5 Light Novels, 2 Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 1". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと２ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 2". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと３ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 3". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと４ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 4". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと５ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 5". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと６ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 6". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと７ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 7". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- 薬屋のひとりごと８ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと９ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと10 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと11 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 11 ドラマCD付き限定特装版 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと12 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 12 ドラマCD付き限定特装版 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと13 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- 「冴えカノ 恋メト」描き下ろしイラスト＆小説が楽しめる付録がBGに. Natalie (in Japanese). May 25, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 1 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 11 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- Pineda, Rafael (November 16, 2019). "Square Enix Manga & Books Licenses 5 Manga, 1 Novel". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 15, 2021). "M&C! Licenses The Apothecary Diaries Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- 「BLACK LAGOON」レヴィB2タペストリーの応募者全員サービスがGXで. Natalie (in Japanese). August 19, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ １ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ １６ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 1". Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 2 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 2". Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 3 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 3". Square Enix. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 4 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 4". Square Enix. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 5 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 5". Square Enix. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 6 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 6". Square Enix. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 7 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 7". Square Enix. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 8 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 8". Square Enix. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 9 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 9". Square Enix. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- 薬屋のひとりごと 10 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 10". Square Enix. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ ２ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ ３ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ ４ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ ５ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ ６ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ ７ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ ８ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ ９ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ １０ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ １１ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ １２ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ １３ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ １４ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと～猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳～ １５ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- 薬屋のひとりごと：2023年テレビアニメ化 TOHO animation STUDIO×OLM 悠木碧が猫猫に. Mantan Web (in Japanese). February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- Loo, Egan (November 27, 2019). "Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan by Series: 2019". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- Loo, Egan (November 29, 2020). "Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan by Series: 2020". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- Loo, Egan (November 28, 2021). "Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan by Series: 2021". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- Silverman, Rebecca (March 4, 2021). "The Apothecary Diaries LN 1". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Silverman, Rebecca (August 6, 2021). "The Apothecary Diaries LN 2". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Martin, Theron (December 20, 2020). "The Apothecary Diaries GN 1". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "The Apothecary Diaries GN 2". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- Loveridge, Lynzee (August 22, 2019). "SPY × FAMILY, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Win Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Award 2019". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- Mateo, Alex (February 1, 2020). "Japanese Bookstores Recommend 15 Top Manga for 2020". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- Loveridge, Lynzee. "Nearly 200,000 Fans Vote in AnimeJapan's 'Most Wanted Anime Adaptation' Poll". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
External links
- Web novel at Shōsetsuka ni Narō (in Japanese)
- Light novel official website (in Japanese)
- Manga official website at Monthly Big Gangan (in Japanese)
- Manga official website at Monthly Sunday Gene-X (in Japanese)
- Manga official website at Square Enix Manga & Books
- Anime official website (in Japanese)
- The Apothecary Diaries (light novel) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
