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 Apothecary Diaries
Cover for the first volume of the light novel
薬屋のひとりごと
(Kusuriya no Hitorigoto)
GenreDrama, mystery, romance[1]
Novel series
Written byNatsu Hyūga
Published byShōsetsuka ni Narō
Original runOctober 27, 2011 – present
Novel
Written byNatsu Hyūga
Illustrated byMegumi Matsuda
Published byShufunotomo
ImprintRay Books
DemographicFemale
PublishedSeptember 26, 2012
Light novel
Written byNatsu Hyūga
Illustrated byTouko Shino
Published byShufunotomo
English publisher
ImprintHero Bunko
DemographicMale
Original runAugust 29, 2014 – present
Volumes11
Manga
Written by
  • Natsu Hyūga
  • Itsuki Nanao
Illustrated byNekokurage
Published bySquare Enix
English publisher
Square Enix
MagazineMonthly Big Gangan
DemographicSeinen
Original runMay 25, 2017 – present
Volumes9
Manga
Mao Mao no Kōkyū Nazotoki Techō
Written byNatsu Hyūga
Illustrated byMinoji Kurata
Published byShogakukan
MagazineMonthly Sunday Gene-X
DemographicSeinen
Original runAugust 19, 2017 – present
Volumes12

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.

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.[2]

Light novel

In 2014, Shufunotomo began to publish the series again. This time, the publisher did it 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.[3]

Volume list
No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 August 29, 2014[4]978-4-07-298198-6February 14, 2021[5]978-1-71-836118-8
  • Chapter 1: Maomao
  • Chapter 2: The Two Consorts
  • Chapter 3: Jinshi
  • Chapter 4: The Nymph's Smile
  • Chapter 5: Attendant
  • Chapter 6: Poison Tester
  • Chapter 7: Branch
  • Chapter 8: Love Potion
  • Chapter 9: Cacao
  • Chapter 10: The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit (Part One)
  • Chapter 11: The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit (Part Two)
  • Chapter 12: The Threat
  • Chapter 13: Nursing
  • Chapter 14: The Fire
  • Chapter 15: Covert Operations
  • Chapter 16: The Garden Party (Part One)
  • Chapter 17: The Garden Party (Part Two)
  • Chapter 18: The Garden Party (Part Three)
  • Chapter 19: After the Festivities
  • Chapter 20: Fingers
  • Chapter 21: Lihaku
  • Chapter 22: Homecoming
  • Chapter 23: Wheat Stalks
  • Chapter 24: A Misunderstanding
  • Chapter 25: Wine
  • Chapter 26: Two 'Cides to Every Story
  • Chapter 27: Honey (Part One)
  • Chapter 28: Honey (Part Two)
  • Chapter 29: Honey (Part Three)
  • Chapter 30: Ah-Duo
  • Chapter 31: Dismissal
  • Epilogue: The Eunuch and the Courtesan
2 January 31, 2015[6]978-4-07-410821-3June 3, 2021[7]978-1-71-836120-1
  • Prologue
  • Chapter 1: Serving in the Outer Court
  • Chapter 2: The Pipe
  • Chapter 3: Teaching at the Rear Palace
  • Chapter 4: Raw Fish
  • Chapter 5: Lead
  • Chapter 6: Makeup
  • Chapter 7: A Jaunt Around Town
  • Chapter 8: The Plum Poison
  • Chapter 9: Lakan
  • Chapter 10: Suirei
  • Chapter 11: Chance or Something More
  • Chapter 12: The Ritual
  • Chapter 13: Thornapple
  • Chapter 14: Gaoshun
  • Chapter 15: Rear Palace Redux
  • Chapter 16: Paper
  • Chapter 17: How to Buy Out a Contract
  • Chapter 18: Blue Roses
  • Chapter 19: Red Nails
  • Chapter 20: Balsam and Woodsorrel
  • Epilogue
3 June 29, 2015[8]978-4-07-401176-6September 14, 2021[9]978-1-71-836122-5
  • Prologue
  • Chapter 1: Books
  • Chapter 2: The Cat
  • Chapter 3: The Caravan
  • Chapter 4: Perfume Oil
  • Chapter 5: Corpse Fungus (Part One)
  • Chapter 6: Corpse Fungus (Part Two)
  • Chapter 7: Mirrors
  • Chapter 8: The Moon Spirit
  • Chapter 9: The Clinic
  • Chapter 10: Third Time's the Charm (Part One)
  • Chapter 11: Third Time's the Charm (Part Two)
  • Chapter 12: The Shrine of Choosing
  • Chapter 13: The Empress Dowager
  • Chapter 14: His Former Majesty
  • Chapter 15: Scary Stories
  • Chapter 16: Beating the Heat
  • Chapter 17: The Hunt (Part One)
  • Chapter 18: The Hunt (Part Two)
  • Chapter 19: The Hunt (Part Three)
  • Epilogue
4 September 30, 2015[10]978-4-07-403100-9January 5, 2022[11]978-1-71-836124-9
  • Prologue
  • Chapter 1: The Bath
  • Chapter 2: Seki-u
  • Chapter 3: The Dancing Ghost
  • Chapter 4: The Rumored Eunuchs
  • Chapter 5: Ice
  • Chapter 6: Breech Birth
  • Chapter 7: Festering Resentment (Part One)
  • Chapter 8: Festering Resentment (Part Two)
  • Chapter 9: The Fox and the Tanuki Match Wits
  • Chapter 10: Traces
  • Chapter 11: The Fox Village
  • Chapter 12: Lantern Plant
  • Chapter 13: Festival
  • Chapter 14: The Worksite
  • Chapter 15: The Stronghold
  • Chapter 16: Lahan
  • Chapter 17: Taibon
  • Chapter 18: Feifa
  • Chapter 19: The Army Marches
  • Chapter 20: The Ambush
  • Chapter 21: How it Began
  • Chapter 22: In the Clutches of the Fox
  • Epilogue
5 April 30, 2016[12]978-4-07-416947-4May 9, 2022[13]978-1-71-836126-3
6 November 30, 2016[14]978-4-07-420788-6——
7 February 28, 2018[15]978-4-07-429772-6——
8 February 28, 2019[16]978-4-07-436884-6——
9 February 28, 2020[17][18]978-4-07-442420-7
978-4-07-441030-9 (LE)		——
10 January 29, 2021[19]978-4-07-447215-4——
11 April 30, 2021[20][21]978-4-07-448226-9
978-4-07-448440-9 (LE)		——

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.[22] Square Enix has compiled its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on September 25, 2017.[23] As of November 25, 2021, nine volumes have been published.[24]

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.[25]

The manga is also licensed in Indonesia by M&C!.[26]

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.[27] Shogakukan has compiled its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on February 19, 2018.[28] As of October 19, 2021, twelve volume have been published.[29]

The Apothecary Diaries
No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 September 25, 2017[23]978-4-06-388690-0December 8, 2020[30]978-1-64609-070-9
  • Chapter 1. "The Curse of the Inner Court" (後宮の呪い, Kōkyū no Noroi)
  • Chapter 2. "The Mad Scientist" (狂科学者（マッドサイエンティスト）, Maddo Saientisuto)
  • Chapter 3. "The Heavenly Maiden of the Court" (宮中の天女, Kyūchū no Tennyo)
  • Chapter 4. "The Moonlight Ghost" (月下の幽霊, Gekka no Yūrei)
2 February 24, 2018[31]978-4-7575-5640-9February 9, 2021[32]978-1-64609-071-6
  • Chapter 5. "Caring for the Consort" (看病, Kanbyō)
  • Chapter 6. "The Garden Banquet ①" (園遊会(その①), Enyūkai (Sono Ichi))
  • Chapter 7. "The Garden Banquet ②" (園遊会(その②), Enyūkai (Sono Ni))
  • Chapter 8. "The Garden Banquet ③" (園遊会(その③), Enyūkai (Sono San))
3 July 25, 2018[33]978-4-7575-5794-9September 21, 2021[34]978-1-64609-072-3
  • Chapter 9. "Maomao's Deductions" (猫猫の推理, Maomao no Suri)
  • Chapter 10. "The Meaning of the Hairpins" (簪の意味, Kanzashi no Imi)
  • Chapter 11. "Returning Home" (里帰り, Satogaeri)
  • Chapter 12. "Straw" (麦稈, Mugiwara)
  • Chapter 13. "The Misunderstanding" (誤解, Gokai)
  • Chapter 14. "Alcohol" (酒, Sake)
4 February 25, 2019[35]978-4-7575-5963-9December 28, 2021[36]978-1-64609-073-0
  • Chapter 15. "A Request for Maomao" (猫猫への依頼, Maomao e no Irai)
  • Chapter 16. "Honey ①" (蜂蜜 その①, Hachimitsu Sono Ichi)
  • Chapter 17. "Honey ②" (蜂蜜 その②, Hachimitsu Sono Ni)
  • Chapter 18. "Consort Aduo" (阿多妃（アードゥオ）, Āduo)
  • Chapter 19. "Miscommunication" (すれ違い, Surechigai)
  • Chapter 20. "The Eunuch and the Courtesan" (宦官と妓女, Kangan to Gijo)
  • Chapter 21. "Packing Up" (荷造り, Nizukuri)
5 July 25, 2019[37]978-4-7575-6216-5June 28, 2022[38]978-1-64609-074-7
  • Chapter 22. Gaitei Kinmu (外廷勤務)
  • Chapter 23. Kōkyū Kyōshitsu (後宮教室)
  • Chapter 24. Kiseru (煙管)
  • Chapter 25. Namasu (鱠)
  • Chapter 26. Namari (鉛)
6 March 25, 2020[39]978-4-7575-6581-4September 13, 2022[40]978-1-64609-086-0
  • Chapter 27. Keshō (化粧)
  • Chapter 28. Machiaruki (街歩き)
  • Chapter 29. Baidoku (梅毒)
  • Chapter 30. Suirei (翆苓)
  • Chapter 31. Gūzen ka Hitsuzen ka (偶然か必然か)
  • Chapter 32. Chūshi (中祀)
7 November 25, 2020[41]978-4-7575-6856-3——
  • Chapter 33. Mandarake (曼荼羅華)
  • Chapter 34. Gao Shun (高順（ガオシュン）)
  • Chapter 35. Kōkyū Futatabi (後宮ふたたび)
  • Chapter 36. Aosōbi to Tsumakurenai (青薔薇と爪紅)
8 May 25, 2021[42]978-4-7575-7271-3——
  • Chapter 37. Hōsenka to Katabami (Zenpen) (鳳仙花と片喰(前編))
  • Chapter 38. Hōsenka to Katabami (Chūhen) (鳳仙花と片喰(中編))
  • Chapter 39. Hōsenka to Katabami (Kōhen) (鳳仙花と片喰(後編))
  • Chapter 40. Miokuri (見送り)
  • Chapter 41. Sho (書)
  • Chapter 42. Neko (猫)
9 November 25, 2021[24]978-4-7575-7586-8——
  • Chapter 43. (隊商（キャラバン）)
  • Chapter 44. (冬人夏草(前編))
  • Chapter 45. (冬人夏草(後編))
  • Chapter 46. (鏡)
  • Chapter 47. (月精(前編))

Mao Mao no Kōkyū Nazotoki Techō
No. Release date ISBN
1 February 19, 2018[28]978-4-09-157515-9
2 July 19, 2018[43]978-4-09-157533-3
3 September 19, 2018[44]978-4-09-157543-2
4 February 19, 2019[45]978-4-09-157560-9
5 June 19, 2019[46]978-4-09-157564-7
6 November 19, 2019[47]978-4-09-157580-7
7 February 19, 2020[48]978-4-09-157586-9
8 June 19, 2020[49]978-4-09-157597-5
9 October 16, 2020[50]978-4-09-157608-8
10 February 19, 2021[51]978-4-09-157622-4
11 June 18, 2021[29]978-4-09-157639-2
12 October 19, 2021[52]978-4-09-157652-1

Reception

The 8th volume of the light novel series was the 5th best-selling in February 2019,[53] and was the 6th best-selling light novel series in 2019, with 461,024 copies sold.[54] It was the 4th best-selling light novel series in the first half of 2020, with 317,749 copies sold.[55]

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.[56] 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."[57]

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.[58] 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."[59]

In 2019, the manga adaptation won the Next Manga Award in the print category.[60] The manga adaptation also ranked 5th on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2020".[61] In 2020, it ranked 9th in the AnimeJapan Most Wanted Anime Adaptation poll.[62]

References
  1. "The Apothecary Diaries". Square Enix Manga & Books. Square Enix. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  2. 薬屋のひとりごと (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  3. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 14, 2020). "J-Novel Club Adds 5 Light Novels, 2 Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  4. 薬屋のひとりごと (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  5. "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 1". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  6. 薬屋のひとりごと２ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  7. "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 2". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  8. 薬屋のひとりごと３ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  9. "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 3". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  10. 薬屋のひとりごと４ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  11. "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 4". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  12. 薬屋のひとりごと５ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  13. "The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 5". Rakuten Kobo. J-Novel Club. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  14. 薬屋のひとりごと６ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  15. 薬屋のひとりごと７ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  16. 薬屋のひとりごと８ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  17. 薬屋のひとりごと９ (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  18. 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.
  19. 薬屋のひとりごと10 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  20. 薬屋のひとりごと11 (in Japanese). Shufunotomo. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  21. 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.
  22. 「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.
  23. 薬屋のひとりごと 1 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  24. 薬屋のひとりごと 9 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  25. Pineda, Rafael (November 16, 2019). "Square Enix Manga & Books Licenses 5 Manga, 1 Novel". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  26. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 15, 2021). "M&C! Licenses The Apothecary Diaries Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  27. 「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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 1". Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  31. 薬屋のひとりごと 2 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  32. "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 2". Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  33. 薬屋のひとりごと 3 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  34. "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 3". Square Enix. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  35. 薬屋のひとりごと 4 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  36. "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 4". Square Enix. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  37. 薬屋のひとりごと 5 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  38. "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 5". Square Enix. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  39. 薬屋のひとりごと 6 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  40. "The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 6". Square Enix. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  41. 薬屋のひとりごと 7 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  42. 薬屋のひとりごと 8 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  43. 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.
  44. 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.
  45. 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.
  46. 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.
  47. 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.
  48. 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.
  49. 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.
  50. 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.
  51. 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.
  52. 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.
  53. Loo, Egan (March 26, 2019). "Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan: February 2019". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  54. Loo, Egan (November 27, 2019). "Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan by Series: 2019". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  55. Loo, Egan (May 28, 2020). "Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan by Series: 2020 (First Half)". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  56. Silverman, Rebecca (March 4, 2021). "The Apothecary Diaries LN 1". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  57. Silverman, Rebecca (August 6, 2021). "The Apothecary Diaries LN 2". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  58. Martin, Theron (December 20, 2020). "The Apothecary Diaries GN 1". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  59. "The Apothecary Diaries GN 2". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  60. Loveridge, Lynzee (August 22, 2019). "SPY × FAMILY, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Win Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Award 2019". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  61. Mateo, Alex (February 1, 2020). "Japanese Bookstores Recommend 15 Top Manga for 2020". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  62. Loveridge, Lynzee. "Nearly 200,000 Fans Vote in AnimeJapan's 'Most Wanted Anime Adaptation' Poll". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
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