The Intriguing Mysteries Unveiled: A Sneak Peek into The Apothecary Diaries - Fall 2023

Highlights

The Apothecary Diaries offers a refreshing change from the usual Feudal Japan settings in anime, taking place in ancient China within the walls of the Forbidden City.

Maomao, the daughter of a learned apothecary, embarks on a perilous journey as she becomes the Emperor's favored Noble Consort's poison tester, endangering her own life.

The animated version of The Apothecary Diaries is scheduled to debut on October 21, 2023, as a part of Crunchyroll's Fall 2023 lineup. The series will run consecutively for two cours.

When it comes to historical settings in anime, Feudal Japan is undoubtedly the most common era depicted. From action-packed series like Samurai Champloo, to horror/supernatural tales like Demon Slayer, to dramatic stories like House of Five Leaves, and even romantic narratives like My Happy Marriage, feudal Japan has become a beloved backdrop for various anime genres.

However, the recurring theme of feudal Japan can sometimes become monotonous, as every season seems to feature more anime set in the same time period. Luckily, the Fall 2023 anime season has something fresh and unique to offer fans worldwide. A captivating tale set in ancient China, The Apothecary Diaries reveals the hidden secrets within the walls of the Forbidden City. Here's everything you need to know about this enthralling series.

The Story of The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary of the Diaries tells the story of a girl named Maomao, who is the daughter of a well-known apothecary. With a deep knowledge and interest in herbs and medicine, she spends her days assisting her father in creating medicines for his patients. However, her life takes a drastic turn when she is kidnapped and sold to the Imperial Palace. Thus, begins her life of servitude to the royal family.

Initially, Maomao finds her new life within the Forbidden City to be somewhat bothersome and solitary. However, she quickly adapts to her surroundings. Unfortunately, her medicinal expertise is discovered, leading to her appointment as a maid in the Inner Courts, where the Emperor's family resides. Yet, she is not just an ordinary maid. Maomao's new role involves being the poison tester for the Emperor's favored Noble Consort.

The Characters

Living in the most prestigious place in the country may sound glamorous, but for Maomao, it means constantly putting her life at risk. Each day, she is compelled to face danger at least three times. To make matters worse, a sudden surge of enigmatic ailments and perplexing deaths plague the Inner Courts. With each passing day, Maomao's existence becomes increasingly intricate and perplexing.

Maomao, the protagonist of The Apothecary Diaries, is a composed young woman with an unconcerned demeanor. In contrast to the other palace maids who prioritize their looks and attracting the attention of handsome men within the Forbidden City, Maomao's sole preoccupation lies in herbs and medicine. Rather than socializing with her fellow maids after work, she prefers wandering through the nearby woods in search of medicinal plants. Moreover, due to her frequent assistance in her father's practice of diagnosing and treating patients, Maomao has developed a discerning mind and profound analytical abilities. These make her not only adept at diagnosing ailments like her father, but also proficient in unraveling numerous perplexing cases that arise within the palace.

The chief Eunuch, Jinshi, is not only the most handsome man in the Forbidden City, but also possesses remarkable leadership abilities despite his youth. He excels in various fields including martial arts, economics, and politics. Although constantly surrounded by beautiful women, Jinshi rarely shows interest in any of them. However, he finds himself inexplicably intrigued by Maomao, leading to an interesting and often comical dynamic between the two.

The Apothecary Diaries mainly takes place within the Inner Courts of the Forbidden City, resulting in a multitude of supporting characters. The notable figures include the Emperor's favorite Noble Consort, Gyokuyou, and Jinshi's assistant, Gaoshun. Gyokuyou is a kind and humorous lady who genuinely cares for those under her employ. Jinshi, on the other hand, is a wise middle-aged man who readily assists everyone in the inner courts, particularly Jinshi himself, who tends to be moody.

The People Behind The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries originated as a light novel series authored by Natsu Hyuga. In 2017, Itsuki Nanao adapted the light novel into a manga, featuring illustrations by Nekokurage. J-Novel Club published the official English translation of the light novel, while Square Enix published the official English translation of the manga, targeting the North American market. Both the light novel and the manga continue to be ongoing.

In February 2023, an announcement was made regarding an anime adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries. Toho Animation and OLM studio are involved in the production of this anime, with Norihiro Naganuma serving as the director of the project. Naganuma, known for his work on Ancient Magus’ Bride and Yowamushi Pedal The Movie, is also responsible for the series composition. Katsumi Takao, who has collaborated on projects such as Pokémon The Movie and Inazuma Eleven Movie, is the Art Director for the adaptation. The music for the anime is composed by Arisa Okehazama, recognized for her work on Jujutsu Kaisen and God of High School.

The Apothecary Diaries is set to debut on October 21, 2023, as part of Crunchyroll's Fall 2023 anime lineup. It will share the spotlight with highly anticipated shows such as the new season of Goblin Slayer, The Rising of the Shield Hero, and The Ancient Magus’ Bride, among others. The Apothecary Diaries is slated to air continuously for two cours (about three months) and will release its first three episodes on the premiere day.