Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
The Apothecary Diaries
Edit
What would you like to edit?
 

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Drugstore Soliloquy
Japanese: 薬屋のひとりごと
English: The Apothecary Diaries
More titles

Information

Type: Manga
Volumes: Unknown
Chapters: Unknown
Status: Publishing
Published: May 25, 2017 to ?
Genres: Drama Drama, Mystery Mystery
Themes: Historical Historical, Medical Medical
Demographic: Seinen Seinen
Serialization: Big Gangan
Authors: Hyuuga, Natsu (Story), Nekokurage (Art)

Statistics

Score: 8.621 (scored by 2073920,739 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #872
2 based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #230
Members: 70,493
Favorites: 3,529

Available At


Resources

Recommendations

Both female leads are quietly intelligent and shrewd - alot of tactics and strategy involved in their thinking. Romance in both are slow to develop and subtle but both very cute. 
reportRecommended by spartiney
Both series are set in historical Asia. Whilst Akatsuki no Yona focuses on Yona's character growth and the adventure of searching for the dragons, Kusuriya focuses on solving mysteries within the palace. Despite these differences, both centre on the characters finding their footing and becoming stronger in their respective settings. Also the humour is similar between the two, as well as the teasing dynamic between Yona/Hak and Maomao/Jinshi.  
reportRecommended by xcherryblossomx
Both feature similar female protagonist personalities. Enjoyed Kusuriya and immediately thought of koi dano ai dano's protagonist.  
reportRecommended by Ranigad
This takes place in a historical setting as well. There's fair representation of POCs in a different country and shows interesting aspects of the custom and culture in Otoyomegatari. The protagonist is likeable and will grow on you. It's unique and different from the usual historical Japanese setting. If you like KnH, you'll probably like Otoyomegatari too. 
reportRecommended by jjssyy
It seems odd, but the entire time reading I kept thinking "this is just Detective Conan in a different setting" The protagonist is stupidly overpowered in knowledge, and every few chapters a new mystery is introduced to them to solve. The similarities may end there, but the overall vibe of the mystery solving is so similar I think a fan of this aspect may enjoy these manga. 
reportRecommended by whylime
While the plot may seem different the heartwarming feeling of the challenges faced by the mains protagonist is similar, as they are both herbalist researchers that are in love with their job and are really independent. We must notice that seijo no maryoku wa bannou desu is a isekai world genre while Kusuriya no Hitorigoto has more of an hystorical plot. 
reportRecommended by chew7
Both are romances centred around female leads who come in as outsiders to solve mysteries within the imperial harem. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto is longer and thus more fleshed out, but both hold romance as the undertone to the mysteries on the forefront. 
reportRecommended by Quillium
Myne is a passionate bookworm and Mao Mao is crazy about medicines and poisons. Myne causes a lot more mayhem with her love of books and Mao Mao is more grounded and does her best to "do no harm" with her knowledge (but she's still a pretty crazy mad scientist type). Both are great for a laugh and I highly recommend them. Both female leads are very clever and fun to watch in action. If you love one, you'll love the other. 
reportRecommended by layhas
Although the two protagonist's personalities are different, they are both girls obsessive hobbies who get caught up using their talents for political ends. 
reportRecommended by tzippurah
Two brilliant female leads pursuing a career in the backdrop of a pseudo-historical imperial China. Kusuriya is somewhat episodic, dealing with medicines, poisons, and the mystery cases that comes with it. Saiunkoku is more bureaucracy, politics and palace intrigue, with a smattering of adventure. Both have enjoyable romantic dynamics that are developed well. However, the true appeal are the heroines themselves, who are 2 smart, capable, ambitious, and endearingly quirky young women. Well-written and strong, they are a breath of fresh air among countless poor female characterisation in manga. Both are novel adaptations, Saiunkoku having an incomplete manga serialisation (of the completed novels) while Kusuriya is  read more 
reportRecommended by fullmetalbender
Though the manga definitely have some similarities (clever writing, interesting plot), what I’m really recommending is the main characters. Kotoko and Maomao both have very unique views on the world around them. They approach the mysteries that are posed to them in ways no one else would, always surprising the reader and those in-universe. And ultimately, those approaches are unique largely due to their strong personalities and variety of quirks (poison addict, spirit god, etc.). They’re both very fun to watch because of this, not only as detective-types but also because they push the plot and surroundings to fit what they want. It also frequently makes  read more 
reportRecommended by PokeSvorlds
The settings are the same, historical and in a palace. The male leads are both in higher positions and hire/promote the female lead for their skills. One for their acute sense of detail and apothecary knowledge, and the other for her perfect memory. Both have the same amount of romance (very little and subtle). 
reportRecommended by maithyy
If you liked Senku's personality, probably you will like Maomao too 
reportRecommended by Assaut505
Khang Zhipa is like Maomao because he is a young trained doctor and obsessed with herds. Both take place in China. The characters and the clothes well-designed. Both are similar to Otoyomegatari. 
reportRecommended by FGOJoey
The stories take place in the inner palace and the MLs have a hidden identity in both works. Plotwise, I wouldn't compare Apothecary diaries with AMMWC since there are hardly any similarities aside from the above two, but it is worth checking out both mangas. The protagonists are entertaining, likeable and well-written, the plot is exciting. As of now, Apothecary diaries is a more complex story with politics involved, while MM is an easier read full of hilarious moments.  
reportRecommended by nanamikentosgf
Unnamed Memory and Kusuriya no Hitorigoto have both smart girls as main protagonists and interesting plotlines to follow. The mystical powers, or the abundant amount of knowledge, that both female leads possess, create an interesting story that hooks you in. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, or The Apothecary Diaries, really creates a more realistic environment compared to Unnamed Memory. Arguably more tense, I think if you enjoyed Unnamed Memory, you should read The Apothecary Diaries if you already haven't. 
reportRecommended by BrokenOutlet
Both stories are revolve around a strong and kind-hearted female character that struggling to live as herbal pharmacist in the palace. 
reportRecommended by 0309
√ Calm and intelligent "side characters" main lead. They do not like the attention, they are just pursuing their interest kinda vibe. √ Both main characters are passionate and a little obsessed with their field (e.g. books and medicine). √ Both setting took place in the old days (e.g. Greece BC and Eastern Asia). √ Both manga display power hierarchy. 
reportRecommended by Apple_bees
Usotoki Rhetoric and Kusuriya no Hitorigoto share similar impression as they both centers on mystery solving and lead by a female MC. While Kusuriya no Hitorigoto is a seinen, it has qualities similar with shoujo/josei manga that mainly attract female readers with its storytelling, especially with the character depth of the female MC and the slight romance - something that is also seen with Usotoki Rhetoric, a shoujo manga. Both has the romance more at the side, and focuses on the mystery aspect. 
reportRecommended by Shirayukin
The themes of medicine and intelligent, outspoken female leads with a nobleman chasing after them. Fighting against the grain for long term social change and romance.  
reportRecommended by 743k
Both historical fiction (Arte is set in Renaissance Italy; Kusuriya is set in Imperial China), both have strong, likeable female leads. Both feature subtle, almost-not-there romances. 
reportRecommended by spartiney
Palace intrigue and smart MCs. 
reportRecommended by tzippurah
Both heavily focus on court life and the drama within it. 
reportRecommended by obsceneodes
Both "Kaze Hikaru" and "The Apothecary Diaries" have female protagonists who are small but assertive about their passions (in a comedic way). Mao Mao is very clever in a Sherlock Holmes sort of way and Sei has an instinct that tends to get her into trouble. The dynamics between the girls and their love interests hits a similar comedic vein. Sei is on the serious side and since it's shoujo, pines after the aloof Soji. Mao Mao is seemingly indifferent to Jinshi's advances but they're cute together and help each other out throughout the story. Both series are historicals, one is set in Japan's bakumatsu  read more 
reportRecommended by layhas
The main heroines of these two series' are adept in medicine. They find themselves working in an unexpected environment whilst using their knowledge as a Pharmacist /Doctor. (Difference between the two) Colette wa Shinu Koto ni Shita; is a fantasy shoujo manga while Kusuriya no Hitorigoto is a seinen manga which is more realistic than Colette. 
reportRecommended by euls