Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan has announced the serialization of The Apothecary Diaries: Xiaolan’s Memoirs on the MangaUP platform. The very first spin-off of the series follows the point of view of Maomao’s friend, Xiaolan.
It is written by original light novel author Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Itsuki Nanao, who is also currently responsible for the composition of The Apothecary Diaries manga adaptation with artist Nekokurage. The spin-off manga began on March 23, 2025.
An announcement visual and some special drawings were also released:
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The Apothecary Diaries is a Japanese light novel series written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Toko Shino. Shunfunotomo’s Hero Bunko currently publishes the light novel series, while J-Novel Club publishes the digital English version. Square Enix publishes the novels in print. TOHO Animation and OML animated the first season in 2023, while the second season is currently ongoing.
The series also has two manga adaptations: “Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Maomao no Kokyu Nazotoki Techo (The Apothecary Diaries: The Palace Cloister Mystery-Solving Notebook of Maomao)” by Minoji Kurata serialized in Shogakukan’s Monthly Sunday Gene-X; and “The Apothecary Diaries” by Itsuki Nanao and Nekokurage in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan. Square Enix describes the plot:
Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn’t long for a life of drudgery! Using her wits to break a “curse” afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and…solving mysteries?!
Source: Big Gangan and MangaUP X (Formerly Twitter)
© 2024 Natsu Hyuga/Imagika Infos Co./The Apothecary Diaries” Production Committee
© Nekokurage, Itsuki Nanao/ SQUARE ENIX
