Kusuriya no Hitorigoto


The Apothecary Diaries

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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: The Pharmacist's Monologue, Drugstore Soliloquy
Japanese: 薬屋のひとりごと
English: The Apothecary Diaries
More titles

Information

Type: TV
Episodes: 24
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 22, 2023 to Mar 24, 2024
Premiered: Fall 2023
Broadcast: Sundays at 01:05 (JST)
Licensors: Crunchyroll
Genres: DramaDrama, MysteryMystery
Themes: HistoricalHistorical, MedicalMedical
Duration: 22 min. per ep.
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Statistics

Score: 8.881 (scored by 282005282,005 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #232
2 based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #432
Members: 542,490
Favorites: 15,853

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Streaming Platforms

8.88
Ranked #23Popularity #432Members 542,490
Add to My List
Episodes: /24

Synopsis

Maomao, an apothecary's daughter, has been plucked from her peaceful life and sold to the lowest echelons of the imperial court. Now merely a maid, Maomao settles into her new mundane life and hides her extensive knowledge of medicine in order to avoid any unwanted attention.

Not long after Maomao's arrival, the emperor's infant children inexplicably begin to experience grave symptoms—almost as if a curse has been cast. The curious Maomao easily solves the mystery and, to remain out of the limelight, attempts to leave an anonymous tip. Unfortunately, the dashing and perceptive eunuch Jinshi sees through it and manages to single her out.

In recognition of her talent, Maomao is promoted to lady-in-waiting for the emperor's favorite concubine, Gyokuyou. As Maomao continues to remedy the numerous ailments afflicting the imperial court, her pharmaceutical expertise quickly proves indispensable.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Background

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto was released on Blu-ray in four volumes from January 24, 2024, to July 17, 2024.

Characters & Voice Actors

Maomao

Main
Yuuki, Aoi
Japanese

Jinshi

Main
Ootsuka, Takeo
Japanese

Gyokuyou

Supporting
Tanezaki, Atsumi
Japanese

Kan, Lakan

Supporting
Kirimoto, Takuya
Japanese

Gaoshun

Supporting
Konishi, Katsuyuki
Japanese

Lihua

Supporting
Ishikawa, Yui
Japanese

Loulan

Supporting

Ah-Duo

Supporting
Kaida, Yuuko
Japanese

Meimei

Supporting
Han, Megumi
Japanese

Pairin

Supporting
Koshimizu, Ami
Japanese

Staff



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Opening Theme

Preview
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Youtube Music
1: "Hana ni Natte (花になって)" by Ryokuoushoku Shakai (緑黄色社会) (eps 1-12)
2: "Ambivalent (アンビバレント)" by Uru (eps 13-24)
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Ending Theme

1: "Aikotoba (アイコトバ)" by AiNA THE END (アイナ・ジ・エンド) (eps 1-12)
2: "Ai wa Kusuri (愛は薬)" by wacci (eps 13-24)

Episode Videos




Reviews

Jan 23, 2025
Before watching the anime The Apothecary Diaries, I had a slightly different expectation. When I read the premise, I thought that the anime would be about a weak and kidnapped girl who falls into a difficult situation and that I would watch her curing the mysterious illnesses of important people with the medicines she prepared. Honestly, this premise alone was enough to get me excited for the anime. But after watching the first 3-4 episodes of the anime, I realized that I was watching something different from my expectations. The main character Maomao is very different from the female characters we are used to. The ...
Jan 23, 2025
Mixed Feelings
World-Building 8/10
I love the setting for this anime. Chinese Imperial Court life has always fascinated me, so when I saw this anime I knew I had to give it a watch. The visual designs do it justice and the different hierarchies within the forbidden city are well established.

Tone and Emotional Depth 3/10
Here’s the problem with this anime, it feels like a slice of life and the characters act like they are at some kind of preppy girl school. Enslaved women and emasculated men are portrayed in a way that completely glamorizes and glosses over the reality of their situation. It’s so bad that ...
Jan 16, 2025
FunnyFunny
Am I a fucking asshole or does this shit suck?

I suppose both can be true, but that doesn’t ease the sheer fatigue that enduring The Apothecary Diaries, fraught with truly horrendous flaws as it is, can bring upon a person.

From the response online, I’d anticipated a mature period piece; y’know, a historical drama with sprinklings of mystery tied together through investigations performed by an, if the internet is to be believed (which it obviously isn’t), exceptionally interesting and compelling protagonist... And I’m going to just have to start assuming that anything released in the last ~5 years with a score of 8 or above ...

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