The Apothecary Diaries Franchise Sees a Surge of 7 Million Copies in Circulation Following Anime Premiere

The Apothecary Diaries Franchise Sees a Surge of 7 Million Copies in Circulation Following Anime Premiere

Since the debut of the anime adaptation on October 21, Natsu Hyūga and Touko Shino's The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) series has witnessed a remarkable increase in circulation, soaring from 24 million copies at the end of September 2023 to over 31 million copies. The franchise experienced a notable surge of seven million copies following the anime's premiere, with an additional three million copies added within the first month of its broadcast.

The anime, which premiered with the first three episodes on October 21, is scheduled for two cours and is currently being streamed by Crunchyroll with both Japanese and English dub options. The second cours of the anime began airing on January 6.

J-Novel Club is responsible for the digital publication of the novel series, providing readers with the captivating story set in a land ruled by an emperor. Maomao, the protagonist, finds herself unexpectedly involved with the sprawling complex known as the hougong after being kidnapped and sold into service. As a lady-in-waiting to the Emperor's favorite consort, she utilizes her quick wit, sharp mind, and extensive knowledge of medicine to uncover secrets and navigate the intrigues of the palace.

The series, originally serialized on the "Shōsetsuka ni Narō" website in October 2011 by Hyūga, saw its print debut in August 2014 with illustrations by Shino. Additionally, an ongoing manga adaptation by Nekokurage has been serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan magazine since May 2017, with Square Enix Manga & Books releasing the English version. Both the manga and novels will be available in print starting May 14.