Japanese publisher Hero Bunko has announced that the popular light novel Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (The Apothecary Diaries) has set a new personal record for copies in print today. Through Hero Bunko’s respective official media, it was announced that the literary franchise managed to surpass the incredible figure of 40 million copies in circulation. This figure takes into account the printed copies of the original light novel and its respective manga adaptations.
It is worth noting that, with this figure, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto is getting closer and closer to the numbers that the literary franchise Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime) has managed to achieve over time. With more than 45 million copies in circulation, Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken has established itself as one of the best-selling light novels; however, with this new update, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto seems to be very close to surpassing it.
Information about Kusuriya no Hitorigoto:
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, also known as The Apothecary Diaries in the West, is a popular light novel written by Natsu Hyuuga and illustrated by Touko Shino that began publication at Shufunotomo Publishing House’s Hero Bunko imprint as of August 29, 2014. As some may guess, the work is still in publication and Shufunotomo Publishing has released a total of 15 volumes + 1st limited edition of the work.
The light novel Kusuriya no Hitorigoto has a manga adaptation by illustrator Nekokurage. Said manga adaptation began its serialization in Square Enix’s Gekkan Big Gangan magazine since September 2017.
An alternative manga, titled Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Mao Mao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techuu, began publication in Shogakukan publisher Shogakukan’s Monthly Sunday Gene-X magazine in August 2017. This version of Kusuriya no Hitorigoto is illustrated by Minoji Kurata. Thanks to the good public reception of Natsu Hyuuga and Touko Shino’s light novel, an anime adaptation for Kusuriya no Hitorigoto was announced for production in February 2023.
The anime series began broadcasting on television in Japan on October 22, 2023. The animation studios OLM and TOHO Animation Studio were in charge of the production of the series and it was broadcast legally through the Crunchyroll platform, which made a dubbing into English. Another detail to note is that the anime Kusuriya no Hitorigoto was composed of a total of 24 episodes in total and a second season that is currently being broadcast.
The anime Kusuriya no Hitorigoto has the following description: Maomao, the daughter of an apothecary, has been torn from her peaceful life and sold to the lower echelons of the imperial court. Maomao, now a mere servant, adapts to her new mundane life and hides her extensive knowledge of medicine to avoid any unwanted attention.
Soon after Maomao’s arrival, the emperor’s young children inexplicably begin to experience severe symptoms, almost as if a curse has been cast. The curious Maomao easily solves the mystery and, in order to stay out of the spotlight, attempts to leave an anonymous clue. Unfortunately, the elegant and perceptive eunuch Jinshi catches on and manages to uncover it.
In recognition of her talent, Maomao is promoted to lady-in-waiting to the emperor’s favorite concubine, Gyokuyou. As Maomao remedies the many ailments afflicting the imperial court, her pharmaceutical knowledge soon proves indispensable.
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