The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) novel has been out for a while since 2011, but it was until October 2023 that the actual Anime Series took place. 

Written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Touko Shino. Since 2011, it has been serialized online since on the user-generated novel publishing website Shosetsuka ni Naro. In the following year, it was acquired by Shufunotomo, who initially published the series as a novel with a single volume in 2012 and then as a light novel series in 2014. The series is set in a fictional country modelled after ancient China.

Sets in a fictional country based on Ming-era China, the series follows Maomao, a young girl working as an apothecary in the red-light district, who is kidnapped and sold to the Imperial Palace as a servant. However, she still retains her curious and eccentric personality and plans to work there until her years of servitude are over, without drawing the attention of anyone. One day, after hearing rumors that the emperor's children are critically ill, she begins to investigate the cause, using her experience as an apothecary, and successfully solves the mystery of their illness. Even though she intends to remain anonymous, her actions eventually catch the attention of an influential eunuch, and soon finds herself solving various mysteries in the royal court.

Novel Series: October 27, 2011 - Present
Novel: September 26, 2012
Light Novel: August 29, 2014 - Present (14 volumes)
Manga: Published by Square Enix May 25, 2017 - Present (12 volumes)
Manga: Published by Shogakukan August 19, 2017 - Present (17 volumes)
Anime: Licensed by Crunchyroll and Netflix October 22, 2023 - Present (8 episodes currently)

Maomao