The long-awaited anime adaptation of "The Apothecary Diaries" will begin airing in October among fans of the original manga, but there are likely many who have yet to read the original. To pique their interest, we'd like to introduce the cases and problems the protagonist, Nekoneko, solves in Volume 1 of the "Monthly Sunday GX" (Shogakukan) manga.
1. Nekoneko and the Curse
Nekoneko, who worked as a pharmacist in the red-light district, was kidnapped and sold to the harem. Nekoneko intended to work diligently for the two years following her contract. She lived quietly and unobtrusively to avoid getting involved in any trouble.
A Curse!? The Death of the Emperor's Child
Three months after her abduction, NekoNeko was safely working as a maid. Then, she heard rumors of the suspicious death of the emperor's child, caused by a curse. "Curses," "poison," "disease"—anything that piqued her pharmacist's curiosity—Nekoneko finally gave in and began to investigate. What she saw then was a quarrel between the wise consort, Princess Rika, and the noble consort, Princess Gyokuba. The two consorts' children were also not feeling well, and Princess Rika ranted to Princess Tamaha, "Are you trying to curse me to death?" Nekoneko discovered the cause based on Princess Rika's behavior and the condition of the sick person she had heard about. She then wrote the cause on a piece of cloth and left it in the consorts' rooms. Will the illness be cured? And what is the cause? Find out in the anime.
2. Nekoneko and the Aphrodisiac
Jinshi, the eunuch in charge of the harem, discovered that Nekoneko had written the note regarding the curse. Because of this, Princess Tamaha took a liking to Nekoneko, and she was promoted from a maid to a maid serving as her poison tester. Tired of Jinshi's persistent tangles, Nekoneko looks at him as if he were a slug, and in her heart calls him "ballless."
What did Jinshi ask Nekoneko to do?
Then, Jinshi asks Nekoneko for a favor. The request is to make an aphrodisiac. Nekoneko is overjoyed to be able to make medicine for the first time in a long time, but there's a deeper reason behind it. We may learn why Jinshi needs the aphrodisiac, what he uses it for, and his true role in the harem. This time, it looks like Maomao will simply be happy to make the aphrodisiac.
3. Maomao and the Hibiscus Under the Moon
One day, after meeting Xiaolan for the first time in a long time, Maomao hears a rumor. It's about a ghost that appears on the eastern city wall. It's said that every night, a white female ghost dances on the wall. Maomao cuts the story short, and then Jinshi asks if she knows about the ghost incident. He then asks, "Do you know what sleepwalking is?" Not wanting to get involved, Nekoneko says that sleepwalking isn't a condition that can be cured with medicine, and that as a pharmacist, it's outside his area of expertise. However, Jinshi, unwilling to let her get away, continues to stare at her. In the end, Nekoneko ends up lending a hand.
Ghost Disturbances and Sleepwalking
Dancing on the castle walls was Princess Fuyou, a mid-ranking consort. Two years ago, after her first encounter with the lord after her marriage failed, she had been confined to her room. Recently, however, it was decided that the gift would be bestowed upon a military officer who had made a distinguished contribution. The military officer in question was a childhood friend of Princess Furyou, and he had strongly desired the gift. The sudden desire of this officer, who was known to be a strict man, led to rumors that she had been drugged with an aphrodisiac. "Military officer," "childhood friend," "aphrodisiac," and "gift" - all these things begin to connect in Nekoneko's mind. How will Nekoneko resolve this problem? And where did the aphrodisiac come from? Check out the anime to find out how it all turned out.
4. Maomao and the Imperial Order
Maomao was relaxing in the medical office, eating matsutake mushrooms picked from the pine forest within the harem, with Dr. Yuyuan. Jinshi suddenly arrived to call Maomao. He was calling for her. He was calling for someone waiting for her at the Jade Palace, where Princess Gyokuyo was staying. It was none other than the emperor of the Li Kingdom. He asked Maomao to go to the Crystal Palace and treat Princess Rika, who was ill and bedridden.
Emperor's Imperial Order
The emperor's "examine" means "cure." Nekoneko heads to the Crystal Palace, determined to lose her head if she can't heal. But before her, the Crystal Palace's maids, who treat her like an outsider and get in her way, are waiting. The dozen or so maids are no match for the Jade Palace's in their dedication to caring for Princess Gyokuba, and none of them have any knowledge of illness. Even when she tries to check on Princess Rika, the maids get in her way, telling her not to do anything unnecessary.
The Worthless Handmaidens of the Crystal Palace
Even when Nekoneko prepares food for the sick, she is thrown away, with the hostess saying, "You're going to feed them such lowly food. You should remake it into something more worthy of a wise consort." The hostess themselves prepare indigestible food that is unsuitable for feeding a sick person. And when Nekoneko asks to at least examine Consort Rika's condition, the hostess shoves her away, saying, "Shut up, you're just a stranger!" It was Jinji who saved Nekoneko. After silencing the maids with a single word: "Are you going to waste the Emperor's consideration?", Jinshi has Nekoneko examine Princess Rika. What Nekoneko sees is the Princess's terrible condition. Seeing this, she becomes enraged. How will Nekoneko help Princess Rika? Check it out in the anime!
A summary of the early cases and mysteries Nekoneko solves
In the first volume of the manga adaptation of "The Apothecary Diaries," serialized in "Monthly Sunday GX" (Shogakukan), we introduced the cases and mysteries Nekoneko solves. As the anime adaptation is planned to be broadcast over two seasons, the content introduced here will be from the early part of the anime's broadcast. Also, it is not certain whether all of the episodes introduced here will be adapted into the anime. However, "1. Nekoneko and the Curse" and "4. Nekoneko and the Imperial Order" are important episodes that are essential to the work, so I believe they will definitely be adapted into the anime. "2. Nekoneko and the Aphrodisiac" and "3. Nekoneko and the Hibiscus Under the Moonlight" are connected episodes, so I think these stories will also be adapted into the anime. This time, I introduced episodes from the early part. I would be happy if you take even the slightest interest in "The Apothecary's Notes" and watch the anime. Thank you for reading until the end.
