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    [Manga] The Apothecary Diaries - Maomao's Rear Palace Notebook of Mysteries

    Licensing Suggestions!
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    • Torka
      Torka Premium Member last edited by Torka

      Volume 1

      Alt Titles: Kusuriya no Hitorigoto - Maomao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techou, 薬屋のひとりごと~猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳~
      Author: Hyuuga Natsu
      Artist: Kurata Minoji
      Publisher: Shogakukan (Sunday GX Comics)
      Volumes: 14 (ongoing)

      Synopsis: In the imperial court, a young woman is put into servitude, Maomao. The tale is just beginning for the woman doctor/pharmacist from the red-light district, as rumors circulate about the emperor's children's lives being short-lived. Her curious nature and thirst for knowledge pushes her to action. To satisfy her curiosity, this young doctor/pharmacist will investigate the origin! What is shifting in the imperial court..!?

      Comments: While everyone is probably more aware of the Square Enix manga, there is indeed another manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries published by Shogakukan (the rights holder sold the rights for a manga adaptation to two different publishers). Supposedly, Kurata's version has a different pacing and is closer to the light novel. It is apparently the author's preferred adaptation, although its art is arguably inferior when compared to the Square Enix adaptation.

      Sure, people may already be spoiled by an existing adaptation, but there’s no reason that JNC can’t try doing one as well.

      Torka B 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 28
      • Torka
        Torka Premium Member @Torka last edited by

        @Torka

        Most recent volume was 16, released in February. I know someone tried to recommend this before and the thread was locked due to a duplicate post, but just in case

        alt text

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          SupraD last edited by SupraD

          Yeah i would recommend this as well, especially because of the upcoming Anime adaptation which is going to be based on Light Novel more.
          And since this Manga adaptation is closer to the light Novel plot compared to the Square Enix one, it's better. This Manga adaptation seems to have some extra stuff as well which are not even included in the LN (like who Jinshi went to meet while in disguise in LN Vol.2).

          Plus it is atleast half a volume ahead in plot compared to the Square Enix Manga adaptation (the Square Enix Manga just ended the LN Vol.3 plot, while this Manga adaptation is already at mid-point of LN Vol.4 plot, even though it covers the plot more).

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          • Referenced by  saffire saffire 
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            frenchbreadneechan last edited by

            boosting this suggestion

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              blur0se Member last edited by

              I would also love to see this one get an official english translation!

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                JeweledPoisonousButterfly last edited by JeweledPoisonousButterfly

                I would be very excited to read Maomao's story again by a different artist, even though I still prefer the other manga adaptation.

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                  silvi @JeweledPoisonousButterfly last edited by

                  @JeweledPoisonousButterfly It‘s the same for me.

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                    blur0se Member last edited by

                    You know, everytime I look for information on this manga in the internet it seems like everyone has to bring up how the art in this version is the inferior one, but as an artist myself I feel like I have to disagree. It may not have the polish of the square enix version, but polish isn't everything. It's got a ton of charm and character and I keep coming back to admire how gorgeous the cover art for them are.

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                      silvi @blur0se last edited by

                      @blur0se I wouldn‘t say inferior, only that I prefer the art style of the other manga adaption more. That said, I really would like to read it too. This artist depicts the events of the light in novel sometimes in a completely different way than the other one. I‘m almost ready to say that I liked how this artists drew the scenes with Jinshi as the moon spirit more than how Nekokurage drew them.

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                        blur0se Member @silvi last edited by

                        @silvi haha that wasn't directed at you necessarily. I've been looking for raw scans of this all night and have seen a lot of comments. I just wanted to comment that there are some of us that actually do prefer this one!

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                          silvi @blur0se last edited by

                          @blur0se That's good, after all, everyone has their own taste (otherwise it would be boring).

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                            blur0se Member @silvi last edited by

                            @silvi absolutely!! I'm trying to pitch it here so I can get my hands on this i've gotte be it's number one defender!!

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                              silvi @blur0se last edited by silvi

                              @blur0se Well, it has already 15 upvotes, plus the one from the creator of this post. I don‘t know the standards, but this seems already pretty much for a manga.

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                              • little_amber24
                                little_amber24 last edited by

                                I love the other manga, but would also really like to read this one.

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                                  blur0se Member last edited by

                                  Jumping back onto this thread to say that this months chapter wrapped up light novel 4, which is likely where season 2 of the anime will be ending. Next months chapter should be starting light novel 5. Even more reason to want this manga translated officially!

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                                    blur0se Member @Torka last edited by

                                    Volume 20 comes out in May

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                                      Jackos71 last edited by

                                      I am really enjoying this version. It's like watching a movie again and noticing things you missed the first time around. The different perspective really compliments the Nekokourage version and fills in some holes.

                                      I have been reading English fan scans, but I can't seem to find chapters 60 - 72 in any language. Does anyone know where I can find a complete digital version? It doesn't even have to be in English. I'll use a translator if I need to. I would even be willing to purchase a licensed digital copy, but it's a nightmare trying to navigate the official websites due to language barriers and payment options. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

                                      Torka 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • Torka
                                        Torka Premium Member @Jackos71 last edited by

                                        @Jackos71 There's Bookwalker if you want to go that route.

                                        Besides that, there's also an English version... limited to Singapore.

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                                          Jackos71 @Torka last edited by

                                          @Torka Thank you very much for the info. Unfortunately, the Singapore English version only goes to chapter 18. The Bookwalker route would be fine, however, my browser extension appears to be having an issue translating the pages, and I don't seem to be able to download the images in order to translate them offline. Is this maybe just a limitation of the free demo version of the Bookwalker? I am using the Firefox extension of Torii Image Translator. Do I need to use a different browser for translator extension?

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