Why does The Apothecary Diaries have two manga versions?

If you're an The Apothecary Diaries anime fan who wants to jump right into reading the manga, as waiting for one episode a week is daunting, there's a surprise waiting for you waiting for all the interested readers. This series has two versions in manga format of the same storyline. While both of these adaptations have taken inspiration from the main light novel by Natsu Hyūga, the difference comes in the pacing and tone of the story.

This is unheard of because even the original author has mentioned being unsure why there are two manga adaptations.. But now that we know that it is present, it is important to know the difference between the two, before finalizing which would be the better read.

The two manga adaptations of The Apothecary Diaries are drawn by different artists and published by two different magazines. One version is illustrated by Nekokurage and serialized in Monthly Big Gangan by Square Enix. The other is drawn by Minoji Kurata and appears in Monthly Sunday Gene-X by Shogakukan.

The only similarity they share is the year these adaptations began. Both of them started around 2017, as they followed the story of the Light Novel. But that is the only similarity between them. The one that is more popular among fans is the version by Nekokurage manga.

Interestingly, the reason why it resonated more with fans is that it was true with the anime’s version. This flow of the story is what fans are familiar with. Moreover, characters are more expressive, scenes flow quickly, and there’s a clear focus on Maomao’s humorous reactions and the slow-burn romantic tension with Jinshi.

In contrast, there is the version by Kurata; this mangaka has taken a different route. This version is less focused on romanticizing the story, which is reflected in the realistic illustrations. This manga puts Maomao’s deductions front and center, often expanding on her internal thought process and showing how she analyzes each mystery.

Another point about Kurata’s version is that it resembles more of the vibe around the Light Novel. For example, Jinshi is portrayed as more distant and less flirtatious in the beginning, matching how he’s initially described in the books.

Which manga should you read after watching The Apothecary Diaries anime?

When I finished watching The Apothecary Diaries anime, I was excited to know more about what happens next. But waiting for the new episode to drop every Friday was daunting. So I did what any enthusiastic fan does and went to look for the manga. That’s when I found out there were two adaptations.

For a second, this was great news because it is rare that fans get to relive a series with a different perspective, and then I realised that first, I would need to start with one. After researching for a while, I decided it would be good for me to look into the manga that follows the same tone as the anime.

But if you're more into the mystery, politics, and Maomao’s thought process, Kurata’s slower, more analytical take might be your thing. It’s paced slower, sure, but it gives a much deeper dive into Maomao’s thoughts and the inner workings of the court. In a lot of ways, it feels closer to reading the original light novel.

Final thoughts

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The Apothecary Diaries initially was just a light novel. Since the anime has aired, the series has become popular around the world. Fans might wonder if there are two versions; it might mean that the artists are competing with each other, but that is not true. They’re complementary perspectives on the same core narrative. That is why whichever path you choose, The Apothecary Diaries is a rewarding journey. And with two different versions, opportunity to experience their character in more than one lens.

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