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Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
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Description
From Square Enix Manga:
Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn't long for a life of drudgery! Using her wits to break a "curse" afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and solving mysteries?
Note: Won the Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Award in 2019.
Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn't long for a life of drudgery! Using her wits to break a "curse" afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and solving mysteries?
Note: Won the Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Award in 2019.
Type
Manga
Related Series
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto - Maomao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techou (Alternate Story)
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (Novel) (Adapted From)
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (Novel) (Adapted From)
Associated Names
The Apothecary Diaries
The Pharmacist's Monologue
The Pharmacist's Soliloquies
药屋少女的呢喃
薬屋のひとりごと
약사의 혼잣말
The Pharmacist's Monologue
The Pharmacist's Soliloquies
药屋少女的呢喃
薬屋のひとりごと
약사의 혼잣말
Groups Scanlating
Latest Release(s)
c.40 by No Group Scanlation 13 days ago
c.39 by No Group Scanlation 25 days ago
c.38 by No Group Scanlation about 1 month ago
Search for all releases of this series
c.39 by No Group Scanlation 25 days ago
c.38 by No Group Scanlation about 1 month ago
Search for all releases of this series
Status
in Country of Origin
7 Volumes (Ongoing)
Completely Scanlated?
No
Anime Start/End Chapter
N/A
User Reviews
N/A
Forum
2 topics, 5 posts
Click here to view the forum
Click here to view the forum
User Rating
Average: 8.9 / 10.0 (301 votes)
Bayesian Average: 8.67 / 10.0
Bayesian Average: 8.67 / 10.0
10
45%
9+
28%
8+
17%
7+
5%
6+
2%
5+
0%
4+
1%
3+
1%
2+
0%
1+
2%
Last Updated
February 20th 2021, 5:37am PST
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Genre
Categories
Category Recommendations
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (Novel)
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto - Maomao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techou
Ba Bao Zhuang (Novel)
Gui Di Kuang Qi: Wan Ku Daixiaojie (Novel)
Shen Yi Di Nu (Novel)
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto - Maomao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techou
Ba Bao Zhuang (Novel)
Gui Di Kuang Qi: Wan Ku Daixiaojie (Novel)
Shen Yi Di Nu (Novel)
Recommendations
Author(s)
Artist(s)
Year
2017
Original Publisher
Serialized In (magazine)
Big Gangan (Square Enix)
Licensed (in English)
Yes
English Publisher
Square Enix Manga & Books (2 Volumes - Ongoing)
Activity Stats (vs. other series)
Weekly Pos #326
(-63)
Monthly Pos #167
(-19)
3 Month Pos #172
(+24)
6 Month Pos #186
(-4)
Year Pos #184
(-37)

Monthly Pos #167

3 Month Pos #172

6 Month Pos #186

Year Pos #184

List Stats



User Comments
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Sherlock Holmes and the Forbidden City
by apsyda
November 21st, 2020, 8:08pm
November 21st, 2020, 8:08pm
Rating: 8.0 / 10.0
To be frank I did not expect this manga to be what is effectively a series of detective stories layered on top of one another. However, after getting it I was very satisfied.
The crimes or problems posed are all reasonable, and you can often figure things out before the characters due to the information supplied and some prior knowledge. But little is so trivial that its insulting to read through.
Characters are well made, while most are fairly shallow or only have bits and pieces revealed many chapters apart, they're all generally entertaining and fit together well. The main duo, of a tradition pharmacist girl, and a faux-enuch man, are nicely made and information about them is drip fed with good enough pacing to keep you asking for more, and their assumptions or choices in the series are all rational for who they are.
The politics of the Harem and the ministers are kept fairly vague, despite the setting.
Most of it only comes in at important moments and otherwise things are fairly light-hearted and casual. That most of the mysteries aren't that huge in the grand scheme of things helps, but the tone can get dark and heavy fast.
The humor can be very funny when it wants to be.
The character writing is also good, the MC, a young genius girl, is able to tread between juvenile immaturity and lack of forethought and hyper-rational fluidly and without betraying the writing.
The crimes or problems posed are all reasonable, and you can often figure things out before the characters due to the information supplied and some prior knowledge. But little is so trivial that its insulting to read through.
Characters are well made, while most are fairly shallow or only have bits and pieces revealed many chapters apart, they're all generally entertaining and fit together well. The main duo, of a tradition pharmacist girl, and a faux-enuch man, are nicely made and information about them is drip fed with good enough pacing to keep you asking for more, and their assumptions or choices in the series are all rational for who they are.
The politics of the Harem and the ministers are kept fairly vague, despite the setting.
Most of it only comes in at important moments and otherwise things are fairly light-hearted and casual. That most of the mysteries aren't that huge in the grand scheme of things helps, but the tone can get dark and heavy fast.
The humor can be very funny when it wants to be.
The character writing is also good, the MC, a young genius girl, is able to tread between juvenile immaturity and lack of forethought and hyper-rational fluidly and without betraying the writing.

Very Good
by PZcolo
September 2nd, 2020, 5:37pm
September 2nd, 2020, 5:37pm
Rating: 8.0 / 10.0
A sort of mix of detective short stories, slice of life, court intrigue and medical story mixed in an old Chinese Empire setting. Its a light and easy going comedy.
It's well done for the most part, the story is basically of a young herbalist trying to survive in classic China period where a woman's lot is uncertain and even more so for those living in the red district and in the palace harem. MC is quite interesting, intelligent, knowledgeable, tough and somewhat aloof, and when she explodes its a sight to see, love the character, reminds me a bit or the MC of saving 80.000 gold coins.
On the other hand there are things I find a bit hard to grasp like her views on gender, position in society and so on. She acts, expresses and accepts in a matter of fact way or maybe a resigned to the situation way, how the system of that era works. But her way of thinking is more avant garde for that age, for example, she's not all that polite to her superiors (this might be for comedy's sake actually), she has a very pragmatic view on many things, like not believing in the supernatural, she also has knowledge that is or feels off, the notion of doctor-patient confidentiality which I have no clue if this was something that existed in that era (doubt it) but CPR for sure didn't exist, and so on. I guess it's very hard for an author not to insert some modern ideas or points of view since they are so ingrained in our thinking we don't notice, or maybe it's one of those stories where the MC is transmigrated or has past lives memories and the fact is not told till much later, I read such stories twice before so it's not unheard of, still it's unlikely, posible doesn't mean probable.
I also like how the imperial court is portrayed in a more amiable fashion, there are a few poison events and so on but there isn't a conspiracy or scheme at every turn, something I loath of other court intrigue stories.
Overall, it's an interesting read, the mix of genres go along with each other and the episodic nature of it but plot continuity is also pleasing. Recommended.
It's well done for the most part, the story is basically of a young herbalist trying to survive in classic China period where a woman's lot is uncertain and even more so for those living in the red district and in the palace harem. MC is quite interesting, intelligent, knowledgeable, tough and somewhat aloof, and when she explodes its a sight to see, love the character, reminds me a bit or the MC of saving 80.000 gold coins.
On the other hand there are things I find a bit hard to grasp like her views on gender, position in society and so on. She acts, expresses and accepts in a matter of fact way or maybe a resigned to the situation way, how the system of that era works. But her way of thinking is more avant garde for that age, for example, she's not all that polite to her superiors (this might be for comedy's sake actually), she has a very pragmatic view on many things, like not believing in the supernatural, she also has knowledge that is or feels off, the notion of doctor-patient confidentiality which I have no clue if this was something that existed in that era (doubt it) but CPR for sure didn't exist, and so on. I guess it's very hard for an author not to insert some modern ideas or points of view since they are so ingrained in our thinking we don't notice, or maybe it's one of those stories where the MC is transmigrated or has past lives memories and the fact is not told till much later, I read such stories twice before so it's not unheard of, still it's unlikely, posible doesn't mean probable.
I also like how the imperial court is portrayed in a more amiable fashion, there are a few poison events and so on but there isn't a conspiracy or scheme at every turn, something I loath of other court intrigue stories.
Overall, it's an interesting read, the mix of genres go along with each other and the episodic nature of it but plot continuity is also pleasing. Recommended.

Very Solid
by SomberNight
January 11th, 2019, 10:05am
January 11th, 2019, 10:05am
Rating: 9.0 / 10.0
I cannot think of anything negative to say about this. Maybe the logic used to explain the mysteries isn't quite as understandable as I would like, but that doesn't bother me too much (it could be a translation issue). I also like that the author uses plot points from past chapters and carries them into future chapters. It shows that the consequences have meaning (for example, we see how friendships start to form and why certain side characters are forced to leave and never be seen again).

Light and easy read
by PhieX
June 4th, 2018, 8:19am
June 4th, 2018, 8:19am
Rating: N/A
I have always loved this kind of story. A story when a girl is indifferent with opposite gender, mentally strong, and smart. Historical background and fluffy storyline (a story without serious, complicated twist or bloody gore) are a plus-plus to me. It is a light and easy manga to read, no headache due to too much thinking. There's political issue, but no worries it's still easy to read. It's almost like a shoujo (which I don't mind).
Character wise, only main female lead is interesting and fully explained than the rest. Well, it's still acceptable cause there's a secrecy happening and I'm guessing they're just 'come and go' characters to help the heroine survive.
My only complaint is.. it was such a let down that the author decided to explained some simple compound things as a topic of her stories in this manga
So far, I have enjoyed till the latest chapter.
Character wise, only main female lead is interesting and fully explained than the rest. Well, it's still acceptable cause there's a secrecy happening and I'm guessing they're just 'come and go' characters to help the heroine survive.
My only complaint is.. it was such a let down that the author decided to explained some simple compound things as a topic of her stories in this manga
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
like chocolate as aphrodisiac, mercury in make-up, or seafood allergy
. I know, the manga took a place in hundred years ago.. where simple things are bigger problem for them. But come on, I have seen this type of story with complicated compound (it's a drama though). This is the reason why I said it's an easy manga. It's still in volume 2, maybe along the way it will change. So far, I have enjoyed till the latest chapter.

So far so good
by Rinii
January 16th, 2018, 2:17pm
January 16th, 2018, 2:17pm
Rating: 10.0 / 10.0
There are only 8 chapters, but I can say for certain, I was hooked in the first chapter! The art and story is amazing! The main character Maomao is one of the main reasons. She isn’t indecisive, she uses her past experiences and learns from them. I like how she is daring and risky, to the point it’s pretty funny. When I was reading I was super excited seeing what Maomao would do next! I highly recommend this, and hopefully it will retain its awesomeness in the later chapters.
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