Apothecarius Argentum

Description

From CMX:
As a boy, Argentum was a poison tester for a royal family. Later, he developed an immunity to toxic substances and became a master chemist with the ability to cure any illness. Returning after a long absence, he is assigned to be Princess Primula's bodyguard. But any potential relationship will have its limits, as Argentum's very touch has itself become poisonous.

Type

Manga

Related Series

N/A

Associated Names

Yakushi Argent

Yakushi Arjan

Yakushi Arujan

Серебряный аптекарь

อาร์เจน หมอเทวดา

天才藥師亞爾

薬師アルジャン

약사 아르쟌

Groups Scanlating

Friendship Scans

Icarus Bride Scanlation

Latest Release(s)

v.11 c.44 (end) by Friendship Scans 6 years ago

v.11 c.43 by Friendship Scans 6 years ago

v.11 c.42 by Friendship Scans 6 years ago

Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin

11 Volumes (Complete)

Completely Scanlated?

Yes

Anime Start/End Chapter

N/A

User Reviews

N/A

Forum

2 topics, 7 posts

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User Rating

Average: 8.2 / 10.0 (138 votes)

Bayesian Average: 7.86 / 10.0

32%

14%

22%

20%

Last Updated

April 29th, 2023 8:59am PDT - 2 years ago

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Genre

Drama Fantasy Historical Romance Shoujo
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Categories

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Category Recommendations

Remnants of Filth (Novel)

The Emperor's Concubine

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Glau Standear Koukoku Monogatari (Novel)

Recommendations

Kanata Kara

Basara

Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori

Author(s)

Artist(s)

Year

Original Publisher

Akita Shoten

Serialized In (magazine)

Princess Gold (Akita Shoten)

Licensed (in English)

English Publisher

CMX (Defunct / 8 Vols)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #747

(+83)

Monthly Pos #1758 (No change)

3 Month Pos #3344 (No change)

6 Month Pos #4469

(-350)

Year Pos #5522

(-834)

List Stats

On 649 reading lists

On 657 wish lists

On 134 completed lists

On 50 unfinished lists

On 285 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

Has this been dropped by CMX, and if so, what is its future?

9 years ago

Apothecarius Argentum

12 years ago

User Comments [ Order by usefulness ]

Downhill.

by Inchains
5 years ago

Rating: 6.0 / 10.0

I read this manga a few years ago while the translation was still ongoing. Now that its completed I decided why not finish it because I remember loving the story. After finishing it I can honestly say it was ... okay? The story start to get boring after a certain point

like when Argent was 'killed' , or anytime when the story didn't focus on Primula & Argent. Also what was up with ! Primula's 'death' no one really seemed bother by it when they thought she was going to die, especially Argent he just seemed so blasé about the whole thing, saved for a few words and I guess they finally did it. And the annoying way he just disappeared again @ the end without saying anything. Honestly their relationship by the end just had this ... okay-guess-there-together-now kind of feeling.

... Last updated 5 years ago

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I wish I hadn't decided to re-read it

by ohkimch
7 years ago

Rating: 4.0 / 10.0

I used to love this series so much. Then I re-read it almost a decade later and...I regret doing so. 🙁
I can no longer look back at it fondly, and part of my younger years feel tarnished. Ugh.

Here's the thing. This series comes off as a very Strong Female Lead driven story. From Primula's personality, to her penchant for physical past times, our MC blasts onto the pages as a strong-willed princess ready to challenge gender stereotypes. Perhaps a lttle naïve and innocent and sheltered, but strong. And full of potential for growth.

If you have hopes about any of the aforementioned points, I'd advise you to jump ship. Run away.
As much as it pains me to realize as an adult, it's a trap. Akatsuki no Yona does a much better job of growing a strong female lead, even with its flaws.

First of all, the story is far more focused on Argent, his skills/talents, his trials/tribulations, his story. To the point of Primula seeming like a side character. Even disregarding Argent, the story is still far more driven by the machinations of the many powerful men surrounding our princess. Heck, even the second male lead is more active in the plot and the political intrigue than Primula.

She just gets to be forcefully kissed and touched by men, told she's like "a flower", ordered to follow her duty and marry, and claimed as "mine" by different men. She doesn't get to react for herself when she's assaulted, or even get angry - the men get angry (conditionally) in her stead. She might as well be an object wih all the (lack of) consideration the men give to her opinions/desires.

Something else that really bugged me was that after that one training scene at the beginning, the Princess of Steel never picks up a sword again.
She is just consistently relegated to be the oblivious figurehead as the men plot, plan, and protect. Her father, Argent, and Lorca may be battling wih their wits, but Primula is left in the dark or used as a pretty pawn.

On top of that, the story is just rife with restrictive gender stereotypes and harmfully misogynistic ideology.
Examples:

- "You may be strong, but you're still a young lady." In response to the lie that she's fainted from seeing blood. Excuse you, most women see more blood than men ever will.

The assumption Lorca would rule over Beazol and Navara (both of their countries) if they married, and the focus on him as suitable king, dismissing Primula as a sovereign.

The ostracized doctor who is labeled a "murderer" for helping prostitutes with abortion, and the accusations from Argent that she's "killing babies"

The idea that women are unfit rulers because they're "driven by emotion" - this stung even more because it had almost been subverted in an earlier chapter. Then the author reneged & confirmed the sh** stereotype.

Every time something comes up, the men don't even bother to let Primula know something is happening. They just share the info amongst themselves, and make a plan together. Leaving Primula uninformed and unaware. This really pissed me off when Lorca and Argent faked their deaths, and manipulated her to "protect her".

It's depressing to re-read a series I used to love so much and find so many flaws. 🙁
Can no longer recommend.

... Last updated 7 years ago

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Brilliant but sometimes tiresome

by hurafloyd
9 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

I love it, except the parts where they remember or recapitulate a lot of stuff that already happened, it gets tiresome. Besides that, the story is well developed, the characters are acceptable and each one of their issues are really important to the development of the story, as they become solved (or become heavier in due time).

I wish I could read the remaining chapters to see how it ends... I would really like a happy ending.

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LikED it

by blueshadows
13 years ago

Rating: 7.0 / 10.0

I liked it, until it died. OK, awesome story/summery. decent art. epic characters. but the story goes down-hill after a while. it gets boring and old and a bit like i-dont-want-to-read-this-anymore. So i suggest you read the first bits then stop at least before he wants to change. you will understand what i mean when you/if you read this. but the beginning deserves a 10 i suppose.

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by CiellavonNightmare
14 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

First came across this in a bookstore when I was in 5th grade, 9 y/o. I loved the first volume instantly but I had to go home. I never saw that manga again and back then I wasnt a manga freak yet. I didnt read anything besides bleach that my dad brought home. It took me 5 years till I found a site, and the time to read this. 😀 I read it one shot and waiting for the next releases. Probably the first shoujo manga that I came contact to (but not fully read). A great plot strong heroine, lots of guys (lol). Really good manga.

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It was really good in the beginning, but...

by TamiBastos
14 years ago

Rating: 7.0 / 10.0

So, I started reading this and I really loved it in the beginning and it caught my attention. However, after volume 5 or so

it kind of got boring, especially when Argentum started wanting to become normal and went on a trip. After that part, everything went down hill and it got REALLY boring, so I just skimmed through the rest of the volumes. It did have a nice plot and everything, but it kind of got annoying after a while, because there were way too many side characters (in my opinion) and they were more developed and showed up on the manga than the main two characters. The ending was okay.

If you like long stories, with a good amount of politics and a serious plot, this is for you. But if you are looking for a nice, cute shoujo, I don't think you will like it.

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kgjslfjwlejldsjfj edit: WHY @ that ending

by gwkimmy
14 years ago

Rating: N/A

i just recently found and read this series and HOLY WOW i love it to pieces. been itching for more and almost had a stroke when someone recently picked it up again, it seems.

im a huge sucker for the forbidden love genre and the politics involved only make it better. it's rare that you see political intrigue in a shoujo story like this. and BELIEVABLE political intrigue at that. major props to the mangaka.

edit: getting near the end, and unless the next chapter is a flashback or something, the ending is kinda final...and honestly kinda anticlimactic.

so we build up all this intrigue and antagonism about the southern country for argent to visit it once then flee, and then it's mentioned that he goes again after the ending, dies, and the place is destroyed. we don't even get to see this final battle. I'm expecting either another fake-out death (it was enough with primula, jesus christ) or some other side story for the final chapters.

also I was almost laughing at primula suddenly coming back to life. I'm now expecting that they only reason they made her fall deadly sick in the first place was to give her an excuse to finally bang argent and finally consummate their relationship xD

... Last updated 6 years ago

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Was a let down when it was dropped but made smiles when it was picked back up

by Mierten
14 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

It is a fun one. Shoujo often fades into jealousy and stupid stuff to keep it going. After all, you can't have your two lovers get together too soon. Here, one of them having a poisonous touch does the trick. Just as magically, after being partially published, someone else has taken up the journey of finishing the translation.

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by Starkick
15 years ago

Rating: 7.0 / 10.0

I really like this manga. The plot is so original and thrilling, with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting.

The characters are amazing: Primula the tomboy/fencing princess of doom, Argentum the bishie healer with a frighting ability and a dark past (not to mention a forbidden love interest!)...Soda the funny and annoying apprentice (I love when he voices Argentum's inner love-love thoughts 😛 ), Caru, the half-blind etiquette instructor... Even the king is a great character, though I can't decide if I like him or not.
I also think it's great that, even thought there are a lot of characters in this manga, I don't get them confused, or forget who someone is. Each character really sticks out in my mind as a distinct persona.

My only complaint at the moment is that the plot can get a little confusing sometimes. It generally clears up in a couple chapters, though, so that's nice. 🙂

... Last updated 14 years ago

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Interesting

by CuthienSilmeriel
16 years ago

Rating: 7.0 / 10.0

It was an unusual enough concept to capture my interest and the blend between modern scientific knowledge and oldern apothecaries was well done with the added fantasy theme allowing such advanced knowledge at times to be easily accepted. The story certainly caught my interest and I devoured the first volume in one sitting. Things start a little slow but picked up by chapter 3 enough to have me wishing to read more. The art wasn't amazing but it was quite good and the main character was certainly interesting with hints of a darker side to him which added volumes to his personality. Another this I liked about this was that it has a strong female lead not some damsel-in-distress type character but she did start to irk on me a bit sometimes. Worth checking out but be prepared for a possible long wait if you only read scans though. If you liked the first volume Amazon are selling the other volumes of this for £5.

... Last updated 16 years ago

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