Shows like Apothecary Diaries?
Hey everyone! I posted about a week ago asking for recommendations similar to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Dungeon Meshi. Got a lot of great suggestions that I’ll continue to sift through, but I got several recs for Apothecary Diaries. I watched the first season and ADORED it!!! (too bad the second season isn’t available on Netflix in the US though…) So if folks have any similar shows to those please let me know!
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What parts/elements/premise of Apothecary Diaries did you find most engaging? The stoic/smart protagonist? The mystery and answer/reveal? The political intrigue?
The idea is to come up with recommendations catered to these.
I also found myself really immersed in the setting, and I enjoyed the explanations of how everything worked with the different political systems at play (especially early on in the Rear Palace).
I also do enjoy mysteries. Particularly the way that this show was set up, having the day-to-day problems that seem episodic until you realize they were all connected. Funny enough, my favorite cartoon of all time is My Little Pony G4, and the best season of that had a similar setup lol
Hope those explanations help :3
I should warn you. Apothecary Diaries is the top dog, so do come in with low expectations for any of these tangents.
**Political Exploration:**
"Ascendance of a Bookworm" features a female protagonist with agency. She has to explore the social fabric of a new society (reborn in fantasy world). She climbs the ranks by networking with guilds and other political powers. And secondary characters even showcase critical thinking to the detriment on our heroine (this part was my favorite). I'd also label bookworm as a juggernaut of quality (though the anime adaptation and first impression would have you think otherwise).
"Spice and Wolf" Banter, barter, travel, politics, sly heroes, subtlety, etc. Watch this whenever you want to see some pseudo-dark ages Europe, the writing doesn't disappoint.
"Legend of the Galactic Heroes". Very old story. Reads like a fictional documentary. It's amazing. The one drawback is that it will take a lot of patience to get yourself hooked. It's like an anime aimed at Grandpas. The geopolitical anime where gentleman plot to take over the galaxy and drink tea (my summary does not do it justice).
**Mysteries:**
If you want to grok a new world/community and question everything (and have it ~~explained~~ shown eventually), then "Shadow House" has 10 main heroes to delight you. The biggest weapons of this anime are a sharp female protagonist (she's too clever), charismatic dorks, and constant character development. This anime uses "show, don't tell", with both its merits (depth) and drawbacks (seemingly dull on the surface).
"Erased" if you want thrills. Protagonist looks into the murder of his classmate through abrupt time travel. Don't fret, the characters behave very maturely.
"The Summer Hikaru Died". If an anime can get me attached over a homosexual romance of all things, that means I have to recommend it. The common themes in this story are melancholy, Eldritch horror (slow, yet overwhelming), and engrossing enigmas.
**You said you liked Dungeon Meshi & Frieren, so these have similar characterization and comic relief:**
1) "Medalist". You watch it. Just 1 episode and you'll get hooked. Tugs at your parental instincts.
2) "Dorohedoro". Zany comedy. Fun characters. Gore. Magic.
I'm currently binging "Golden Kamuy". It has renown for having good writing and centering around infrequently seen male characters. I can't confirm this, but I'm optimistic.
With any luck, you will discover all of these. They all have my seal of approval. Gosh, I'm so excited for season 3 of Apothecary, and seasons 2 of Frieren, Medalist, and Meshi.
what are you doing man
Shadows House might also be a good pick.
Going based on my gut, I would recommend The Melancholy of Haruhu Suzumiya. Also perhaps, Fruits Basket, Record of Lodoss War and Vision of Escaflowne.
If you can't get past the first 2 seasons though, at least try reading it
Also the original adaptation skips an arc that the reboot adapts, but yeah I especially prefer the Holo design from the original adaptation over the reboot ngl, and the general vibes of the original adaptation were better Imo. But at the same time the reboot is still well made and again will at least not end in the middle of an arc and will continue eventually.
It's definitely a good adaptation that's worth watching, but new people getting into the series should watch the new one that doesn't skip volumes and is much more likely to be completed.
It's really cool, the vibes are really good, but it's unfinished and *really* feels like it towards the end which is a bummer.
Follows Shurei who is the daughter of an impoverished noble house who works as a musician and school teacher who is hired by an advisor to the emperor to be his courtesan but in reality to be his teacher. The kingdom is falling apart due to an incident that occurred 8 years previously and the young emperor is shy, immature (in an avoidant way) and doesn’t want to be the emperor .
You may also like Yona of the Dawn, The 12 Kingdoms (Juuni Kokuki), Seirei no Moribito, Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose its Master and Raven of the Inner Palace (someone already recommended it but it’s good).
Saiunkoku and 12 Kingdoms are both available for free with ads on Pluto.
I rewatched Gosick last year and I still feel like it holds up too
- Beautiful Bones - Sakurako's Investigation
- Ameku Takao no Suiri Karte
This one if you want a similar historical court politics-esque setup and setting influenced on the surface and aesthetically by the Chinese monarchy and dynasties, and which also came out in the past few years (this one has more of a mixed fusion of Japanese-Chinese historical influence and is also more fantasy/supernatural-based):
- Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai
There are others which draw from ancient and "medieval" East Asian history for that aesthetic, Chinese-centric and otherwise, but are a little more action and adventure heavy:
- Juuni Kokuki (another Chinese court politics and mythology-inspired one but also an isekai, albeit of the classic older style of isekai)
- Akatsuki no Yona (and this also has some similar amount and tone of drama, comedy, and romance, although more Korean dynasty-inspired)
Finally, this one might be seen as more a left field suggestion or longshot, but the series in a way which actually reminds me of it the most in structure (was just thinking of this recently as I was rewatching a few episodes):
- Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
This one is an isekai, way more fantastical (whereas Apothecary has very minimal to none), with a male lead, and also an ecchi and harem, so in numerous ways different, but reminds me of it in one big important way, which is that very few other series just seem to make following the main character's daily life itself the main plot rather than a big plot seeming to supersede that. As in, just following the lead through the years and ages, and it also not being purely episodic so there is a sense of progression and time passed.
Actually, now that I mention it, Ascendance of a Bookworm is also like that to an extent. That is also an isekai and consequently more fantasy-based, but with another intelligent and obsessive-type female lead.
All of these I think are worth considering for their similarities, but honestly the closest spiritual twins of it to me are Sakurako and Ameku, even though set on present-day Earth.
2. For a lovable lead who has social anxiety like Bocchi the Rock, check out Secrets of the Silent Witch. It has a superb adaptation, but as a source reader, the anime still feels below what it could have achieved, had it been given the same treatment as the Apothecary Diaries. Some of the scenes involve detective work like Maomao.
3. Since you also asked for Dungeon Meshi, a good intersection to the Apothecary Diaries is Kakuriyo - Bed & Breakfast. The lead cooks and by doing so develops various relationships with different characters. It's a slowburn romance, which for the impatient would feel the romance is non-existent. That's because what's shown more is the cooking and how great and likeable the lead is.
4. Since you also asked for Frieren, check out Aria. I recommend this if and only if you love the meditative vibes of the first half of Frieren.
Another donghua to check out is The Master of Diabolism. The source is a 5 volume web novel from the same author as Heaven. Also has a sort of ancient Chinese setting (but not the same world as Heaven). Protags are two cultivators solving one mystery with many parts. Supernatural aspect. Original language is Mandarin with a Japanese dub and English subtitles. There are 35 episodes that cover all source material. It streams on Crunchyroll (but there is a live action series based on the same source called The Untamed streaming on Netflix — but the donghua sticks closer to the novel).
The Heike Story is set in Ancient Japanese politics/war. It has an English dub/subs. Eleven episodes. It streamed on Crunchyroll I think, but isn’t there anymore.
I just want to add that you can subscribe to Crunchy to binge a bunch of shows then cancel it. We did that with Disney when my partner wanted to watch all the Star Wars movies, and again when he wanted to watch Marvel movies he didn’t own. Just a thought…
Yatagarasu: A Crow does not choose it's master
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
* **Ouran Koukou Host Club** \- somewhat similar love chemistry
* **Honzuki no Gekokujou** \- also has a main character that has a big nerdy passion
* **Ookami to Koushinryou** \- similar all around vibes and playful character chemistry (there's the remake and the original, personally I slightly prefer the original but the remake will cover more of the story when the next season comes out soon)
* **Koukyuu no Karasu** \- similar setting and themes
* **Saiunkoku Monogatari** \- somewhat similar setting with love theme
and here's my wild card that nobody will think of:
* **Katanagatari** \- ok look hear me out: It has kinda sorta similar setting, similar playful character dynamics and style of comedy, similar slow pacing, Togame is likable character like Maomao, main character is cluelessly blinded by love similarly to Jinshi, it has politics and lots of dialogue. This is a martial arts action adventure though but really, give it a shot.
Fushigi Yugi
Ascendance of a Bookworm
I found the character freiren boring
I agree that Bookworm eventually gets to a point where is could be compared to Apothecary Diaries. I'd say it starts around season 2, when the temple takes a more prominent role.
Also season 2 is so bad compared to the light novel I would always recommend going to that after season 1.
Spring 2026 will be adapting Part 3 of the story, which will be a Season 4.
It’s 3 seasons but seasons 2 and 3 cover part 2(books4-8)
The quality of the show drops from season 1(spring2019) to season 2(spring 2020), and then the quality drops again for season 3(spring 2022)
The first two seasons were ordered together with season 3 being ordered and produced after the end of the first 2. And compounding issues from the second with things missed, less episodes and a lower budget.
But the real issues are that they changed Ferdinand to appear older(I think he’s supposed to be 19-20 when he first appears, even though he looks about 30 in the show) as well as be kinder and more benevolent, and they missed a lot on the gods/religion/mana that really do need be there going forwards.
I think you could like Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective.
The investigations are all very mundane but they somehow make them seem like the most interesting things you’ve ever seen someone solve
Summertime Render
Made in Abyss
Spice and Wolf (remake)
Gosick
Ousama Ranking
Shinsekai Yori
These are all different genres. And good. Have fun!
Erased
Psycho Pass
Baccano
Eden of the East
Gleipnir
- Yatagarasu: The Raven Doe Not Choose His Master
-
They both have the worldbuilding inspired by Imperial China and the mystery solving parts. Although there is a lot more magical elements in them.
Source: got my friend into anime with Apothecary Diaries, and since we finished it she’s been filling the void with AoaB