With the first season of The Apothecary Diaries becoming a hit, fans eagerly wait for the series’ second season. However, season 2 has officially been announced to premiere sometime in 2025, which seems too far from now. Thankfully, fans can watch anime television series that follow themes similar to those of The Apothecary Diaries. Hence, ComingSoon lists seven of the best anime to watch after The Apothecary Diaries.
Raven of the Inner Palace
Based on the light novel Raven of the Inner Palace, the anime series is a fantasy and mystery show that aired in Fall 2022. It has historical and mythological themes, making it one of the best anime to watch after The Apothecary Diaries.
Raven of the Inner Palace features the story of the Raven Consort, Ryuu Jusetsu. Popular belief says that she possesses mystic abilities and is often known as an immortal sage. She resides in the royal court and takes on requests which may or may not be paranormal.
Though revered, many people fear her. However, nothing disturbs Jusetsu’s wish to remain in solitude. Her world turns around when Ka Koushun, the royal emperor, seeks her help to solve a mysterious case, forcing her to step outside the court for the first time. As she tries to navigate through her new life, she makes new connections and faces impending challenges.
Black Butler
Black Butler, which initially aired in the Fall of 2008, is set to return to the screens in the Spring of 2024 with its Public School Arc. The anime has themes of mystery and history, making it one of the best series to watch after The Apothecary Diaries. Some believe the anime also has the right amount of action and fantasy to cater to shōnen fans.
The anime series is based on Ciel Phantomhive’s adventures. Ciel sells his soul to Sebastian Michaelis, a demon, to avenge his parents’ killers. Sebastian and Ciel then form a contract, and the former plays the role of Ciel’s butler. With Sebastian’s inhuman abilities behind his human disguise and Ciel’s strategic abilities, the duo unravels mysteries and solves crimes in Victorian England for the queen.
Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp
Touching upon medical themes, Doctor Elise is a similar anime to The Apothecary Diaries. It premiered in Winter 2024 and consists of 12 episodes in its first cour. Besides medicine, the anime has reincarnation, fantasy, and romance themes.
The narrative features Elise de Clorance, a spoiled and unpopular empress who was displeasing to everyone around her. After she dies in a plane crash, she is reincarnated as Dr. Aoi Takamoto. This another chance at life with her memories intact marks the beginning of her redemption arc.
Elise uses her medical knowledge to make reforms and cater to those in need. She decides to heal her ailing empire once again when she is born as Princess Elise but chooses not to marry her fiancé, Prince Linden, in an attempt to atone for her past mistakes.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Another anime with a headstrong female protagonist like Maomao is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Though it is a fantasy anime series that premiered in the Fall of 2023, its focus on Frieren’s journey makes it one of the best anime to watch after The Apothecary Diaries.
The series revolves around Frieren, an elf, who joins Himmel the Hero’s party to defeat the Demon King. A priest and a dwarf join their quest. Together, they defeat the Demon King and become the century’s most celebrated heroes.
Frieren remains unwary of the little time that her comrades have as compared to her. Remembering them every step of her way, she embarks on a journey with her student, Fern, and Stark, another hero. Frieren decides to go to the northern lands to meet her long-lost friend Himmel’s soul.
Snow White with the Red Hair
Snow White with the Red Hair is a shōjo anime that has a protagonist as geeky about medicine as Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries. The anime TV series began airing in Summer 2015 and has 12 episodes in total.
The series follows the journey of Shiyaruki, aka “snow white,” who lives in the countryside. She has an herbal shop and is passionate about her job as an apothecary. Her peaceful life takes a sudden turn when Tanbarun’s prince, Prince Raji, compels her to become a concubine in his court.
However, Shiyaruki loves her freedom too much to give it up. Hence, she cuts her red hair and runs away. Lost in the forest, the neighboring country Clarines’ prince, Zen Wistalia, rescues her. To pay off her debt to the prince, Shiyaruki decides to work as the court herbalist in Clarinets, setting her on a dramatic journey.
Konosuba
Though an Isekai comedy, Konosuba is a fantasy-themed anime series that shares the common theme of adventure with The Apothecary Diaries. The series debuted in Winter 2016 and will broadcast its third season in Spring 2024.
The plot centers around Aqua, an eccentric goddess. When a high school student, Kazuma Satou, is returning after buying a game, he meets his death. He meets Aqua, who offers him two options. As such, he could either go to heaven or reincarnate in a real fantasy world.
Enticed with the second option, Kazuma chooses to begin a new life in the fantasy world. The twist is that Aqua asks him to defeat the Demon King in the world after choosing one item to take with him on his journey. Instead of selecting a heroic weapon, he chooses Aqua to take her into the fantasy world. Thus, the story unfolds as an upcoming hero embarks on an adventure with a goddess, and they must face the new world and its challenges together.
Moriarty the Patriot
Aired in the Fall of 2022, Moriarty the Patriot is a shōnen anime that shares similar themes of mystery and psychological intrigue with The Apothecary Diaries. Moreover, the anime has a historical background, giving it the same ground as The Apothecary Diaries.
Moriarty the Patriot is set in 19th century Great Britain when the nation’s political success made it the greatest empire in the world. Historically consistent with reality, the anime witnesses the hierarchical division in Great Britain when the aristocrats ruled over the country.
Amid power politics exists a noble named William James Moriarty. The story follows his journey as he aims to demolish the societal power structure in Great Britain, and he does not hesitate to use brutality if it comes to that.
