The spin-off manga series for The Apothecary Diaries will focus on Maomao’s friend, Xiaolan.
Revealed by Square Enix during Anime Japan 2025, The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) franchise has launched a new spin-off manga series in their Manga Up! Website. The spin-off focuses on Maomao’s fellow servant friend, Xiaolan, and is titled The Apothecary Diaries Side Story: Xiaolan’s Memories (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Gaiden: Xiaolan Kaisoroku).
Xialoan’s Memories manga details
The spin-off manga is being illustrated by Itsuki Nanao, who is credited as the compiler for the Nekokurage manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries. The story for Xiaolan’s Memories is also written by Natsu Hyuga, the author behind the light novels, and is known as the first spin-off story to the series.
Xiaolan was first introduced to anime viewers in the first season of The Apothecary Diaries as a spirited and mischievous servant situated in the inner court. She befriends Maomao and stands as one of the apothecary’s closest confidants during her time as a servant. As Xiaolan is a bit of a gossip, she also finds herself in the know of many of the palace intrigues that Maomao encounters.
Currently, the first chapter for the manga is now up and ready to read for free.
The Apothecary Diaries is currently in its second season for the anime, while the two manga adaptations are still in serialisation. The light novels are ongoing, with J-Novel Club publishing the story digitally. The story is described as:
In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.
Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort... so she can taste the lady's food for poison!
