What Kind of Person is Hyuganatsu, the Author of "The Apothecary Diaries"? A Guide to Her Manga Adaptations!

From October 2023, the first season of the anime adaptation "The Apothecary Diaries" started airing. Although the manga is also popular, both the manga and the anime are based on a novel of the same name. The original novel has been published up to volume 15.

In this article, we will profile Hyuganatsu, the author of the novel "The Apothecary Diaries," and explore whether she has a blog, as well as other works that have been adapted into manga.

What is Hyuganatsu's Representative Work, "The Apothecary Diaries"?

The protagonist is a girl named Maomao, who used to be an apothecary in the pleasure quarter. The story begins as she starts working as a maid in the imperial harem. Despite the swirling rumors and intrigue amongst the women, Maomao remains indifferent, only interested in medicine and poison. However, after becoming involved in an incident involving the emperor's child falling ill, she catches the eye of the handsome eunuch, Jinshi. Jinshi appoints Maomao as a poison tester for the emperor's concubine, and subsequently begins to burden her with various troublesome tasks, which she solves using her knowledge of medicine and keen insight.

The novel "The Apothecary Diaries" began as a series on the online novel site "Shousetsuka ni Narou" (Let's Become a Novelist), which was later edited and published. The novel was also adapted into manga by Square Enix and Shogakukan, with the combined total circulation of the series, including manga and novels, surpassing 40 million copies. In October 2023, a TV anime version also started airing.

What is Hyuganatsu's Profile?

Hyuganatsu's real name and age are not publicly disclosed, and it is only known that she resides in Fukuoka Prefecture. Currently, she works on novel publications and also writes manga scripts. According to an interview on the official channel of Note on YouTube, after graduating university she worked as a company employee. Although she had a minor success in a contest organized by a game company during her university days, she believed she couldn't make a living writing novels and decided to find employment.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, Hyuuga spent more time at home and began posting "The Apothecary Diaries" as a hobby on "Shousetsuka ni Narou." The series, which started in 2011, was published as a book by Shufu no Tomo's Ray Books in 2012, marking her debut as a novelist. Later, "The Apothecary Diaries" was reissued by Shufu no Tomo's Hero Bunko from 2014, with currently 15 volumes in print.

Hyuga shares information about her publications on her blog and posts daily occurrences on X (formerly Twitter). She also provides updates on her activities on "Shousetsuka ni Narou," in addition to her novels.

Which Works Inspired Hyuganatsu?

According to past interviews, Hyuganatsu grew up primarily reading shonen manga, and young adult novels and light novels by Cobalt Bunko, which formed the foundation for "The Apothecary Diaries," a wide-ranging work encompassing mysteries, court intrigue, and romance.

She still enjoys works set in palaces, and in an interview with the book introduction site "BOOK Watch," she mentioned that books such as Kenichi Sakami's "Kokyu Shosetsu," Fuyumi Ono's "The Twelve Kingdoms," and Sai Yukino's "The Story of Saiunkoku" influenced her writing of "The Apothecary Diaries." For works set in Japan, she mentioned Fumi Yoshinaga's "Ooku: The Inner Chambers" and Saeko Himuro's "The Change!"

What is Hyuganatsu Really Like? Does She Reveal Her Face?

Hyuganatsu has not publicly revealed her face, and most of her profile remains undisclosed. Although she frequently posts on X (formerly Twitter) and shares photos of her pet cat, there are no pictures of herself. However, a YouTube interview suggests she is a woman based on her voice.

In the same interview, she mentioned that her hobbies include survival games and fishing, and she is an active type who will try anything if invited. She also shared anecdotes about enjoying murder mystery games with fellow writers and editors.

Mentioned as a writer friend and contemporary who debuted around the same time is Natsuya Semikawa, the author of "Isekai Izakaya 'Nobu'".

How Many Volumes of "The Apothecary Diaries" Novels Are Available? Are There Spin-off Works?

Originally a web novel, the "The Apothecary Diaries" novel series has been published by Hero Bunko since August 2014, with 15 volumes currently available. The illustrations for the Hero Bunko edition were changed from the Ray Books edition and done by Touko Shino. The character designs are also used in the manga adaptations.

The book version of "The Apothecary Diaries" includes additions and revisions to the web novel. While the major storyline is the same, some details differ, and episodes not present in the web version were added. Although no spin-offs have been published, special editions with drama CDs written by the author are available for volumes 9, 11, and 12.

There Are Two Different Manga Adaptations of "The Apothecary Diaries"!

Two different manga adaptations are being published.

- "The Apothecary Diaries" (Square Enix)  
  Art: Nekokurage  
  Composition: Itsuki Nanao 
  Magazine: Monthly Big Gangan  
  Volumes: 14

- "The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao's Mysteries in the Inner Palace" (Shogakukan)  
  Art: Minoji Kurata  
  Magazine: Monthly Sunday GX  
  Volumes: 19

Both are adaptations of "The Apothecary Diaries" main story. While some episodes are rearranged, neither are spin-offs. Both use the character designs by Touko Shino, who illustrates the novel, but Nekokurage's art has a slightly cuter look, while Minoji Kurata's art is sharper.

What Other Works Does Hyuganatsu Have? Manga Scripts and Adaptations Too!

Besides "The Apothecary Diaries," Hyuganatsu has many other works. Her favorite genres include fantasy and mystery. Apart from modern stories, she often uses Chinese settings and has future-oriented works such as "The King of Toneriko."

Novels
- "The King of Toneriko"  
  Label: Hero Bunko (Shufu no Tomosha) Volumes: 2  
- "Empress of the Scorching Phoenix: The Confined Imposter Saint"  
  Label: Ichijinsha Bunko Iris (Ichijinsha) Volumes: 1  
- "The Spirit Princess of the Back Alley"  
  Label: Ichijinsha Bunko Iris (Ichijinsha) Volumes: 1  
- "Kuri Hime Ayakashi Yobanashi"  
  Label: Mynavi Publishing Fan Bunko (Mynavi Publishing) Volumes: 2  
- "Please Subtract the Calories! ～Cafeteria Girl & Satiated Boy～"  
  Label: Fujimi L Bunko (KADOKAWA) Volumes: 1  
- "Mystery Solving Archeology Club"  
  Label: Shogakukan Bunko Cherabun! (Shogakukan) Volumes: 3  
- "The Brothel Keeper Guen"  
  Label: Seikaisha FICTIONS (Kodansha) Volumes: 1  
- "Conditions for a Detective"  
  Label: MF Bunko J (KADOKAWA) Volumes: 1  
- "The Son of the Immortal King"  
  Label: Hero Bunko (Shufu to Seikatsusha) Volumes: 1  
- "The Failure at God School"  
  Label: Seikaisha FICTIONS (Kodansha) Volumes: 2  
- "You Can't Bluff the Sharp-Eyed Sister"  
  Label: Arianrose (Frontier Works) Volumes: 1

Manga Scripts and Adaptations  
- "The Failure at God School"  
  Art: Akagawara Modomu  
  Magazine: Hana to Yume (Hakusensha) Volumes: 4  
- "Conditions for a Detective"  
  Art: Warabino Kugeko  
  Magazine: Comic Flapper (KADOKAWA) Volumes: 2  
- "You Can't Bluff the Sharp-Eyed Sister"  
  Art: Asami You  
  Magazine: Monthly Shonen Magazine (Kodansha)

Summary of "The Apothecary Diaries" Author

Hyuganatsu, the author of "The Apothecary Diaries," is a writer who excels in fantasy involving mystery. While her representative work is "The Apothecary Diaries," she has numerous other works. Very little is publicly known about her personal details like her real name or age, and she has not shown her face.

With the airing of "The Apothecary Diaries" anime, attention is expected to increasingly focus on Hyuganatsu, the original author. This is a good opportunity to check out her works.

(C)Hyuganatsu, Imagica Infos/"The Apothecary Diaries"Project

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