【Interview】“If I were to undress someone, it would be Jinshi (laughs).” What meticulous consideration does author Hyūganatsu give to expression in The Apothecary Diaries?

The "Original Novel The Apothecary Diaries Exhibition: Poisons, Medicines, Science, and Mystery," which commemorates the 11th anniversary of the publication of the popular series The Apothecary Diaries (Hero Bunko)—a work that has also been adapted into a TV anime—is currently being held at Tokyo Solamachi. Visitors can enjoy an exhibition that delves deep into the world of the novel through its narratives and illustrations.

In this article, we interviewed Hyūganatsu, the author of The Apothecary Diaries, during a media preview held prior to the exhibition's opening. We asked her about her involvement in the exhibition content and her overall approach to the work as the original author.

——Congratulations on the opening of the original work exhibition. First, could you tell us about your involvement in the exhibition content?

Hyūganatsu：I was generally passive and tried not to comment unless something was truly unacceptable. Under those circumstances, I did offer the suggestion, "How about including some short stories?" considering that this exhibition involves a lot of text.

——I had the opportunity to see the exhibition firsthand, and the fact that much of the content is text-based was very impressive. Was the concept of having a lot of text present from the planning stage?

Hyūganatsu：There was quite a lot (lol). I think there are parts that young children won't be able to read, but I hope those children will enjoy looking at the illustrations, plants, and other exhibits. If a parent or an older sibling explains to them, "This is this kind of plant, and this is its poison," I believe that memory will remain from their childhood and sow a seed of interest for them in the future.