The Apothecary Diaries

Series Similar to The Apothecary Diaries

If you enjoyed The Apothecary Diaries, these series share similar themes, tone, and quality. Each recommendation is scored on genre overlap, tonal match, and critical acclaim.

1. Violet Evergarden

   2018 · Anime · ended

   Recommended for similar Anime profile.

   In the aftermath of the continent-spanning, four-years-long war that gripped the industrial fantasy land of Leiden, Violet Evergarden, a 14-year old former child-soldier, is trying to find her place in civilian life as an Auto Memory Doll, a professional ghost-writer of letters for the poor and the rich alike.

2. The Case Study of Vanitas

   2021 · Anime, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery · ended

   Recommended for similar Anime / Romance profile, hidden gem.

   Rumors revolving around The Book of Vanitas, a clockwork grimoire of dubious reputation, draw Noé, a young vampire in search of a friend's salvation, to Paris. What awaits him in the City of Flowers, however, is not long hours treading the pavement or rifling through dusty bookshops in search of the tome. Instead, his quarry comes to him...in the arms of a man claiming to be a vampire doctor! Thrust into a conflict that threatens the peace between humans and vampires, will Noé cast in his lot with the curious and slightly unbalanced Vanitas and his quest to save vampirekind? 

3. Koukyuu no Karasu

   2022 · Drama, Anime, Fantasy, Mystery · ended

   Recommended for similar Anime / Mystery profile, hidden gem.

   Deep within the inner palace lives a special consort who does not serve the emperor despite her position, known as the Raven Consort. People who have seen her say she looks like an old woman, while others say she looks like a young girl. Stories talk of her use of mysterious arts and how she can take on any request, be it death curses to finding lost things. Koushun, the current emperor, goes to visit the Raven Consort with that intention, without knowing that their fated meeting will become a taboo that will overturn history.

4. Hyouka

   2012 · Drama, Anime, Mystery · ended

   Recommended for similar Anime / Mystery profile.

   The story follows a boy named Houtarou who is not assertive about getting involved, but was ordered by his older sister to join the classic literature club. In the club, he gets close to the truth about an incident, involving a female member's uncle, which happened 45 years ago. The energy-saving boy is joined by an inquisitive girl in this adolescent mystery.

5. 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!

   2024 · Anime · ended

   Recommended for similar Anime profile, hidden gem.

   Rishe Irmgard Weitzner, a duke's daughter, has a secret: she died at the age of 20 and returned to the moment five years prior when her engagement was called off. She has already experienced this time loop six times and lived out those five years a different way each time, as a merchant, a doctor, a maid, a knight, and more. Now, on her seventh go-around, she's determined to live to a ripe old age and spend it relaxing. But the moment she flees the castle with that decision in her heart, she runs into the infamously cruel crown prince of a rival kingdom, Arnold Hein. He happens to be the one who killed her during her life as a knight, but now, he seems to have taken a bizarre liking to her... and begs her to become his wife. Thus, in order to stay alive and prevent a war, Rishe utilizes her previous experiences to kick off her seventh life as the bride of an enemy nation's crown prince.

6. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso

   2014 · Drama, Anime, Music, Romance · ended

   Recommended for similar Anime / Romance profile, hidden gem.

   Piano prodigy Arima Kosei dominated the competition and all child musicians knew his name. But after his mother, who was also his instructor, passed away, he had a mental breakdown while performing at a recital that resulted in him no longer being able to hear the sound of his piano even though his hearing was perfectly fine. Even two years later, Kosei hasn't touched the piano and views the world in monotone, and without any flair or color. He was content at living out his life with his good friends Tsubaki and Watari until, one day, a girl changed everything. Miyazono Kaori is a pretty, free spirited violinist whose playing style reflects her personality. Kaori helps Kosei return to the music world and show that it should be free and mold breaking unlike the structured and rigid style Kosei was used to.

7. Akagami no Shirayukihime

   2015 · Drama, Anime, Fantasy, Romance · ended

   Recommended for similar Anime / Romance profile.

   Shirayuki was a young girl born with unique apple-red hair. She meets a famous but foolish Prince Raji, who falls in love with her at first sight and orders her to become his concubine. With nowhere else to go, Shirayuki cuts her hair and escapes to a neighboring country. While traversing through the forests, she meets a young boy, Zen, who helps her after she boldly cures his wounds but then gets poisoned by an apple given to Shirayuki. Meanwhile, Prince Raji sends out henchmen to search for her. What will happen to Shirayuki? What is Zen's true character? A refreshing fantasy story between an optimistic heroine and a prince who constantly stays on her watch.

8. Mushi-Shi

   2005 · Drama, Anime, Fantasy · ended

   Recommended for similar Anime profile.

   They are neither plants nor animals. They differ from other forms of life such as the micro-organisms and the fungi. Instead they resemble the primeval body of life and are generally known as "Mushi". Their existence and appearance are unknown to many and only a limited number of humans are aware of them. Ginko is a "Mushi-shi" who travels around to investigate and find out more about the "Mushi". In the process, he also lends a helping hand to people who face problems with supernatural occurances which may be related to the "Mushi".

9. Natsume's Book of Friends

   2008 · Drama, Anime, Supernatural · returning

   Recommended for similar Anime profile.

   While most fifteen-year-old boys, in one way or another, harbor secrets that are related to girls, Takashi Natsume has a peculiar and terrifying secret involving youkai: for as long as he can remember, he has been constantly chased by these spirits. Natsume soon discovers that his deceased grandmother Reiko had passed on to him the Yuujinchou, or "Book of Friends," which contains the names of the spirits whom she brought under her control. Now in Natsume's possession, the book gives Reiko's grandson this power as well, which is why these enraged beings now haunt him in hopes of somehow attaining their freedom.Without parents and a loving home, and constantly being hunted by hostile, merciless youkai, Natsume is looking for solace—a place where he belongs. However, his only companion is a self-proclaimed bodyguard named Madara. Fondly referred to as Nyanko-sensei, Madara is a mysterious, pint-sized feline spirit who has his own reasons for sticking with the boy.Based on the critically acclaimed manga by Yuki Midorikawa, Natsume Yuujinchou is an unconventional and supernatural slice-of-life series that follows Natsume as he, with his infamous protector Madara, endeavors to free the spirits bound by his grandmother's contract.

10. Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin

    2010 · Drama, Anime, History · ended

    Recommended for similar Anime / History profile, hidden gem, also on NTV.

    Seven teenagers must find a way to live in a reformatory in Shio, while dealing with their past crimes and learning to start their lives anew.