Animes Like The Apothecary Diaries: Mystery, Romance, and Brilliant Heroines
The Apothecary Diaries has won over anime fans worldwide with its clever blend of palace intrigue, historical detail, and subtle romance. At its heart is Maomao, a sharp-minded young woman whose deep knowledge of herbs and medicine allows her to untangle mysteries and survive the dangerous politics of the imperial court. What makes the series so special is not just Maomao’s intelligence and wit, but also the evolving relationship between her and Jinshi, which adds a layer of heartfelt tension to the drama. If you loved the way this anime mixes mystery, romance, and a brilliant female lead, here are some other series you should definitely watch next.
10. 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!
Premise: Rishe, a noblewoman trapped in multiple past lives, has died six times before her current seventh life. In this iteration, she strategically chooses to marry her so-called enemy to secure her survival and enjoy a carefree life while navigating the treacherous political landscape of the court.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Fans of Maomao will immediately recognize the cleverness and resourcefulness of Rishe. Like Maomao, she uses her intelligence to manipulate the power dynamics around her, solving problems in subtle and creative ways. Both shows feature a heroine in a courtly environment, navigating political intrigue, high-stakes social maneuvering, and complex relationships without relying on brute force.
Differences:Unlike Maomao, Rishe’s story leans heavily into romance and reincarnation mechanics. While Maomao’s narrative emphasizes medical knowledge, mystery, and observational brilliance, 7th Time Loop highlights the heroine’s agency in her personal relationships and her strategic use of past-life memories to influence her surroundings. The tone is also lighter, with more comedic and romantic elements compared to the measured, sometimes tense atmosphere of The Apothecary Diaries.
Why fans should watch: If you loved Maomao’s sharp mind, subtle manipulation, and ability to navigate the dangerous palace with intelligence and courage, but wish the story had a stronger romantic focus and reincarnation twist, this series is a perfect pick. Rishe’s charm, wit, and clever problem-solving make it a fun and engaging companion for fans of intelligent female leads in courtly settings.
9. Princess Principal
Premise: Princess Principal is set in an alternate steampunk London called Albion, where five elite young spies undertake high-stakes covert operations for the kingdom. Each has specialized skills, from disguise to hacking, and they navigate a world of espionage and political intrigue.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Like Maomao, the main character Ange is a clever, resourceful female lead who relies on intelligence and strategy to solve complex problems. Both series reward careful observation, subtle manipulation, and clever planning over brute force.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: Unlike the palace-focused, calm mystery atmosphere of The Apothecary Diaries, Princess Principal is action-driven, featuring gadgets, high-speed chases, and espionage. The setting and tone are darker and more adventurous, with frequent life-or-death stakes rather than investigative puzzles in a court setting.
Why you might like it: Fans of intelligent female protagonists who think several steps ahead will enjoy this series. While the suspense comes from spy missions rather than poison or murder cases, the strategic mind games and character dynamics make it a satisfying watch for Apothecary Diaries enthusiasts looking for faster-paced thrills.
8. The Garden of Sinners
Premise: The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyōkai) is a dark, supernatural series following Shiki Ryougi, a girl with a mysterious ability to perceive and cut the “lines of death” on anything, allowing her to kill anything with a touch. The story weaves through various mysteries and murders with philosophical undertones.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Both Maomao and Shiki are intelligent, resourceful female protagonists who solve complex problems on their own. Each uses observation, analytical thinking, and a calm demeanor to handle situations, often confronting morally gray or dangerous circumstances.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: Unlike the palace-centered, historically inspired world of The Apothecary Diaries, The Garden of Sinners is modern, dark, and supernatural, with horror and psychological thriller elements. The stakes are often life-and-death, and the tone is much more intense and violent.
Why you might like it: If you appreciated Maomao’s intelligence and subtle problem-solving, Shiki’s calculated and precise methods will appeal to you. While the mysteries are bloodier and the world more supernatural, fans of clever female leads navigating dangerous environments will find this series deeply engaging.
7. The Beast Player Erin (Kemono no Souja Erin)
Premise: The Beast Player Erin follows Erin, a young girl with the rare ability to communicate with magical beasts called “Touda.” After losing her family, she becomes an apprentice to a master who teaches her the art of caring for and training these creatures. As she grows, Erin faces political intrigue, personal challenges, and moral dilemmas surrounding the use of beasts in war.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Like Maomao, Erin is a clever and empathetic female protagonist who navigates a complex world where her intelligence and unique skills are her greatest tools. Both series highlight a detailed understanding of specialized knowledge—Maomao with poisons and medicine, Erin with magical beasts—and show the impact of women in societies that underestimate them.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: While The Apothecary Diaries is focused on palace intrigue, medicine, and subtle manipulations, Erin’s story involves high-stakes political conflicts and fantastical creatures. The world-building leans heavily into fantasy and adventure rather than historical realism, and the tone is more epic and emotional.
Why you might like it: Fans of Maomao’s intelligence, curiosity, and moral insight will enjoy Erin’s journey. Watching her face ethical dilemmas, solve problems creatively, and challenge societal norms provides a similar thrill, but in a more expansive, fantasy-driven environment.
6. Spice and Wolf
Premise: Spice and Wolf follows Kraft Lawrence, a traveling merchant, who encounters Holo, a centuries-old wolf deity in the form of a young woman. Together, they journey through medieval towns, navigating trade, economics, and personal ambitions while Holo seeks to return to her northern homeland. The story is a blend of romance, adventure, and clever problem-solving.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Like Maomao, Holo is highly intelligent and observant, using her knowledge to outwit those around her. Both series focus on clever, independent female protagonists who are central to the narrative, balancing wit, curiosity, and agency. The romance element between Holo and Lawrence mirrors Maomao’s subtle romantic tension with Jinshi.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: Spice and Wolf is more travel-based and economic in focus, with less emphasis on court intrigue or medicine. The medieval European-inspired setting and the fantastical element of a wolf deity set it apart from the historically grounded Chinese palace setting of Maomao’s story.
Why you might like it: Fans of Maomao’s strategic thinking and understated charm will enjoy Holo’s cleverness, wit, and the slow-burning romance. The series rewards patience with clever dialogue, charming banter, and a unique combination of fantasy, economics, and heartfelt connection.
5. The Ancient Magus' Bride
Premise: The Ancient Magus’ Bride follows Chise Hatori, a young girl sold at an auction to Elias Ainsworth, a mysterious mage with a skull-like head. As Elias trains Chise in magic, she discovers her own rare abilities and learns about the magical creatures and spirits of his world. The series combines romance, fantasy, and a coming-of-age story.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Both Chise and Maomao are intelligent and observant young women who navigate a complex world full of hidden dangers. Each series explores mystery and discovery, with a subtle romantic undertone that develops organically alongside the plot. The deep world-building and attention to magical or alchemical details echo Maomao’s meticulous approach to solving problems.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: While Maomao’s story is grounded in historical palace intrigue and medicinal knowledge, Chise’s world leans heavily into fantasy, with magical creatures and spells shaping the plot. The pacing is slower and more atmospheric, and the tone often mixes dark, emotional moments with heartwarming, whimsical scenes.
Why you might like it: Fans of Maomao’s curiosity and intelligence will appreciate Chise’s growth, her bond with Elias, and the emotional depth of the story. If you enjoy intricate world-building, subtle romance, and a mix of mystery with magic, this series is a must-watch.
4. The Story of Saiunkoku
Premise: The Story of Saiunkoku centers on Shurei Kou, a clever and determined young woman from a noble family who becomes a candidate for government service in the imperial court. While navigating palace politics, she strives to improve the lives of common people and protect the empire from corruption, gradually gaining influence and respect.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Like Maomao, Shurei is highly intelligent, resourceful, and observant, often relying on her wits rather than brute force. Both series explore life in a historical palace setting, emphasizing politics, social hierarchies, and intricate character interactions. Romance is also present, unfolding subtly alongside the protagonist’s growth and ambitions.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: While Maomao’s story focuses on medicinal knowledge and solving discrete mysteries, Shurei’s journey revolves more around political maneuvering, administration, and reform. The tone is generally lighter and more optimistic, with more emphasis on Shurei’s personal relationships and courtly romance than on dark intrigue.
Why you might like it: Fans of clever female protagonists navigating complex social structures will enjoy Shurei’s story. Her intelligence, determination, and moral compass mirror Maomao’s, while the palace intrigue and romantic developments provide an engaging, heartwarming experience.
3. Snow White with the Red Hair
Premise: Snow White with the Red Hair follows Shirayuki, a skilled herbalist with striking red hair, who escapes her homeland to avoid becoming the king’s concubine. She starts a new life in a foreign kingdom, where her talent and intelligence help her gain recognition and respect. Along the way, she meets the kind and capable prince Zen, and their relationship develops naturally amid challenges and adventures.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Like Maomao, Shirayuki is independent, intelligent, and observant. Both series feature strong heroines whose specialized knowledge—herbalism, medicine, or poisons—sets them apart and influences the world around them. Romance is a slow-burning and meaningful subplot, and both stories explore palace life with attention to social hierarchies and personal dynamics.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: Unlike Maomao, Shirayuki’s story emphasizes personal growth, adventure, and romance rather than mystery-solving or palace investigations. The stakes are less about uncovering conspiracies or solving crimes and more about achieving personal and professional goals while navigating political structures.
Additional Note: Unfortunately, the anime was discontinued after just 2 seasons, leaving some character arcs and subplots less explored than fans might have hoped.
Why you might like it: Fans of clever, resourceful female protagonists in historical-fantasy settings will appreciate Shirayuki’s intelligence and resilience. The romance is heartfelt, the character development is strong, and the attention to herbal knowledge and court politics offers a familiar charm for The Apothecary Diaries enthusiasts.
2. Gosick
Premise: Gosick is set in the 1920s in a fictional European country, following Kazuya Kujo, a Japanese exchange student, and Victorique de Blois, a brilliant and mysterious girl with a knack for solving complex mysteries. Together, they unravel various crimes and conspiracies, often involving dark secrets of the academy or aristocratic families.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Like Maomao, Victorique is an intelligent, observant female protagonist who uncovers hidden truths that others cannot. Both series highlight clever problem-solving, attention to detail, and the use of unconventional knowledge to navigate complex social hierarchies. The series also blends intrigue and subtle romance, appealing to fans who enjoyed the personal and professional tension in The Apothecary Diaries.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: While Maomao operates within the imperial palace and focuses on internal court mysteries, Gosick is more of a detective series set in a European school and city environment. Victorique’s eccentric personality and the Gothic, suspenseful tone distinguish it from the more restrained and subtle humor of The Apothecary Diaries.
Additional Note: Gosick’s anime adapts the novels well but only covers part of the story, leaving some mysteries unresolved, which might be frustrating for viewers seeking a fully complete narrative.
Why you might like it: Fans of sharp-witted heroines and clever mystery-solving will enjoy Victorique’s intelligence and deductive skills. The interplay between her and Kujo provides both humor and tension, and the historical European setting offers a fresh contrast to the Eastern palace setting of The Apothecary Diaries.
1. Raven of the Inner Palace
Premise: Raven of the Inner Palace follows Fang Xiang, a clever young woman who works as a palace medic specializing in rare poisons and cures, navigating the intrigues and dangers of the royal court. When a series of mysterious deaths occur, her keen intellect and unique medical knowledge become crucial to solving the palace’s darkest secrets.
Similarities to The Apothecary Diaries: Like Maomao, Fang Xiang is a highly intelligent, resourceful female protagonist who uses her specialized knowledge to solve mysteries that others cannot. Both series focus heavily on palace politics, court intrigue, and the subtle power dynamics among nobles. Romance is also a slow-burn aspect, intertwined with the protagonist’s professional endeavors, appealing to fans who appreciated Maomao’s personal and romantic interactions in The Apothecary Diaries.
Differences from The Apothecary Diaries: While Maomao’s story is more historical and grounded in Chinese imperial court culture, Raven of the Inner Palace incorporates a slightly darker and more suspenseful tone, with gothic elements and more immediate threats to the protagonist’s life. The series also emphasizes medical and poison-related mysteries more intensely, giving it a slightly more thriller-like feel.
Additional Note: Fans of The Apothecary Diaries will enjoy the detailed world-building and clever problem-solving, though some episodes include darker plot elements that may surprise viewers expecting only light palace intrigue. The series balances suspense, romance, and clever mystery-solving, making it a standout for those who loved Maomao’s cleverness and insight.
Why you might like it: Raven of the Inner Palace perfectly captures the mix of palace intrigue, clever female lead, and romance that made The Apothecary Diaries so compelling. Fans who loved the intricate court mysteries and subtle character dynamics will find Fang Xiang an equally fascinating protagonist, while the added suspense keeps the stakes high and the story gripping.
