Where to Start Reading The Apothecary Diaries Manga After Season 2: Exact Chapters and Reading Guide

Few anime in recent years have impressed me as much as The Apothecary Diaries. It isn’t just another mystery series with beautiful animation—it combines clever detective work, palace politics, subtle romance, and unforgettable characters into something that feels genuinely refreshing. Maomao’s sharp observations and Jinshi’s carefully hidden motives create a story that constantly rewards viewers who pay attention.

After finishing Season 2, I had exactly the same reaction as many other fans: there’s no way I can wait for Season 3. If you’re feeling the same, the obvious question becomes where to continue the story.

The answer isn’t quite as straightforward as it is for most anime. Here’s everything you should know before jumping into the manga or the original light novels.

Has the Anime Passed the Manga?

This is where many newcomers become confused.

Unlike many popular anime adaptations that are hundreds of manga chapters behind, The Apothecary Diaries follows the original light novels, not the manga itself.

Because of that, the anime has adapted the story at an impressive pace. As Season 2 concluded, the manga wasn’t dramatically ahead of the anime, which surprised plenty of readers expecting dozens of untouched chapters.

That means your reading experience depends entirely on which format you choose.

Where Should You Start Reading the Manga?

If you’re committed to staying with the manga, the best continuation point after the Season 2 finale is:

This is the closest point to where the anime leaves off.

However, there’s something worth knowing before you begin.

Since the manga is released monthly, it often stays only a handful of chapters ahead of the anime. Depending on when you start reading, you may quickly reach currently available content.

For readers who enjoy beautiful artwork and expressive character moments, that’s still absolutely worth it—but don’t expect dozens of new story arcs waiting immediately after the anime.

There Are Actually Two Manga Versions

One detail many anime-only fans don’t realize is that Japan has two separate manga adaptations of the series.

Square Enix Version (Nekokurage)

This is the edition most English readers know.

Its biggest strengths include:

• Expressive comedy and memorable facial expressions.
• Beautiful artwork throughout every volume.
• A stronger emphasis on Maomao and Jinshi’s relationship.
• Excellent balance between humor and mystery.
• More emotional character interactions.

This is the version I would recommend to most readers, especially if you fell in love with the anime’s style.

Shogakukan Version (Minoji Kurata)

The second adaptation approaches the story from a slightly different angle.

• Greater focus on palace politics.
• More attention given to investigations.
• A heavier historical atmosphere.
• Extra emphasis on court intrigue.

Neither adaptation is objectively better. They simply highlight different strengths of Natsu Hyuuga’s original story, making each version enjoyable in its own way.

Why I Think the Light Novels Are the Best Choice

If someone asked me for just one recommendation after finishing Season 2, I’d honestly tell them to switch over to the light novels.

The anime adapts approximately two light novel volumes each season, making it very easy to know where to continue.

Starting with Light Novel Volume 5 allows you to continue immediately after the anime without worrying about catching up to the manga only a few chapters later.

Personally, I think this provides the best experience because the novels are significantly farther ahead, meaning there’s a huge amount of story waiting once you’ve finished the anime.

What Makes Volume 5 So Exciting?

Without spoiling any major twists, Volume 5 expands the world far beyond what viewers have seen so far.

• Larger political conflicts begin unfolding.
• The palace becomes even more dangerous.
• Jinshi’s personal story develops in important ways.
• Maomao finds herself involved in increasingly complicated situations.
• The mysteries become deeper and more interconnected.

One aspect I especially enjoy is spending more time inside Maomao’s thoughts. Her internal monologue is often hilarious, brutally honest, and surprisingly insightful. The anime captures her personality wonderfully, but the novels allow readers to appreciate just how observant—and delightfully eccentric—she really is.

Should You Start From the Beginning Instead?

This question appears in almost every discussion among fans.

The short answer is no—you don’t have to. The anime is an excellent adaptation that remains remarkably faithful to the original story. Jumping directly into Chapter 79 or Light Novel Volume 5 won’t leave you confused.

However, starting from the beginning offers several worthwhile benefits.

• Much more of Maomao’s internal narration.
• Additional comedic scenes that never made it into the anime.
• Richer explanations of palace customs and traditions.
• Extra world-building and historical details.
• More interactions between supporting characters.

If you enjoy revisiting stories you already love, beginning with Volume 1 is a fantastic experience. Even knowing what happens, I found myself appreciating many subtle details that are easy to overlook during the anime.

Which Reading Option Is Best?

There really isn’t a wrong choice. It simply depends on the type of reading experience you’re looking for.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3: Gaoshun’s Historical Role and Unwavering Loyalty to Jinshi Explained

Official Ways to Read the Series

If you enjoy the series, supporting the official English releases is the best way to help the creators and encourage future translations.

For light novels, readers can find official digital editions through platforms like J-Novel Club, Kindle, BookWalker, Apple Books, and Google Play Books.

For manga readers, Manga UP! and the official English physical releases from Square Enix Manga & Books remain the easiest legal options, while local bookstores and comic shops also regularly stock the series.

Final Thoughts

One of the reasons I enjoy The Apothecary Diaries so much is that it never relies on constant action scenes to keep the audience invested. Instead, it builds suspense through clever conversations, hidden motives, tiny clues, and mysteries that slowly connect in incredibly satisfying ways.

That’s exactly why I couldn’t resist continuing the story after finishing Season 2.

If your goal is simply to discover what happens next, I genuinely believe Light Novel Volume 5 is the best place to continue. It gives you immediate access to a huge amount of story that hasn’t yet been animated while offering an even deeper look into Maomao’s brilliant mind.

If you’re a manga reader first and foremost, then Chapter 79 (Volume 15) is the correct continuation point. Just be prepared to catch up relatively quickly since the manga doesn’t stay very far ahead of the anime.

No matter which path you choose, one thing is certain: Maomao’s journey through the imperial court is only becoming more fascinating, the political stakes continue to rise, and some of the series’ most memorable mysteries are still waiting ahead.