The more, the better?
Summary:
- There are two manga based on the Apothecary Diaries light novels.
- Both are faithful adaptations.
- There are some minor differences between them.
The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) is originally a light novel series written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Touko Shino. It started back in 2011 and is still ongoing.
The series was later adapted into two manga, and this is where it gets interesting. Both manga series began serialization in 2017, with the first one starting in May, and the second one in August. They both follow the original story, but are illustrated by different people, Minoji Kurata and Norihiro Naganuma.
But why do we need two adaptations?
This question has the most unsatisfying answer ever: we don’t know. Even the author of the light novels has no idea about this, as there haven’t been any particular reasons for creating the second manga.
You can just read one of them
There aren’t any major differences between the manga series. As we’ve said, both stick to the original source and are faithful adaptations of it. So if you’re unsure which one to choose, the best way is to start both of them and then decide which art style you like more.
Still, there are some minor differences that can affect your choice. The manga by Nekokurage is usually more popular among fans, and most of the screenshots you see online are taken from this version.
On top of that, readers mention this manga’s art style as looking more appealing, but it’s always just a matter of preference.
Moreover, the anime designs were taken from the manga by Nekokurage, so if you’ve decided to read a manga after watching the anime, this version will look more familiar to you.
This version of the manga is also more romance-focused, so if this is something you’re looking for, go for it.
However, the manga by Minoji Kurata also has its advantages. First of all, it’s adapted more parts of the story as of now, and it has longer chapters.
Although both manga are canon, the one by Minoji Kurata is a little closer to the original. So, if you cherish accuracy above anything else, this might be the perfect choice for you.
So basically there aren’t many differences between the two versions. It’s up to you to decide which aspects are the most important to you. Want a little more romance? Go with Nekokurage. Want more mysteries and puzzle solving? Minoji Kurata is your choice.