The Apothecary Diaries (2023) follows Maomao, a brilliant apothecary who navigates political intrigue and medical mysteries in an imperial court.
Celebrated for its historical depth, cerebral storytelling, and resourceful female lead, the series blends mystery, drama, and subtle romance.
For fans captivated by its intelligent problem-solving, rich world-building, and understated character dynamics, these 15 underrated anime offer similar charm with unique twists.
1. Raven of the Inner Palace (2022)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A reclusive consort solves supernatural mysteries in the imperial palace while grappling with her own enigmatic powers and past.
Similarities: Combines historical court intrigue with episodic mysteries and a reserved yet compelling female lead.
Details: 12 episodes | Studio: Bandai Namco Pictures | MAL: 7.8/10
2. The Story of Saiunkoku (2006)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A scholar dreams of becoming a civil servant in a patriarchal empire, navigating politics and romance while advising the emperor.
Similarities: Focus on a clever heroine reshaping governance in a hierarchical society, blending drama and wit.
Details: 39 episodes | Studio: Madhouse | MAL: 8.0/10
3. Ascendance of a Bookworm (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A book-loving girl reincarnates into a medieval world, revolutionizing literacy and commerce with her modern knowledge.
Similarities: Intellectual protagonist driving societal change through ingenuity, paired with rich historical detail.
Details: 36 episodes | Studio: Ajia-Do | MAL: 7.9/10
4. Gosick (2011)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A detective duo in 1920s Europe solves complex cases, uncovering conspiracies in a Gothic academic setting.
Similarities: Mystery-driven narrative with a sharp-witted female lead and a partnership blending logic and intuition.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Bones | MAL: 7.9/10
5. Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp (2024)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A surgeon reincarnates as a villainess in a fantasy kingdom, using her medical skills to redeem her fate.
Similarities: Medical expertise driving plot progression and moral dilemmas in a historical-fantasy court.
Details: 12 episodes | Studio: Maho Film | MAL: 7.2/10
6. Parallel World Pharmacy (2022)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A pharmacologist reborn in a medieval world revolutionizes healthcare, battling superstition with science.
Similarities: Protagonist leveraging modern medical knowledge to challenge archaic systems, emphasizing ethical growth.
Details: 12 episodes | Studio: Diomedéa | MAL: 7.3/10
7. The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A woman isekai’d as a “Saint” pursues herbalism, defying expectations in a magical kingdom.
Similarities: Focus on botanical knowledge and quiet resilience in a male-dominated royal setting.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Diomedéa | MAL: 7.3/10
8. Spice and Wolf (2008)
Streaming: Funimation
Plot: A merchant and a wolf deity traverse medieval Europe, navigating economics and mythology.
Similarities: Intellectual camaraderie, historical economics, and a strong, enigmatic female lead.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Imagin | MAL: 8.3/10
9. The Heike Story (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A biwa player witnesses the rise and fall of the Heike clan, blending history with poetic tragedy.
Similarities: Historical depth, political maneuvering, and a contemplative narrative style.
Details: 11 episodes | Studio: Science SARU | MAL: 7.8/10
10. Mushi-shi (2005)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A wanderer studies supernatural creatures (“Mushi”), solving ethereal mysteries in feudal Japan.
Similarities: Episodic, meditative storytelling with a focus on nature and quiet problem-solving.
Details: 46 episodes | Studio: Artland | MAL: 8.7/10
11. Young Black Jack (2015)
Streaming: HiDive
Plot: A rogue medical student tackles controversial cases in 1960s Japan, challenging ethical norms.
Similarities: Morally complex medical drama with a genius protagonist operating outside institutions.
Details: 12 episodes | Studio: Tezuka Productions | MAL: 7.4/10
12. Emma: A Victorian Romance (2005)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A maid and aristocrat navigate love across class divides in 19th-century England.
Similarities: Historical realism, nuanced social commentary, and slow-burn character relationships.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Studio Pierrot | MAL: 7.9/10
13. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A warrior woman protects a prince from assassination in a mystical Asian-inspired empire.
Similarities: Strong female lead, political intrigue, and a focus on cultural lore.
Details: 26 episodes | Studio: Production I.G | MAL: 8.1/10
14. Yona of the Dawn (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Plot: A princess embarks on a quest to reclaim her kingdom, evolving from sheltered royalty to a strategic leader.
Similarities: Political intrigue, historical fantasy, and a heroine’s intellectual and emotional growth.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Studio Pierrot | MAL: 8.0/10
15. Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A former convict apprentices under a rakugo storyteller, exploring art, legacy, and post-war Japan.
Similarities: Rich historical context, character-driven drama, and a focus on cultural traditions.
Details: 25 episodes | Studio: Studio Deen | MAL: 8.4/10
Why These Anime Work for The Apothecary Diaries Fans
These series masterfully blend intellectual rigor with historical or fantastical settings, often centering on protagonists who challenge societal norms through wit and expertise.
From Raven of the Inner Palace’s supernatural sleuthing to Spice and Wolf’s economic strategizing, each mirrors The Apothecary Diaries’ fusion of mystery and meticulous world-building.
Whether through medical ethics (Young Black Jack) or cultural preservation (Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū), these hidden gems prove that brains and nuance can outshine spectacle.
