The Apothecary Diaries has proven successful as one of the best-selling light novel series from 2019 to 2021 and sold 31 million copies earlier this year. After being one of the series that fans wanted to be adapted into anime, Toho Animation Studio and OLM heard their cry and released its first season in October 2023 to another great success. However, as many celebrated the announcement of its second season over the weekend, its manga artist, Nekokurage, real name Erika Ikeda, announced her brain aneurysm diagnosis.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nekokurage revealed the sad news and detailed how she discovered the illness that led to the diagnosis. It all started by experiencing a series of headaches for a long time. But as the pain began to get worse, she decided to have herself checked.
“I've been suffering from headaches for a long time, and they've been particularly bad lately,” her post read, as translated to English. “So, I went to the hospital for an examination the other day, and a brain aneurysm was discovered.”
However, despite the health scare, Nekokurage assured everyone she was doing okay. Thankfully, it was discovered early, so she’s now under observation to see if it will progress.
“But it doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger, so it's okay!” she continued. “Observe progress while praying that it does not rupture or grow larger.”
As expected, many flocked to the comment section of Nekokurage’s post. They all wished The Apothecary Diaries illustrator to be well and to look after her health despite her busy schedule.
Who is The Apothecary Diaries artist Nekokurage?
Nekokurage is a Japanese manga artist born on July 30, 1987. Her works are mostly serialized on Square Enix, and she started illustrating The Apothecary Diaries when it was adapted into two manga series in 2017. She graduated from Fukuoka Design & Technology College, formerly known as TECH.C. Fukuoka.
Aside from Natsu Hyuga and Touko Shino’s light novel, she also worked on the story and art of the manga Cao Zhi Kei Boy (2011-2012) and the one-shot Poetry of the Sword, Poetry of the Brush in 2010. With her great talent, she won the Monthly Gangan Joker Newcomer Manga Award Honorable Mention and Square Enix Rookie Manga Award Runner-up.
What to Expect from The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
With the first season's success, becoming one of the major standout releases of the Winter 2024 anime schedule, it’s no surprise that there will be The Apothecary Diaries Season 2. The anime has roughly covered two of the light novel’s 14 volumes, so there is still a lot of source material left to cover. So, if the anime adapted the third volume, it would see Maomao continuously looking after the pregnant Consort Gyokuyou.
Maomao will do everything to keep her safe, and knowing an imperial consort who is heavy with a child should be a secret matter. But knowing the rumors in the rear palace can’t be controlled, no secret is safe here. In addition, Jinshi will find it hard to entertain a pair of unusual visitors. But dangers might await him as he gets invited to a faraway place.
You can read the synopsis below:
Maomao must help keep Consort Gyokuyou safe during her pregnancy. An imperial consort being with child is supposed to be a matter of the utmost secrecy, but this is the rear palace, where manoeuvring and backstabbing are as commonplace as banter and tea parties. Threats seem to lurk around every corner – but it's not just the rear palace keeping busy. Jinshi finds himself struggling to entertain a most unusual request from a pair of visiting ambassadors. Later, he's invited to an important gathering in a faraway place – but who knows what dangers might be waiting for him?
The anime is based on the light novel of the same title written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Touko Shino. After starting its serialization online in 2011, it was acquired by Shufunotomo and published as a novel with a single volume in 2012 and as a light novel in 2014. It was then adapted into two manga in 2017, illustrated by Nekokurage and published by Square Enix and Shogakukan. J-Novel Club has licensed its digital release in North America, while Square Enix has licensed its print version. Toho Animation Studio and OLM produced its anime adaptation, releasing its first season from October 2023 to March 2024. Crunchyroll streams the anime in North America.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 is set to be released in 2025. In light of Nekokurage’s health announcement, EpicFlix wishes her to be well.
