With the second season of its anime adaptation currently streaming, The Apothecary Diaries continues to be major hit amongst fans with both the manga and original light novels being top sellers. This month, we have the perfectly timed release of The Apothecary Diaries Artbook by original light novel illustrator and character designer Touko Shino that takes a deeper look at the series.
In the years that have followed the series English language release, the fanbase for The Apothecary Diaries has only grown more dedicated and this book is an easy recommendation to devoted fans. This English edition is presented in prestigious hardcover format with high quality paper to give Shino’s rich artwork the platform it deserves and will no doubt be very appealing to collectors.
In addition to containing all the illustrations from the first fourteen volumes of the light novels, there are also original character design sketches (with notes from Shino on each one that gives some insights into her design choices), promotional and exclusive artwork; and a long interview with Shino that discusses her creative process along with how she approached designing the cast of characters. There’s plenty to enjoy for those who enjoy Shino’s work, but one of the best extras is the collection of congratulatory messages and in some cases artwork from other creators involved in the series including original author Natsu Hyūga and the creators of both manga adaptations – Nekokurage and Minoji Kurata.
One of the most appealing factors of the series has been the historical setting and memorable character designs. With a significant chunk of the light novels covered, there is a lot to showcase when it comes to Shino’s art. Her work not only does an excellent job of reflecting Imperial China both in location and fashion design but also ensures that every character will leave an impression on the reader. It is easy to see why Maomao and company have translated so well to other mediums.
As both a showcase of Shino’s skill as an artist and as an invaluable insight into the visual development of the series, this is a must buy for all Apothecary Diary fans.
The Apothecary Diaries Art Book is out now from Square Enix Books (9781646093489, h/b, £24.99)
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