SEAN: I generally try not to double dip light novels and manga, and the novel this manga is based on is coming out in two months from J-Novel Club. But The Apothecary Diaries has gotten so much good buzz that I feel I have to make an exception. A pharmacist is kidnapped and taken to the Imperial harem. She tries to live quietly and not get into trouble, but constantly finds herself drawn into mystery and politics I’m down.
MICHELLE: The combination of mystery and politics in manga will never not appeal to me, so I’m definitely planning to try out The Apothecary Diaries, but even more up my street is Manly Appetites: Minegishi Loves Otsu, with its BL/food combo. I love What Did You Eat Yesterday?, I loved Our Dining Table… I hope I love this, too.
ASH: I’m absolutely with Michelle on this one – I simply cannot resist BL food manga, so Manly Appetites gets my pick this week. That being said, I’m also really looking forward to the debut of The Apothecary Diaries and reading more of How Do We Relationship? among other releases!
ANNA: I agree, Manly Appetites and The Apothecary Diaries both sound great.
MJ: Like Michelle, despite a number of alluring releases this week, I’m going to let my track record of satisfaction with foodie BL tip me towards Manly Appetites: Minegishi Loves Otsu. Though I’ll admit the title gives me the slightest pause.
KATE: I just finished season four of The Crown and am still jonesing for a little more palace intrigue, so I’m picking The Apothecary Diaries. (I was going to make a bad joke about “curing what ails me,” but… 2020.)