Is The Apothecary Diaries finished manga?
If you’ve been reading The Apothecary Diaries (kusuriya no hitorigoto manga), you’ve probably asked yourself the same question I did after catching up: is the manga finished yet? When a story blends mystery, palace intrigue, and clever deduction as well as this one, it’s natural to want to know how much more is left. Let’s talk about where the series currently stands, what we can expect moving forward, and why fans keep coming back for more.
The Origins of The Apothecary Diaries
Before answering the big question, it helps to know where the story comes from. The Apothecary Diaries began as a light novel series written by Natsu Hyuga. The novels gained popularity quickly thanks to their mix of historical drama and sharp detective-style storytelling.
The manga adaptation, illustrated by Nekokurage, gave fans a whole new way to experience the story. With its intricate artwork, expressive characters, and faithful retelling, it became the version that reached a wide global audience.
Is the Manga Finished?
The short answer: no, The Apothecary Diaries manga is not finished yet.
As of 2025, the manga is still ongoing in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine. The chapters are being released regularly, and new volumes continue to be published both in Japanese and in translated editions.
So if you’ve reached the latest volume and are worried that’s the end of the line, rest assured—the journey of Maomao and her adventures in the inner palace isn’t over.
Where the Story is Now
One of the things that makes The Apothecary Diaries unique is how it balances slice-of-life moments with intricate court mysteries. Maomao’s sharp mind and medical knowledge help her solve everything from poisoning cases to political schemes.
Right now, the manga is covering deeper palace plots that hint at larger stories to come. The pacing is steady, and unlike some adaptations that rush toward an ending, this one is carefully following the light novel’s progression.
That means readers can expect many more mysteries, character developments, and palace intrigues in the future.
Why It Feels Like the Manga Could End
If you’ve caught up with the most recent chapters, you might feel like the story is reaching natural stopping points. That’s actually a clever part of the writing. Each major arc tends to wrap up neatly—whether it’s a poisoning case, an outbreak, or palace drama—so readers feel a sense of closure before moving on.
However, these are just segments of the larger narrative. The light novels provide plenty of material, and the manga still has a long way to go before reaching a final conclusion.
How Long Could the Series Run?
Given the popularity of The Apothecary Diaries, there’s no sign of it being rushed to an ending anytime soon. The light novels are still being published, and the manga is following closely behind. That means as long as the novels continue, the manga will have plenty of content to adapt.
If we look at similar series with strong fan bases and steady publishing schedules, it’s reasonable to expect that this manga could run for many more years.
What Makes Readers Want More
Why are fans so eager to know whether the manga has ended? It’s because the story is addictive in a subtle way.
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Maomao’s character: She’s not your typical palace maid. Her knowledge of medicine, poisons, and human behavior makes her both fascinating and unpredictable.
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The mysteries: Each arc feels like a puzzle, and readers love piecing together clues alongside Maomao.
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The palace setting: The inner court politics and historical flavor add richness that keeps the stakes high.
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Character relationships: From Maomao’s bond with Jinshi to her interactions with fellow palace servants, every dynamic feels layered and worth following.
When a series checks all these boxes, readers naturally crave closure but they also don’t want it to end.
Will There Be an Ending Soon?
It doesn’t look like it. The current pace suggests we’re in for a long, carefully developed story. While it’s impossible to predict exactly when the manga will wrap up, it’s safe to say that 2025 is not the year it ends.
If anything, this is a great time to catch up, since the series is ongoing and each new release sparks fresh discussions in the community.
Where to Read The Apothecary Diaries
For fans who want to keep up with official updates, translations, and new chapters, the safest and most reliable way is to follow platforms dedicated to the series. You can check out the Apothecary Diaries manga for more information on where to find the latest volumes and updates.
So, is The Apothecary Diaries manga finished? Absolutely not and that’s good news for fans. The series still has plenty of mysteries left to uncover, character growth to explore, and palace politics to untangle.
Instead of worrying about it ending too soon, readers can enjoy the slow unraveling of Maomao’s world. Every arc feels like its own self-contained story, but together they build toward something much larger.
If you’re just discovering the series, now is the perfect time to dive in. And if you’re a longtime reader waiting for the next chapter, take comfort in knowing that this story is far from over.