The Apothecary Diarieshas captured anime fans with its perfect blend of courtly intrigue, historical atmosphere, and sharp medical insight through the lens of the brilliant Maomao. With season 2 all wrapped up, fans are no doubt left craving more stories where the mysteries are steeped in sickness, and clever healers hold the key to every answer. Fortunately, there is an entire world of anime where medicine and mystery intersect just as compellingly.
Whether fans are drawn to unusual afflictions, medical oddities, or the emotional burden carried by doctors and patients alike, these nine anime offer fresh takes on the genre. Some take place in fantasy kingdoms or parallel worlds, while others are grounded in gritty realism or historical settings.Each one carries the same spirit of discovery and intellect that madeThe Apothecary Diariesso addictive.
ThisDr. Stone-like thought-provoking series about medical progress in a backward world is titledParallel World Pharmacy. When a Japanese pharmacologist is reincarnated in a medieval fantasy world, he brings advanced pharmaceutical knowledge with him, and a mission to revolutionize outdated, sometimes dangerous practices.
Unlike many isekai protagonists who dominate with brute strength, Farma saves lives with penicillin and antiseptic techniques.The anime thoughtfully critiques the tension between science and superstition, with a main character who must balance humility, knowledge, and power.If fans loved watching Maomao navigate palace politics with poisons and prescriptions, they will find similar satisfaction here.
8Dr. Ramune -Mysterious Disease Specialist-
Anime Series by Platinum Vision; Based on the Manga by Aho Toro
Not every affliction has a physical cause, at least, not in the world ofDr. Ramune. This quirky and supernatural medical mystery series follows a charismatic doctor who treats mysterious ailments with roots in trauma, guilt, or hidden emotions. People cough out sand, cry condiments, or grow weird appendages, but all these symptoms stem from unresolved personal turmoil.
Ramune’s unorthodox bedside manner, which blends irreverence with surprising insight, is a highlight.Each episodic case is both strange and touching, offering bite-sized mysteries that peel back human vulnerabilities.Fans of Maomao’s sharp perception will appreciate Ramune’s ability to diagnose the unseen with a mix of magic and empathy.
7Hidamari no Ki (Tree in the Sun)
Anime Series by Madhouse; Based on the Manga by Osamu Tezuka
For fans who adoredThe Apothecary Diaries’commitment to historical realism,Hidamari no Kioffers a rare and nuanced look at 19th-century Japan.Set during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate, the anime follows the friendship between a progressive medical student and a traditional samurai.Their relationship becomes a metaphor for the era’s clash between East and West.
Hidamari no Kiis a slow-burn story full of historical richness and emotional payoff.
The series dives into the medical practices of the time with detailed attention, including surgeries without anesthesia, germ theory, and early Western techniques. But the personal drama and philosophical questions about loyalty, progress, and honor are just as compelling.Hidamari no Kiis a slow-burn story full of historical richness and emotional payoff.
Osamu Tezuka’s legendary character Black Jack remains one of anime’s most iconic doctors. He is an unlicensed but genius surgeon who performs miraculous procedures if people can pay his steep fees.Each episode in this anthology-style series explores both bizarre medical conditions and complex ethical dilemmas.
From removing parasitic twins to operating under gunfire, Black Jack’s exploits are thrilling and often dark. But beneath his gruff exterior lies a deeply moral man haunted by tragedy. For viewers who loved Maomao’s no-nonsense intellect and deep sense of justice, Black Jack offers a grittier but no less captivating experience.
Few anime have made medical science this fun.Cells at Work!personifies the cells of the human body as charactersin a sprawling city where white blood cells fight off pathogens and red blood cells deliver oxygen. Each episode is a crash course in biology wrapped in energetic action and surprising emotion.
The show balances humor with real educational content, making complex medical processes feel intuitive and entertaining. While it is not a mystery series in the traditional sense,the thrill comes from seeing the body defend itself against invisible threats, just like Maomao unraveling the hidden causes of palace illnesses.
If viewers are looking for a darker, more psychological exploration of medicine,Monsteris a masterclass in moral ambiguity and suspense. The story follows Dr. Tenma, a talented surgeon who saves a young boy’s life, only to discover years later that the child has grown into a remorseless serial killer. His guilt drives him into a European cat-and-mouse chase.
This is not just a mystery series; it is a chilling philosophical thriller that asks what happens when saving a life leads to greater suffering.Tenma’s skills as a doctor and his internal conflict mirror the delicate ethical line Maomao sometimes walks.It is a gripping, mature series that pulls no punches.
3Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective
Anime Series by Toei Animation; Based on the Manga by Yuji Takemura and Akira Satou
This relatively obscure but interestinganime hybridizes the medical drama with procedural detective storytelling. Dr. Ameku uses her forensic skills and sharp intellect to uncover hidden crimes that manifest as unexplained symptoms. ThinkCSImeetsHouse, with a strong female lead who challenges corruption and prejudice.
Her investigations often deal with social issues like abuse, neglect, and systemic injustice, making the mysteries as emotionally charged as they are intellectually stimulating.Maomao fans will resonate with Ameku’s tenacity, her analytical brilliance, and her ability to see what others miss, often at personal cost.
Medical drama meets royal court intrigue in this fantasy anime about a top-tier surgeon who dies and wakes up in her past life as an unpopular noblewoman. Armed with modern medical knowledge and a desire to change her fate,Elise sets out to save lives and alter history, starting with her own reputation.
The romance subplot adds a dash of sweetness, but the real joy lies in watching Elise challenge a patriarchal system with the scalpel as her sword much like Maomao does inThe Apothecary Diaries.
Much like Maomao, Elise is surrounded by nobles who underestimate her, but she proves her worth through skill, compassion, and fearless confrontation of outdated beliefs. The romance subplot adds a dash of sweetness, but the real joy lies in watching Elise challenge a patriarchal system with the scalpel as her sword much like Maomao does inThe Apothecary Diaries.
1Snow White with the Red Hair
Anime Series by Bones; Based on the Manga by Sorata Akiduki
While not a pure medical anime,Snow White with the Red Hairis a gentle fantasy where herbalism and healing play main roles. Shirayuki, a strong-willed herbalist, carves out a place for herself in a royal court through talent, perseverance, and emotional intelligence, not unlike Maomao’s own rise through palace ranks.
The anime’s beautiful pacing, grounded characters, and romantic tension make it perfect for fans who loved the slower, character-focused parts ofThe Apothecary Diaries. Shirayuki’s medical knowledge is always integral to the plot, and her ethical approach to healing aligns closely with Maomao’s own quiet resolve.
The Apothecary Diaries
Cast
The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, sold from her peaceful life to serve in the emperor’s palace. Her unique talents emerge when she solves a medical crisis involving the imperial heirs, attracting the attention of Jinshi, a palace official, and launching her into the complex world of palace intrigue and mysteries.
