The Apothecary Diaries Creator Officially Confirms The Setting Isn't China

The Apothecary Diaries is a hit anime series that made its grand debut in 2023 with its first season. This anime was brought to life through the collaboration of TOHO animation studio and OLM Studio, but this story would have never existed without its blueprint — the light novel by Japanese creator Hyūga Natsu. Hyūga Natsu’s story, following Maomao, has been widely believed to be set in China. The reason for that is obvious, as the character names, clothes, and locations, all feel like China. In a new interview, however, Hyuga Natsu sets the record straight and reveals that the world of The Apothecary Diaries is actually not in China, but in a completely different fictional world.