NEW MANGA SPIN-OFF OF APOTHECARY DIRias on Xiaolan announced

Fans of The diaries of the drotecarium They loved Xiaolan's sparkling charm from its introduction. With his contagious enthusiasm and the talent for gossip, it is not surprising that Xiaolan's story was chosen as a focus for the next spin-off of the series. The Apothecary Diaries Side Story: Xiaolan's Memories Launched on 23 March 2025, exclusively on the Mangoup platform of Square Enix. This new manga offers readers a deeper look in the past of Xiaolan and its unique perspective on the palace that fans have learned to love.

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The diaries of the drotecarium Originally as a series of light novels by Natsu Hyuga, first serialized in 2011 on Shōsetsuka narō website. He went on to print in 2014 with illustrations by Touko Shino. The series quickly gained traction, leading to two successful manga adaptations. In particular, the Square Enix adaptation illustrated by Itsuki Nanao and Nekokurage has constantly received praise for his art and narration.

The popularity of the franchise grew only with the exit of the 2023 anime adaptation of Toho Animation and Oml. After the success of his first season, The diaries of the drotecarium Season 2 was previewed in January 2025, further cementing his status as favorite by fans. Now, with the debut of Xiaolan's spin-off, the universe of The diaries of the drotecarium He expands once again.

What to expect from Xiaolan's memories

The role of Xiaolan in The diaries of the drotecarium

Xiaolan is a maid in the internal court and one of Maoma's closest friends there. Despite his difficult past, being sold in service by his family, he remains optimistic and grateful for his circumstances. His bright behavior and the deep knowledge of the gossip of the palace often provide precious information to Maomao, whose acute mind reveals the many mysteries of the court. Through his friendship with Maomao, Xiaolan has become an integral part of the series, making it the perfect choice for a spin-off protagonist.

A story through Xiaolan's eyes

Unlike the original series, which mainly follows Maomao's investigations, Xiaolan's memories It offers a new perspective. The spin-off captures the key moments of Xiaolan's life, including his experiences as a servant and his interactions with the many court figures. Readers can expect to see the events of The diaries of the drotecarium It takes place through Xiaolan's goal this time, adding emotional depth to the familiar plot.

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In addition, the manga deepens Xiaolan's childhood, exploring how he adapted to life in the inner court. His resilience and resourcefulness will be at the center of the scene, offering fans a more intimate understanding of his character.

The talents behind the adaptation of the spin-off manga:

• Natsu Hyuga – Original author of light novels, returning to writing the story of Xiaolan.
• ITSUKI NANAO – Illustrator of the main adaptation of the manga.

Where to read Xiaolan's memories

The Apothecary Diaries Side Story: Xiaolan's Memories Square Enix's mangaup platform is available exclusively. Fans eager to follow Xiaolan's journey can read the chapters digitally as they release. Although no official English translation has not yet been announced, the growing global popularity of the franchise suggests that the location may not be far behind.

Source: The Illustrator X account (Itsuki Nanao)