In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort... so she can taste the lady's food for poison! (Source: J-Novel Club)

The size of a city, a legion of women, reserved solely for the Emperor—this is the Inner Palace. Into it is thrown Maomao, an apothecary who was kidnapped and sold into service. Now, she has to survive working as a maidservant… but all is not well in Paradise. The emperor’s children are dying one after the other under mysterious circumstances. Is it really a curse as the rumours say? A certain apothecary might just have the answer… but will they even take her seriously? *Source: Shogakukan Asia, Vol. 1*

The Official Anthology of Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou. **Volume 1 (2017/10/13)** Cover illustration: Tsukumizu Color illustrations: Akima (あきま), aoi\_zero (aoi\_zero), Mochizuki Kei (望月けい), Yoshimura Yoshi, Atto 1. Shokuji Shuumatsu Jijou (食事終末事情, Meals' Last Issue) \[Hatopopoko\] 2. Majinai (まじない, Charm) \[zinbei (zinbei)\] 3. At the Ranch \[Nannyaka\] 4. Washiki (和式, Japanese Style) \[Satuyo\] 5. Kirin (キリン, Giraffe) \[Tabayou\] 6. Exploration Day \[Natsuno Riku (夏野りく)\] 7. Geijutsu (芸術, Art) \[Tadano (タダノ)\] 8. Sonzai Shoumei Mokushiroku (存在証明黙示録, Post-Apocalyptic Proof of Existence) \[Yue Michitaka\] 9. View \[Asano\] 10. Shoujo VS Shokuryouko (少女 VS 食料庫, Girls VS. Food Storage) \[Kaneko Masaru\] 11. Factory \[Kikai\] 12. Last Recipe \[Soto\] 13. Seishun (青春, Youth) \[Moyazou (もや造)\] 14. Kinenhi (記念碑, Commemorative Monument) \[Nakamura Miryuu (中村ミリュウ)\] 15. A Chain for Two People \[Takanaga Kouhei\] 16. Chiyu (治癒, Healing) \[Shoukaki\] 17. The Bathtub and the Last Engineer's Suffering \[Fuufuu (フーフー)\] 18. Girls' Last Tour Around the World \[Komatsu Shinya\] 19. Red and Blue Warning \[Yoshida Satoru\] 20. Eiga (映画, Movie) \[Tsukumizu\] **Volume 2 (2020/02/28)** Cover illustration: Tsukumizu Color illustrations: Amatou, Tadano Natsu, Hokkyoku Magu (北極まぐ), Shimazaki Jose (しまざきジョゼ) Comic authors (Story & Art): Cocololi P (こころりP), Turbo Engine, Katou Kata (加藤片), Minamito, Kinome, Anneko, Tonmou, Nonomoto Mumumu (ののもとむむむ), Sakatsuki Sakana (坂月さかな), Tokunaga Pan, Shirou, Haaam (はーむ), Moai (もあい), Sudou Sakana (須藤魚), Numahara Mochi, Itaro Yuu (板路夕), Tsuzura Ryou, Kokamumo, Tsukumizu

At the age of 16, Ichika Sendawara learned that she only had two years left to live. Now a sophomore college student, she lives a busy, upbeat life, despite never knowing when the end will come. Everything changes when Ichika meets Professor Yurugi—for the first time, she feels she has something to live for. But then Yurugi quietly leaves the university, and Ichika is left wondering why, and what could have been... A gentle love story that grapples with the deepest existential questions we face in life. As the Shuji Terayama poem quoted in the text says, "If life is nothing but goodbyes, who needs life?" (Source: Kodansha USA) *Note: Includes two extra chapters.*

A cute story about a couple and their dates.

A shrewd, young priestess-in-training is set a murder to solve in this new mystery manga from the creator of *The Apothecary Diaries!*. By day, Chloe lives at a convent. By night, she’s such a card shark, a holy knight ends up believing she has a rare, magical gift. What he doesn’t know is, she just has sharp eyes and a quick wit—which she’ll need when she’s uprooted and dropped in the middle of a round of deadly palace intrigue! *Source: Kodansha USA*

Ben, a biology professor, hears about a mysterious and supposedly six-legged deer residing in the remote mountains of Sweden from an acquaintance. Setting out on a journey to parse fact from fiction, Ben soon meets a boy who says he is collecting the stars... *Note: Award-winning entry in the Afternoon Magazine Shiki-sho contest in Summer 2022. Published in good! Afternoon magazine 2022 no. 9.*

Mira peacefully resided in a magical world until a blow to the head caused her to partially remember her previous life in Japan. The protagonists in reincarnation stories always end up having to deal with trouble, which is the last thing she wants. Alas what awaited her was the selection exam for a magic academy and naturally(?) her special cheat ability was discovered then. A fantastical tale of a reincarnated girl who doesn't want any cheats.

Modern life means modern solutions—even to supernatural problems. So of course the government would have a classification system, special schools, and licenses for people with mysterious powers. Any manifestation of a miracle is enough to be called a Himiko, but only those with full certification may use the title of god. And high schooler Nagi is in serious need of a god! The death of her grandmother has left her family shrine devoid of the necessary divinity, and her hopelessly shut-in Himiko brother isn't looking promising. But if Nagi isn't careful, her search for a god might end with her finding more than she bargained for... (Source: Yen Press)

The story of “The Apothecary Diaries” from Xiaolan’s perspective. *Source: Manga UP! Global*

Tantalizing Love Romance by Complicated personality the duke’s son positive personality lady. Elsa, the daughter of a fallen aristocrat, receives news. It was a marriage proposal from Julius, a very elite nobleman. Elsa is wondering,” Why would such a distinguished man marry me”? But after the wedding, Julius, who had been kind and gentle up to that point, changed completely! In a cold voice, he tells her,” I have no intention of loving you”. *Source: MangaPlaza*

Lured by a sweetly beautiful piano melody, Prince Shahir meets a beautiful lady. But, once the figure at the piano notices him, she runs out as if trying to escape from him... “Just who was that woman in my castle?” He finds the answer soon. Her name is Kirsten, and she is one of the castle custodians. He is the crown prince of a kingdom, and has no intention of something as foolish as laying a hand on an employee. However, he can't believe a woman so beautiful is a custodian... Could there be some sort of reason? And the prince playfully gets close to Kirsten?! (Source: Harlequin)