Traveling to another world, either by accident, magic summoning, death, cruel twist of fate, on a research assignment, or just on vacation, means dealing with a whole lot of change all at once. In this compilation, the authors of the SAKKA KEIHAN writing circle explore the ins and outs of what to expect when you’ve been transported to another plane of existence. Six different short stories cover the authors’ ruminations on how to get by in these other worlds, whether you’re headed over voluntarily or finding yourself just trying to survive. You’ll probably want to bring a towel; things are going to get slimy. Don’t think it’ll save you from a fireball, however.

**After breaking a “curse” on the imperial heirs, a palace servant with training in herbal medicine is promoted up the ranks to food taster…and right into the thick of palace intrigue!** Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn’t long for a life of drudgery! Using her wits to break a “curse” afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and…solving mysteries?! *Source: SQUARE ENIX USA, Vol. 1*

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*

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*

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*

In the second year of high school, the homeroom teacher dies in a murder case. The main character, Maoka Riku, is elected to a troublesome committee and soon finds himself involved in a murder case. Who killed my homeroom teacher?

Tamafusa Kinuko lives in the office of Tamamayu Shrine in the ancient capital and weaves cloth as a shrine maiden in the shrine's weaving shed. While working at the shrine, Kinuko also teaches weaving to students as a part-time lecturer at a university. One day, when Kinuko tells her female student Sakimori about her work at the shrine, Sakimori asks, "Do you do any exorcisms?" Sakimori is invited to Tamamayu Shrine and begins to talk about how she is "cursed"... A "mystery-solving story" set in the ancient capital unfolds. (Source: Natalie, translated)

In modern day Japan, humans with "divine power" are called "Himiko," and once receiving national certification, they are called "Kamisama" or "God." After Nagi's grandmother passes away, the shrine in her hometown no longer has a god and is in trouble. Nagi's twin brother, Takeru, inherited divine power but unfortunately is a hikikomori or shut-in. By chance, Nagi enrols in "Kamisama Gakkou," the school where Himiko attend. Compelled to revive the shrine, Nagi aims to receive national qualification and become a god.

When Shiro, who had been sleeping in a giant tree, wakes up, he finds himself in a new world where nuclear weapons, global warming, and energy problems have been eliminated. It is a future ruled by the “World Tree". A girl with sky-blue hair tells Shiro that he is a survivor of the previous era. He is bewildered, but soon comes to understand and adapt to this new world of the future, where androids serve humans, and where common sense is a rarity. As the days become peaceful and boring, Shiro's memories of his past life begin to fade... In this futuristic fantasy, ideals, reality, and the value of one's own existence are revealed. (Source: Hero Bunko, translated)