Summary

  • A newer anime series titled The Apothecary Diaries, collaborated with Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for magazine cover and official art posters.
  • The collaboration showcased the popularity and impact of anime on real-world industries and society.
  • Anime as a medium has evolved from a niche interest to a widely accepted and appreciated form of entertainment.

In the past few years, anime has become very well-loved in popular culture and society as a whole. Sometimes, anime and manga series even have noticeable, tangible impacts on the real world. This phenomenon is more noticable than ever in a recent magazine collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the anime The Apothecary Diaries, which is based on a popular light novel series.

The Apothecary Diaries' protagonist, Maomao, is prominently displayed on the cover of The Official Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's February 2024 magazine issue.

The Official Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare February 2024 monthly magazine issue featuring Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries

The official art on the magazine cover shows the young apothecary wearing her signature outfit, with her long, dark green hair up in pigtails on her shoulders. The cover design highlights both an article on the topic of women and addiction and an interview with Maomao's seiyuu, Aoi Yuki, who is also featured in this February 2024 issue of the magazine.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Magazine Cover Features The Apothecary Diaries' Protagonist

Produced by OLM, based on the light novel by Natsu Hyuga

The Apothecary Diaries Collaboration Posters with Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

This The Apothecary Diaries collaboration doesn't just include the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare magazine cover art of the young apothecary. Another interesting aspect of this promotion is a series of official art posters that were released to be featured in pharmacies and medical facilities in Japan, as well as displayed in the EPARK healthcare app.

Collaboration art between Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan and The Apothecary Diaries anime series, to be featured in the EPARK health app

These promotional materials also showcase art of The Apothecary Diaries. The text on the posters reads "This is poison," which references a line Maomao repeats many times throughout the course of the anime series and light novels.

The Apothecary Diaries, is a series of light novels written by Natsu Hyuga, with illustrations by Touko Shino. The light novel run began on August 29, 2014, and continues to release issues. The long-running series was adapted into a televised anime series in October 2023. The series follows an apothecary named Maomao who works at the Imperial Palace after she is sold as a servant. She eventually earns the praise of an important member of the Palace, Jinshi, for her medical talent and the knowledge she obtained while training under her skillful father.

The Apothecary Diaries Collaboration Shows Anime's Impact On The Real World

The series has cemented its importance through this monumental achievement

This collaboration between the hit series, The Apothecary Diaries, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan makes a powerful statement about anime's popularity and potential to impact the real world. Long gone are the days of anime being a niche interest enjoyed by a small number of devoted fans.

Now, this incredible animation style is widely accepted worldwide as popular, high quality, and worthy of appreciation. The extensive range of various anime, manga, and light novel series available today encomes countless different categories. Anime as a medium offers something for everyone to appreciate, from hardcore fans to casual viewers.

Source: Crunchyroll