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Last year (2023), the popular light novel “The Medicine Girl’s Solo” was adapted into an animation for the first time, and a second season is planned to be released next year (2025). Due to the fact that this work is set in a palace with Chinese elements, many readers and viewers often mistakenly believe that its story takes place in a real Chinese historical dynasty.
However, the original author Hinata Xia recently clarified this and reiterated that “Chinese style” does not equate to “actual China”. He also pointed out the differences in setting by comparing other works such as “NINJA SLAYER Ninja Assassin”. Let’s take a look at his detailed explanation below.
The trailer for the second season of the anime “Pharmacist Girl’s Solo” has been released, and the popularity is evident.
Japanese light novel author Haruka Hinata recently wrote an article on X platform discussing the historical background of her work “The Medicine Girl’s Solo”. He said:
Until now, some people still ask me, ‘Which dynasty in China did’ The Medicine Girl’s Solo ‘take place in?’ My answer is that it is a fantasy hodgepodge full of Chinese style culture, clothing, and charming elements, similar to ‘Ninja Assassin’
Hinata Xia borrowed the example of “Ninja Assassin” because the description of “Japan” in the work is also quite imaginative, hoping that the audience can understand that the Chinese elements in his work should not be overly entangled with real history.
The cover of the novel “The Secret Language of the Pharmacist Girl” has also received attention.
Hinata Xia emphasized again that although the story introduces a lot of Chinese elements, it does not necessarily mean that its background is set in a certain dynasty in China, so there is no need to repeatedly ask him this question.
Hinata Xia also talked about “NINJA SLAYER Ninja Assassin” and pointed out that compared to this work, all Japanese people understand that the portrayal of “Japan” in “Ninja Assassin” is full of fantasy, so the audience should also view the Chinese style in “Yakushi Girl’s Solo” with the same attitude.
Many netizens have expressed their understanding of this, believing that although the use of Chinese elements in “The Medicine Girl’s Solo” is different from the Japanese elements in “Ninja Assassin”, the author’s reluctance to accurately position the story in a certain Chinese dynasty can still be understood. Because once clearly defined, critics may nitpick illogical aspects, causing unnecessary trouble.
Japanese netizens hold different opinions on this:
Just like the fictional Europe in online novels, you can view it as a fictional China
“If you really want to say it,” The Tale of a Herbalist Girl “is really” pseudo ancient China “, but it doesn’t make people feel particularly strange. Looking at it, you will naturally have the illusion that it is in ancient China, which is really powerful. Compared with those fantasy stories on the stage of medieval Europe, or ancient costume dramas such as NHK River Drama, roast points are much less.”
Netizens generally understand Hinata Xia’s position, believing that calling it a “Chinese style fantasy story” is logical and avoids unnecessary controversy caused by historical accuracy.
If the author accidentally reveals the specific era setting, controversy may be inevitable
This type of discussion has also sparked contemplation on other works such as “The Twelve Kingdoms”, as many fictional literary works often do not require a clear historical background.
Ultimately, similar artistic creations often do not directly correspond to any historical era in reality. Therefore, Hinata Xia encourages the audience to enjoy the wonders of cultural integration from the blurred boundaries of the fantasy world, rather than being addicted to reasoning about its historical roots.