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Drugstore in Another World: The Slow Life of a Cheat Pharmacist (Light Novel) #1
Drugstore in Another World: The Slow Life of a Cheat Pharmacist (Light Novel) Vol. 1
The light-hearted isekai novels about a fantasy pharmacist that inspired the anime! (And don't miss the manga adaptation, also from Seven Seas!) When corporate drone Reiji wakes up in another world, he come face-to-face with a fatally wounded werewolf. Thankfully, Reiji’s new Medicine Making skill enables him to brew uniquely effective potions. Alongside his new wolf-girl friend, Reiji and his amazing cures are ready to revolutionize this fantasy world. Be they an old man seeking the secret of youth or an elven archer with blurry vision, all comers are welcome to his countryside pharmacy.
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2021
50 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 14, 2021
The story is a power fantasy isekai except that the protagonist can make any medicine he can think of instead of some fight trick. Medicine is the solution to everything. It comes with the harem trope, although there is no ecchi. The man just appears in the generic fantasy world and what follows are a couple of basic short stories describing a problem and how it is solved (just brew some medicine).
The characters and world feel flat. I would probably have finished it and gave it 2 stars, blaming my dislike on a different sense of humour. Except for a homophobic scene that involved a cliché gay elf with too high a libido (to use the MCs words) and involuntary chemical castration or a sense of sexism in regards to the cliché women (e.g. hysterical jealous woman, or age obsesses noble lady).
Here I was, hoping for a modern Earth pharmacist showing off in a different world. Definitely disappointing. Not my book and that is putting it mildly. Note that this coming from somebody who enjoys slow moving slice-of-life stories. So the pacing might be particularly off putting if you prefer action or at least some kind of plot.
The characters and world feel flat. I would probably have finished it and gave it 2 stars, blaming my dislike on a different sense of humour. Except for a homophobic scene that involved a cliché gay elf with too high a libido (to use the MCs words) and involuntary chemical castration or a sense of sexism in regards to the cliché women (e.g. hysterical jealous woman, or age obsesses noble lady).
Here I was, hoping for a modern Earth pharmacist showing off in a different world. Definitely disappointing. Not my book and that is putting it mildly. Note that this coming from somebody who enjoys slow moving slice-of-life stories. So the pacing might be particularly off putting if you prefer action or at least some kind of plot.
May 3, 2024
this book talks about 1 guy who doesn't want to go to work and suddenly he teleports to the author's world. So he is so happy because he doesn't have to go to work anymore even though he doesn't know what will happen next and he has some skills that can do medicine. this book is good and when you read it kind of exiting.
June 25, 2021
For a novel about running a drugstore the descriptions about making drugs and keeping shop were so vague and uninformed. He does think about the logistics of ingredient perpetuation later on but never seems concerned about packaging and stocking and supplying other shops other than in an abstract way. Wasn't he supposed to be selling to the general merchandise shop? What happened to that? Plus he's so careless with what he makes. He just willi-nilly makes dangerous things like aphrodisiacs and libido lowering medicine without much precaution.
Majority of the story revolves around the customers that the shop receives. The customers are pretty colorful; you have some weirdos, perverts, nobles, and a lot of other definitely not run-of-the-mill, strong-willed characters. The main character, Reiji, on the other hand, is something of a bland pushover. It seems that most of the story is him just dancing to the whims of others. It might be funny for some but for me it was just proof of poor writing.
Also, unlike other stories, he actually manages to acquire two permanent members of his team right off the bat. The problem is that their connection and interaction is so flat and lackluster. They still seem like strangers despite living in the same place and working together.
This might be entertaining as an anime if you fill in certain plotholes but as a reading material, it needs improvement.
Majority of the story revolves around the customers that the shop receives. The customers are pretty colorful; you have some weirdos, perverts, nobles, and a lot of other definitely not run-of-the-mill, strong-willed characters. The main character, Reiji, on the other hand, is something of a bland pushover. It seems that most of the story is him just dancing to the whims of others. It might be funny for some but for me it was just proof of poor writing.
Also, unlike other stories, he actually manages to acquire two permanent members of his team right off the bat. The problem is that their connection and interaction is so flat and lackluster. They still seem like strangers despite living in the same place and working together.
This might be entertaining as an anime if you fill in certain plotholes but as a reading material, it needs improvement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2020
この小説の主人公は普通なサラリーマンがいました。有る日、会社の通う時、このサラリーマンは異世界に移動しました。移動時に、一つスキルが確保しました。戦力のスキルじゃなくて薬技量がありました。然し、薬技量が便利ですか？この答えはとても利用的です。このスキルせいで、どんな薬でも、考えるだけに必ず薬が作ります。例えば、治癒か痩せるか目が治るなどです。可能性は無限です。このスキルに基づき、レジとミナとノエルはの組は商売が開始しました。毎日に、色々な客の依頼が受けました。
とてものんびり小説です。各章は短いのストーリーが有るので、沢山楽しいエベントがあります。もしも、一章はつまらないがれば、約十分が経てば新しいス展開があります。読者として、優しくて楽しい経験です。時間が有れば、是非読んで下さい！
The protagonist of this novel is a normal salaryman. One day, as he was commuting to work, he is transported to an alternate world. When he is transferred, he obtains one skill. It is not the normal battle skill but a medicine one. Is this medicine-making skill useful? As he finds out, it's extremely practical. Because of this skill, he can make any medicine just by thinking about it. This include healing, losing weight, and curing eyes. The possibilities are limitless. Based on this skill, Reji, Mina, and Noel open a shop. Every day, they take on various requests from their many clients.
It's a very laid-back novel. Because each chapter has a small story in it, there are a lot of fun events. If you get bored with one chapter, the reader can move on to a new development in less than ten minutes. As a reader, it was an extremely fun and pleasant experience. If you have time, please read it!
とてものんびり小説です。各章は短いのストーリーが有るので、沢山楽しいエベントがあります。もしも、一章はつまらないがれば、約十分が経てば新しいス展開があります。読者として、優しくて楽しい経験です。時間が有れば、是非読んで下さい！
The protagonist of this novel is a normal salaryman. One day, as he was commuting to work, he is transported to an alternate world. When he is transferred, he obtains one skill. It is not the normal battle skill but a medicine one. Is this medicine-making skill useful? As he finds out, it's extremely practical. Because of this skill, he can make any medicine just by thinking about it. This include healing, losing weight, and curing eyes. The possibilities are limitless. Based on this skill, Reji, Mina, and Noel open a shop. Every day, they take on various requests from their many clients.
It's a very laid-back novel. Because each chapter has a small story in it, there are a lot of fun events. If you get bored with one chapter, the reader can move on to a new development in less than ten minutes. As a reader, it was an extremely fun and pleasant experience. If you have time, please read it!
August 18, 2022
So I've been on a bit of a light novel kick recently and happened upon this one by chance and decided to give it a shot.
In short, i absolutely loved it. It's an Isekai but a very low key one. It's not about powering up and defeating villains or romance or anything like that. It's about a 24 year old dude who gets pulled into a fantasy world and his power is his ability to create medicine. and that's really it.
They're basically all short vignettes about problems he comes across as a fantasy pharmacist alongside a ghost who can't leave the house and a werewolf girl. Problems from lethargic old construction crews needing energy potions to a good tasting potion 'revolutionizing' the potion market.
It's like the title says "the slow life of a cheat pharmacist" and honestly, i'm all for that. it's just a very relaxing, very fun book. None of the characters are really terribly annoying and it's very cute. The main character is the standard, blandish main dude we've seen a thousand times, but for this kind of book, it works. He's not trying to rally an army behind him or save the world, he's just trying to run a pharmacy out in the country. and it's very chill.
If i had ONE gripe about this book it's that there's no buildup to him being isekai'ed to the world. like, he gets transported there in the second line of the book. No fanfare, no chapter letting us know what his life is like, he's just kind of.....shows up. and then he doesn't really treat it very seriously. he kind of just goes "oh. i'm in another world. sweet!" not very realistic of an action, but..eh. If you can get past the fact that his introduction into the world is VERY brief and kind of thrown away, in all, it's a very fun one where i'll definitely be getting the sequel. Hopefully it stays this same quality.
All in all, great story and fun characters with a very chilling and relaxing atmosphere. Perfect if you want a slice of life, but also want some isekai thrown in. I didn't have very high expectations going into it, but it certainly proved me wrong.
4.5/5 rounded up to a 5
In short, i absolutely loved it. It's an Isekai but a very low key one. It's not about powering up and defeating villains or romance or anything like that. It's about a 24 year old dude who gets pulled into a fantasy world and his power is his ability to create medicine. and that's really it.
They're basically all short vignettes about problems he comes across as a fantasy pharmacist alongside a ghost who can't leave the house and a werewolf girl. Problems from lethargic old construction crews needing energy potions to a good tasting potion 'revolutionizing' the potion market.
It's like the title says "the slow life of a cheat pharmacist" and honestly, i'm all for that. it's just a very relaxing, very fun book. None of the characters are really terribly annoying and it's very cute. The main character is the standard, blandish main dude we've seen a thousand times, but for this kind of book, it works. He's not trying to rally an army behind him or save the world, he's just trying to run a pharmacy out in the country. and it's very chill.
If i had ONE gripe about this book it's that there's no buildup to him being isekai'ed to the world. like, he gets transported there in the second line of the book. No fanfare, no chapter letting us know what his life is like, he's just kind of.....shows up. and then he doesn't really treat it very seriously. he kind of just goes "oh. i'm in another world. sweet!" not very realistic of an action, but..eh. If you can get past the fact that his introduction into the world is VERY brief and kind of thrown away, in all, it's a very fun one where i'll definitely be getting the sequel. Hopefully it stays this same quality.
All in all, great story and fun characters with a very chilling and relaxing atmosphere. Perfect if you want a slice of life, but also want some isekai thrown in. I didn't have very high expectations going into it, but it certainly proved me wrong.
4.5/5 rounded up to a 5
June 24, 2023
So let me start this off by saying, this book was average. Nothing too bad, nothing too good. Just a series of short stories centered around an isekaied protagonist who gets cheat powers centered around pharmacy.
On one hand, this is closer to a healing anime, where nothing super dangerous or serious happens, and the protagonist is just helping out the locals with various low level tasks. His slowly growing harem is pretty much women there for their moe characteristics. (just sit there and look cute while doing cute things) It's a chill read if you are looking for something more along the lines of popcorn fiction, more so than your standard light novel that is.
And on that point, I have to say that this book is kinda boring. Because there is no antagonist, or conflict other than the small issues the townsfolk have, nothing happens at all. The anime actually captures this really well, even more so with the filler animation of the protagonist mixing his remedies. Nothing happens. Other light novels similar to this one, like My Quiet Blacksmith Life in Another World: Volume 1, still manage to keep things interesting by engaging the reader in the protagonist's attempts to make their life better, like building an addition to their house, or trying to make new items. This book doesn't really do that. House was provided, ingredients fall into their lap, etc.
In the end, this is an average book. I will still get the second one and see how things go, but I am not hoping for much to be honest. If you are looking for an easy read, this may be for you. Otherwise, there are better books out there.
On one hand, this is closer to a healing anime, where nothing super dangerous or serious happens, and the protagonist is just helping out the locals with various low level tasks. His slowly growing harem is pretty much women there for their moe characteristics. (just sit there and look cute while doing cute things) It's a chill read if you are looking for something more along the lines of popcorn fiction, more so than your standard light novel that is.
And on that point, I have to say that this book is kinda boring. Because there is no antagonist, or conflict other than the small issues the townsfolk have, nothing happens at all. The anime actually captures this really well, even more so with the filler animation of the protagonist mixing his remedies. Nothing happens. Other light novels similar to this one, like My Quiet Blacksmith Life in Another World: Volume 1, still manage to keep things interesting by engaging the reader in the protagonist's attempts to make their life better, like building an addition to their house, or trying to make new items. This book doesn't really do that. House was provided, ingredients fall into their lap, etc.
In the end, this is an average book. I will still get the second one and see how things go, but I am not hoping for much to be honest. If you are looking for an easy read, this may be for you. Otherwise, there are better books out there.
March 6, 2022
The MC basically makes potions the entire time based on different situations to help himself and the others around him.
The potion-making for different situations is well thought out, but other than that the story gets very bland for me. This may be subjective though, as I’m someone who likes a little bit more of action. If you like laid back stories & slice of life genres, then this is definitely for you.
The lack of character development is also what puts me off from continuing the rest of the volumes available. The supporting characters have not much backstory development, and that’s pretty much the same for the MC and FLs. In fact, the only actual development for one of the FLs is at the last chapter of this volume.
The MC is also transported to a new world, but the story doesn’t incorporate on how he slowly adapts. He opened a medicinal shop, but the author doesn’t talk about the operational aspects at all. There were many opportunistic plots that could have been elaborated to make it more interesting, but were glazed over by the author instead.
Overall, I’m not impressed with the book and will not be picking up any other book in this series to continue.
The potion-making for different situations is well thought out, but other than that the story gets very bland for me. This may be subjective though, as I’m someone who likes a little bit more of action. If you like laid back stories & slice of life genres, then this is definitely for you.
The lack of character development is also what puts me off from continuing the rest of the volumes available. The supporting characters have not much backstory development, and that’s pretty much the same for the MC and FLs. In fact, the only actual development for one of the FLs is at the last chapter of this volume.
The MC is also transported to a new world, but the story doesn’t incorporate on how he slowly adapts. He opened a medicinal shop, but the author doesn’t talk about the operational aspects at all. There were many opportunistic plots that could have been elaborated to make it more interesting, but were glazed over by the author instead.
Overall, I’m not impressed with the book and will not be picking up any other book in this series to continue.
March 11, 2021
The book itself is well written but there doesn't seem to be an overall story. It feels very episodic or story of the week without any real goal or direction. it's short and enjoyable enough but honestly it's one of the most generic first volume light novels of this type I've read as they usually try to pack something in to keep you coming back where as this one feels like a collection of short stories the authors puts up weekly on his website using the same characters. I want to call them filler episodes but what do you call it when all of the episodes are filler? In the end its a nice slice of life to kill a few hours on with nothing to really anchor you to it for now but there is no downside to reading it. If you like Isekai or slice of life you will probably enjoy it at least.
September 4, 2021
3.5 ⭐
I was expecting a real Pharmacist/Chemist who found themselves in a fantasy world and made use of their skills to survive in the said world. This is about someone who conveniently have the "Medicine-Making Skill" to make really effective drugs.
For a slice-of-life story, this is good. Not much plot happens, just some feel good episodic chapters to read when one find themselves with free time to waste.
The illustrations are really good, too.
(Rated as such as basis for subsequent volumes.)
I was expecting a real Pharmacist/Chemist who found themselves in a fantasy world and made use of their skills to survive in the said world. This is about someone who conveniently have the "Medicine-Making Skill" to make really effective drugs.
For a slice-of-life story, this is good. Not much plot happens, just some feel good episodic chapters to read when one find themselves with free time to waste.
The illustrations are really good, too.
(Rated as such as basis for subsequent volumes.)
December 13, 2024
Great idea, incredibly poorly developed. The "medicines" are crap, he has no understanding of medicine at all just mixing stuff our of the blue. Every single "story" is lame. The characters are equally lame and with no personality. Boring, same sexist mentality so common on Japanese literature...I know this is just a light novel, but that should not be an excuse to deliver such a piece of crappy story. Dropping the series! Onto my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
March 6, 2021
Cute and episodic
I picked this up since it has an upcoming anime, it's rather cute. Most chapters are rather episodic which reminds me of Restaurant to another world.
I'll be back for the next volume.
I picked this up since it has an upcoming anime, it's rather cute. Most chapters are rather episodic which reminds me of Restaurant to another world.
I'll be back for the next volume.
March 6, 2021
Well written story
The story as well written and the characters are engaging. the only problem I have with it is that the main character seems to be clueless in the romance department.
The story as well written and the characters are engaging. the only problem I have with it is that the main character seems to be clueless in the romance department.
March 8, 2021
It's entertaining
This book is a light and entertaining book, it has commodity and everyday life. It also has some adventures with the character solving problems one at a time. All in all its a good book to read!
This book is a light and entertaining book, it has commodity and everyday life. It also has some adventures with the character solving problems one at a time. All in all its a good book to read!
April 29, 2021
Enjoyable for all the clicks
Enjoyable for you don't realize how long it is.The first thing in another world is great especially dose.keep in mind that this month and that is plan ?
Enjoyable for you don't realize how long it is.The first thing in another world is great especially dose.keep in mind that this month and that is plan ?
May 12, 2022
If you liked ,,I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level'' you'll probably like this too. Episodic slice of life adventures with an OP Mc, but instead of a strong combatant we have a ,,medicinal god'' who doubles as a life consultant on the side.
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March 6, 2021Very cute short stories
Characters are very adorable. Slice of life with hard working young man and side characters. Fun re read, would buy next book. Keep writing
Characters are very adorable. Slice of life with hard working young man and side characters. Fun re read, would buy next book. Keep writing
April 25, 2021
Excellent read
Such a cool concept it's just great. Quite novel. I really hope that there will be more light novels. More please. "Tasty, tasty"
Such a cool concept it's just great. Quite novel. I really hope that there will be more light novels. More please. "Tasty, tasty"
June 5, 2021
Good
A good start to the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good start to the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
June 8, 2021
My first light novel
I had heard of light novels before and though I accidentally bought this one I’m really happy that I did. Loved the story and the artwork.
I had heard of light novels before and though I accidentally bought this one I’m really happy that I did. Loved the story and the artwork.
January 4, 2022
The premise was good but I wasn't a fan of the character writing.
May 18, 2022
3.5 stars. Had a great start and picked back up towards the end but it dragged a lot in the middle.
January 27, 2025
super cute and silly
September 1, 2021
A bit too predictable.
December 11, 2021
Loved this one. The short story aspect kept things moving, and I enjoyed that aspect. Reminded me a bit of Restaurant in Another World, except that its a bit more tied together consistently between chapters. I liked that it didn't feel the need to go too deep in to medicinal stuff. It would do a nice brief explanation and the effects it would have, which matched the pacing of the slice of life story. Definitely looking forward to the next volume
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews