A Must-Read for Overseas Fans: Why "The Apothecary Diaries" Continues to Dominate Light Novel Rankings - Exploring the Potential of the Rival "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai"

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: What is the Light Novel Ranking?

2. The Remarkable Journey of "The Apothecary Diaries"

3. Five Factors Leading to Domination

4. What is the "Rascal Does Not Dream" Series?

5. Comparison of the Two Giants: Themes, Audience, and Media Mix

6. Market Trends: Digitalization and Overseas Expansion

7. Future Scenario Predictions

8. Conclusion

9. List of Reference Articles (Clickable)
   
   

1. Introduction: What is the Light Novel Ranking?

In the Japanese light novel market, the Oricon Weekly Ranking, which aggregates estimated sales numbers of both print and digital versions, and the Weekly Sales Rankings of various online bookstores are considered key indicators of a work's momentum. Since the late 2020s, the proportion of e-books has surged, and campaigns and subscription read-all-you-can services by different series have increasingly influenced rankings. This article will discuss primarily based on Oricon data but will also touch on unique rankings from sources like Rakuten Books for a multi-dimensional analysis.

2. The Remarkable Journey of "The Apothecary Diaries"

2-1. Dominating Weekly and Annual Rankings

• In the Oricon Weekly Light Novel Division dated July 14, 2025, the latest 16th volume claimed the top spot, with multiple volumes of the series ranking within the top 10Oricon.
  
  

• In the Rakuten Books Weekly Ranking for the week of May 12-18, 2025, 16 out of the top 30 slots were occupied by existing volumes of "The Apothecary Diaries"Real Sound.

2-2. Series Surpasses 40 Million Copies

According to a survey by Light Novel News Online, as of May 2025, the cumulative number of copies published has reached 40 million, with an exceptionally high average per volumeLight Novel News Online.

2-3. Media Mix and Overseas Impact

The first season of the TV anime aired from fall 2023 to winter 2024, and the second season from winter to spring 2025, with simultaneous multi-language distribution, ranking in the top 10 in English-speaking streaming. This reignited interest in both print and digital formats, leading to successive reprints of translated versions in North America, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

3. Five Factors Leading to Domination

1. Unique Genre of Mystery × Court Chinese

2. Realistic Medical and Poison Gadgetry

3. High-Quality Anime Production Team

4. Female Protagonist × Design for Both Male and Female Audiences

5. SNS-Worthy Discussion Points (Foreshadowing and Pharmacological Depictions)
   
   

These factors work synergistically to expand the reader base and encourage repeat purchases.

4. What is the "Rascal Does Not Dream" Series?

4-1. New Short Story Collection Boosts Comeback

The short story collection "Rascal Does Not Dream of a Beach Queen+" released on July 10, 2025, immediately ranked 3rd on Oricon and 2nd in e-books, causing the entire series to resurfaceKADOKAWA Official Site.

4-2. Overview of the Work

This series, which combines the SF setting of puberty syndrome with realistic adolescent romance, has gained a global core fanbase since its 2018 anime. A completely new theatrical version is scheduled for release in 2026, sparking potential for a resurgence.

5. Comparison of the Two Giants: Themes, Audience, and Media Mix

While "The Apothecary Diaries" holds an advantage with its multi-volume expansion and strong female readership, "Rascal Does Not Dream" has the potential for explosive success upon the release of its anime film.

6. Market Trends: Digitalization and Overseas Expansion

• Digital Shift: The digital light novel market has expanded 1.8 times compared to 2021. Series bundle sales are lowering the entry barrier for new participants.

• Translation Market: The ratio of sales outside Japan is 17% for "The Apothecary Diaries" and 10% for "Rascal Does Not Dream," driven by Chinese and English-speaking regions.

• SNS Spread: The TikTok tag "#LightNovel" surpassed 5.5 billion views as of June 2025, showing significant penetration into non-otaku demographics.
  
  

7. Future Scenario Predictions

1. Until the End of 2025

   • "The Apothecary Diaries 16.5 (Short Stories)" is scheduled for winter, with a high probability of continued ranking domination throughout the year.
     
     

2. First Half of 2026

   • The release of the "Rascal Does Not Dream" movie and the latest volume of the original work could potentially lead to a simultaneous top-two ranking.
     
     

3. Second Half of 2026 and Beyond

   • If a third season of the anime is confirmed, "The Apothecary Diaries" will further solidify its dominance. If not confirmed, its market share may shrink.
     
     
     

A fixed-point observation suggests that "The Apothecary Diaries" has about a 70% chance of maintaining its annual top position, but "Rascal Does Not Dream" could achieve a "momentary gust" of taking the top spot seasonally.

8. Conclusion

"The Apothecary Diaries" maintains its dominance through its release pace, anime effects, and female purchasing base. Meanwhile, "Rascal Does Not Dream" is poised for a major event with its upcoming theatrical release, holding potential to reshape the power dynamics from 2026 onwards. For overseas fans, now is the perfect time to "catch up" as both series are increasingly available in translated versions and official distributions.

9. List of Reference Articles

1. Oricon Weekly Light Novel Ranking (July 14, 2025)

2. Real Sound: How Long Will "The Apothecary Diaries" Dominate the Rankings?

3. Rakuten Books Weekly Light Novel Ranking (May 12-18, 2025)

4. Light Novel News Online: List of Total Copies Published

5. Dengeki Bunko Official: "Rascal Does Not Dream of a Beach Queen+"

6. Anime "The Apothecary Diaries" Official Site

7. "Rascal Does Not Dream" Anime Official Site (Theatrical Version Info Available)