5 Medieval Anime Better Than The Apothecary Diaries, Ranked

The Apothecary Diaries is definitely a standout anime for its fascinating take on palace life, political conflicts, and storytelling. However, it isn’t the only anime series that brings the medieval era to life. In fact, some anime do it even better.

There are several other anime series that explore this period through brutal wars, romance, and even dark fantasy. While The Apothecary Diaries has its own unique charm, these five anime offer much more compelling stories and characters.

5 The Heroic Legend of Arslan Brings Medieval Warfare to Life

The Heroic Legend of Arslan definitely features an engaging and one of the best takes on medieval warfare and political conflict. The story mainly revolves around Arslan, a young prince forced to reclaim his throne after facing a devastating defeat. Unlike The Apothecary Diaries, which focuses mainly on palace mysteries and court life, this one places battles, military strategy, and shifting alliances at the center of the story.

Arslan feels like a more captivating medieval adventure because of its extremely detailed world-building and large-scale conflicts. Despite that, the anime earns the fifth spot because it doesn’t offer strong character growth compared to other shows on the list.

4 Spice and Wolf Turns Medieval Trade Into a Compelling Adventure

Spice and Wolf is one of those rare anime shows that offers a grounded and intimate look at medieval life. Instead of focusing on battles and royal politics, the anime follows traveling merchant Kraft Lawrence and Holo, a wolf deity, as they travel from town to town for trade. The bond between Kraft and Holo adds an emotional depth that is just tough not to appreciate.

Compared to The Apothecary Diaries, this anime stands out because of its focus on commerce and economics. That’s something we rarely see in anime series, but Spice and Wolf handles such complex themes beautifully. While still better than Arslan, Spice and Wolf can sometimes feel less exciting because of its slower pace. That’s why it takes the fourth spot on the list.

3 Ranking of Kings Is a Brutal and Dark Medieval Fantasy

On the surface, Ranking of Kings seems like a light-hearted story complemented by a modest art style. But in reality, it’s a brutal anime that doesn’t shy away from violence when it’s important. It follows Bojji, a short, deaf Prince who wants to be a great king. However, the world isn’t exactly kind to Bojji and often takes advantage of his gentle nature.

In contrast to The Apothecary Diaries, this one offers much higher stakes and emotional depth. Even the character development in Ranking of Kings is slightly better. That being said, its medieval setting can still feel less grounded than anime shows ranked higher on the list.

2 Vinland Saga Is a Masterpiece Medieval Epic About War and Revenge

Without a doubt, Vinland Saga is one of the best, yet underrated, anime series of the last decade. The anime’s mature take on medieval life is grounded yet powerful. It follows the journey of Thorfinn, a kid who is consumed by revenge after his father is killed. His journey takes him through brutal battles and political conflicts, all while teaching him the high cost of war.

While The Apothecary Diaries balances the world’s harsh reality with dry comedy, Vinland Saga doesn’t shy away from keeping things real. The anime never loses track of the message it wants to convey, setting it apart from other medieval anime. However, if it’s a darker approach that makes Vinland Saga better than The Apothecary Diaries, there’s another anime that handles the dark theme even better.

1 Berserk Remains One of Anime’s Greatest Dark Medieval Stories

There’s no arguing that to this day, Berserk, specifically the 1997 adaptation, remains the darkest take on the medieval era. It follows the story of Guts, who is thrown into a world consumed by war, political struggles, and, of course, power-hungry men. The anime tackles dark themes like slavery, revenge, and sacrifice.

What makes Berserk truly stand out is how well it blends medieval warfare with dark fantasy. Unlike The Apothecary Diaries, Berserk goes far beyond the palace mysteries or internal politics. The anime gives you a much broader sense of the unforgiving, brutal nature of the era, earning it the first spot on the list.

Which medieval anime do you think is better than The Apothecary Diaries? Do let us know in the comments!