The Apothecary Diaries is inarguably one of the most popular anime shows of recent times. The straightforward narrative and the way the story deals with sensitive topics has won over many fans worldwide.
The show’s protagonists, Maomao and Jinshi, too, have made their prominent place in fans’ hearts. However, there is one thing about their relationship that seems to have caused concerns in the fandom. Especially since that element has been a key recurring theme in the show.
That is, since both of their parents have suffered such tragic fates in their love lives, can Maomao and Jinshi truly hope for a happy ending? Well, if history has been a clue to anything, things don’t bode too well for their budding romance.
Both Jinshi and Maomao’s parents had terrible luck in love in The Apothecary Diaries
Fascinatingly, even though The Apothecary Diaries protagonists Maomao and Jinshi are from two completely different worlds, both of them have led strangely similar lives in their own way. For example, both of their parents have suffered terrible fates in their romantic lives.
Things should have worked out amazingly for the Emperor, and Ah Duo, with the latter rightfully becoming the Empress when time came. However, she was forced to swap her child with another and now even had to let go of her position as a Royal consort.
The Emperor, likewise, burdened by his duties, is forced to live apart from his beloved, without ever acknowledging Jinshi as his son. On the other hand, Maomao’s parents, Lakan and Fengxian met a similar fate.
They too, almost had it all, until Lakan was forced to leave Fengxian for three years in the Verdigris house without realizing that she was pregnant with Maomao.
The end result was a devastating tragedy that led to Maomao’s mother catching Syphilis and losing her mind as a consequence of being disgraced and forced to entertain any client that came knocking at the door.
Moreover, after Lakan returned to the Capital, he was led to believe that she had passed away and was forced to see his daughter growing up away from him without acknowledging her as his child for a major portion of her life.
Although, unlike Jinshi, Maomao was aware of her parentage, the end result was pretty similar. Moreover, both of them were raised by their grandparents. Anshi, the Empress Dowager, and grandma to Jinshi, whom he believes to be his mother.
Meanwhile, Maomao was raised by Luomen, the eunuch doctor, uncle of Lakan and granduncle to Maomao, whom she calls her father. As such, fans growing concerned about the fate of their relationship at the end of The Apothecary Diaries is not exactly unfounded.
Fans have grown concerned about Maomao and Jinshi’s relationship in The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries comes off as quite a simple, even whimsical tale on a surface level at first. However, the reality is far from it. The show has maintained a tight hold on a subtle storytelling style, all while touching on a range of sensitive themes.
![Jinshi catches Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries. [Credit: Toho]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/21071842/jinshi-catching-maomao-on-the-rooftop-the-apothecary-diaries.png "The Apothecary Diaries Theory: Maomao and Jinshi Are Headed for a Tragic Fate Due to Their Parents’ Romantic Legacy 6")
For example, the show didn’t shy away from touching on depression, obsession, su*cide, brutality, the unfair social system, or even grief even once. Interestingly, both Maomao and Jinshi have been exposed to those things again and again from a very young age due to the circumstances they grew up in.
In fact, the story has no qualms about showcasing the bleak premise it is set in repeatedly. That, combined with the terrible fate Maomao and Jinshi’s parents suffered, has only increased fans’ concerns about their fate.
Although things have been falling into place for them almost miraculously up until now, the socio-political scenario surrounding them makes things tricky. Especially since their parents, too, almost had it all until a cruel twist of fate snatched it all away without any warning.
Could Maomao and Jinshi realistically have a happy ending?
byu/Catty_Aces inKusuriyaNoHitorigoto
Comment
byu/Catty_Aces from discussion
inKusuriyaNoHitorigoto
Comment
byu/Catty_Aces from discussion
inKusuriyaNoHitorigoto
Comment
byu/Catty_Aces from discussion
inKusuriyaNoHitorigoto
Although it doesn’t seem like Maomao and Jinshi are headed for the same tragic fate, only time will tell what the future has in store for them. For now, most fans of The Apothecary Diaries seem content about seeing their relationship blossom, hoping that it will bloom into a beautiful flower without being plucked by fate’s cruel hands.
The Apothecary Diaries is streaming on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
