With its second season, The Apothecary Diaries is upping its game in many aspects. The mystery, comedy, and feel-good moments are what make it a wholesome shojo series. The recent episode took it up a notch in every way but what it did best was to shut the critics up for good and here’s why.
It took 35 episodes for the series to clap back at salty fans who were quick to misunderstand Maomao. There are misunderstandings indeed but this debate may have finally ended with the recent episode. It also unfurled her unspoken emotions and persona to most fans who may have overlooked it completely.
The Apothecary Diaries served a clapback to salty fans
Let’s be real, no one likes salty fans in the anime space and this also goes for The Apothecary Diaries. The series has been gaining momentum and appreciation since its first season. There were mixed reviews at first where some called the mystery weak and pointed to a lack of romance.
Only recently internet critics are beginning to understand the overall premise and themes. It is also important to understand that not every shojo needs to be laden with romance and butterflies. Not everything has to be sugar, spice, and everything nice. This is precisely why Natsu Hyuga’s work is a breather.
Medicine, mystery, and court politics aren’t mere terms but core themes that are expanded brilliantly. The characters are fleshed out and layered carefully in later arcs. Together, it pieces well like a jigsaw puzzle but everything is not what it seems. It leaves room for questions that are yet to be answered.
One of them has to do with Maomao and her feelings toward the Imperial Prince Jinshi. Her aloof and detached nature has fans hot and bothered for the most part. But the recent episode did the unthinkable, by shutting down the contentious remarks for real.
Some Redditors on r/anime noted that the series doesn’t expand on her feelings toward Jinshi. It is a tall claim indeed but some fans may have missed out on key details that outline her attachment to him. It is a slow-burn romance which is something that they tend to forget.
Slow and steady wins the race but most fans aren’t ready for that now are they? The touch, glances, and gestures all make sense if one were to retrace Maomao’s actions in the first season. It only makes her feelings for Jinshi certain and crystal clear albeit it remains unspoken.
Maomao’s unspoken love for Jinshi
She is sassy, she is sarcastic but she sure as hell is charming. Maomao isn’t the girl next door but a true force to be reckoned with. The series reworks the plain Jane trope and topples it around. Hyuga showed everyone how it is done through her characterization of the Apothecary.
Interestingly, though, her feelings and concern for Jinshi are unspoken. That isn’t to say it isn’t there but it is hidden in the details. All we have to do is read between the lines, or in this case, rewatch the scenes. The recent episode made it rather obvious but it was hinted early on.
Now, we all know how she was all judgemental Judy in the first season. No offense to Judge Judy though. But she was quick to analyze and boil everyone’s character and persona in her head. She did the same with Jinshi deeming him rather childish.
In the later arcs, she is less judgemental and more observant. She went out of her way to protect him and took a beating from that guard. On top of that, she stayed calm yet confused when Jinshi hugged her. In the recent episode though her eyes softened when she glanced at him which makes it certain.
To sum it up, she is rather dissociated with intimacy. But that doesn’t make her apathetic or cold. She views proximity and touch differently especially since she was brought up in the Verdigris House. It is this outlandishness that makes her an offbeat yet interesting character.
The Apothecary Diaries is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
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