SaysieVerse
Intriguing, mysterious, captivating
CAPS TITLE
Crunchyroll
The Pharmacist's Diaries
Intriguing, mysterious, captivating
2023
1st season / 24 2nd season / 12 (so far)
.png)
Image source: Crunchyroll / The Apothecary Diaries © Crunchyroll
"She's like a riddle. And I hate riddles. But I can't stop wanting to solve it."
- Jinshi
Contents summary:
The story of The Apothecary's Diaries revolves around Maomao, a young, clever, and talented apothecary in the imperial palace of a fictional, ancient world. Brought to the palace as a child by a slave trader, Maomao initially works in the kitchen, using her knowledge of herbs and medicine to create remedies. However, her true abilities as an apothecary only become apparent when she rises to the inner circle of the palace and is confronted with secret intrigues and political machinations.
Her remarkable skills and keen intelligence make her an important figure in the palace, especially when she is confronted with mysterious illnesses and deadly plots. Despite her lowly position as a servant, Maomao not only investigates medical challenges but also helps uncover dark secrets that threaten the empire.
The series combines mystery and historical elements, with Maomao as the main character in a world of intrigue, political power struggles, and secrets. Her journey as a pharmacist in the palace shows her determination to seek the truth while having to assert herself in a male-dominated environment.
Review:
9/10
I definitely need more depth in the love story and therefore have high hopes for the second season, which I won't watch until it's fully aired. Despite these expectations, the series remains very captivating. The emperor's complex family history and the detective work, in which the characters grow through their challenges and discoveries, keep interest constantly high. It's truly thrilling to follow the characters' developments and see how the plot unfolds.
1. Plot: The plot of The Apothecary's Diaries is exciting and mysterious, with an interesting mix of historical and political intrigue. The story surrounding Maomao, who works as a pharmacist in the imperial palace and uncovers secrets, remains captivating, with each secret and challenge taking a new twist.
It's reminiscent of detective work, but still exciting and entertaining.
The chibi style adds a nice touch to the humor.
2. Character Development: Maomao evolves from a secretive, reserved observer into a confident and astute protagonist who uses not only her knowledge but also her skills to navigate the complex power structures of the palace. Her development is subtle but compelling.
3. Emotional Impact: The series generates emotional tension, primarily through Maomao's determination and the mysterious cases she solves. There are fewer overt emotional moments, but the complex relationships and political machinations make the story gripping, atmospheric, and thought-provoking.
4. Production and Cinematography: The animation is clean and detailed, with beautiful depictions of the historical settings of the Imperial Palace. The color palette and designs emphasize the mysterious and sophisticated mood of the anime, while the character portrayals harmonize very well with the narrative.
5. Social Critique: The anime addresses the hierarchies in the palace and the role of women in a male-dominated society. Maomao must assert himself in a world full of power struggles and patriarchal structures, which provides an interesting commentary on gender roles and societal expectations.