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Anime has a unique way of capturing emotions and weaving them into unforgettable stories.The Apothecary Diariesshines as one of the best coming-of-age shojo anime.
The anime steals the spotlight with its unique story and characters.The Apothecary Diariesis a mystery historical series about a young apothecary girl named Maomao.
Amid the Season 2 announcement,The Apothecary Diaries‘ director once shared the significance of Maomao and Jinshi’s characters that played a pivotal role in the series’ success.
The Apothecary DiariesDirector Shares Insight into Maomao and Jinshi’s Roles
The Apothecary Diaries,written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Touko Shino, is a Japanese light novel series. It began serialization in Shosetsuka ni Naro in 2011 and was later acquired by Shufunotomo.
The Apothecary Diariesfollows Maomao in a fictional country based on Imperial China. She gets kidnapped from her job as an apothecary in the red-light district and sold as anindentured servant to the Imperial Palace.
While she originally plans to keep her head down and work out her time, she discovers a medical mystery that piques her interest. Unable to resist solving the mystery, Maomao eventually catches the attention of the influential and handsome Jinshi, who becomes intrigued byher intellect, beauty, and clear indifference to his flirtations.
One of the Best Romance Manhwa Has an Overarching Flaw that Kept it From Becoming the Next Horimiya & The Apothecary Diaries
Though there’s plenty of action inThe Apothecary Diaries, the romantic chemistry between Jinshi and Maomao is obvious. Unlike most shojo animes, where romance is often based on characters’ looks and beauty,The Apothecary Diariestakes a unique approach, pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Instead of emphasizing Maomao’s beauty, the anime focuses on showcasing her personality and strength. Additionally, Jinshi takes the spotlight as the more traditionally handsome of the couple.
In aninterview, director Norihiro Naganuma shared his thoughts on Maomao and Jinshi, discussing how these two characters have played a major role in boosting the anime’s global popularity. He added:
While Maomao is a character who is always very honest, I think Jinshi actually has a very strong duality as there’s an exterior face masking his inner self that he shows everyone else. I think because Jinshi has that type of personality, it really attracts and compliments Maomao. I think this is key to their relationship.
The Apothecary Diaries: Why Most Fans are Wrong to Call Maomao Ugly Despite Author’s Obvious Hints
The chemistry between Maomao and Jinshi eventually becomes one of the driving elements in the story, weaving through some themes about intellectual curiosity, emotional growth, and social disparity. Jinshi’s fascination with Maomao not only develops his character but dictates something unique about her that makes their connection really take center stage in this series.
Norihiro Naganuma Shares His Perspective onThe Apothecary Diaries’Maomao
As the series progresses, more of Maomao’s intelligence is put to the test, as Jinshi places numerous conundrums before her, and more of her personality is revealed to audiences. She exhibits complex motivations, flaws, and a wide range of emotions, with some of her interests and opinions contrary to her peers.
Interestingly, the anime director recently shared their thoughts on fan-favorite Maomao’s character, offering fans what to expect from her in Season 2. He shared:
I think what makes the Maomao really powerful is that her strength doesn’t always come from a strength she was born with. She uses her knowledge and the experience that she’s gained over time to face all kinds of situations. Plus, she has a very strong sense of justice, and she hates losing.
The director has revealed the key element of Maomao and Jinshi’s bond in the series, which has been a hidden gem of the year. Maomao’s resourcefulness, ingenuity, and wit — especially as a female character — are celebrated and encouraged by the cast of characters around her, which helps her embody the elements of a strong female protagonist.
The Apothecary Diariesis available to stream on Crunchyroll
Mehul Rolta
Articles Published :510
Mehul Rolta is a seasoned journalist with over 3 years in esports and soccer journalism. Transitioning to anime writing at Fandom Wire, Mehul shares his lifelong passion for anime about integrates professionalism. Dedicated to connecting the world of anime globally, Mehul shares thoughts and insights, communicating personal passion with professional insight.
