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Apart from its visuals,The Apothecary Diariesis a riveting tale that blends love, drama,and mystery perfectly. Based on Natsu Hyuga’s novel of the same, the anime is a banger in terms of its animation and storyline.
With its premiere in 2023, the series set a benchmark for a good deal of anime in the shojo genre. On the whole, it is a step away from cliche portrayals of court dramas. Yet, it didn’t shy away from underlining the most harrowing aspects of its premise.
While the first season merely gave a glimpse into the unsettling consort culture, the second season might flesh it out. Amidst the resplendence of the royal court, there are several perturbing elements that the series might unpack.
In retrospect, the anime also circles back to the heart-rending friendships and companionship between women. Their camaraderie and affinity are a divergence from the hackneyed portrayal of concubines.
Season 2 outlines the most unsettling element of consort culture
When we think about historical and fictional drama, there are very few that make the mark. Natsu Hyuga’s series is one of them with its enthralling plot and characters. But most of all, it includes versatile yet complex characters.
From Gaoshun to Lakan, Hyuga incorporatesintricate details and symbolism,which makes the plot remarkable in most aspects. But that is not all considering the deep and dark elements charted in the anime.
It would be safe to say that the series is R-rated considering its exploration of mature themes. From brothels to harems, it isn’t sugar, spice, and everything nice in any case.
Along with powerplay, it highlightsthe unsettling aspectsof the Tang dynasty’s rule as some fans suggest. Trafficking, venereal diseases, and murder were common. Season 2, however, gave a glimpse into the most harrowing practices within the court.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Opening Is Good but It Can Never Surpass This Masterpiece
Onr/KusuriyaNoHitorigoto, users discussed the former Emperor’s disturbing practice of violating girl consorts.
The former Emperor’s fear of adult women manifested in him violating young consorts. This aspect wasn’t explored in the first season despite viewers suggesting that he might have violated Lishu as well.
Interestingly, though, Lishu’s relationship with other consorts is nothing short of heart-rending. While the series enmeshes realism with fiction, it does so beautifully through its exploration of female friendships and camaraderie.
Women’s camaraderie takes center stage inThe Apothecary Diaries
WhileThe Apothecary Diariesis a shojo series, one shouldn’t take it lightly. It is far-fetched from the cliche and overused tropes of romance and damsel in distress. Rather, the women harness and harbor their agency through their craft and intelligence.
Amidst the conundrum, Maomao plays a pivotal role as a mediator and a sound person. As an eminent apothecary in the Imperial Palace, she gains favors and respect through her wisdom. But most of all, it ties in well with her friendships with the royal consorts and workers on the whole.
Be it Lady Gyokuyou or Lady Lihua, the series peaks in its accurate representation of the harem. Like the court, the Imperial Palace isn’t exempt from powerplay and politics. From assassination to murder, it is reflective of historical events.
Barring the push-and-pull, female friendships become a key to dismantling the competition. Despite the friction, the consorts can work in unison because of Maomao’s efforts. It is also a step away from theforced ideas of romancein the shoujo genre.
The Apothecary Diaries Episode 25 Review – The Best Way to Realize You’re in Love Is by Finding a Cat Named After Your Soulmate
Above all, the series is groundbreaking in terms of its reimagination of historical elements. From royalty to commoners, Natsu Hyuga’s work is exemplary of her literary brilliance in most aspects.
The Apothecary Diariesis available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on J-Novel Club’s website.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
