The Apothecary Diaries

After long time I have found such a great anime , Mao Mao the protagonist is a well written character. She is smart and better protagonist than most of the animes protagonist that are releasing. The story is light hearted . This show follows Mao Mao a girl , who was kidnapped and sold as a maid in rear palace . The story is settled at ancient china, which really fascinated me and encouraged me to research on Chinese history. I like the animation although backgrounds could be more detailed, the love interest is also a really well written character , there are no unessecary romance . Each episode is enjoyable. Hundred percent recommended. I will never shut up about this. My friends also got hooked and they rarely watch anime .

(Sorry for bad English)

This was my most anticipated anime in Fall 2023. That was obviously not just because the Light Novel was high rated, but also because I was expecting a long term, mind blowing medical mystery.

I have to say that this anime met all my expectations. But the weird thing is that I'm still very surprised by it. Because I ended up loving it for a different reason - the characters. More than a mystery, this is a very strong, character-based drama, that uses an episodic mystery setting to keep exploring its characters. You could say that it is a character analysis or a character-based mystery, where you're curious about the past of these characters, and the anime keeps revealing it bit by bit as it goes along. The story cherished its main characters and took their depth very seriously.

In terms of characters and their depth and development, this was, in my opinion, the best anime that aired this season. Maomao is probably one of the best characters I've seen in any anime ever. She's smart, savage and you're always curious about what made her the way she is today.

The music and the animation was surprisingly brilliant. The seamless production for this anime probably surprised everyone.

I enjoyed the 1st part as it was a nice introduction to the characters, but I wasn't that impressed with the episodic mysteries. The 2nd part was when I really started loving the show. Because that's when the mysteries got considerably better, and they started to reveal a lot of surprising traits about our main characters and about their past. In fact I was shocked by what I saw during the final few episodes of the season. It made me look at the rest of the show a lot more differently.

This anime is also directed brilliantly. There are some chilling sequences here. While a lot of it was because of the music, the direction matched that - especially how they were able to represent how Maomao could be beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

Overall, this was a brilliant show and I'm very glad that we're getting a season 2 next year. I can't wait to learn more about the plot and these characters.

Maomao is a refreshing main character. She is intelligent, decisive, independent, and unafraid to confront or criticize her peers. She has her weaknesses though and won't hesitate test herbs on herself or drink poison for the fun of it! She is utterly unphased by the advances of Jinshi (whose beauty swoons every other girl), causing him to take interest in her.

The emotional tones are well placed. I feel the humor, sadness, anger, and excitement of the characters. It presents serious themes with enough room for the audience to process them, and it pokes fun by humorously portraying characters as cats or mice to reflect their personalities.

The show is set in an imperial Asian country and it injects all the taboos and social conventions from that time. It's interesting to see how this class-heavy, patriarchal environment affects the character's motives and decisions. Certainly a unique setting that is incorporated into the plot very well.

This is a great anime with an amazing story and it contains some funny humor in the right places, I personally love the way the setting of this anime is set and the colouring of it makes it feel enjoyable! Also the animation is very well produced although there are times where the CGI is a bit obvious it's still looks alright. The characters in this anime have amazing characteristics and it's amazing to see how they all grow and learn from their actions, the character development is well done!

I do hope to see a bright future for this anime, if the anime does stand out I would highly recommend reading the manga! I would definitely recommend watching this anime <3.

"The Apothecary Diaries" (Season 1, 2024, 8.4/10) offers viewers an unusual blend of detective stories, medical drama, and a subtle mystical atmosphere, creating a unique and memorable world. The anime transports us to ancient East Asia, where the main character, Mao Mao, a modest yet brilliant herbalist, finds herself entangled in palace intrigues and mysterious cases that require her extraordinary intellect and knowledge.

The main strength of the first season lies in its ability to balance detective elements with character development. Each arc focuses on a new mystery, whether it's a poisoning, a strange illness, or a political conspiracy. Instead of standard action scenes, the audience is treated to intellectual duels and tense investigations, which make the anime stand out from other works in the genre. Additionally, the emphasis on detail and authenticity makes the story not only engaging but also informative.

As the protagonist, Mao Mao immediately captures attention with her unique personality. Her sharp intellect, sarcastic wit, and independence make her refreshingly realistic and intriguing. She is not a typical hero driven by fame or fortune but a curious individual determined to uncover the truth. Her interactions with other characters, especially the enigmatic and charismatic palace eunuch Jinshi, add dynamism and depth to the narrative.

Visually, The Apothecary Diaries impresses with its detailed settings and well-thought-out character design. The palace interiors are depicted with elegance, while the scenes dedicated to herbs, potions, and medicines are crafted with such precision that viewers can almost smell and feel them. Though the animation doesn't feature much action, it remains expressive, highlighting the tension in critical moments.

The musical score also deserves praise. The soundtrack enhances the atmosphere of intrigue and mystery, with melodies imbued with an Eastern flavor perfectly complementing the time and setting of the story. Music plays a vital role in creating the dark yet enigmatic mood of the series.

However, the first season is not without its flaws. Some mysteries come across as overly straightforward or predictable, which might disappoint viewers accustomed to more complex detective puzzles. Additionally, some secondary characters remain underdeveloped, despite their obvious potential for compelling storylines. Nonetheless, these shortcomings do not overshadow the overall quality of the series.

In conclusion, The Apothecary Diaries is a captivating anime that offers a fresh take on the genre, blending intellectual mysteries with a rich atmosphere and deep characters. Despite minor drawbacks, the first season leaves a strong impression and leaves viewers eager to see further development of both the story and the inner world of the characters.