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As The Apothecary Diariesanime Season 2 fast approaches the mid-season mark with its eleventh episode, previews all but promised some major progression between the series' main protagonists Maomao and Jinshi. Since the moment they first met in Season 1, fans have witnessed a very one-sided exchange between the couple, as Jinshi shamelessly flirts with Maomao, who doesn't seem the least bit inclined to reciprocate. For that reason, some fans have even gone so far as to suggest this seinen anime shouldn't even be classified as romance, but at its core, that is exactly what The Apothecary Diaries is.

Season 2 has seen some interesting shifts in Maomao's view on Jinshi, but she's still not really thinking outside the box yet about who he really is. In Episode 35, "The Hunt", she is chosen for the unexpected duty of attending Jinshi, alongside Gaoshun and his son, Basen, in the Shihoku-shu region for a hunt organized by Consort Loulan's father,...

The Apothecary Diaries is beating Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End in a battle to become the most popular series in recent times. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has been taking over the shoujo anime scene since it started airing in 2023. With Season 2 set to return in January 2026, its popularity only seems to rise each day.

Maomao and Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries | Credits: Toho Animation

However, there is another anime that started airing around the same time that has started dominating the charts as well. That is, of course, The Apothecary Diaries.

Natsu Hyuga’s masterful blend of multiple genres with a cast of dynamic characters to back it up got a praiseworthy adaptation that captivates the audience from the start. However, there are a few things that make Hyuga’s story unique enough to keep the fans hooked once they step into its world.

The Apothecary Diaries is beating Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End...

A well-done Shonen anime is bound to become a hit with a good studio and a decent storyline. However, this kind of success usually does not come easily to any other genre, specifically something that deals with romance.

Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

Thankfully, I am seeing a change in the tide with The Apothecary Diaries season 2, which is holding its fame despite being released alongside Shonen giants like Solo Leveling and Sakamoto Days. Its fame is rising every week with each episode, and it is attracting viewers who might not be predominantly interested in romance shows.

So, what is the secret behind The Apothecary Diaries’s unprecedented success? It is not just a great representation of its genre but the whole package that keeps the audience hooked till the end.

Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries is a female protagonist done right

The anime scene is...

The Apothecary Diaries is quickly taking over the shoujo anime scene, and for good reason. From masterful storytelling and mesmerizing art style to dynamic characters, the series has it all. The tactful, yet unflinching way the series handles sensitive themes is also a huge reason behind its overwhelming success.

Maomao and Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries | Credits: Toho Animation

Not to mention the budding romance between protagonist Maomao and Jinshi also draws fans to the show like moths to a flame. However, the days of bliss might not last long in the bleak world of The Apothecary Diaries.

In fact, there is a chance that the very thing Jinshi has been painstakingly working towards might slip further away from his reach if things progress the same way they have been up until now.

Jinshi’s plans might get delayed if things progress as they have so far in The Apothecary Diaries...

The Apothecary Diaries is not marketed as a love story but rather as a historical and mystery anime for a reason. The main focus of the show is not on its romance but on the very engaging storyline with its set of complex characters.

Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

However, there is some romance here, and it is frustratingly slow. The most favored couple barely have any romantic moments, and even if they do get some, it is very subtle.

But, ironically, this is the fact that actually makes this anime so good and the pair of Jinshi and Maomao so shippable. Not once do you question the authenticity of their feelings, giving them a realistic air that is missing among other anime couples.

The romance is not glaringly obvious in The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries thrives on a number of themes apart from romance,...

Jinshi has a complicated family history, especially when his brother is actually his biological father. The person he’s raised to believe as his father is a disgusting man. He never grew up with the love and care a child deserves. However, it doesn’t mean Jinshi isn’t loved in The Apothecary Diaries.

Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries. [Credit: Toho]

Being royalty might seem privileged but their upbringing is incredibly controlled. Jinshi is the perfect example of this. They’ve made him pretend to be someone he isn’t and his choices are limited. He didn’t get a chance to grow up with loving parents. Gaoshun, however, took on this role for him.

In the current timeline of The Apothecary Diaries, Jinshi might get on Maomao’s nerves but Gaoshun has to deal with the brunt of it. He often has to deal with how dramatic the boy can get,...

The Apothecary Diariesanime has shattered expectations since its premiere back in 2023. Since then, the anime has garnered universal praise and critical acclaim for its exciting premise and beautiful animation. However, Season 2 of The Apothecary Diaries has all but floundered, and the plot has taken a nosedive as a result. The anime has several areas where it thrives, but due to several key choices, the story and its characters ultimately fail to live up to fans' expectations.

Despite the issues of the anime, The Apothecary Diaries has become one of the most popular series of the season. But, can the anime keep the hype as it struggles to find itself now that the initial honeymoon phase of the premise has worn off? Maomao is the Rear Palace's apothecary, detective, and problem-solver. Give her any hat and she can do the job. But, in making Maomao an expert at everything, the anime...

The Crunchyroll Spring 2025 anime season begins this April! The streaming service will bring more than 30 new, returning, and continuing series to audiences around the world.

A prequel set five years before the main series story, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes will bring fans a fresh new look at the superhero world they know and love starting on April 7.

Working to uncover the world’s greatest secret, Company 8 will face their biggest challenges yet as Fire Force Season 3 embarks to bring the incredible action-packed series to its conclusion with Part 1 of its two-part finale arriving on April 4.

Utilizing an astonishing blend of 2D and 3D animation, To Be Hero X is the hot new original series from Link Click creator Haolin. The visual spectacle begins streaming on April 5.

Picking up where the first season left off, Wind Breaker Season 2 gets right into action as Sakura and his new friends he made...

The Spring 2025 anime season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with a massive lineup of new and returning series hitting Crunchyroll. From action-packed sequels to highly anticipated adaptations, fans have plenty to look forward to. This season promises something for everyone, whether they enjoy heart-pounding shōnen battles, supernatural mysteries, or even classic literary adaptations. With over 30 shows slated to air, Crunchyroll is the place to be for anime fans this spring.

Among the most anticipated releases are Fire Force season 3, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Wind Breaker season 2, and The Beginning After the End. Alongside these major titles, viewers can expect unique new series like To Be Hero X and Witch Watch, as well as the return of fan-favorite shows such as The Apothecary Diaries and One Piece’s Egghead Arc. With so many big names and fresh stories debuting, Spring 2025 is bound to be a standout anime season.

Maomao’s nonchalant personality in The Apothecary Diaries is almost shocking when one considers her childhood and past experiences. She doesn’t dwell on her feelings for too long and continues to pursue her passion, helping numerous people in the process. She isn’t interested in the matters of the heart or most human relationships in general, and her avoidance is shaped by her tragic experiences.

Lakan and Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries | Credits: Toho Animation and Studio Olm

Maomao can also go a bit overboard with certain matters, a trait she has inherited from her biological father, Lakan. Her relationship with Lakan has always been rocky, but she shares some of her best and worst qualities with him. Even though Maomao herself would disagree, she’s extremely similar to the man she intenty dislikes.

Maomao’s intense feelings towards Lakan in The Apothecary Diaries Lakan helps Maomao | Credits: Toho...

In The Apothecary Diaries, the lives of Maomao and Jinshi are entirely intertwined, not through mere coincidence but because of family histories. At first, it will look like they just bumped into each other by chance, but if you read a bit into their family histories, it’s clear their relationship was more or less fate-bound.

Jinshi and Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries. | Credit: Toho Animation

Jinshi, born as the crown prince, and Maomao, the daughter of the La clan, were already linked through the intricate web of palace politics and personal decisions that shaped their world. Lakan’s exile, his desperate attempts to redeem Fengxian, and the expulsion of Luomen for his perceived failures were all part of the process of how Maomao and Jinshi finally came to meet.

The intertwined fates of Jinshi and Maomao’s parents in The Apothecary Diaries

In The Apothecary Diaries, Jinshi and Maomao...

Now in its second season, The Apothecary Diariesanime is still a hit with fans of the light novel and manga series that inspired it. The story takes place in the Inner Palace of the Li Empire, a fictionalized setting inspired by elements of Imperial China's Tang and Ming Dynasties. With deuteragonists Maomao and Jinshi sharing the anime's spotlight, fans keep coming back to see the bond between them grow, but they aren't the only characters who win fans' attention.

As the anime progresses, characters introduced in Season 1 become more significant as the series develops, and new characters introduced in Season 2 quickly find their way into fans' hearts. Whether presented as a victim or a villain, development on character backstories reveal complex motivations behind their actions, with even the most simple-seeming characters having nuance. The best part of the series is how it explores the lives of many women in and out of the Imperial Court,...

Every good mystery needs a good detective at the center to solve the case, someone who will tie the loose ends together as they lead the audience along on their own investigation. After all, a truly good mystery leaves room for the viewer to try and draw their own conclusions. But they also can keep enough obfuscated to make sure that attention to every little detail is being given. Anime is a perfect place for detectives of all shapes and sizes to make their mark on the minds of the people who fall for them.

But what makes a detective great? Is it their observational skills? Their intelligence? Is it a certain je ne sais quios that can't be named? There are a lot of answers to those questions, and a good detective will cut right to the truth to make it known to everyone around them. There's an art to being a detective,...

Natsu Hyuga’s The Apothecary Diaries is one of the most popular anime series of recent years. While the dynamic characters, be it the protagonist Maomao, Jinshi, or the rest of the reappearing cast are a key reason behind the show’s success, the main draw, of course, is its storyline.

Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 | Credits: Toho Animation

The subtle, simplistic narrative captivates the audience from the start and makes even the darker themes the show regularly delves into bearable to watch.

Interestingly, though, the show’s subtle storytelling also gives it an advantage over many of the bigger names in the anime industry that have been making the rounds for a while. Moreover, it might also help the series to finally break a curse that has hounded the manga scene for a long time.

The Apothecary Diaries has figured out a terrific way to break the curse...

The popularity of The Apothecary Diaries is not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. It is already being hailed as one of the best anime of this season, even though it has more than half the number of episodes yet to be released.

Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

Usually, a show gets adapted from a manga, but here, the case is different. The novel The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuuga gets adapted into the manga, and then that manga adaptation is used to create the anime.

This is why the production of the anime and its animation quality is heavily reliant on the manga by Nekokurage. However, now that season 2 is catching up to the manga chapters, the production of season 3 might suffer because of this unique adaptation process.

The challenge of adapting without a manga blueprint

The manga is currently depicting the segment of Maomao getting kidnapped by Suirei.

Anime has a long history of portraying female characters with exaggerated facial expressions. This is usually seen in light-hearted anime with scope for character development in female characters.

Natsu Hyuga warns fans about upcoming episode | Credit: Toho Animation

There are usually two types of expressions for female characters: the exaggerated ones, where they are happy, angry, embarrassed, or sad (drawing circles in the sand in a corner). The other is a serious expression which means that the tone of the scene is not going to be lighthearted or comedic anymore.

For a very long time, this has been the trend, unlike the male characters who have individual personas and have different sets of expressions, the female anime characters seem to have their expressions set in stone. Apothecary Diaries has subverted this sexist trope to emphasize Maomao’s expressions.

How The Apothecary Diaries subverts the trope

The anger that the female...

This article contains discussion of sensitive subject matters. Reader discretion is advised.

As The Apothecary Diariesanime draws close to the Season 2 Part 1 hiatus, it's hard not to look back on how this season has explored some of society's most uncomfortable and controversial topics with subtlety and grace. Set in a fictional kingdom inspired by a merging of ideals from China's Tang and Ming Dynasties, the time periods The Apothecary Diaries draws from were rife with social issues like classism, oppression, and misogyny. Handling these topics tastefully in a faux-historical anime world setting is no easy task, and even when the series does so well, it can still be uncomfortable for viewers.

The Apothecary Diaries leans into the discomfort with one of the most controversial topics of all: pedophilia, and it does this without washing over or glorifying its existence.The series is every bit the fantasy it's meant to portray,...

As the newest generation of anime has made it to screens, several stand out among the rest. They have shown audiences timeless stories of heroic feats and epic romances. There have been plenty of harrowing journeys and sweet, ordinary moments. No matter what is happening, these anime have proven to be some of the best in recent memory.

The best new-gen anime that will stand the test of time are engaging from the start. They grip audiences with their exuberant characters and compelling stories. The lessons learned in these anime not only help audiences now in their real lives, but could help generations to come. Even if they’ve only been out for a year or two, viewers can already tell that some anime have what it takes to stand the test of time and become great classics someday.

The Apothecary Diaries' Timeless Story Appeals to Casual & Dedicated Anime Fans...

Anime viewers completely understand that there are times when a show releases an episode that’s best watched alone otherwise an innocent family viewing session could turn into an awkward experience. The Apothecary Diaries is set to release one of those episodes, and even its creator, Natsu Hyuga, is bracing herself for the cringe headed her way.

Maomao and Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries. | Credits: Toho Animation

So, Hyuga simply hopped on X (formerly Twitter) to alert fans of an upcoming scene in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, Episode 11. But, like, what’s so awkward about this scene, and why should we even care? Let’s get into it.

The ‘Frog Episode’ of The Apothecary Diaries: The episode that has fans (and the author) blushing

For those unfamiliar with the upcoming episode’s infamous moment, it takes place in Volume 3 of the original The Apothecary Diaries light novel. In this scene,...

The second season of Natsu Hyuga’s The Apothecary Diaries has received a great reception from friends, and with just ten episodes under its belt, the season is already gaining more popularity than the first season. However, the most anticipated episode of the series is yet to come, which features the widely popular frog scene.

Natsu Hyuga’s The Apothecary Diaries | Credit: Toho

While anime fans won’t know this, manga and light novel fans understand the significance of the scene and how it changes Maomao and Jinshi’s relationship in The Apothecary Diaries. Thus, it is justified that Toho goes above and beyond in adapting the popular frog scene and making it the highlight of the second season of the series.

But what fans don’t realize is that Toho has a separate reason for going overboard with the upcoming episode. The scene features their favorite character from The Apothecary Diaries,...

A glimpse at upcoming UK DVD and Blu-ray release dates well into 2025: here’s what’s coming to disc and when.

Here, then, are a few of the upcoming dates for new movies on DVD and Blu-ray that may not yet have been officially announced. Note that all dates are for the UK.

Also: We’ve started adding affiliate links. If you click on those, we benefit, and can spend more money paying more people to write more things for this website. No pressure, just hugely obliged.

Obviously in the current climate everything is subject to change, of course…

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First Time On UK Blu-ray: No Way Out (Film Stories Blu-ray #2)

First Time On UK Blu-ray: Bull Durham (Film Stories Blu-ray #3)

Scroll to the bottom of the this list for more releases over the last few weeks.

Last two weeks

10th March: Father Brown series 12

10th March: St...

From the very first episode of The Apothecary Diaries' anime, the series has gone out of its way to put impossible barriers in front of the romance between main protagonists, Maomao and Jinshi. From Jinshi's impossible status as a Eunuch to Maomao's lowly station, theirs is a romance that was meant to rail against itself from the start. Jinshi's romantic fascination with Maomao is problematic every step of the way for several reasons, the bulk of which Jinshi couldn't care less about, and with more truths being unearthed in every episode, it only complicates things more.

Now 10 episodes into Season 2, Jinshi's obsession with her has only grown, and The Apothecary Diaries fans can't deny that there's a side of Maomao that's definitely coming around, albeit slowly. The series toes the delicate will-they/won't they balance at a snail's pace. It's frustrating for eager fans who want to see their ship...

Fans eagerly anticipating the anime adaptation of the ‘frog’ scene from The Apothecary Diaries may not be the only ones feeling a bit flustered. Natsu Hyuuga, the author of the original light novel series, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her own humorous apprehension about the scene in the upcoming episode 11 of season 2.

According to Hyuuga, season 2 episode 11 is anticipated to be particularly awkward to watch with family – and it will be even more awkward for her as her close relatives will be live streaming the episode.

“There’s talk about how the upcoming anime Apothecary Diaries will be awkward to watch with family, but what’s more awkward is me having my close relatives watching it in real-time,” Hyuuga’s post read on X.

今後のアニメ薬屋、家族で気まずいという話が出てるけど、何より気まずいのは身内親族にリアタイされてる私だよ。

— 日向夏...

We’re in the third month of 2025 and the year is flying on by. That also means we are nearing the end of the winter season, so it’s time to check out what openings you all thought were the cream of the crop. After tallying up all the votes, we’ve narrowed our list down to the top five. Let’s see which OPs made the cut and which one reigned supreme over them all. #5: Honey Lemon Soda - "Magic Hour" by &Team 6 percent We get a catchy opening to kick off our list that sometimes takes the series’ namesake very literally within the animation. You’ll be thinking about wanting to drink a lemon soda after seeing this. Not only is the song fun, but the animation does a good job showcasing not only the connection between Uka and Kai, but how Uka will grow throughout as...

The Apothecary Diaries is taking over the anime world and rightfully so. The mesmerizing art style, whimsical storytelling, and clever plot weaving elevate the show into one of the best anime in recent years.

Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 | Credits: Toho Animation

While the main character Maomao and her intriguing narration are a key reason behind the show’s success, special mention needs to be given to the show’s pacing. Especially since even what seems to be the filler episodes play a huge part in the overall storyline.

If anything, the series cements the fact that you should never skip the filler episodes if you truly want to stay up to date on every intricate detail in The Apothecary Diaries.

The Apothecary Diaries proves you should never skip the filler episodes

As stated above, one of the main draws for The Apothecary Diaries is the clever way it...

Crunchyroll has long been criticized for its subtitles. The anime streaming hegemon has a massive collection of series, but the subtitles in them were often labeled as inaccurate, poorly timed, or just felt off.

Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho]

Fans have long turned to authentic platforms to stream anime and support the creators, but when they saw the horrible subtitles, they were disappointed and voiced their frustration.

The delay ruined the scenes and the emotional impact; the low-grade translations did not help either, all in all, instead of watching the anime like they wanted to, the fans had to keep staring at the bottom of the screen to make sense of the story.

Crunchyroll is elevating the anime experience

Crunchyroll has long faced this problem and it seemed like they implemented a few steps that solved it, and the fans were happy again. But with Shangri-La Frontier and The Apothecary Diaries,...

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 10.

Might I just put this out there, I haven’t seen a single bad episode of The Apothecary Diaries. I had honestly convinced myself that this episode would be underwhelming because it was preceded by a much bigger storyline and is succeeded by what could be defined as the most anticipated episode of season 2. So, needless to say, I had little to no expectations for this episode.

Shisui | Credit: Toho Animation, Olm

There is no question nor debate any longer about how well the series executes its darker themes in unusual ways. Sometimes, it could be direct, while on other occasions, it could be so subtle that one would easily miss it. This season, in particular, doesn’t just make use of Maomao as a strong protagonist but also as an observer and a narrator. The stories flow...

One of the main reasons why The Apothecary Diaries is such a massive hit within the anime industry is because of its protagonist, Maomao. Her character development in The Apothecary Diaries is quite unique, and she manages to portray herself as the ideal Seinen protagonist who is carrying the pressure of the entire story on their shoulder.

Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries’ Protagonist | Credit: Toho

Even though Maomao is unquestionably the ideal main character for The Apothecary Diaries, she is unable to avoid the one characteristic that has an unfavorable effect on the character development of almost every single anime protagonist within the industry. This trait is the plot armor that creators generally use to protect their main character from an unavoidable situation.

The Apothecary Diaries might not outright portray the plot armor, but there are some significant elements within the story that make it quite obvious. The biggest one in...

The anime industry is no stranger to long production cycles, but when those delays fall on super hyped-up sequels, it really gets fans riled up. That’s precisely what’s going on with One Punch Man Season 3. After over six years of waiting, this fantastic action-comedy show is finally returning, but the hype over its first trailer has been rather hit or miss.

One Punch Man Season 3 is set to premiere in October after 6 years of wait. | Credit: J.C. Staff

And, to make matters worse, Dandadan Season 2 recently received a July 2025 release date, which just makes it all the more difficult for One Punch Man fans who have had to endure a bumpy production ride for their favorite show.

The rocky road of One Punch Man

When One Punch Man was first released in 2015 under Madhouse, it was a huge hit. The crisp, high-octane animation, precise fight choreography,...

From the moment Jinshi was introduced in The Apothecary Diaries in season one, everyone understood how important his character was going to be. At first, we thought that he was just an enigmatic eunuch, but only later realized how wrong we were.

Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

Not only is he linked to the royal family, but he has a legitimate right to the throne. This completely changes the entire scenario and sheds light on the very complex and complicated family tree of the royal family in The Apothecary Diaries.

However, Jinshi’s case is the least intricate one, as there are way more hidden facts that are still not disclosed in the anime.

Jinshi’s immediate family in The Apothecary Diaries Lady Anshi from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

Let us trace the royal family from the time of the Empress Regnant, whose actions essentially kickstarted the events of The Apothecary Diaries.

[Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of Sa]

The Apothecary Diaries has well-written female characters, and Anshi is one such example. She was the Empress Dowager, but that did not exempt her from being used as a pawn by the court. The nobles left no stone unturned in their mistreatment of young girls, and she was one of them, but that is not all.

Lady Anshi in a still from The Apothecary Diaries | Credits: Toho Animation

Her story is indeed a gut-wrenching tale of powerplay and vices of nobles and her own family. But her swapping her baby with Jinshi was valid for this key reason that ties in well with the most disturbing details in the series. It also boils down to the sensible and sensitive portrayal of these dark themes.

Anshi’s baby swapping had a valid reason

Lady Anshi, also known as, The Empress Dowager, is one of the side characters who plays a pivotal role in the series.

It's all about giving back on White Day in Japan, so the esteemed Jinshi is offering a piece of (eye) candy in the latest holiday visual from The Apothecary Diaries anime's official X (formerly Twitter) account. The Apothecary Diaries White Day Visual Related: The Apothecary Diaries Anime Unveils Wintersweet Seasonal Visual Based on the light novels by Natsu Hyuuga and Touko Shino, The Apothecary Diaries is directed by Norihiko Naganuma ( The Ancient Magus' Bride ), who also serves as series composer, and assistant-directed by Akinori Fudesaka ( Tsuredure Children ) at Toho animation Studio and Olm. Crunchyroll streams the historical drama anime and describes the story: Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she’s sold as a lowly servant to the emperor’s palace. But she wasn’t meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure!

The Apothecary Diaries just keeps getting better and better! Episode 9 of Season 2 did it again, reminding us why this series has stolen our hearts to begin with. Especially, that epic scene where Maomao uncovers the former emperor’s painting was simply mindblowing.

The previous Emperor’s paintings | Credits: Toho Animation

The way Maomao’s investigation led her to the remnants of his painting supplies and that wallpaper-reveal, both were insanely well executed. But are you sure there was only one painting, or is there more to the story? It seems unlikely that the former emperor would go to such great lengths to hide just one, so, what else might be lurking in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered?

How the previous emperor got into painting and why did even try to hide it? Who hurt our precious kid Jinshi | Credits: Toho Animation

No one apparently beats Maomao when it comes to her problem-solving skills,...

The Apothecary Diaries season 2 welcomes a trio of new characters: the newest ladies-in-waiting at the Jade Pavilion! And while these sisters may be identical in nearly every way, each has her own distinct voice. Joining the cast in the upcoming March 14 episode will be: Haku-u voiced by Satomi Sato (Mizuki Shibata in The Irregular at Magic High School ) Koku-u voiced by Hitomi Ueda (Gold Ship in Umamusume: Pretty Derby ) Seki-u voiced by Miku Ito (Miku Nakano in The Quintessential Quintuplets ) Haku-u / Satomi Sato Koku-u / Hitomi Ueda Seki-u / Miku Ito Related: Dai Hirai Releases The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Ending Song Anime Music Video The first season of the TV anime adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries aired for 24 episodes from October 2023 to March 2024. The second season premiered in Japan on January 10, 2025, and is simulcast on Crunchyroll for members in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and Cis.

Wrapped up in beautiful animation and having an overall light-hearted feel to it, The Apothecary Diaries offers gut-wrenching storylines to fans by surprise. There are many aspects of the anime that are dark and feel uncomfortable to sit through. However, there are also plotlines that might not be as dark, but are definitely too sad and sob-worthy. Fengxian’s character arc fits the latter description.

Fengxian, Maomao’s mother in The Apothecary Diaries | Credits: Studio Olm and Toho animation

Her beauty and pride were her defining traits, but they led her to the path of ruin to some extent. Maomao’s childhood was sabotaged by Fengxian, but her tragic life still evokes immense sadness. She deserved much better than what she got and what’s worse is that ‘this better’ might have been within her reach at multiple points.

Fengxian and her devotion to Lakan in The Apothecary Diaries

For Maomao,...

s we step into April 2025, get ready for an exciting lineup of new movies, binge-worthy series, and even games heading to your screen. Whether you’re craving high-octane action, heartfelt drama, or thrilling new originals, this month’s slate has something for everyone.

We’ll be updating this list throughout March and April as more titles are announced, so be sure to check back often. Plus, keep an eye out for Netflix’s official release roundup, typically dropping on the last Wednesday of the month. And don’t forget—while new favorites are arriving, some beloved titles will also be making their exit, so plan your watchlist accordingly!

Related: Netflix to Adapt Stephen King’s Classic Thriller “Cujo” into a New Film April 1st Coming to Netflix in April 2025: Alpha (2018) – A prehistoric survival adventure following a young hunter and his bond with a lone wolf. Draft Day (2014) – A sports...

The second season of Solo Levelingfeatures some of the anime's most disliked episodes yet, according to user data on Crunchyroll -- the most for any episode since Season 1. Episodes 21 and 22, titled "It Was All Worth It" and "We Need a Hero," respectively, have attracted several thousand dislikes each on the streaming platform.

While Episodes 21 and 22 still have six-digit numbers of likes to balance things out, the number of dislikes is notable, as Crunchyroll typically attracts dislikes in only the double or triple digits. As of writing, Episode 21 has roughly 2,800 dislikes and Episode 22 has 3,300 dislikes. In contrast, Episode 20, "Looking Up Was Tiring Me Out," has a scant 48 dislikes on Crunchyroll, while Episode 19 has a similarly low dislike count at 55. The four-digit dislike counts for Episodes 21 and 22 are among the highest since Episode 7.5 in Season 1, with Episode 7.5, "How to Get Stronger," having an incredible 81,700 dislikes, easily outweighing its roughly 61,100 likes.

Crunchyroll Viewers...

The Emperor is one of the most magnetic characters in The Apothecary Diaries. Not only because of who he is in relation to Jinshi, but because he is basically the most powerful person in the country.

The Emperor from The Apothecary Diaries | Credits: Toho Animation

What made things even more intriguing was just how little the show divulged about the character up until now. To be fair, fans can still only glean vague glimpses of his personality even after the second season, going full throttle at the time.

Thankfully, though, the recent episodes have started revealing small details about not only how the Emperor is as a person but also the dynamic he shares with Jinshi. Interestingly, though, after the latest episode, many fans seem to be wondering if his nonchalant personality is due to his past trauma related to his father’s sins.

Is the Emperor’s nonchalant attitude...

When it comes to well-done shojo anime, The Apothecary Diaries takes the cake. Mystery, romance, drama, you name it and it has got it. It is anything but a cliché series, especially with its well-crafted plot and themes. Toho Animation did a great job with the series, but it may have been overlooked for the most part.

Jinshi in a still from The Apothecary Diaries anime | Credit: Toho Animation

This is true for the series winning the best character design award, which had most fans divided. While some praised it, there was a consensus that the series deserved better and rightly so, it does. It all boils down to the series’ brilliance which must not be overlooked at all costs.

Best character design or an unsatisfactory win?

There’s mystery, suspense and drama blended perfectly in Natsu Hyuga’s series. What adds more pizzazz to it are the visuals that...

With the Winter 2025 anime season drawing to a close, streaming sites across the web are preparing for a fresh wave of animated hits from Japan. Recently, Netflix announced what shows are slated to debut starting next month.

Netflix started off the year strong with a round of new and returning anime hits, including Sakamoto Days, My Happy Marriage Season 2 and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. According to What's on Netflix, Madhouse's upcoming adaptation for Capcom's Devil May Cry video game series will premiere on April 3. Moonrise, a new science-fiction series produced by Wit Studio (Spy x Family) will also become available starting April 10. Additionally, Season 1 of the hit drama series The Apothecary Diaries (2023) will launch on the site, alongside Part 2 of Pokémon Horizons: The Search for Laqua.

The Biggest New & Returning Anime of Spring 2025 on Netflix Image via Studio Mir, Netflix

Billed as a Netflix exclusive, Devil May Cry...

You know how anime shows are picky about where they cut off a season? They need to keep us interested without leaving us too hanging. Well, it appears Dandadan sort of failed at that with its first season, and quite frankly, it’s really difficult to see beyond that failure.

Momo and Jiji from Dandadan Season 1. | Credit: Science Saru

Instead of concluding with a good conclusion or even a nice cliffhanger, the season just stops right when everything is getting intense, Momo’s ready to get attacked by the hot spring men, and they’ve finally found the sealed room, and then, it just ends. This type of ending is so annoying; it completely breaks up the story flow and leaves everyone hanging at the worst moment.

Dandadan Season 1 anime ending: A fumble that could have been avoided

Recently the official launch of Dandadan Season 2 was announced, which is scheduled...

Maomao is an introverted character who has always hated becoming the center of attention. She is so averse to others’ favor that she even deliberately tries to avoid Jinshi at times.

Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

However, one cannot deny that she has slowly but surely become more famous in the inner court. Whether she is helping the court ladies out with medicines or Jinshi is asking her about a mystery, she is the one who is assisting them all.

But drawing too much attention to herself is not the right call in a place marred by internal politics. Here, everyone is hungry for power. And to that end, they can even target the king. So, can Maomao also be the prey?

Risks of gaining popularity in the Royal Court Lady Anshi from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

The Apothecary Diaries talks about a time when only the...

The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) is a fascinating historical mystery series that has won the hearts of many fans across different mediums: light novels, manga, and now anime. The series has a combination of intrigue, court politics, and medical knowledge, making it a compelling read.

Gaoshun and Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries. | Credit: Toho Animation

Its protagonist, Maomao, is an intelligent and sharp-witted young woman whose keen observational skills lead her to uncover the inner workings of the imperial palace. However, despite all its strengths, there is one undeniable flaw that makes the story hard to follow. Its excessive use of subtle and sometimes ambiguous storytelling leaves even dedicated fans struggling to piece together the dots of significant plot twists.

The challenge of following The Apothecary Diaries

Perhaps the most confusing and controversial plot twist in The Apothecary Diaries series is Gaoshun’s story about two twin sisters’ history,...

The Apothecary Diaries is a unique anime because of the way it accurately depicts the happenings of ancient times. With an uncanny precision, it delivers into the core of the dark realities of court politics and power dynamics in the palace.

Empress Dowager | Credit: Toho Animation

For instance, when we watch the series and the conduct of the previous Emperor is found to be despicable and repulsive, with child marriage being prevalent, it is not just him that is the threat or the evil.

In fact, the story reveals that the true danger wasn’t just the Emperor for his horrible preferences but the entire system of nobility that enabled such practices.

The true villains in the Empress Dowager’s story

It is not just in Empress Dowager’s (Anshi’s) generation that women have been treated as tools to gain power for noble families. The purpose was to send...

The hype around The Apothecary Diaries was almost slowing down by the time I decided to check it out. Long after the first season concluded. Honestly, it was every bit as breathtaking as the fans raved about. However, there was this niggling feeling at the back of my head that I couldn’t get out of my head.

Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries | Credits: Toho Animation

That was, unlike other anime series, I couldn’t quite make anything out of the new characters or situations the show introduced initially. As more time passed, I realized that it wasn’t quite that I couldn’t analyze the other characters, but it was Maomao that confused me.

Since the show is depicted almost entirely from her perspective, I was getting a first-hand seat to her headspace. Which, honestly, only confused me further because she’s one of the most unreliable narrators ever.

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 9.

This episode of The Apothecary Diaries was filled with so much information that it was honestly difficult to absorb all of it. I had to take a second and just take in the entire backstory of the previous emperor. I cannot hide just how much I despise that man despite how many attempts the episode made to show that he held compassion regardless. What infuriated me even more was the way they tried to fade the p*dophile into Jinshi.

Lady Anshi and the previous emperor| Credit: Toho Animation

The most loveable male character I’ve encountered is nothing like his predator grandfather, and no one can change my mind. His fear of women stems from the previous empress dowager and how she treated him, dragging him around and mistreating him. However, that doesn’t necessarily justify his actions.

With the recent release of episode 9 of The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, many discussions are coming to life regarding the controversial yet profound elements we got to see. Finally, the past of the previous emperor and the current empress dowager was explored, and their secrets were revealed.

Previous emperor from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

The heinous acts that the emperor did were absolutely unacceptable, even though he might have been a victim himself. However, what was more unseemly was the fact that Jinshi was likened to him.

A physical resemblance to a blood relative does not mean they are the same. Jinshi is absolutely the opposite of the previous emperor, and I can not accept that we have to witness such a comparison.

Physical similarity does not mean two people are the same Lady Anshi and the previous emperor from The Apothecary Diaries [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

Jinshi and the previous emperor definitely share physical traits,...

The influence of the internet on our minds has come really far. The formula is relatively simple. It takes one post to make it go viral and suddenly millions of people are talking about it. For memes, it’s the reliability and reusability that makes them so popular.

Memes have become a daily part of our lives. Almost every day, I find myself referencing a bunch of memes for the most mundane things. It’s also infiltrating into other forms of media. Advertisements utilize memes to approach a broader audience, so why not manga?

A meme from The Brave of Sun Fighbird. [Credit: Sunrise]

Manga and anime too have created a lot of popular memes. An anime as obscure as The Brave of Sun Fighbird has generated one of the most non-sensical yet relatable memes.

You know a meme is popular when it somehow worms its way into a manga or anime.

For several reasons, it was already pretty obvious that Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End would take the crown as Anime of the Year for 2024. From Anime Trending now to countless other “best of” lists that will soon be announced, one can expect Frieren’s name to be consistently at the top.

Frieren being trapped by a mimic | Credit: Madhouse

Although series like Dandadan and The Apothecary Diaries did put up a good fight, Frieren’s victory was never really in doubt. In fact, there are many reasons to back the claim, if you start exploring all the animation and technical aspects. Also, it earned the reputation as the Dark Horse of 2024’s anime lineup, and the reason behind it might shock you even more!

Frieren Becomes Anime of the Year at Anime Trending Awards 2025 Aura the Guillotine in a still from the anime | Credit: Madhouse

There was literally little to no...

Japanese singer-songwriter Dai Hirai has posted a music video for "Shiawase no Recipe" ("The Recipe of Happiness"), the ending theme song for for the ongoing The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 TV anime, on Toho animation's official YouTube channel . The video depicts the relationship between the protagonist, Maomao, and the enigmatic and beautiful eunuch, Jinshi, from the latter's point of view, and is composed of scenes from the anime story that the two have spent time together. Dai Hirai "Shiawase no Recipe" Anime Music Video The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Creditless Ending Video As Hirai's first theme song work for a TV anime series, "Shiawase no Recipe" released digitally on January 10, 2025, ranking #17 on Oricon's weekly digital single charts on its first week. Digital single jaket Dai Hirai artist photo Related: Lilas Ikuta Shares The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Anime Opening Song Music Video The first season of the TV anime adaptation of...