Within a world locked behind secrets and slumber, there lies knowledge which remains unseen by the average human eye…

“The Apothecary Diaries,” originally a manga, has been adapted by the works of TOHO studio animation in order to be serialized on sites Netflix and Crunchyroll. The anime adaptation, released in Japan during the summer of 2023 follows the tale of a young acting healer in ancient China who gets kidnapped and taken to the rear end of the palace. Each episode involves a medical mystery intertwined with a case the apothecary must solve.                                                                                                                             

The “Apothecary Diaries” is a gripping story which often delves into the aspects of themes involving familial dynamics, the price of toxic beauty standards, assault and classism. Throughout the story we see the main character, Maomao, navigate not just the herbal mysteries she is expected to solve but also the fact where she finds her own place within a new environment as somewhat of a servant of the palace using wit, ambition and knowledge.

The hit series has become a global sensation for not only its engaging thriller-like mystery aspect, yet also for how the main character is set apart from the typical storyline. Maomao is consistently shown time and time again to show signs of intelligence with each episode that passes. Additionally, Maomao is consistently shown to have a cynical yet caring nature to her personality, and contrary to what would be considered as that of the typical storyline of a ‘hero’, we are being shown a character who is aloof and cautious as to trying to save her own skin. Maomao, as we see it, has been taken in the palace against her own will-through each mystery which is uncovered, she is also at risk of several trials and tribulations of dangerous court officials, tasting poisons and keeping her head low to avoid being beheaded at the expense of working for the officials of the palace, whether it be from within or outside the palace.

As the audience is guided through the palace along with Maomao, they will become captivated with the ongoing events which are set to unfold within the mysteries itself, how each mystery will become uncovered, and the characters they are introduced to which makes them question-who really is friend or foe? Amongst other taste testers, attendants of the royal concubine and eunuchs, everyone has the potential to be untrustworthy-it is through each poisoned official, each scheming individual that Maomao-with the help of her medical knowledge and allies crack the case.

In such a deceitful world of lies, it is not often that such a character will speak up on issues which are still relevant to this day. In the uncovered mysteries at hand, Maomao has been shown time and time again to stand up to the issues that some women still face to this day. Through a cynic’s lens, we clearly see concubines who have fallen ill and faced death at the hands of such products in an attempt to conform to look more attractive, unwanted attempts and the objectification of the female body. Fans praise The Apothecary Diaries-contrary towards multiple fanserviced characters, Maomao is clearly outstanding, delivering rather the blunt truth through the society and time period she lives in-an experience that many people have the potential to relate to.

In this day and age, through Maomao herself, the experiences that she faces and the world that she interacts with, it’s clear that audiences enjoy the storyline for a wonderful engaging experience that this thriller has to offer as well as the struggles of a detective who feels so authentic and a breath of fresh air, yet holds bits and pieces of every bit involving the snarky, goofy character that she is that makes her so human. 

Hopefully the Apothecary Diaries can not only make others view the storyline, outstanding visuals and soundtrack as something people adore, but also uphold as a core factor that such issues need a call to action towards-it is a vital message that some of the issues which are shown in the storyline are still transcending to the modern time period, and it is evident that these core factors need to change. 

For now, we can thank such authors for the gift of storytelling.