Natsu Hyūga’s acclaimed light novel, The Apothecary Diariesdebuted on August 29th, 2014, and has completely redefined the Seinen demographic since then. Drawing reference from the Tang Dynasty of Imperial China, the author introduces the story in such an unconventional way that you can’t help but get hooked on the story from the beginning. Three years after the novel’s debut, the series released its manga in 2017 and an anime adaptation in 2023, further enhancing the popularity of the franchise. Over the years, The Apothecary Diaries has proven to be more than a standard historical Seinen as the story focuses on Maomao, a genius apothecary with deep knowledge of medicine and poisons, and a knack for solving mysteries.
After being kidnapped and sold to the Rear Palace as a servant, she becomes entangled with Jinshi, a high-ranking eunuch in charge of the Rear Palace, where all the concubines reside. Although she initially tries to hide her abilities, she slips up and catches Jinshi’s eye. With her intellect, Maomao helps him solve all kinds of mysteries, as well as focuses on helping the concubines to the best of her abilities. The novel has released 16 volumes so far, and the story still keeps its initial intrigue despite all these years, as fans continue to anticipate what will happen next.
The Apothecary Diaries Is a Breath of Fresh Air Among Historical Shows
The Seinen demographic is primarily dominated by popular action or darker psychological shows, which is why The Apothecary Diaries stands out among them for exploring medical mysteries in a historical setting. The story continuously shifts between everyday interactions, lighthearted scenes, suspenseful cases, and tragic moments, keeping the intrigue of the series alive. Despite being set in the Royal Palace, the story doesn’t center around the Emperor, but instead the ordinary officials, concubines, servant girls, and courtesans.
The historical setting doesn’t simply serve as a backdrop for the story, but it’s the foundation, as the characters and everything else are molded in such a way that the palace drama and unfolding mysteries could only exist within this specific era. The rigid hierarchy of court life, the power struggle, and the poisoning incidents make the story feel authentic and tied to its time period. Being the protagonist, Maomao is the heart of the show as all the characters somehow end up being connected to her.
She was raised in a high-class brothel before being adopted by Luomen, a genius apothecary. After learning about her circumstances, Jinshi allowed her to visit her home, helping her live a freer life than before. She’s neither proud nor cares about taking credit for her work, but simply does what she believes is right. Raised in a humble home, Maomao dedicates all her energy to work while denying her growing feelings for Jinshi.
The Apothecary Diaries’ Charm Lies in Its Female Cast
In just the two seasons of the anime, we see a brilliant lineup of female characters who leave deep impressions on the viewers. Anime and manga series, regardless of genre, often have several impressive male characters, while the female characters are often sidelined. However, The Apothecary Diaries primarily focuses on the women in the palace or the Verdigris House, no matter how major or minor their roles are. Maomao often draws the similarity between the Rear Palace and the Verdigris House, which also drives the narrative of the show.
Anshi, the Empress Dowager, despite being married to the former Emperor at a young age, shows unbreakable determination to stop his continuous abuse of young girls. Loulan, after being practically sold by her family to become a concubine, rises to the challenge of defying their rebellion and saving the children of the Clan. Many such examples of these powerful characters are shown throughout the story, who don’t have major roles but whose impact on the readers is unparalleled.
The story’s true charm lies in this intricate portrayal of these women who, despite the constraints of their world, find ways to assert themselves, protect their loved ones, and influence outcomes in ways no one expects from them. It’s even more impressive when you consider they live in a strict patriarchal society, but they refuse to give up fighting for themselves and their beliefs.
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