The Apothecary Diaries Review
Japanese Title: 薬屋のひとりごと (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto)
Genre: Mystery, Drama, Historical
Episodes: 24
Aired: October 22, 2023 to March 24, 2024
Studio: TOHO Animation, OLM
Source: Light Novel
Plot Summary
Set in a fictional imperial Chinese-style court, The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a clever and curious apothecary who is kidnapped and sold to the inner palace as a servant. While intending to keep a low profile, her vast knowledge of medicine and poisons quickly catches attention when she solves a mysterious illness affecting the emperor’s concubines. From there, Maomao becomes embroiled in the complex web of court politics, subtle conspiracies, and medical mysteries, all while keeping her wit sharp and her curiosity alive.
As her reputation grows, so does her involvement with the enigmatic eunuch Jinshi, whose true role and interest in Maomao remain ambiguous. The series explores the beauty and brutality of palace life through calculated deduction, quiet rebellion, and layers of historical intrigue.
charater
Maomao (猫猫)
A former apothecary from the red-light district, Maomao is intelligent, curious, and unusually obsessed with poisons and medicine. She’s deeply logical and emotionally reserved, often appearing indifferent or blunt. Despite her low social status, her wit and observational skills earn her a key role in solving mysteries inside the palace. She’s not interested in power or romance, but her interactions with Jinshi hint at something more complex.
Japanese VA: Aoi Yūki
English VA: Emi Lo
Jinshi (壬氏)
A high-ranking, stunningly beautiful eunuch who works closely with the Emperor. Although he presents himself as delicate and graceful, Jinshi is cunning, influential, and harbors many secrets. He becomes intrigued by Maomao’s intellect and unpredictability, and their interactions are a mix of subtle manipulation and genuine fascination.
Japanese VA: Takeo Ōtsuka
English VA: Howard Wang
Gyokuyou (玉葉妃)
One of the Emperor’s favored concubines and the one Maomao first serves. Gentle and graceful, Gyokuyou treats Maomao with kindness, which earns the apothecary’s loyalty. She plays a vital role early in the story as Maomao investigates threats to her health and safety.
Japanese VA: Atsumi Tanezaki
English VA: Morgan Lauré
Lihua (梨花 / Lifa)
Another concubine in the rear palace, Lihua is more elegant and politically aware. Though not as prominent as Gyokuyou, she’s involved in early mysteries related to court politics and the Emperor’s children.
Japanese VA: Yui Ishikawa
English VA: Tia Ballard
Gaoshun (高順)
Jinshi’s capable and highly loyal attendant. Quiet and watchful, Gaoshun often acts as Jinshi’s eyes and ears, supporting him from the shadows. He is aware of more than he lets on, especially regarding the power struggles within the court.
Japanese VA: Katsuyuki Konishi
English VA: David Wald
Baisu (梅蘇 / Meisou)
A maid serving in the rear palace who interacts with Maomao during various investigations. Though not as major a character, she provides insight into daily palace life and sometimes offers comic relief or emotional contrast to Maomao’s stoic nature.
Japanese VA: Rie Takahashi
English VA: Natalie Van Sistine
Emperor
The current ruler of the court, rarely seen but whose influence looms over all political and personal dynamics. His decisions often drive the hidden power plays Maomao ends up investigating.
Japanese VA: Tomoyuki Morikawa
English VA: Christopher Wehkamp
Animation & Art Style
Studio: TOHO Animation and OLM
The Apothecary Diaries delivers a visually rich and subtly expressive experience that perfectly matches its historical setting and character-driven mystery narrative. The animation focuses less on fast-paced action and more on atmospheric storytelling, fine visual details, and character expressions.
1. Historical Aesthetic
The anime is set in a fictional imperial Chinese-style court, and the art direction reflects this setting beautifully. The architecture, room layouts, fabrics, and cultural details are inspired by Tang Dynasty-era designs, creating a visually immersive palace world. From folding screens and silk robes to ornate lanterns and carved wooden doors, every background is filled with historical flavor without feeling overly fantastical.
2. Character Design
Character designs are grounded and elegant, avoiding the over-stylized look common in fantasy anime. Maomao’s messy twin buns and plain servant robes contrast with the refined beauty of characters like Jinshi, whose attire is always flawless, reflecting his high status.
Facial expressions are subtle but layered, especially for Maomao, whose calm demeanor often hides her sarcasm, skepticism, or sudden realization. The animation frequently zooms in on characters’ eyes, slight smirks, or tensed fingers, emphasizing thought over action.
3. Color Palette & Lighting
The show employs a muted, refined color palette—warm golds, deep reds, and soft greens—that evoke the elegance and restraint of imperial decor. Color is used symbolically too:
- Jinshi is often bathed in bright, almost divine lighting, reinforcing his ethereal appearance.
- Maomao is associated with earthier tones—grays, browns, greens—reinforcing her grounded nature. Even lighting changes within the palace—like the shift from bright ceremonial scenes to candle-lit corridors—add to the storytelling atmosphere.
4. Visual Symbolism & Composition
The series uses composition and stillness to convey tension. For instance, in scenes where Maomao deduces something, the background often blurs slightly while focusing sharply on small objects or reactions—tea cups, hairpins, skin blotches—guiding the viewer to piece together the clues with her.
There’s also an emphasis on hands and tools—whether it’s Maomao preparing medicine or handling poisoned food—illustrating her deep connection with her craft and reinforcing her intelligence visually.
5. Fluidity & Animation Quality
Though not an action-heavy anime, it maintains high animation consistency. Movements are deliberate and smooth, especially during investigative sequences or dialogue-heavy scenes. The studio doesn’t cut corners when animating crowd scenes in the palace or decorative processions, ensuring a sense of scale and grandeur when needed.
Sound & Music
The Apothecary Diaries crafts its atmosphere not only through visuals and story, but through a well-thought-out sound design and soundtrack that enhances the mood of palace life, mystery, and subtle emotional undercurrents.
1. Opening & Ending Themes
- Opening Theme: “Hana ni Natte” (花になって) by Ryokuoushoku Shakai
A hauntingly beautiful song that opens with soft piano and gradually builds into an emotional crescendo. It perfectly captures the mysterious, introspective tone of the anime. The visuals accompanying the opening show Maomao’s inner world and the layered secrets of the palace—subtle, refined, and foreshadowing the duality of beauty and danger.
- Ending Theme: “Ai wa Kusuri” (愛は薬) by Aimer
Known for her deep, emotive voice, Aimer delivers a melancholic ending song that feels like a sigh at the end of a day. It reflects Maomao’s own attitude toward life: distant, yet deeply affected by the world around her. The instrumentation is minimal—piano, strings, soft percussion—evoking a dreamlike mood.
2. Background Score (OST)
The original soundtrack, composed by Satoru Kousaki (known for Beastars, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song), is a standout component of the anime.
- It blends traditional Chinese instruments (like the guzheng and erhu) with modern orchestral flourishes.
- The use of light percussion and plucked strings gives certain scenes a rhythmic tension, which works well during Maomao’s deduction scenes or political intrigue.
- In softer, more introspective moments, melodies shift to minor keys with layered harmonics, providing emotional depth without becoming melodramatic.
The soundtrack never overwhelms the scene—it always complements the visuals and pacing. Whether it’s a tense discovery or a quiet, lonely monologue, the music adds weight to every emotion.
3. Voice Acting (Japanese & English)
- Aoi Yūki (JP) as Maomao delivers a standout performance, capturing her dry wit, sarcasm, and sudden bursts of emotion with subtle changes in tone. She doesn't overact, staying true to Maomao’s reserved, observant nature.
- Emi Lo (EN) matches that performance with a calm, intelligent delivery that never feels forced. They convey Maomao’s deadpan humor and intellectual sharpness well.
- Takeo Ōtsuka (JP) gives Jinshi a refined, smooth voice with an undercurrent of manipulation—soft but commanding.
- Howard Wang (EN) adds an elegant charm to Jinshi's English voice, with just enough hidden sharpness to hint at the character’s true nature.
Supporting cast members, like Atsumi Tanezaki as Gyokuyou and Katsuyuki Konishi as Gaoshun, add further texture. No character sounds generic—each performance feels deliberate and well-matched to the setting and tone.
Sound Design & Atmosphere
The sound effects are subtle but impactful.
- Footsteps on polished wood.
- The rustling of silk robes.
- The clink of porcelain teacups.
- The sharp snap of Maomao grinding herbs or mixing medicine.
These quiet but precise sounds build an immersive world that makes the palace feel real and alive. The show doesn’t rely on loud effects—it uses delicate audio layering to create tension, elegance, and presence.
Overall Thoughts
The Apothecary Diaries is a rare blend of historical intrigue, character-driven mystery, and subtle emotional depth. It doesn’t rely on dramatic plot twists or explosive action, but instead captivates through clever writing, a unique protagonist, and a richly immersive setting. Maomao is one of the most compelling female leads in recent anime—sharp, strange, and refreshingly uninterested in the usual tropes of romance or power. The palace setting is a character in itself, filled with hidden agendas and quiet dangers, brought to life by elegant visuals and a refined soundscape. This anime rewards patient viewers who appreciate depth over spectacle.
Rating: 9/10
- Story: 9
- Characters: 9
- Animation: 9
- Music: 8.5
- Enjoyment: 9
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