From the first episode of the second season, Mr. Jin shows a love-struck face! The gaze towards the cat implies "Don't you just love her?" and "It's so obvious!" Anime "Apothecary Diaries"

The anime "The Apothecary Diaries" began airing its second season on January 10. In the first episode of season 2, episode 25, there is a scene where Jinshi (voiced by Takeo Ōtsuka) imagines Maomao (voiced by Aoi Yūki) when he hears about the appeal of cats. Viewers quickly took to social media, grinning at the sight of a blushing Jinshi, with comments like "He still loves Maomao, doesn't he?"

In episode 25, titled "Maomao and the Kitten," Maomao returns to her routine as the poison taster for Consort Gyokuyo (voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki) after the spring garden party. While accompanying Gyokuyo's daughter, Princess Rinrei (also voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki), on a walk, Maomao finds a kitten. She ends up taking care of the kitten in place of Princess Rinrei.

When Jinshi comes to see Maomao, he complains, "I don't understand what's so great about cats." Maomao responds, "But according to cat lovers, it's the unpredictability that's appealing." She continues, "Watching them never gets boring, you can't take your eyes off them, and eventually, you want to touch them." Jinshi starts recalling Maomao's past behavior.

As Maomao further explains, "Even though they usually act aloof, they become friendly when you feed them, which is frustrating, but eventually, you just give in," Jinshi blushes while looking at Maomao. Holding up the kitten, Jinshi seems to have an epiphany and murmurs, "I think I get it now..."

Jinshi's obvious thoughts of Maomao stirred up excitement online, with comments like "He's looking at Maomao... I see," "What are you imagining?" "As always, he loves Maomao," "Jinshi, your feelings are so obvious," and "Jinshi, you like cats (Maomao), don't you?"

The anime "The Apothecary Diaries" is based on a light novel by Natsu Hyūga. It has also been adapted into a manga, with the series surpassing 38 million copies in circulation. It's a mystery-solving entertainment series where Maomao, the apothecary's daughter with an obsessive interest in poisons and medicine, and the enigmatic handsome eunuch Jinshi tackle challenging incidents in the palace.

■ Episode 25: "Maomao and the Kitten"

[Synopsis]

The spring garden party concluded successfully, and Maomao returned to her daily life as Consort Gyokuyo's poison taster. Meanwhile, popular novels took the Inner Court by storm, even though they weren't considered refined entertainment, puzzling Maomao. However, there was a strategy behind this trend by Jinshi, the Inner Court's manager. As Maomao accompanied Princess Rinrei on a walk in the spring sunshine, a small unexpected visitor appeared...

(C)日向夏・イマジカインフォス／「薬屋のひとりごと」製作委員会