[Photos/Images] Episode 24: Did She Finally Shows a Softer Side? The Season Finale of "The Apothecary Diaries" Captures Maomao's Unique Focus on Medicine 1st

Did the cool and collected Maomao (CV: Aoi Yuki) finally show her soft side to Jinshi (CV: Takeo Otsuka) in the final episode!? In the season finale of the anime "The Apothecary Diaries," Maomao's cat-like request left fans both startled and amused, leading to a hilarious twist with reactions like "Really!?" and "Of course!"

Maomao, who used to run an apothecary in the pleasure district, was kidnapped and sold into the imperial harem to work as a maid. Though she often appears lethargic due to her dry personality, she becomes lively and animated when dealing with poisons and medicines, using her extensive knowledge and deep insight to solve problems. Jinshi, the eunuch, highly values Maomao's talents and promoted her to serve as a maid to his favorite concubine. Despite Jinshi's interest in her, Maomao remains indifferent to his looks, which he finds amusing, leading to their playful banter where he teases her, only to be coolly rebuffed.

In the final episode of the anime's first season, episode 24, fans were excited by a moment that seemed to promise a "dere" (affectionate) development between Maomao and Jinshi. After Maomao performed a dance to see off a courtesan being bought out, the wound on her foot reopened. Concerned, Jinshi tried to carry Maomao in a "princess carry" back to the harem. Initially, Maomao resisted, worried about being seen, but then she began, "There's something I've been meaning to say."

Gazing at Jinshi with moist eyes, Maomao continued, "It's something important that I must say." However, the words that came out were, "Please give me Bezoar（Goou)." Jinshi had promised her Gouo, a rare and expensive traditional Chinese medicine, as a reward for some investigative work. True to form, Maomao continued to focus solely on the medicine, leading Jinshi, who was flustered, to give her a headbutt in exasperation.

In the end, Maomao remained true to herself, delighting viewers with reactions like "Really!?" "Of course!" and "Asking for Gouo—classic Maomao!" It was a conclusion that perfectly encapsulated the essence of their relationship, with many viewers commenting, "It was such a fitting finale for the two of them."

"The Apothecary Diaries," based on the light novel series by Hyuganatsu, has also been adapted into manga in two monthly magazines, with over 38 million copies in circulation. The TV anime began airing in October 2023 for two consecutive cours, captivating audiences with Maomao's detective work as a poison tester in the harem and her comedic exchanges with the handsome eunuch, Jinshi. The second season started broadcasting in January 2025.

(C)Hyuganatsu, Imagica Infos/"The Apothecary Diaries"Project

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