Viewers were also charmed by Maomao's cute expression and behavior, commenting, "It's burned into my retinas," "The power of Maomao's 'welcome back'...," and "Honey-cute maid Maomao." Jinshi's flustered state also sparked a huge reaction online, with people saying things like, "Jinshi-sama's emotional instability is too funny," and "Every reaction is adorable."

"The Apothecary Diaries" is an anime adaptation of the light novel of the same name by Hyuganatsu. The series has been turned into manga in two monthly magazines and has exceeded a total circulation of 38 million copies. The TV anime aired for two consecutive cours starting in October 2023, featuring Maomao's detective stories as she works as a food taster in the inner palace, as well as the comedic interactions between Maomao and the handsome eunuch Jinshi, both becoming major topics of interest. The second season has started broadcasting from January 2025.

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

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