Maomao's “delusion” sparked a strong reaction online: “If that’s true... things are going to get really intense…,” “If that really is the truth, the real story is even darker and messier than we thought…,” and “Maomao’s wild ideas really send chills down my spine.” Another common reaction was, “There’s so much darkness hidden in the Inner Palace.” It proved to be an especially memorable episode.

The currently-available anime The Apothecary Diaries is based on the light novel of the same name by Hyuganatsu. It has also been adapted into manga form across two monthly magazines, with the series boasting over 40 million copies in total circulation. The TV anime aired for two consecutive cours starting in October 2023. Its gripping mystery surrounding Maomao, who works as a poison tester in the Inner Palace, and her comedic exchanges with Jinshi, have captivated audiences and become a major talking point. Season 2 of the anime is scheduled to air from January 2025.

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

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