Was Shishou, who Became a Rebel, Only “Playing” the Villain? In His Final Moments, He Remembers the Wife He Loved… “The Apothecary Diaries” Episode 47

The anime “The Apothecary Diaries” Episode 47 began airing sequentially from June 27. With the reason behind the Shi Clan’s uprising finally revealed, many have sympathized with Shishou (CV: Chō), asking, “Did he deliberately take the blame for all the wrongdoing?” and lamenting, “He’s not going to be rewarded for this, Shishou…”

In Episode 47, Jinshi (CV: Takeo Ōtsuka) leads the Imperial Guard to corner Shishou, the rebel. However, faced with an utterly hopeless situation, Shishou’s words and actions make Jinshi internally uneasy, wondering, “What is this? It’s like he’s reciting lines that were prepared in advance…” Immediately after, Shishou is pierced by the soldiers’ swords. In his final moments, he pictures his beloved wife, Shenmei (CV: Rica Fukami), as she once was, and weeps.

The mastermind behind the Shi Clan’s rebellion was Shenmei. Once a consort of the previous emperor, Shenmei harbored deep resentment toward the country and the late emperor that had upended her life. Shishou did not stop his wife’s schemes, but rather, by taking on the role of a rebel, seemed intent on correcting the corruption of his clan and the country.

With Shishou’s true intentions revealed, the internet is abuzz with voices of surprise: “Did he deliberately shoulder all the evil deeds himself?” “He’ll never be rewarded for this… Shishou…” “He planned to play the villain and perish along with the corruption…”