Jinshi Is So Shocked by Maomao’s Sudden Change of Mood That He Bangs His Head Against a Pillar: The Real Reason Behind Maomao’s Mysterious Excitement in “The Apothecary Diaries” Is, After All, a Secret Medicine

Maomao (voiced by Aoi Yūki), usually so aloof and “salty,” suddenly beams with a meltingly sweet smile... What on earth happened!? In the anime “The Apothecary Diaries,” Jinshi (voiced by Takeo Ōtsuka), who is rarely on the receiving end of Maomao’s smile, is so shaken that he bangs his head against a pillar.

The protagonist Maomao is generally not interested in others and often behaves in a blunt, unfriendly manner. Even when approached by Jinshi, who is renowned as an exquisitely handsome man, she consistently maintains a cool attitude.

However, when it comes to her interests—such as poison and medicine—Maomao is always all in! In episode 15, she becomes absorbed in thoughts about a type of medicinal mushroom known as Ophiocordyceps sinensis, which is considered a secret remedy. While imagining how she could use it—“Should I make it into a medicinal liqueur, or into pills? Ufufufufufu”—she becomes quite giddy all by herself. It is at this moment that Jinshi appears, prompting Maomao to greet him with an exceptionally bright, sparkling smile and say, “Welcome back!”

This is a complete 180 from her usual demeanor—“like she’s looking at a caterpillar”—and Jinshi is left speechless. He freezes for a few seconds and then starts banging his head against a pillar repeatedly.