When Jinshi calls out to her, saying "You can't do that. You're staying after hours, aren't you? Come with me in silence," even Maomao resigns herself to her fate. Yet, unable to fully hide her rebelliousness, she knocks Jinshi’s hand off her shoulder, and even briskly dusts the spot as if she had touched something filthy—making her irritation unmistakable.

For a mere maid to display such open displeasure toward a eunuch who manages the inner palace—what boldness! It’s no wonder people are stunned by her nerve. Compared to that time, it’s safe to say Maomao now allows herself to be much more open and trusting with Jinshi.

"The Apothecary Diaries" is an anime adaptation of the light novel of the same name by Hyuganatsu. The work has also been adapted into manga in two monthly magazines, with the series surpassing a cumulative total of 40 million copies in print. The TV anime aired in two consecutive cours starting in October 2023, captivating viewers with Maomao’s mystery-solving as a poison-taster in the inner palace and her comical interactions with Jinshi, which became widely popular. The second season of the anime is set to air from January 2025, and in July it was announced that a sequel is in production. Furthermore, at Universal Studios Japan, a limited-time attraction titled "The Apothecary Diaries Mystery Walk Investigate the Mysterious Medicine" is being held until January 4, 2026. With its first online game adaptation also confirmed, the series is rapidly gaining even more popularity.

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

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