"When a show becomes too hyper-realistic, it's great, but that's where the issue arises in the horizon."
Despite of the humoring and engaging perspective from the monologues as such, it still lacks something...Before I begin to write the premise for this review, here is a question: When you read the title, what would you expect from this show? Was it related to drugs and medicine? If yes, then it's more or less what it means to be the average anime enjoyer. However, if you delve in-deeper into the lore such as reading the manga or even the WN/LN, this most highly anticipated series, once again, let them down. So, what went wrong? After all, such a premise was great to begin with, so as the intrigue promised, which is more or less regarding drugs and medicines. Right, let's talk about this case: The Fall of Maomao. (Before you continue, this will contain a lot of spoilers, but you may skip them if you wish)
Spoiler, click to view
Hm right, first of all, for the anime-only audience, it is important to notice that even with 24 episodes, there were still too many scenes got cut. As an LN reader myself, I still felt it could have been better but here we are, talking about Maomao as the main character herself. The main issue would be her involvement when it comes to background appearance as such. There appears to be the lack of direction when portraying her as a character, and this gets worsened by some if not many people believed or rather have mistaken her as the Mary Sue prototype, which is not mainly true. Because, if you consider her character's background, she is meant to be hyperrealistic, which means some traits of her may sound exaggerated but those are meant to fulfill her role as the main character here. Another issue would be her 'mysteriousness' or its lack thereof: Was there anything mysterious about her from the beginning? If that's so, what's with the all of a sudden twisted pacing and plot changes occurred during the second part of this season? It never really adds up. While I was in-awe with the plot twist, the transition wasn't really executed properly. Yes, there were talks regarding her identity as Verdigris House's resident, but never went as far to unravel such a mystery while the plot twist was there for the sake of shock effect and ridiculous jump scare. No offence here but this was handled better in the original material, makes me wondering whether it's intended to begin with as a promotional click-bait for the LN/WN. Therefore, the Fall of Maomao happened because of this shocking but elevating plot twist that was made out of an asspul to attract the audience, leaving them with a dumbfounded stare, which was not bad but could have had more supplementary explanations. After all, when a show becomes hyper-realistic, it's great, but that's where the issue arises in the horizon. That's all.Alright, enough with the spoilers, let's get into the review:
As we have done talking about Maomao, I will review the other characters involved instead. Jinshi has done a really good job, both him as a character and VA, but the issue lies within the fact that, again, his character wasn't well addressed properly. This applies to other central characters e.g. Lacan whereas the backstory just revealed soon after they had been long enough appearing in such scenes. I absolutely have no issues with this but in the future, it will be a huge issue because the plot may get too repetititive and stuck in a middle-of-nowhere without any character to move the plot, as if they all were waiting for something to happen, or someone dying, literally and metaphorically, with even the main character couldn't move the plot.
The plot on itself was great in the beginning, or at least until the rushed transition did happen. However, the sign of its fall begins not short after her mask was revealed, both literally and metaphorically. It is important to keep in mind that this show got peaked too early, meaning that by the time Part 1 ends, it leaves quite a sour distate that may discourage you from watching the show, but I am not going to tell you what it was.However, credit where it's due. TOHO at least offered you with this high-quality budget of animation, visual, and artstyle, regardless how much they actually spent for Verdigris House and Imperial Palace scenes, which lessened the impact of such aforementioned scenes. And aside from those flaws I have mentioned, the hyperrealism brought to this series was intriguing: You would get to see the consort's, eunuch's, warrior's and emperor's hierarchy were addressed properly, not to mention the clinical diagnosis, herbs, or even diseases were portrayed in a hyperrealistic manner, giving you the actual experience when it comes to medical symptoms e.g. prosopagnosia. The other aspects were also done greatly. Both Opening theme songs were literal drugs, with Part 1 stole the attention with "Be The Flower" which seemed to be the peak of this series. I think what makes the show better is the way these theme songs resonate to the plot yet hardly interferes the said story, as it eludes the surrounding quite well.
Overall, I deeply enjoyed this series despite its flaws. "The Apothecary Diaries" offers a compelling combination of hyperrealism and captivating storytelling that, when it works, truly shines. Maomao's character, with her unique traits and sharp wit, is a refreshing departure from typical protagonists, and the world-building is immersive, providing a rich tapestry of intrigue and cultural nuances. The attention to detail in portraying historical practices and medical knowledge elevates the show, offering something both entertaining and intellectually engaging.
However, the issues with pacing, plot execution, and character development cannot be ignored. The rushed transitions and lack of depth in certain arcs leave a sense of missed potential, especially for viewers who crave more consistency and closure. The show's early peak and the subsequent struggle to maintain momentum highlight the challenges of adapting a complex narrative into a limited format.
Despite these setbacks, "The Apothecary Diaries" remains a fascinating watch, especially for those willing to overlook its imperfections. Its strengths in animation quality, thematic depth, and innovative approach to historical drama make it a series worth exploring. Ultimately, it is a testament to the balance needed in storytelling—where hyperrealism can both enrich and complicate a narrative. While it may not have fully realized its potential, it certainly leaves an impression, and for that, it deserves recognition. I would definitely recommend this show for those whom may have been looking for a show that portrays the past events in a hyperrealistic and extremely accurate depictions, with the mixture of premises such as bits of slice of life and mystery that are shrouded throughout this show. And I can't wait for yet another season.
Alright, that's all. If you enjoy this review, you may as well read the other I wrote here.