Kusuriya no Hitorigoto / The Apothecary Diaries / Maomao's Murmurs

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The daughter of an apothecary, who lives near a brothel and is chums with many beautiful whores, gets kidnapped and sold to the inner palace of the Emperor. She uses her wit and medical knowledge to reluctantly solve mysteries and help people, earning her the attention of a fake eunuch, who uses her in his efforts to maintain order in the palace. Hijinks ensue.

The show is now up to episode 16.

Come on, the main three "big sisters" are not whores. Only Pairin does "night work" because she's insatiable.

I know, I was just jesting.

I wanted to check this out and forgot about it. What's interesting about it?

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Originally Posted by neflight86

I wanted to check this out and forgot about it. What's interesting about it?

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It's an exceptionally well-done Imperial Court era series. Charismatic as hell main and supporting cast. There is a mix of medical mysteries, political scheming, a few conspiracies, and sex education. It's well-composed and very well animated. No magic, no isekai, intelligent characters who don't act stupidly for plot sake (aside from the lead drinking poison for fun/science), and its not an ecchi series.

And if you want to listen to Yuuki Aoi as the lead make a full menagerie of amusing weird noises, this anime is #1 on that list.

It was scheduled to start a few weeks late last season so it is a bit of a sleeper hit.

Yeah, this is a quality series for more adult tastes. Not adult in an erotic sense but because of the plot and setting.

It strikes quite a nice balance between having a sort of fictional main character in that sort of past-its-prime imperial setting, where everything is too established and the way things are done is far more important than who are doing them or for whose sake they are done. I say fictional main character because obviously Maomao needs to keep getting involved in everything for the story to exist in the first place. Realistically nobody would have such a presence.

I still love the fact that the Emperor loved Lihua's titty fuck so much he gave Gyokuyou rest (that she welcomed).

Strategist guy seems weird. He's setting up puzzles for Maomao to solve, but doesn't actually seem interested in seeing her do it himself and just observes the result.

Her testing poisons and stuff on her forearm is played off lightly in this show. Some wounds just never heal and become infected/rotten.

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Originally Posted by Buffalobiian

Her testing poisons and stuff on her forearm is played off lightly in this show. Some wounds just never heal and become infected/rotten.

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The anime is a bit less graphic when it comes to Maomao's testing arm. It shows it more as pink scar tissue when in the manga, it is usually depicted with some ravaged post-festering areas and burn marks that have scarred very badly.

There is ample reason why Gyokuyou's ladies-in-waiting believe that Maomao was severely abused.

Just watched the first 3 episodes, and I'm sold. Great show so far. It reminds me, in feel and direction, of a slightly less garish Oshi no Ko (hear me out): Some good story telling, levity and intrigue, minus about %50 cynicism. I'm very interested to catch up; the ride is beautiful and comfy.

Episode 17


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It was quite refreshing how Jinshi didn't become a totally different person, like in Mission Impossible or most regular anime. The transformation operation was also explained in quite a detail. Though naturally the best part of this whole affair is Jinshi half accidentally learning more about Maomao.

Did I just see a hint of annoyance (jealousy?) when Maomao thought Jinshi was disguising himself to go to a brothel?

It was never clarified who he went to see, right? Was the entire thing still just a contrived excuse for a date, or have they just not gotten to the actual answer?

Latter. Probably an investigation.

Jinshi gets super jealous when "his latest toy" is used by someone else, but he shows significant interest and respect towards Maoamao that she's generally blind to, because she just thinks he's trying to manipulate her like he does with all the other Inner (and Outer) palace women.

Maomao may have not been jealous that he was going to a brothel/teahouse. But she was certainly disappointed.

Not sure she's quite there yet to be jealous. She's far too pragmatic and respectful to fall into that pattern with anyone.

I felt she was disappointed. "Oh, you're another one of those guys" kind of vibe. Though before she gets disappointed, she should actually be confused - since he's supposed to be a eunuch and all.

He's obviously not, based on how he's the other MC and just actually seems to be the son of the king and Ah Duo who is publically dead but is actually him.

I think it was explicitly stated that he is a fake eunuch.

Yes, I also interpreted it as Maomao being disappointed, not jealous. She only loves medicine and poison, anyway. She does have some familial love for her adoptive father, as well. Considering her background, it would take a whole lot to make her be romantically in love. She must be as jaded as some 50 years old madam who has seen it all.

Why would she be disappointed though? Does she look down on patrons of brothels despite having many close friends and "sisters" who work in the industry?

She had mentioned in the past being drug into alleys after patrons left feeling less than satisfied only to be saved by her hideous freckles. I wouldn't be surprised if she has a great contempt for customers of brothels- not the courtesans themselves.

But those are the bad patrons. The rest of them literally keep her friends and sisters fed, clothed, and housed. It'd be weird to be disappointed at Jingshi for that reason when she knows he is not a rapist.