Still haven't seen the best detective historical title of recent years? It's time to correct that mistake.
The second season of The Apothecary Diaries, one of the most popular anime of recent years, is currently in full swing.
This is a comedy detective story about a young, insightful herbalist who suddenly finds herself at the epicenter of palace intrigue. We tell you why this anime manages to make viewers fall in love with it and how the second season turned out.
What Is The Apothecary Diaries About?
Maomao is an apprentice pharmacist. She has a sharp mind and is so obsessed with poisons that she experiments with them on her own body. One day, the girl is kidnapped and sold to the imperial palace, where she is forced to work as a laundress.
Maomao learns that the emperor's children are sick. Curiosity overcomes caution, and the herbalist decides to tell what the cause of the illness is. Unfortunately, only the daughter of one of the concubines survives, but the laundress' actions do not go unnoticed.
The eunuch Jinshi, who oversees the emperor's harem, promotes her to personal servant of Lady Gyokuyo – the same concubine whose child she saved. Now Maomao must taste all of the Lady's food for poison, and unravel the mysteries of the imperial court.
Season 2 Continues to Set the Bar High
The second season will have 24 episodes and will end at the end of June. Half of the episodes have already been released – and it is safe to say that The Apothecary Diaries has remained just as interesting.
It is still a fascinating and funny detective story about palace intrigue with a touch of romance. The animation did not disappoint either, despite the studios' tight deadlines.
The Apothecary Diaries Is Still the Best Historical Anime Currently on Air
Maomao continues to work for Jinshi and Lady Gyokuyo, not forgetting to help other high-ranking officials of the court, including the emperor himself.
At the same time, the girl suspects that someone in the capital clearly does not want the pregnant concubine to have a child: most likely, this is somehow connected to the mysterious conspiracy from last season.
The through-line of the story becomes clearer, but the anime still works well as a procedural, where each episode has its own value.
The Apothecary Diaries is a great example of a light comedy anime that will have you hooked from the first episode. Smart characters and a well-developed world full of bright colors help the series stand out from its competitors.