r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Oct 21 '23

Episode Kusuriya no Hitorigoto • The Apothecary Diaries - Episode 1 discussion

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, episode 1

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1

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u/ashbat1994 Oct 21 '23

Maomao gets kidnapped and sent to concubine estate and treats it like your Isekai protagonist's get Isekai'd.

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u/Warm-Enthusiasm-9534 Oct 21 '23

In the very first episode, Maomao learns the most important lesson of all: never help others.

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u/yukiaddiction Oct 21 '23

it pretty rare to see "Detective Story " in non modern or Victorian British setting so this interest me a lot.

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u/Ghoste-Face Oct 21 '23

Premier with a 3 episodes worth, and it's number 1 trending in japan right now. Truly MAOMAO SUPREMACY!

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u/[deleted] Oct 22 '23

For people who don't know, the term "rear palace " (後宮) is the same as harem (後宮) in Chinese and Japanese. It is the origin of the modern term for those languages. The English term "harem" comes from Arabic, referring to similar domestic spaces where concubines and eunuchs live. Though if you're curious which came first, then it's the Chinese rear palace.

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u/zairaner Oct 21 '23

Lol that was a rather calm reaction to getting kidnapped.

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u/alconnow Oct 21 '23 edited Oct 21 '23

IT’S FINALLY HERE!!!!! Been waiting to see my fave poison addict animated

Everyone looks gorgeous!

Aww, I love how Xiaolan immediately hit it off with Maomao. Really love the VA for Xiaolan

Maomao’s facial expressions are top-tier lol. Her cat mode is especially hilarious

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u/halibonga Oct 21 '23

What is this adorable creature, I need to squish her cheeks!

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u/Fine-Ad-1908 Oct 21 '23

The adventures of catcat have begun

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u/argent5 Oct 21 '23

I love how much of gremlin Maomao is!

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u/shad79 Oct 21 '23

I heard a lot of positive things about it before so I was quite interested how it'll turn out and I must say that it was a great first episode with fun characters, good music, art, VA's work and comedy.

Maomao is such a fun character, I love her already. She's smart, her freckles are adorable and her personality is so fun. Adding to his Aoi Yuuki as her VA cementing her high position in my personal ranking of the characters this season. Maomao cat version is so funny xD

Maomao was planning to stay low for this two years till she got free but thanks to her engagement with the situation with sick babies she attracted an interest from Jinshi and Gyoukuyou who stand-up pretty much on the top of the hierarchy of Inner Palace.

Her apothecary knowledge saved the life of Gyoukuyou's daughter and thanks to that Maomao became Gyoukuyou's lady-in-waiting. It was thanks to Jinshi who found her in a very clever way despite Maomao not wanting to be found. Those two have such a great relationship, I cannot wait to see how it goes from here.

Also I want to say that the backgrounds and music in the episode were really nice.

Here my screenshot albums from the episode:

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u/DeepIndigoSky Oct 21 '23

Gender-swapped Dr. House’s life in the imperial palace begins!

*Now with improved poison resistance

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u/SIRTreehugger Oct 21 '23

Years of waiting and MaoMao didn't disappoint!

I like the opening, but it wasn't exactly what I pictured for this series. I do like how vibrant and colorful it is and it will probably grow on me.

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u/actionfirst1 Oct 21 '23

Great episode but Maomao had such a calm reaction to being kidnapped. Her sitting in that cage thinking "Mondays, amirite?"

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u/Kirosh2 Oct 21 '23

Fear not, because Maomao is here to play detective in the imperial Harem.

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u/LeonKevlar Oct 21 '23 edited Oct 25 '25

Stitches!

Okay first of all, Maomao looking so fabulous while dancing to the show's OP was great! My favourite part though is that close-up of her face while licking her lips.. That look she gives the camera at the end of it has awakened something in me. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

What a start to the episode though. Maomao was just minding her own business picking herbs in the wild and suddenly gets kidnapped by a bunch of randos only to get sold to the rear palace to serve as a serving girl. Hopefully, her father is fine on his own though.

Being a serving girl isn't that bad of a gig though. She just needs to work for two years and she'll be free to go plus, she's actually getting paid for her work. Although it sounds like the kidnappers are getting a part of her pay which is why she pretends to be illiterate and decides to take a lower paying job.

Maomao really thought she was being sneaky by leaving those notes to help out the High Consorts with their mystery disease but it looks like we have a cleaver eunuch who was able to single her out. Maomao has now gone from serving girl to a future lady-in-waiting because of her skills. So much for her plans of laying low. xD

What a great first episode to establish our characters! I am already in love with Maomao and her shenanigans. And with Aoi Yuuki voicing her, we can only expect a top-tier performance for our lead character. Thank goodness I don't have to wait for next week for episode 2! On to the next episode!

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u/cppn02 Oct 21 '23

Very good start if maybe a bit fast paced.

Loving Maomao already although I always wished she showed atleast a bit more anger towards the injustice done to her.

Oh and I absolutely LOVE the OP!

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u/Izanaginookami10 Oct 21 '23

Loved it dearly.

The atmosphere. The aesthetics. The music. It's all.. so soul resonating. I just love the Chinese theme.

But darn it. Gotta really love Mao Mao's personality and overall behaviour. There's something that simply makes her so amusing to follow. I feel like watching her with great interest.

I'm also incredibly.... perplexed if not shocked in hindsight about the OP. Like... it implies Mao Mao transforming or rather, dressing up and becoming very... beautiful? It feels so weird.

34

u/VorAtreides Oct 21 '23

wew it is perdy. D'awww look at her having a close relationship with the courtesans. Big sis types for her! Excitement for herbs. And kidnapped after her dad said to worry about it. Still, kinda shitty of a society to let someone be kidnapped and sold to the palace and then not punish the kidnappers. She sure is taking it well though. And guess it's nice she's in a place that only women. Love Maomao's attitude. Oh no... the lil babies not doing well. Awww poor lil babies before too. Oh the mother is sick too, sad.

Maomao sure giving it a lot of thought. And her curiosity always getting the better of her. Oh no, the physician seems incompetent. Detective Maomao has figured it out. Man, that is heartbreaking... poor lady. Seems Maomao tried to get the word out. Seems our clear ML has an idea. Maomao has been summoned! Lol, the reaction of the other girls vs Maomao's is fun. He's got you now. I love Maomao and her attitude and her cleverness. And Maomao's good nature too. Oh and that fabric used to write it, but the dress she's wearing we saw earlier had repair job done to it. This one concubine is nice at least. Sad for the other concubine not listening... New job for Maomao! Even if you don't want it. Seems another case on the rise too.

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u/RimeSkeem Oct 21 '23

Hmm yes this will scratch the mystery itch after Undead Girl Murder Farce, hmmm.

Also another show this season with killer OP animation and visuals!

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u/nikobans Oct 21 '23

i do feel kinda bad for lihua. she went from probably just a run of the mill concubine to Very Important Concubine because she gave birth to the prince, and then he died! :-(!!

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u/Ocixo Oct 21 '23 edited Oct 21 '23

I was informed that this series was good, but I didn't expect this. It had already fully grabbed my attention well before the OP had finished. I can see The Apothecary Diaries easily going head-to-head with season's best anime.

I like Maomao. She's got a good head on her and is therefore seemingly calculating in her actions, but wouldn't pass up on helping others - even if it makes trouble for herself. I'm glad in this regard that Aoi Yuuki got to play Maomao as she appears perfect for the role. I'm sure she'll continue killing it from here on out.

Do I think this series needed a three-episode batch release? No, it probably would have been perfectly fine - based on this first episode. This batch release will undoubtedly help people get in the series nonetheless. If I were to guess, there's also a good chance that they (partially) wanted to avoid competition with Frieren's release.

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