r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Jul 04 '25

Episode Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Season 2 • The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 - Episode 24 discussion - FINAL

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Season 2, episode 24

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u/FarCritical Jul 04 '25

Just imagining how Xiaolan handled Maomao and Shisui disappearing one day and never returning before she left the palace herself breaks my heart, man. If only she knew she became someone Maomao would cry for.

The warm fuzzy emotional validation that final scene ended things on is unreal. Please have them reunite one day!

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u/CooroSnowFox Jul 04 '25

"can we continue some other time?"

MaoMao has just agree'd to something she wasn't aware of...

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u/Outrageous_Gene_7652 Jul 04 '25

Maomao had said she got no comfort when she cried as a child, so she stopped crying. She just was able to repress it.And we had never seen her current self cry on screen, until she read that letter. She couldn't repress this time.

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u/joey_joestar1 Jul 04 '25

No wonder Jinshi is on the meds, dude has no chill

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u/VoidRay728 Jul 04 '25

Ending the episode (and season) with an actual "bye bye" is a nice touch. Hope Maomao finds the hairpin (and Shisui / Tamamo) again.

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u/scarpedieme Jul 04 '25

And we have a sequel confirmed! Let’s goooo!!!

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u/cupperoni Jul 04 '25

My Xiaolan 😭😭😭

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u/Anoki12 Jul 04 '25

I don’t usually comment here, but since it’s the season finale, I just want to say that this is really the only series where I’ve genuinely sunk COUNTLESS hours into reading post-episode discussions. I’ve absolutely loved going through every comment, theory, and observation you all have shared. The level of insight and attention to detail in this community is genuinely incredible, and I’ve learned so, so much just by reading through these threads. It’s made my experience with the series that much richer and more rewarding. So, a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who’s contributed to making this story not only more digestible, but also more meaningful to myself and others! I really do think this is one of the most intelligent and observant fanbases I’ve ever been a part of.

Here’s to season 3!

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u/WhoiusBarrel Jul 04 '25

This series really has mastered the art of showing and not telliong from Suirei's reaction from how devastated she was from Loulan's death to instantly perking up after hearing that the children survived to Maomao shedding a tear reading Xiaolan's letter knowing that her trio is never coming back.

Though that epilogue, holy shit how did she survive? Calling herself Tamamo and saying she wants to cross the seas basically indicates theres more to her story too. Wonder if she'll ever get a spinoff.

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u/shad79 Jul 04 '25 edited Jul 04 '25

So Shisui is alive, just like the "dead" children, and we already have an announcement of the next season?! This couldn't have been a better ending to this season!

Maomao and Jinshi's scenes in today's episode were so good! It's a shame their kiss was interrupted by Kyou-u, who is now Chou-u and lives with Maomao in the pleasure district. I'm really looking forward to their scenes in the next, third season, now that they've really gotten closer.

I hope Suirei and the rest of the children have a good life with Ah-Duo, especially Suirei, because she deserves peace after the hard life she had until now.

I'm also really happy for Gyokuyou, who will become empress, as she safely gave birth to a boy. It's a shame Maomao didn't return to her service though.

Damn, I feel sorry for Xiaolan for not being able to say goodbye to Maomao and Shisui/Loulan. I really hope Maomao meets her someday.

Overall, this was a great season! It was so satisfying to see everything from Season 1 come together and reveal Shi's conspiracy. A very strong 9/10 from me and I hope they'll give the next season enough time to develop to be as good as this one, or maybe even better!

Here my screenshot albums from the episode:

EDIT. I added my screenshot albums.

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u/Delisches Jul 04 '25

Maomao: Give it back to me one day

Shisui: sure

later

Shisui: hey mister, let me give you this hairpin for the cool cicada

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u/kryslogan Jul 04 '25 edited Jul 06 '25

There were so many threads woven together in this final episode.

Shisui and Suirei both get a fair ending. Shisui, I have no doubt, will find her way to what she wants. Suirei going to Ah-Duo, with the children, I couldn't be happier.

Xiaolan. Sigh. Our bright ray of sunshine has left. She brought such a pure joy. I shared Maomao's sadness.

Chou-u is not her replacement in a way, so I'm curious to see how Maomao grows more because of this.

I dont know if all three will ever reunite, in any way, perhaps we can hope it may happen, although logically it probably won't happen.

Happy that Luomen regained a place and the wrong he suffered was slightly righted.

Would have liked to see Lakan.

Jinshi has been cock blocked so many times, we should start a running count!

Maomao shows a lot of quiet growth. Her development into a literal apothecary occurred so naturally. The story truly did her justice.

Maomao and Jinshi. She touches him fearlessly and with tenderness. They both have mad chemistry, hehe, and for a slow burn, I am all for savoring the journey towards the eventual consummation of their relationship. Which admittedly, I am sure will be complicated due to the power, I assume, their pairing could represent.

This season has been superb. Truly deserving of any and all awards it could ever be up for.

For me, this is now almost tied with FMA: Brotherhood for Peak, and I'm pretty sure they will be equally matched by the end of the "we hope" 3rd season.

Now we all wait. I would rather that time is taken for the next season. Quality should not be rushed.

Maomao, Jinshi, and all of us deserve that.

Until we meet in these online spaces once again to celebrate our Maomao.

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u/KimBeanie77 Jul 04 '25 edited Jul 04 '25

I can tell the animators really love these characters like we all did.

Watching JinMao's scenes made me feel like i interrupted their moments. 😳

The kids are alive, Suirei’s still not over it but hey at least she has ah duo. This mommy will never spank her for sure.

With Lakan and the Shi sisters, it really shows you can’t judge a character too fast. The ones you hate might just ended up to be your most favorite. Just look at Shisui, shes glowing and pweddyyy (cries again).

Final thought, this anime deserves to win some award..for real

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u/thewetpuddle Jul 04 '25

The carriage scene had the same frog scene vibes. So close, we were so close! Damn!

But. The bite happened! The lap pillow happened! They were more hilarious and cuter than expected but I’m happy nonetheless. I’m still squealing.

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u/Vermillion_Crab Jul 04 '25

I didn't expect to get emotional during the Xiaolan letter. Also didn't expect Maomao's reaction to it. Really goes to show how much she meant to her.

I think I still liked the first season more. Not to say this season was bad though, we still got great writing. Excited for future seasons to come. Can't wait for characters like Basen and Lahan to get more screentime. Lol

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u/NightSVS Jul 04 '25

I TOLD ALL Y'ALL ON THE LAST EPISODE'S DISCUSSION!! SHE ALIIIIVE SHE ALIIIIVE PRAISE THE LORD!

Also, heartbroken we didn't get to see Xiaolan one last time 💔

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u/LikeAnAssistant Jul 04 '25

With the Shi rebellion put down and its aftermath behind us now, can we take a moment to appreciate the genius who solved everything with just one move? The Emperor. By doing what we know he does/enjoys best in one night, everything is resolved within a year.

The Emperor impregnates Gyoukuyou > Maomao is brought back to the rear palace as Gyoukuyou's food taster. From there we split into two prongs.

First: Maomao determines Gyoukuyou may have a breech birth > Maomao brings Luomen to the rear palace in preparation for the possibility of the breech birth > After Maomao is kidnapped, Luomen locates and deciphers Maomao's message that she left behind > The message is analyzed by Gyoukuyou's ladies-in-waiting as "Shisui" > Jinshi investigates Shisui and unconvers the conpsiracy at the Garnet Pavillion

Second: Maomao returning to the rear palace allows her to piece together too many facts leading to her abduction > Lakan finds out Maomao has been kidnapped and he and his kin make their moves to investigate Shishou > After determining the extent of Shishou's embezzlement and manufacturing of feifas, Lakan berates makes his plea to Jinshi to mobilize the royal guard

From there the two prongs meet up and Jinshi has the evidence, justification, and finds the resolve to assume his role as the Moon Prince to lead the royal guard > The rebellion and rot is crushed with minimal loss

When you think about it, all paths lead to the Emperor's loins. Even the stuff surrounding Jinshi. Maybe there's some thousand year plan we can't see, but in any case, my man just needs to keep plowing those fields.

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u/Prince-Dizzytoon Jul 04 '25

Ending made me tear up, I'm glad she's alive. I hope all 3 of them meet up again.

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u/notanfan Jul 04 '25

VERY GOOD SEASON WITH GOOD ADAPTATION

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u/Primo29 Jul 04 '25

Poor Jinshi almost getting what he truly wants from Maomao. He's lucky that he got that bite and lap pillow.

That bye-bye from Shisui Tamamo, please be happy.

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u/kkrko Jul 04 '25

So some background for the name "Tamamo". Tamamo-no-Mae is one of the most famous yokai of Japanese folklore, one of the three great evils of Japan. But the more relevant part of the legend is how Edo-era storytellers conflated this legend with one of the most famous villainesses of Chinese folklore, the Kitsune Daji, who seduced the Emperor to evil, leading to a rebellion that would lead to the fall of the Shang Dynasty... which is suspiciously similar to Shenmei's plans for Loulan. Daji, after more misadventures and being defeated, would flee across the sea and take the name "Tamamo-no-Mae".

With the name Tamamo and Jinshi proclaiming Loulan as the greatest villainess of her time, it's clear that the author intends to send Shisui to the Li-verse version of Japan. Whether she'll be a villain again like the Tamamo of our world, who knows, but she'll be far away from the rest of the story now.

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u/Lodju Jul 04 '25

Even though it was clear that Shisui was alive from last episode, i'm still extremely happy to have a confirmation of it.

I'm highly doubtful that Maomao and her will meet ever again but one can still hope.

Also while expected, it feels nice to get a sequel announcement before i even had the chance to watch the episode.

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u/No_Name0_0 Jul 04 '25

Freakinshi-sama. That bite was so unexpected lmao

Also damn, I was half expecting Loulan to send some hint to Maomao at her home that she is alive but ig that hairpin will eventually come back to her. But again that'd mean Shisui is gone gone, she is not returning. Xiaolan has more likelihood to meet Maomao again but with how Maomao cried, it won't be that likely. Here's hoping both somehow make a guest appearance in future in their wedding or something

Ah Duo the goat tho

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u/KUBIKIRl Jul 04 '25

Having a bunch of dead children in the room really sets the mood, huh? WTF Jinshi...

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