# The Apothecary Diaries (2023)

> A sardonic palace servant with a poisoner's knowledge becomes an unlikely detective solving medical mysteries in an ancient Chinese-inspired imperial court.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/140094

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 60
- Episode runtime: 23 min
- Status: Returning Series
- Genres: animation, drama, mystery
- Network: Nippon TV, RAB, TVI, JRT, YBC
- Cast: Aoi Yuuki, Takeo Otsuka, Katsuyuki Konishi, Megumi Toyoguchi, Sayaka Kinoshita, Shohei Kajikawa, Sumi Shimamoto, Daichi Endo
- TMDB rating: 8.6/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26743760/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: mild
- Tone: deadpan, witty, observant, cozy, tense

## What critics say

Audiences broadly acclaim the series for its witty heroine, elegant period detail and clever medical mysteries set in an imperial court.

## Synopsis

The Apothecary Diaries (2023-present) is a Japanese animated historical mystery series produced by OLM and Toho Animation Studio for Nippon Television, adapted into a shonen-adjacent anime tradition with a sophisticated adult register. Maomao, a sardonic former apothecary's daughter sold into service in an imperial palace, is the protagonist, voiced by Aoi Yuuki, and her wry narration carries the show. Jinshi, a clever palace official voiced by Takeo Otsuka, recognizes her talent and promotes her, drawing her into the court's rigid hierarchies. Gaoshun, voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi, anchors the court's machinery. Each episode follows a concrete engine: when imperial heirs fall ill, Maomao uses herbal knowledge, poisons, and careful observation to find the cause while navigating jealous consorts, eunuchs, and ministers who would rather the truth stay hidden. The structure is a case-of-the-week format threaded through a slowly advancing palace storyline. The tone is dry, witty, and observant, with cozy moments amid courtly danger. The setting is an invented ancient Chinese-inspired imperial court, with its layered politics and apothecary detail. Fans of Empresses in the Palace and Detective Dee will find resonance here. Season one ran sixty episodes and was well received by audiences.

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