Now I can understand the hype about it. I was kinda nice and a good combo of things. Although I did have to turn off my brain since the world-building is basically absent and I have so many questions., despite one fact that I am aware of - this is a word of fiction ha. Many of my answers were un answered.
The story follows MaoMao, she lives in unknown Eastern country, let's call it, which is loosely based on ancient China. I say loosely, because the anime itself makes sure to mention at the beginning of every episode how any place, name etc. are a work of fiction and do not relate to any exiting ones. Every episode, so they won't get into trouble. Plus even if I'm just a consumer, I can tell they did not really follow any historical accuracy whatsoever. And me saying it as a person who simply read some Chinese novels and watched some Chinese movies. But sometimes it was too obvious, it really messes with your head. From furniture to etiquette to people / servants etc. Oh yeah, I noticed about punishments, they were rarely mentioned and never showed, to leave this show as PG as possible, but many of the things they did would not work out if it was for real, that brings us to square one mentioning that this is work of fiction and nothing should be taken at face value, but the story also does not realy establishes many of the things it implies.
Not to go on a tangent, we follow MaoMao, who lives with her apothecary adoptive father in a pleasure district at the bottom of society basically and she is kidnapped to be sold to the palace to serve as a maid. Which is pretty legit thing that happened in many places, but doesn't really dive into details (for example what the reason for the child to be sold was, is it a big family who can't feed themselves, is it famine, is it pure greed). Though anime treats it quite airly considering the duration of her service time (yes the anime explains that slavery was abolised, although still existed in another form, but the social structure and the etiquette, which MaoMao should have learned by her arrival are never mentoned). I'm getting too distracted at all times. No one knows MaoMao has a talent for medicine and she keeps a low profile to just pass the time and be let go, but then she noticed the condition of two concubines and had an idea why they and their children were sick. So she left a message on a strip of fabric, which one consort followed and the other dismissed. You can guess what happened next.
But because of her move she was noticed by the main "eunuch" let's call him. Because he is obviously not. Jinshi is a renowned figure in the rear / inner palace, in other words the harem. You can easily tell that he's not what he seems. He overlooks many things that are going on in there and this is where many of the incidents that they investigate come from. Not to go on another tangent, but actually as a head eunuch so to say, he wouldn't be doing all that work, with his secret identity he might get involved though, but different departments were involved in different fields. I suppose he is a bit like an outsider who supervises it, but still it felt a bit all over the place. Doesn't mean he couldn't, it all depends on the Emperor who was never shown during his morning court or as a ruler, but mostly as rarely appearing in the harem. Which is supposed to have 2000 beauties? Which is a huge number which I doubted a lot and was thinking if it was literall or figurative meaning, because it is a huge expense and he didn't strike me as one who would indulge...I have many questions as I said.
Because MaoMao treats Jinshi differently, almost with disdain, he gets interested in her and as a result she showcases a great deal of intellect when dealing with things he appoints her.
MaoMao is actually fun to follow, she is quirky, loves her occupation as apothecary and she is devoted to poisons (this is how she got promoted to being a tester). A refreshing combination of grumpy, realistic and also kind. But slowly we find out more about her past, who is her adoptive father, how is she connected to a brothel etc. She is serious about her job and has kindness in her heart, despite looking a bit lacking in emotions. She gets involved in investigating several cases, which have something to do with poisoning or they're suspected as such. Even if she would rather stay away.
Her story does remind you a framework of palace fight dramas, because the way her status changes, she finds herself changing places while making small steps up the ladder, but as a female servant in the palace. Since she was a simple maid, then a tester of poisons to one of the consorts, then was re-hired by Jinshi and I'm pretty sure her path doesn't end there. While exploring the mysteries the plot also touches upon women. Like women in the harem or in the brothel, interpersonal relationships, livelihood etc.
And the first season peaks with several final episodes to reveal some of the past. It's a good thing to finish on such an emotional note.
Plus the animation manages to balance the humorous and serious parts well throughout the whole season. Like when MaoMao has ears peaking out to break the scene with a bit of humor. Or when the tone and music change when the situation is not a joking matter.
Correct me if I'm wrong but MaoMao is also used to often call cats...
Her "relationship" with Jinshi also slowly progresses. Jinshi's attitude towards her also changes from thinking she is fun, to actually not wanting to use her as a pawn as he initially planned.
For MaoMao it will be obviously a longer path to get closer.
Many elements of this anime made it an enjoyable watch, the animation, the story, the characters. Even if I know it's a huge mix-match of things. But maybe someone will be interested enough to learn the true way of things. Although it's more complex and less fun.
And since I watched season 1 with such vigor, I didn't stop there and continued on.
I don't have much thoughts on it to be honest. I wonder if manga goes into greater details when it comes to mapping and distribution of power? Because for example they entertain those delegates at banquets and such (which allows story to finally dress Jinshi as a female dancer ha), since it is said briefly that they hold two trade points in their hands, so it was important to at least impress them.
Now makes me wonder if they agreed to the exchange of "feifa" so they could just stand by and watch the conflict within the country occur, while they may come in later and conquer with less obstruction. Just my sudden wild idea.
Anyway we continue from where we left off. One of the 4 highest concubines A'Dou is retired, she is replaced with daughter of a minister left from the previous reign of the infamous Emperor who was just a puppet figure to his mother. Although we know little about influence and such.
The first part is lighter and funnier, while the second part becomes quite dark. Spoilers.
I honestly liked the twist about Loulan, I kinda didn't think in that direction when I saw Shisui. Simply because when you read all those novels you get the idea that collateral families or just distant relatives could have been brought as servants etc. In my head I could easily imagine that but not them being the same person. Ngl the way MaoMao thought the twins might have been swapped (we know it's a popular trope too) threw me off for a bit, especially when Jinshi bid farewell to A'Dou and they looked alike, before others started pointing out that Jinshi looked like the split image of former Emperor when he was young. I wonder if this will be brought back. So far anime paid attention to all things that were pointed out in similar fashion. Like for exaple MaoMao gave the silver pin to Loulan/Shisui and it was placed near her heart. It was significant later on.
It may be me, but partially I started thinking why Loulan would drag it for so long and although it's a matter of convenience I let it slide, because otherwise where all the action would go if Loulan would just request Emperor for some slack for innocent lives etc. basically she wanted kids to be safe. We need intrigue after all. And who knows what people think, at least she was aware how all of it was futile and they were fucked either way. She was lucky she met Jinshi who is a softie. But otherwise things would be dire. After all Jinshi and the co. realized that the stronghold is being supported by embezzled money on their own and they now had all the evidence not only to lead troops, but also save MaoMao. Anyway, this scene should have been "sad" but I didn't care about this family at all. That old minister appeared like a fleeting picture in any of the previous episodes, including the hunting incident, so I wasn't touched by his sob story and info dump how he loved his fiancee, but she was ambitious about becoming Empress, not knowing the Emperor's preferences, only with time he could return her back, but she was gifted and with her extreme ego it ended up as it was shown, he allowed his own wife to go crazy and abuse people around her, also supported her idea of rebelling, which would lead to devastating consequences no matter how you look at it. The old crazy hag Shenmei is just obsessed with her own pride that was wounded and was absolutely blind to things happening around her, which is another info dump and I couldn't care less for her perverted ass. Anyway, I have many questions. Maybe I just need to sit on it for a bit. But I thought the scale was not enough for me, this is a big country and they acted like a small workshop. Maybe because the screen feels empty this is why I don't feel it.
I wondered if MaoMao would do something crazier, but she indeed tried to stay put for the most part. I wonder if she is too laid-back that even in such circumstances she was happy to find new books, because she doesn't strike you as a person who knew how to turn her situation around. Kinda disappointed ngl.
But because of those blondies being involved I still think that the plot might go into that direction. I haven't read neither novel nor manga so what do I know. I have no idea how true it stays to it.
Maybe my disappointment comes from all that intrigue that has been laid down for two seasons, since all is connected to that family and I was expecting much more. But despite those incidents we spend a good deal on other things to care, also their portrayal never comes up until the very last moment. I was like - HUH?! That crazy old hag started this because of her damn wounded pride? That's it?....ok. And she had a beef with the previous Emperor not the current one and we have no idea if he's a good one, but by his actions at least towards the harem women we can say he is benevolent. And now that I think about it I wouldn't have wanted to find out more about their story, otherwise disappointment would follow for the entire season. It's not like pride can't be one of the reasons, but it felt so shallow. Maybe someone will say - well, that's the point. Especially coming from a woman who looked like she could chop anyone any second, but later shown spending most of her time in her rooms watching her closest maids going crazy. Her desire for immortality medicine also wasn't explored much except MaoMao saying she has her own pride, but again shown as fleeting shots. And this is the anime that has "apothecary" in the title.
That frog scene might have saved the entire thing.
I have certain disappointments and consider the show enjoyable, I easily watched it. But the further it goes the more questions it raises, to me.
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