You can’t hate a dog. It’s a simple rule to follow and that is the only thing keeping me sane right now. The Apothecary Diaries has been confusing its fans for two seasons with a story that goes in circles. Maomao’s unreliability and comprehension ability determine what we as an audience know. Despite the series choosing an omniscient reader’s viewpoint, there exist moments where limited narration wins.
What was interesting to see was how beauty standards were upheld by men just as much as they were by women. Ka Zuigetsu’s reputation is in shambles because of an alleged burn that scars his face. The truth isn’t that his title brings him respect, but rather humiliation because a eunuch, someone of lesser rank and status, far exceeds him in physical appearances.
The themes of classicism mustn’t be ignored. Were he just a prince who hides his face, his image would have been one of a mysterious royal. However, because there is someone of a lower rank who far exceeds in unparalleled beauty, it becomes an insult to injury for a man who is supposed to wear the crown in the future.
The Apothecary Diaries is drowning Jinshi
There comes a point in one’s life where the more you hide stuff, the worse it becomes. Eventually, you are bound to burst, and all those emotions that you have been hiding for so long will flow in a spurt that could be both good and bad. Jinshi is a mask for a man who has much to achieve. Ka Zuigetsu is so burdened by responsibilities that Jinshi becomes a means of escapism. Oscar Wilde specialized in the importance of escapism which is all but necessary to function in a society that is drowning in societal expectations.
The only person to whom he wants to reveal his true self is Maomao. Not because he loves her, but because her expectations of him are unconditional. She is not just someone he is romantically inclined towards, but as Gaoshun points out, her intellectual capabilities and her skills make her a formidable ally.
This episode makes it clear that the crown prince is none other than Zuigetsu, the Moon Prince, who is to take on the throne. It becomes easier to hide as a beautiful eunuch because of how natural it is for people to reduce someone based on their physical appearance. Maomao’s clay freckles and the name Jinshi both have the same purpose.
The attempt to find the culprits behind his assassination attempt brought to light two things. The unlikely allies that Lihaku and Maomao have become, and the intelligence Jinshi hides behind being prejudiced. He is frustrated by constantly being judged and ignored. When Maomao chooses to ignore the truth he wishes to tell her, his only option becomes to kiss her in an attempt to reveal the truth.
Interestingly enough, Jinshi seemed more nervous as compared to Maoamo. She, on the other hand, melted into it after her initial shock. This is the first time we see her reciprocating his feelings even through minuscule moments. This itself shows how one major reveal subconsciously changed her perspective of the man who lay before her.
Denial is a river in Egypt
There is a very renowned meme that has at least touched the surface of every social media site. Are they lovers? Worse, they’re stupid. Jinshi and Maomao are the perfect embodiment of this meme. The Apothecary Diaries has finally taken a tonal shift to dive into their relationship, creating a wave of romance that was unseen in Maomao’s indifference. Her immediate response upon discovering a certain decent-sized frog is to deny its existence.
As a coping mechanism, denial becomes the easiest method to deal with complicated situations. In simpler terms, what you can’t see can’t hurt you. If it wasn’t obvious before, it was certainly written in stone with this episode. Maomao is averse to complications that could disturb the working order of her life.
Her upbringing has made it so that avoidance helps her function in her day-to-day life. Don’t bat an eye, keep going. Life doesn’t stop just because you have an issue to deal with. Making this her mantra, the protagonist has matured in all senses but one – emotional intelligence.
Maomao is the perfect representation of the autistic experience. Her suppression makes life easier for her. The physical representation of her inner turmoil was brought out into the open with this episode. A wall that divided her from Jinshi and his true self that is undone by her. She shuts the door on his face, thus stopping any real emotions from reaching out to her before it’s too late. It is better not to deal with that which you do not understand rather than find yourself in a situation you have never dealt with before.
Jinshi and Maomao understand each other in ways neither has experienced before. They are both confronted by what it means not to be burdened by responsibilities and the pain of one’s tumultuous upbringing. Their roles in society keep them apart, and so Maomao’s words hit true to home. Ka Zuigetsu may be the Moon Prince, but for her, he will always be Jinshi; her Jinshi.
Rating: 9/10
The Apothecary Diaries is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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