Anime fans know the pain of waiting for the next episode after a gut-wrenching cliffhanger. Solo Leveling captured that perfectly, always leaving us hungry for more after every episode. But geez, I never realized a cliffhanger could be so cruel until The Apothecary Diaries slammed one on us that almost felt like a crime.
Season 2, Episode 11, titled ‘The Hunt,’ took this to another level. When Jinshi dragged Maomao back, that waist grab was just everything. Just when we were finally gonna get to see what everybody had been waiting for, bam, the episode just ended with an abrupt cut. Seriously, someone’s gotta pay for that cliffhanger.
The Apothecary Diaries episode 11: The underlying tension
The latest episode of The Apothecary Diaries follows Jinshi, Gaoshun, Basen, and Maomao traveling to a northern province for a royal hunt. But in all seriousness, from the start, you can feel this trip is not some casual vacation. Jinshi, as enigmatic as ever, avoided local food, hid behind a mask, and instructed his companions to call him by a different name. His paranoia definitely shows there’s some serious threat lurking around.
But still, despite the tension, there are a few laughs to be had. One of the best moments is when Lady Gyokuyô playfully taunts Jinshi a bit before she relents and agrees to let Maomao join him. You hardly ever see Jinshi flustered, making this exchange a rare gem of humor before serious business resumes.
As the group arrives at their destination, Jinshi’s anxiety reaches a peak. His discomfort signals that something sinister lurks beneath the surface, and the audience is left to piece together the reasons behind his unease. Is it regarding his true identity? Or rather, due to those around him who may know his true identity?
So, things get pretty intense when Jinshi suddenly ditches a party, saying he’s not feeling well. Maomao, always the responsible apothecary, decides to chase after him to help him feel better. But what she totally doesn’t see coming is getting caught up in an ambush with him. The wild situation pushes Jinshi to make a crazy move as he scoops up Maomao and jumps over a waterfall to get away from their attackers.
The cave scene: When tension and romance collide
Having almost drowned Maomao during their escape attempt, Jinshi and Maomao are now stranded in a secluded cave with their lives dependent on one another. What follows is a mix of awkward, intimate, and nerve-wracking moments.
With wet clothes and no place to call their own, they need to devise a way to escape without drawing attention to themselves. The confined nature of the cave, added to the intense emotional tension, creates an atmosphere thick with unspoken tension.
And then there is the moment. As Maomao attempts to exit the cave with Jinshi’s help, she slips and falls on top of him. Their faces are inches apart, and time freezes. Just as Maomao attempts to move away, Jinshi pulls her back. It’s the kind of moment that makes romance fans catch their breath.
And then, the episode ends. If you listen closely, you can hear the collective screams of the fandom echoing across the internet.
The Apothecary Diaries S2 ep 11 ✅
I now understand the hype around the frog scene, need episode 12 now cause that cliffhanger was insane 😭 pic.twitter.com/mOOUGPeLHT
— Jeremy (@notconalingus) March 21, 2025
Meanwhile, this episode not only deepened the overarching plot but also left the audience with burning questions about Jinshi’s fate. Will he finally reveal his secret to Maomao? How’s she gonna feel when she finds out the truth? And the biggest question: Are we ever going to get over this emotional stress?
But one thing is certain: The Apothecary Diaries completely owned the suspense game. If Solo Leveling was getting fans all excited with its cliffhangers, The Apothecary Diaries goes a step further by dangling romance in front of its viewers, only to snatch it away at the last second. And all that’s left for us to do is wait. And suffer.
The Apothecary Diaries is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
