RATING: 5 out of 5
The beginning of 2025 brought many new shows to watch, including the second season of “The Apothecary Diaries,” which began streaming on Jan. 10 and will end on July 4. I loved the first season due to its amazing quality, and I would have given it a 5/5.
Even from the start of the first episode of season two, I could see that the animation, music, and storytelling completely matched the quality of the first season. The show takes place in a fictional country based on China and the plot mostly takes place in what is called the Inner Palace.
In season one, the protagonist Maomao goes around the Inner Palace uncovering hidden plots and working as the food taster for Concubine Gyokuyou. She meets a variety of characters, the most significant being Jinshi, the deuteragonist and main administrator of the Inner Palace. As Maomao delves deeper into the mysteries of the Inner Palace, she continues to encounter Jinshi and their relationship develops from a servant-master relationship to something a little more.
The animation is phenomenal, with smooth transitions and vibrant colors. I could clearly see the love and care that went into each and every scene. Oriental Light and Magic (OLM), the studio behind this animation, has also made other great animes like “Komi Can’t Communicate”, and “Restaurant to Another World”.
“Hyakka Ryouran,” the opening theme, was composed and sung by Lilas Ikuta from Yoasobi, while “Shiawase no Recipe,” the ending theme, was written and sung by Dai Hirai. Hyakka Ryoran. Ikuta’s performance is entertaining, catchy, addicting, and is complemented by the breathtaking visuals of the opening theme. Hirai, on the other hand, goes for a more soothing and calm melody that is accompanied by smooth slow cuts that improve the experience.
One of my favorite parts of the show is the characters. The chemistry between Jinshi and Maomao is absolutely adorable and the interactions between the rest of the cast are amazing. For example, watching Jinshi relate Maomao’s behavior to a cat before cuddling Maomao, the cat, was just hilarious.
Overall, even from watching only the beginning of the season, the beautiful animation, music, and characters prove that this season will be just as good as the last. With the foreshadowing and hints of further plots, I will be definitely watching every episode as they come out.