Jinshi and Maomao’s relationship is a better-written romance in The Apothecary Diaries than what you find in most actual romance anime. Here’s why.
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When a Non-Romance Does Romance Better
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0:12 nisekoi SUCKSSS
This is why I wish they would give Yona of the dawn the fruits basket special!! The plot is so interesting and severely underrated! 🎉
Thank you finally a non action anime that has a non focus on romance. I hated romance anime for the same reasons you mentioned. But Apothecary Diaries brings the tension that I love from action anime’s. And the action is replaced with political conflicts. It’s something I’ve wanting for a while now
Fyi Jinshi is Maomao's type.
She has weakness for people who would burn themselves to help others just like Luomen.
It's like the more Maomao avoided Jinshi, the more he'll stick to her. Like a frog…?
Oh no, the frog might be an allegory of something xD
I see many people agreeing with preferring a slow-burn and real emotional story over the formulaic slow-burn contrived circumstances plots. So I won’t repeat that.
I will contest your inclusion of Horimiya in your list of examples. Their story is the opposite of the will-they-won’t-they, misunderstandings keeping them apart, only two people in the world formula.
I LOVE SLOWBURN
1:46 but while she's smart, she's not [TITLE CARD]
TAD is a whole new level of slow burn romance, and honestly i was kind of upset that some watchers want Jinshi to quickly share his secret to Mao, and Mao to quickly accept it – because the romance is taking way too long compared to normal slow-burn romance story and they are impatient 😂
They easily forget that Mao is that unsociable (genes from his biological dad and mom), raised in a brothel where love is transactional and everyone is pretty on the surface, and raised with medical knowledge so her logical thinking is sharper than most girls. She is willing to act extra mile on her own when a life is at risk, but most of time she doesn't care about anything (except for her medicine obsession) — she didn't scream for help when she was kidnapped into palace servitude, she didn't ask for help when the ladies in waiting hinder her from taking care of Lady Lihua's health. She even said "Love? I left that in the womb of the woman who birthed me" when her sister's seeking for romance. All her moments with Xiaolan, she thinks of her as "i have to help her or else i won't be able to sleep well" as if the knowledge of "friendship" escapes her. Mao is that kind of person.
We know Jinshi already falls head over heels for Mao for a long time, but with her background, of course it will take much longer time for Mao to recognize the romance in the air and answer Jinshi's feeling. Some watchers want the secret to be quickly unfolded to Mao when Mao and Jinshi were in the cave, but when they scream for the romance, Mao is being dreadful when her hand learns that the pretty eunuch is not a eunuch, cold sweat on her face, even the BGM is more chaotic than romantic. And her annoyed face later when Jinshi confronts her, or when she remember the moment. Clearly Mao is not ready yet for Jinshi's secret, and IMO… not ready yet for the romance (at least untill this week's episode when she is kidnapped 🤭)
It make a whole lot of sense, even soulmates start out like that.
I mean it's the same phenomenon as intentional character coding coming off worse than unintentional character coding
I can hardly understand a word you say bro 🙏
By the way, the author actually hates writing Jinshi because he is too complex. She even considered killing him, but her family stopped her.
5:53 Well, except there is: their positions xD
If Maomao ends up developing romantic feelings for him, there will have to be a realization of some sorts, of course. And if there is romance, whether is little or not, it will gain a bit more of focus because, well… Maomao AND Jinshi are the MCs, their relationship IS part o the plot, romantic or not xD
Furuba is another GREAT example of this all, too, where the characters love develops little by little through small details ^^ I think it's not that this series is different in that way (in other it definitely is), but that this series FINALLY retrieves the SLOW-BURN development of a relationship. Which has being kinda lost for the last years in anime culture (even… maybe during the last two DECADES) 🙁
I always appreciate when the romantic subplot doesn’t ruin the focus/distract of the characters and plot.
Another anime you might like is my live story. In which the couple gets together rather quickly. And the tension more navigating their dating life
Yeah, this anime feels more real!
One of the things I really like about Apothecary Diaries is that they trust the watcher to put certain things together. Admittedly there are some times that they have to spell things out, but there is at least one critical detail I can think of that was heavily implied, but the closest we can get to confirmation was related to an even BIGGER conspiracy…
SPOILERS BELOW (I've only seen the first 24 episodes, but I think this qualifies as spoilers)
During the first garden party, there is a small detail that the Emperor has a younger brother nobody sees or knows much about… he was supposed to be at the garden party, but in the scenes Maomao is in, his seat is empty… later, she runs into Jinshi who is dresed up with a dragon on his clothes, and later the hairpin he was wearing at the party is implied to be an important artifact somehow. Putting these things together (or if you're just familiar with harem romance troupes) you can figure out that Jinshi is the Emperor's younger brother, and he probably hasn't been seen because he's busy managing the rear palace and pretending to be a eunuch on top of all other imperial duties.
Fast-forward to the day Pure Consort Ah-Duo leaves… Due to a throwaway line on Maomao was privy to, she realizes there might have been a conspiracy where Ah-Duo's child, the first son of the Emperor (and should therefore be the crown prince if he was alive) was switched with the previous emperor's younger son born at the same time. She also notices that Ah-Duo and Jinshi look very similar. Maomao brushes this off as not concerning her, but if the viewer already put together the hints about Jinshi being the Emperor's younger brother (hints Maomao wouldn't have been privy to) then that can be seen as a confirmation of Maomao's baby-switch theory, meaning that Jinshi should really be considered the crown prince.
There are some later details that I feel confirm Jinshi's identity even more (his involvement in the ritual that almost got him killed, Gaoshun gives Jinshi drugs so he can pretend to be a eunuch without surgery, etc.) but I really appreciate how the show handled that particular reveal.
I keep seeing fans say Maomao doesnt like Jinshi, or that JInshi is somewhat ''abusive''. It doesn't make sense since this romance is one that is quite out of the ordinary. The concept of the story of apothercary diaires is quite simple (royal palace, servant girl, undercover prince, concubines etc), but in the meat of the story, the writing is quite complex and thought provoking. Even with Lakan, I'd never thought he was a misunderstood character, but we originally thought he was a bad guy. I agree Jinshi and Maomao don't have the ''normal'' romance, it's very much a slow burn where the characters uphold many ''masks'' which they are slowly removing off. Also people forget Maomao's character. She grew up in a brothel seeing her sisters sleep with men for money, she see's relationships with men and women as a exchange. That closed her off from wanting romance. With Jinshi her relationship was of servant and master, but she later gets to know him as a friend, but the recent episodes changed things as she learns he isn't a eunuch. Before having that knowledge helped her know that their relationship could never be one that's romantic, but now the bridge is blurred. She's now actually analyzing how she shuts off her emotions towards others (like she's been doing to Jinshi). Plus we've seen her inner dialogue of her she likes how Jinshi is when he acts younger, or his body language when he seems nervous. She's analyzing him and is curious about him, but shuts herself off. A part of that comes from wanting to survive as any mistake can get you killed.
With Jinshi, he's a teen but was forced to act as a adult and hide his true identity. The show shows how he acts differently with his actions, one moment he's touchy and the next he's serious. I do think its his true nature how he acts with maomao and since he likes her he's very attached. Gaoshun did say he gets attached to his toys easily as a child. Although he can be headstrong with his affection at times he geniuely likes maomao. Plus I see that he has to be sometimes or Maomao wouldn't budge or notice his feelings since she's very closed off.
❤❤❤❤❤
You know what I love? I like the light novel so I know a little further than anime watchers, so spoilers
I love that once they do start dating, Maomao doesn’t change her way to interact with him, she know she loves him, she even says she’ll be willing to became empress just to be with him, is Jinshi who says he would break up with her if he becomes emperor,
But even though Maomao knows she loves him, she still acts the same around him, she doesn’t becomes weird or obsess over him
And I love that
This show is awesome, I haven’t seen anything like this since Hyouka.
Counter point: Apothecary Diaries is a romance
This. Is. Perfect! I wish everyone could watch this. It really explains how great this story is on so many levels.
I dont even want them to get together. Mao Mao is so damn well as she is and her rejections towards Jinshi are so valid and work much better than if there was actual romance between them. I know that it will be better for Mao Mao to stay single forever 🗣🗣 I dont like Jinshi that much, at least not as a partner for Mao Mao. EVER. Even more because of the crap and stunts he keeps pulling on Mao mao. If i were her i too would dislike the way he acts 💀
if you've read the majority of the source LN's you would know this is the most slow burn of slow burn cuz Maomao flipping HATES politics and honestly so does Jinshi, but since she hasn't been forced into it like he has, she is SUUUUPER motivated to not enter the game at all, which completely hinders any relationship with Jinshi in any formal contexts b/c of who he is. so slow burn is the understatement of the year lmao. but I really enjoyed this video, it felt like the first one who actually understands how and why the characters were written this way and how good the story actually fits who the characters were written to be.
This title also applies really well to Steins;Gate. The romance subplot is so incredible and realistic
Romance isn't whole life and there are so much things we struggle with daily life. I think this make Non romance much better in romance term because it gives value to every romantic moment without showring us with romance which could be unrealistic
I think the biggest "Realization moment" in This show is the hairpin scene. Because only then does Jinshi realize "Oh shit. This girl has seen some shit!" and I think there is where his respect of her outweighs him thinking of Mao Mao as a new toy. but even that moment is handled masterfully. It feels like an aristocrat would never consider the problems of a commoner or think they even exist until presented with them in such a way
I love how Moamoa tries so hard to stay out of politics while being literally in the worst position possible as an extremely valuable political piece. The girl doesn't even realize it either… like just HOW?
Spoiler break down below:
She's the daughter of a high-ranking military officer who loves her dearly, despite their separation
Her adoptive father is her father's uncle and an excellent medical practitioner
She's from a highly renown brothel and her mother was a high-ranking concubine in that house
The Emperor has personally asked for her assistance multiple times
The Empress Dowager as well
She found the secret truth of the temple of choosing (and it was advised she be brought into the royal family)
Shinsi bought her contract and regularly calls on her assistance
And she's assisted almost all of the highest-ranking Concubines…
Then of course Shinsi's obsessed with her… and we pretty much know exactly who he is…
Like that's a position that most people would likely get a hit put on them, or to be used as a political bargaining chip…. There's NO WAY she can just keep her head down and she still doesn't realize it yet.. lol.
This is a great video and I think it's kinda funny how I'm saying for years to friends how to me personally the best romance stories are stories where the romance is not the main or at least sole point of the series with Umineko as my prime example.
Apothecary diaries easily falls in the same category. I'm glad this video exists.
Ashes Of Love ost in this video 😍
Something I like a lot about Natsu Hyuuga (the LN author)'s writing is that even though she's responsive to reader wishes, it's always on the characters' own terms. She has her weaknesses as a writer, but she's GREAT at character psychology.
Jinshi wasn't originally going to be Maomao's love interest (or even particularly important), but readers loved him and wanted him to get with Maomao, so Natsu was like, 'huh, well, sure — but with these two it has to be a very slow burn.'
Rukia and ivhigo remenber that
When you said the romance respects the characters that was like so real. The anime is special in that there is so much effort put into writing the relationship and romance that the quality of the entire show just skyrockets
I love their romance, it feels so slow and genuine. They learn to appreciate each other as individuals before romance ever enters the picture. Like how real romances develop. They are just interacting with one another and finding they like to coexist together.
Loved your story telling!!!!
Oh. I agree with you completely! You get it! That's how I feel as well! This is where the fun lies for me with this series. While watching the anime and reading the light novels, their developing relationship brought me so much joy, exactly because it is a slow burn and we see how they get to know and care for each other through the years. As you said, it feels real! The moments that I like the most are just them getting along and vibing with each other and finding comfort with each other. I love how this series shows romance, and I can't wait to see more of them together. You deserve a follow after expressing my feelings in words!
Another interesting thing comes to my mind analysing the JinMao duo, is androgyny, kind of yin-yang relationship and how it is activate this story and makes it work and there is something unusual. Well, Jinshi is presented from the outside as a celestial nymph, "ethereal beauty": his character is associated a lot with extremely feminine characteristics (at least in Maomaos head), such as beauty, being kind and smiling, and also being very emotional (remember this crybaby scene?), pegging emotional support from Maomao, while Maomao looks like a hardworking mad scientist, booze-lover emotionless intelligente (caharatersistics traditionally associated more with masculinity). Ot the other side, both of them has also strong opposite charasterstics inside: Jinshi with a body like a warrior, he is made from tough material (mostly covered this chinese traditional clothing so we wont see it much haha), he could be a womanizer, if only he wanted to be so (but he don`t), extremely consistent person. Maomao is caring and loving inside, she takes on the role of nurse and act self-indulgent, when somebody needs medical treatment. In time, their characters seems to be balanced more, when they bring out each other hidden sides and it only makes their relationship better, but still has this working magic 😊
Maomao is the INTJ of anime.
This is why I like romances that aren’t the main plot. Because romance doesn’t happen in a bubble. Life is full of other things going on, and true romance isn’t the end all be all. The Apothecary Diaries and other non-romance stories understand that and don’t balloon the romance into the only thing that matters.
It's a great slow burn because the world is so well built. Jinshi and Maoao know their places in the world that is written around them, they are a part of it. We know they like each other and their relationship grows, but they can't just jump into it because of society, politics, and more. Just the idea of them getting together knows who their parents are could dismantle a nation!
❤ I absolutely love this show!!!
I think people nowadays aren't used to such storytelling.
Most people enjoy fast unfolding and "to the point" kind of stories. And being the exact opposite is what I love mos about "The Apothecary Diaries". How the events of season 1 still have their repercussions on season 2 – while most anime make us forget about previous seasons, as if they were different stories altogether. It's not a slow burn: it's a burn that takes the natural time to unfold, as in real live.
There's a level of respect and deep understanding and connection that doesn't appear out of nowhere, like a "love at first site" thing. And that trust is built in a long period of time.
I love these kind of romance (been reading the manga, both versions, for a long time before the anime came out), but I also love the overwhelmingly juicy ones filled with the cliche awkward moments, dramatic happenings, and exaggerated expressions (of love).
If you're curious how a romance story would work when it just focuses on the latter and none of the trope pretenses/gimmick premises, I recommend giving Tsurezure Children a watch. It's just a bunch of juicy romance tropes on rapid fire using multiple couples and group of characters; there is no depth, just the core experience, trimmed all the fat and just the meat.
This was an awesome assessment of their relationship. You definitely nailed it🔥🔥🔥🔥
😊
And if you want a romance anime/manga doing mystery better than the apothecary diaries, check out "nina the starry bride". The apothecary diaries is so repetitive and got boring in season 2. Nina the starry bride in contrary has an awesome world building, awesome characters, depth and plots. Waaay better than the apothecary diaries.