The Apothecary Diaries is unlike any other anime where the focus lies mainly not on the protagonist but on the side characters. Every time we witness an episode, it has always been more about others than just Maomao, the central figure.
She is definitely there, and we realize her importance throughout the story. However, her actions serve as a catalyst for other characters to shine.
She is the one who is making things happen not for herself but for others. We see her stir a situation and then take a back step so that others are in the spotlight while she, just like the audience, would witness what is happening.
We see other’s stories through Maomao’s eyes
In The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao has always been the instigator to direct other’s actions and influence them. It is through her eyes that we see everything unfold and get to know about the characters while unraveling their secrets.
As a provoker, Maomao does not always know what the end results will be, as she only gives these characters a chance while they are the ones who decide where things will lead. One example of this is when Maomao manipulated Lakan into buying a courtesan from the Verdigris house after losing a game.
At that time, she did not know that Lakan would buy her mother, Fengxian, as Maomao would have preferred if he bought Meimei. Maomao just gave Lakan a direction, and he is the one to choose with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life.
Similarly, in episode 6 of season 2, Maomao only reveals the culprit, Shin, who kept the sick maid hidden and planned to make Lihua abort her child. Lihua is the one who came forward, took charge of the situation, and punished Shin. Though the punishment was far too lenient, Maomao or Jinshi was not the one at the center, and Lihua was.
It has been like this in almost every episode, as we witness a different story about a different person from her perspective and explore it with her. However, there is one person who sees her as the main lead of her own story, and it is Jinshi.
Maomao is Jinshi’s protagonist
Most of the time, Maomao exists in someone else’s narrative. In her own point of view, we hardly see her ponder about herself, which makes her all the more reasonable. The people who do consider her important give her the utmost attention, which is especially the case when it comes to Jinshi.
From his perspective, the whole story becomes Maomao’s tale, and that is when she feels like a proper protagonist. He is the most perceptive of her behavioral changes and is curious about what she thinks all the time.
It is almost as if the audience takes the place of Jinshi when they wish to find out more about Maomao because otherwise, she would never consider herself important enough to dwell on. However, this lack of vanity and self-important behavior is what makes her so likable as a character.
She is definitely a unique and eccentric female lead whose arrival has only marked a healthy change in the way female protagonist portrayals happen in anime. Hopefully, we will see more characters like her who break the mold and emerge as something new.
Stream all episodes of The Apothecary Diaries Seasons 1 and 2 on Crunchyroll.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maomao the main character of The Apothecary Diaries?
Maomao is the titular and central figure of The Apothecary Diaries, but this article argues she functions less like a conventional hero and more as a catalyst. Rather than the story revolving around her own personal arc, her sharp observations and pharmacist’s curiosity repeatedly pull supporting characters such as Jinshi, Lakan, and Lihua into the spotlight, letting their stories develop around her.
How does Maomao act as a catalyst for the side characters in The Apothecary Diaries?
Across the anime, Maomao tends to uncover or resolve a situation and then step back, letting the people involved take center stage. The article points to Season 2, Episode 6, where Maomao mainly exposes the culprit, Shin, who had been mistreating servants and hiding a sick maid, while Lihua is the one who finally stands up for herself and acts. Maomao instigates the events, but the emotional payoff belongs to the side characters.
Who animates The Apothecary Diaries and where can you watch it?
The Apothecary Diaries anime is produced by OLM and Toho Animation Studio, adapting the light novel series written by Natsu Hyuuga. Both Season 1 and Season 2 stream on Crunchyroll, so newcomers can follow the storylines and side characters, such as Lakan and the courtesan from the Verdigris house, in order.
