Director Discusses Jinshi and Maomao’s Key Bond in The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries is set to return with a new season, and the anime’s director has shared insights into the unique bond between the main characters, Maomao and Jinshi. The anime adaptation, based on Natsu Hyuga and Touko Shino’s light novels, has emerged as a hidden gem this year. Although its initial episodes flew under the radar, the latter half of the season captivated fans thanks to the deepening connection between Maomao and Jinshi.

Their dynamic, featuring a one-sided infatuation with potential for future development, has been a significant factor in the anime’s growing popularity. The director, Norihiro Naganuma, believes a crucial element of their relationship lies in Jinshi’s need to keep his double life a secret. This secrecy, Naganuma suggests, makes Jinshi more appealing to Maomao.

Naganuma detailed this during an interview at Anime Expo 2024, stating, “While Maomao is always very honest, Jinshi possesses a strong duality with an exterior face that hides his inner self. This characteristic makes Jinshi intriguing and complementary to Maomao. I believe this duality is key to their relationship.”

The director also highlighted what distinguishes Maomao, saying, “Her strength doesn’t originate from something innate. Instead, it’s derived from the extensive knowledge and experience she has accumulated over time. Maomao also has a strong sense of justice and a deep aversion to losing.”

As fans eagerly await new episodes, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 is currently being produced and is scheduled for release in 2025. For those looking to catch up before the new season arrives, the first season is exclusively available on Crunchyroll.

(Source: ComicBook)