Isn’t it frustrating when your dad turns out to be right? For Maomao, this becomes particularly urgent when her father’s casual warning about an increase in kidnappings proves to be foreshadowing. While gathering herbs, she gets abducted by human traffickers. This brand new anime series is gathering more and more fans with the release of every new episode, and that is also why they are anticipating the release date of the upcoming The Apothecary Diaries Episode 4.
Maomao’s life takes a drastic turn from working in the red-light district to doing laundry in the Inner Palace, the section reserved for the emperor’s ladies. Maomao is not thrilled about her situation, and if she were any angrier, she’d be the human embodiment of the Dead Sea.
The Apothecary Diaries Episode 3: Recap and Review
Maomao is undoubtedly one of my favorite light novel heroines. As we can see in these three episodes, she’s a mix of prickly and practical. She’s not pleased with her predicament, but she’s determined to get through it and return home. Her years working with the courtesans have taught her that staying inconspicuous is a form of safety – if you don’t stand out, no one will interfere with you.
Maomao applies this theory here. While some women in the Rear Palace gain the emperor’s attention and become concubines, that’s the last thing Maomao wants. Unfortunately, she’s one of the very few with genuine medical knowledge, and she can’t help but use her skills when needed. She tries to keep a low profile, but she meets her match in Jinshi, the eunuch in charge of the Inner Palace.
If you’ve ever encountered someone who knows they’re attractive and uses it to their advantage, Maomao’s reaction to Jinshi will be relatable. Her name, meaning “cat,” and her reactions to Jinshi’s advances are amusingly depicted in the animation.
For Maomao, it’s not about whether Jinshi has all his masculine attributes; it’s more about his smoothness and self-assuredness, which she finds off-putting. While Jinshi is unsure about what’s not working with her, her indifference piques his interest.
It’s a classic romance trope, and The Apothecary Diaries handles it well, revealing that Jinshi is more than just a pretty face and raising questions about his role in the Inner Palace.
Of course, there are many things that are peculiar in these episodes. Each episode covers a separate incident, much like the early novels in the series. The story eventually comes together, and we hope to get a complete adaptation. Pay attention to every detail, even if it seems unrelated at this point because it will likely become significant later on.
The opening mystery about arsenic-based makeup is a fascinating exploration of historical blunders, as arsenic beauty products were sold long after people knew they were poisonous. The resolution of the mystery is grounded in reality, even though the story is set in a fictional version of China. Episode three, in particular, showcases Maomao’s logical problem-solving skills in the face of a supernatural explanation.
This story is just beginning, and there’s much more to discover about the characters and the mysteries Maomao will solve. These episodes have subtly dropped hints, and the artwork, including the chibis, is beautifully done.
Despite the slightly excessive focus on dancing in the opening theme, this adaptation has left this novel reader quite satisfied. Stick around because it’s likely to get even better from here.
The Apothecary Diaries Episode 4: Release Date
The upcoming The Apothecary Diaries Episode 4 is scheduled to be out for the fans to read on October 29, 2023.
- Japanese Standard Time: 10:00 PM on Sunday, October 29, 2023
- Central European Time: 03:00 PM on Sunday, October 29, 2023
- New York: 09:00 AM on Sunday, October 29, 2023
- Australian Capital Territory: 12:00 AM on Sunday, October 29, 2023
- Pacific Time: 06:00 AM on Sunday, October 29, 2023
- Eastern European Time: 03:00 PM on Sunday, October 29, 2023
Where To Watch The Apothecary Diaries Episode 4?
You will be able to watch the upcoming The Apothecary Diaries Episode 4 at the time and dates we have mentioned on Crunchyroll. If you are watching The Apothecary Diaries and looking forward to watching more such amazing shows this season, you can check out Captain Tsubasa Season 2 or Undead Unluck.
