I normally don't ever put my reviews online get out my feelings about a anime or show, but I have to talk about
Apothecary diaries🌿
⚠️Warning: Slander. Angry dialogue and a few bad words. Don't interact if you like Apothecary diaries.
Due to a super cool Youtuber I like (Classic man D) I got intrigued by the show. Seeing Maomao brutally slap a dumb later in waiting was choice. That was 2 years ago, and since I've been casually looking for ways to get into it. Manga? No library. Anime? Crunchyroll? Kept forgetting to ask my parents to subscribe. Watch moments? I didn't want to spoil anything big.
(Oh, how I wish I did)
Pan to about 8 days ago, it's finally available on Netflix. I was ecstatic! Unfortunately, though. It wasn't what I thought it was.
Maomao was kidnapped to the palace first off and was tremendously passive about the whole thing. (I'll explain why that's bad later) Don't get me wrong, if I was kidnapped, I'd totally keep my head down too. Next it's unfortunately brought up about a lot of infant demise. Then, there's Jinshi😒
Now, I love pretty boys as much as the next shojo fan girl, but he wasn't hitting for me. Lemme explain better. When we're first introduced to the beautiful menace, he's curious which servant girl (I can't remember what they're called) could not only read and write, but also knows the cause of Lihua's son's death.
I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but I know he tried to "seduce" Maomao in the same first episode. I found it adorable how he was getting blocked and how she was not feeling pretty boys. Notice how I said "found" as in past tense.
I was already a bit turned off by the "rich people pull" he and Gyokuyo pulled by making Maomao the poison tester, when she wants nothing to do with the royalty. But, then the "aphrodisiac" part turned up. Both me and Maomao were rightfully grossed out because she was technically supposed to taste the spiked steamed buns. Chew and swallow.
I don't doubt Jinshi's slick ass probably knew her razor sharp wit would catch on before it went into her mouth, but still😬 My red flag indicator did go off because of that, but I turned them off and hoped for the best. I was wrong. At the end of the episode, quick as a horny cat (Yes, I said the H word) He swooped behind Maomao, touched her and got very close to her neck.
He practically kissed it. Before she could react, he was ghost. (Or backed up. Can't remember!) But, she didn't do anything about it or call him on that. And as I recall, that was technically sexual harassment. I tried to Jinshi a chance after that, but the inner feminist in me and eventually the rest of me, decided I didn't like him.
I tried to just ignore him, but everytime he came on screen, I was just disgusted. He's so...slimy. Besides being extremely nosy (actually being an imperial detective) and handsome, I couldn't find any redeeming qualities. Maomao constantly getting the ick from him didn't help either.
So by episode four, (or five) I REALLY wasn't digging Jinshi. He was giving annoying second lead who couldn't take a hint, rather than elegant main lead. I actually started shipping Maomao with Gaoshun instead, lol. My final straw though, was right before the garden began.
Our Apothecary dame was all dressed up and preparing. Jinshi, (still being Gyokuyo's best homie) enters and was in awe of Maomao's beauty. And surprisingly lack of freckles. Now, I'm not bagging Jinshi too hard about learning about the dangers the common folk go through. I mean, yay for awareness. But, with my hate shades on, I was ticked he wanted to police the joint better now, because Maomao (his "girl") had talked about her struggles.
Talk about favoritism. I was hoping he'd go away after that, but I barely get what I want in media. Jinshi gets this horny blushy look on his face and is once again way too close for comfort. He sticks his hairpin thing in her bun. Not only did he put it wrong and actually prick her a bit, they tried to portray it as a "moment" between them.
And when she was like "what the hell" Jinshi mutters that it's hers now and rushes off to take care of his boner. (Yes, I consider him driven by lust. Sue me.) I was happy when Maomao removed his claim on her, but I was pushed over the edge Gyokuyo put it back in her bun. Once again, trying to make his constant harassment romantic.
Mad, didn't even begin to cover how I felt about it. I was enraged. I see all these moments between them posted on Crunchyroll and honestly thought it'd be a legit relationship. And hell, maybe it is? Maybe Jinshi's slimy personality does do an 180 and he's actually does treat Maomao like a person?
But, I for one, can't vomit in my mouth 'till he does. Jinshi's a sleaze with a pretty face. And I hate that Maomao hasn't done anything about it and it's condoned. And I'm usually pretty loose and understanding with shaky beginnings of relationships. Not to mention, I wished his attempts at rizzing were made comedic like Tamaki (Ouran highschool host club) but, I've already been ranting too long.
Thank you to anyone who lent listening eyeballs about my recent anime failure. If you have any opinions or agree with me, please comment🌿
“You’re not going to walk through life, Amara,” he uttered roughly, each word a vow that cemented itself in her heart. “You’ll dance through it. And I’ll fucking remove anyone who tries to break your rhythm. I promise you.”
