Hello and thanks for visiting Anime Rants for my review of the final episode of The Apothecary Diaries Season 2. This would be episode 48, also known as season 2 episode 24. As I’m struggling a lot lately in my personal life, I don’t have the usual detailed write-up with a set introduction theme. But I’ve done the best I can to cover the main events and discuss a few points, including the fact that Shisui/Loulan is still alive.

Content Warning: Mentions of fictional sexual assault and attempted rape

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Episode 48: The Beginning

Episode Rating: 8/10

Jinshi was with Maomao in the tent, looking at her bruises and leaning in close. When Maomao woke up, she had an interesting conversation with Jinshi about the gendered significance of scars and also how Jinshi’s true essence is more traditionally masculine than his appearance lets on. I was enjoying the two characters’ talk, when Jinshi ruined it by attempting to rape Maomao for a second time this season. His endeavor was interrupted by the reawakening of the supposedly dead children in the tent.

We already knew that Jinshi and Maomao’s relationship would be abusive in reality, but I think it’s okay to enjoy unhealthy relationships in fiction. In addition, most “romantic” relationships across history have been this way, with consent as a concept seldom considered. The Apothecary Diaries is showing this unfortunate historical truth in a realistic way. The harsh realism is a reminder of the evils that were normalized by an intensely Patriarchal society. It sucks to see Maomao put into a situation like this.

Anyway, the five children in the tent came back to life. As predicted, Shisui had fed them the experimental “resurrection medicine.” Four of the children kept their memories and were given new names and adopted by Ah-Duo. Suirei was also taken in by Ah-Duo instead of being executed. The last child to wake up was Kyou-u, who lost his memories and retained nerve damage on his left side. His new name was Chou-u and he was sent to live with Maomao in the pleasure district.

Gyokuyo’s baby, the new Crown Prince, was born healthy thanks to Luomen. But there was no place for Maomao in the rear palace after her adoptive father was officially hired as a palace apothecary. That’s why she was back working in the pleasure district. One day, Seki-u visited Maomao and brought her two letters: one from Xiaolan and one supposedly from Shisui.

We never got to see what was in Shisui’s letter, but Xiaolan’s letter revealed that the young girl had been hired as an attendant somewhere else. Xiaolan was no longer living in the rear palace. After reading Xiaolan’s letter, Maomao shed a quiet tear. She was missing Xiaolan and Shisui. The cute trio of friends would probably never be together again. It was such a sad scene.

At some point, Jinshi came to visit the pleasure district to see Maomao. He asked her about the hairpin and was understanding about it being lost now. Since they were alone again, Jinshi made advances on Maomao. I did think it was sexy when he kissed her neck and funny when he bit her. But I still don’t want this to happen to Maomao unless she enthusiastically consents, so I was happy when Chou-u barged in and interrupted.

In the end, Jinshi relaxed and fell asleep while holding onto Maomao like a pillow while she worked. I thought that was a cute way to end the scene. The very last part of the episode shows Shisui trading the hairpin for a jade cicada. She’s preparing to go overseas and has adopted a new name: Tamamo. I think it’s unrealistic that Shisui survived the gunshot and the fall, but my joy is stronger than my broken suspension of disbelief. I’m just really happy that this character is alive. That’s all for today. 😊

~Thanks for reading~

Written by 7Mononoke at Anime Rants

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