One of my favorite shows of 2023, it's Asian history drama soap opera without the christian guilt. With the lead being pragmatist thinker in that system, telling us the truth behind the glamor. The opening title alone takes me back to the golden age of Anime, its simple, focusing on a great song and lyrics, grateful I was introduced to the singer and band who made a lighthearted Music video in contract to the heavy subjects in the anime's writing that came out before the video. The Anime is definitely story driven but the animation is inspired by the writing that you can see the love in all aspects and taking new ventures in simple attention to detail which you don't expect in a history drama/ comedy, Example is the hand wave that Mawmaw to one of the lady's in waiting. It was simple but effective detail, to humanize the people that lived in such strict places. The wave was made as if the were two girls at that age in a food court saying see you later, while being technically servants. The CGI is not great with the extras walking in the back but the story and writing makes not care.
Review of The Apothecary Diaries
