On June 20th, ABEMA streamed a special episode just before the climax of the TV anime " The Apothecary Diaries ," based on the light novel by Natsu Hyuga , which was born from the novel submission site " Shosetsuka ni Naro ." The special episode featured Aoi Yuki , who plays Maomao , Takeo Otsuka , who plays Jinshi , Asami Seto, who plays Shisui/Rouran, and Kaori Nazuka, who plays Suirei. With only two episodes left until the final episode of the second season, the voice actors looked back on the episodes so far.
This is the first time for Seto and Nazuka to appear in a special episode of "The Apothecary Diaries." Seto said, "I'm really excited to introduce myself like this and say that I'm playing the role of Zicui/Louran. I've been in the show since the first season, but I wasn't even listed in the credits as Princess Loulan, so I'm happy to finally be able to say it!" Nazuka also expressed her delight, saying, "I haven't had a chance to talk about 'The Apothecary' with everyone, so I'm happy to be able to look back on it together like this."
The program began with a segment where they reviewed the relationships between the characters by comparing the relationship chart of Episode 42, which was reviewed in the previous special, with the latest Episode 46. Yuki commented, "This is true of Zicui/Loulan, and the things from the time of the previous emperor are all connected, and it feels like the final piece has finally come into place."
In a corner where the story was looked back on based on keywords picked by the anime staff, "The Pharmacy Staff's Choice! 8 Keywords to Enjoy the Climax," the cast shared their thoughts while watching footage of each scene. When the ghost story scene in episode 40 was picked out based on the theme of "Malignity Lurking in the Harem," Yuuki commented, "The better the ghost story, the more detailed the drawings become, which has an anime-like effect," and Nazuka said, "The many close-ups of the mouth were very impressive. There are scenes where the eyes tell the story, but it's amazing how the mouth can express so many different expressions."
In the video of Princess Ouran immediately after entering the palace, which was selected for "Loulan and Suirei", viewers were surprised to see scenes that could only be understood now that episode 46 has aired, such as "Her personality is depicted even in the way she throws her hair ornament" and "If you watch it thinking it's Zicui, it looks like Zicui!". Looking back on the first season, Seto said, "It felt like I was starting to develop the role of Zicui, who is trying to reach Loulan", and Nazuka also revealed, "It felt like she was there without you noticing, trying not to stand out. Even during the recording, I was careful not to leave too much of an impression."
When "Jinshi's Determination" was selected, Otsuka explained about Jinshi, "He's a character who shows many different sides, and the extent to which he shows them depends on who he's with." Yuki said, "He becomes such a handsome man in order to save Maomao...! But Maomao doesn't see this (laughs)." "Maomao probably doesn't want to be influenced by the human side of Jinshi, so she keeps a certain distance from him, but she does acknowledge his work."
When the final visual for the second season, depicting Jinshi's determination, became a hot topic, the women got excited, saying, "Wow! So cool!!" and "Thanks for the ponytail!" Otsuka commented, "His expression shows a strength of will that hasn't been seen in his previous visuals, and it makes him beautiful."
Regarding the keyword "Kosui's determination," Seto commented, "It was a scene where we had to pay attention to the timing, so I even put effort into the sound of her breath and nose, and I was really happy that they picked up and included that sound." Yuki talked about her conflict and her role-making, saying, "As a friend, I want to stop her, but that would mean not respecting Kosui's will," to which Nazuka praised, "It was a performance that only Aoi, who has created Maomao up to this point, could have done."
They also tried the collaborative food from the collaborative event with Universal Studios Japan, "The Apothecary Diaries Mystery Walk - Investigate the Mysterious Medicine," which begins on July 1st, and shared their impressions of dishes such as "Maomao's Colorful Sudachi Cold Noodles Combo" and "Maomao's Strawberry Almond Tofu with Yellow Peach."
Finally, Nazuka said, "I'm even more excited for the episodes to come. I hope you will watch until the end, as not only will the developments with Maomao and Jinshi be interesting, but Shisui is also working hard." Seto said, "After the dubbing was finished, I felt a sense of accomplishment but also loneliness, so I was happy to be able to look back on it while watching the footage with the other cast members. There are two episodes left, but I hope you won't miss it until the end."
Otsuka sent a message saying, "It makes me want to rewatch the anime. All that's left now is to watch episodes 47 and 48 and see where everyone's resolve leads them." Yuuki added, "During the dubbing, I was facing my character with seriousness when I was acting, and during breaks we had fun talking about the work, so it was a really happy time for us to be able to talk deeply about the work in an atmosphere that reminded us of those times. The work has been made with great care, so I hope you will see it for yourself."
It was also announced that a release event for the fourth volume of the second season's Blu-ray disc will be held on December 14th at animate hall BLACK (Toshima-ku, Tokyo), and that Yuuki and Otsuka will be in attendance.
The light novel version of "The Apothecary Diaries" is published by Hero Bunko (Imagine Infos), and the comic adaptation is also gaining popularity. The original series has sold over 40 million copies in total. The story is set in a glamorous harem on a certain continent, where a young Maomao, who is in charge of testing poison, becomes embroiled in an incident that occurs in the harem, which is full of conspiracies and rumors, together with the handsome harem manager Jinshi. The first season of the TV anime aired on Nippon Television from October 2023 to March 2024. The second season is currently airing on Nippon Television's anime slot "FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT (Furaani)". There are only two episodes left of the second season, and the final episode will be broadcast on July 4th.
