Asami Seto"The Apothecary Diaries" Interview

Asami Seto plays Zicui and Loulan in the TV anime " The Apothecary Diaries ," based on Natsu Hyuga 's light novel. As the story progresses, it is revealed that the chatty, cheerful, insect-loving maid Zicui is actually Loulan, the current emperor's wife and one of the four senior consorts. We spoke to Seto, who took on the difficult role of Zicui and Loulan, about what went on behind the scenes during the recording.

◇Zicui and Loulan have the same roots

The light novel version of " The Apothecary Diaries" is published by Hero Bunko (Imagine Infos), and its comic book adaptation has also gained 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 Maomao, a poison taster, and the harem manager Jinshi become embroiled in an incident that takes place in the harem, which is full of conspiracies and rumors. The first season of the TV anime aired on Nippon TV from October 2023 to March 2024. The second season is currently airing on Nippon TV's anime slot "FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT (Fura-ani)."

Zicui is a new character that appeared in the second season, but Loulan also appeared in the first season. In fact, Seto-san also played the role of Loulan in the first season, but was not credited in the cast. This was probably to avoid spoilers that Zicui = Loulan.

"In the first season, I mainly did breathing exercises, and the only line I had was saying 'Good day' to Jinshi. It wasn't even in the credits, so I didn't tell anyone around me that I was in 'The Pharmacy!' During the first season, it wasn't an audition, but after recording the last episode, I had the opportunity to talk to Director Naganuma, who told me that he had seen my acting at an audition for another production, and thought I could play the role of Loulan, so he asked me to play the role."

At first glance, the innocent and high-spirited Zicui and Loulan, who possess the composure of a high-ranking consort, seem like completely different characters, but...

"I didn't feel that it was that difficult to play different characters. Our facial expressions and tones of voice are completely different, but we're at the same root, so I didn't really feel the difference. To me, it felt like they were one and the same. When Shisui first appeared in season 2, I was given the direction to 'be more excited'. Of course, I knew she was a cheerful girl, but it was beyond my imagination. I wanted to make the difference between her and Loulan bigger towards the final episode of season 2, so I was directed to make Shisui really excited. The high level of excitement was in anticipation of the final episode."

◇ Shisui is "the person I wanted to be"

Even before her true identity was revealed, Zicui made some meaningful remarks, and there were scenes where her true identity as Loulan was revealed. There were many hints that she was more than just a carefree maid. There were some scenes where Zicui unconsciously hinted, and some where she did so consciously.

"I thought that the parts where she unconsciously says things are told from Maomao point of view, and the parts where she does things consciously are told from Komidori's point of view. I acted out the scenes where she unconsciously lets things slip out, thinking that only Maomao would notice. Maomao pays close attention to people, after all."

Zicui and Lou Lan are complex characters, harboring complex feelings in their hearts while going along with the rebellion hatched by their mother, Shen Mei.

"Rouran is Kamimi's ideal doll, and I think she has given up. She has lived her life suppressing her emotions to suit her mother. It's not portrayed in the anime, but I think she originally had a carefree side to her. That was suppressed, and I imagined that she lost sight of who she really was. When I play Rouran, I imagine her speaking according to the script Rouran writes. She has set what to do and say, and she speaks the words. There are some lines that she speaks forcefully, but she only says them because it's the right time. I think she was playing Rouran. The face of Zicui that she showed to Maomao and Koran may be the "self she wanted to be." Because she is playing Zicui, maybe all her memories with Maomao and Koran were lies... But I don't want to think that, and it's probably not the case."

◇We have to decide now! Episode 47

In episode 45, there was a memorable scene where Maomao was unsure whether to call him "Zicui" or "Loulan", and when she called out "Zicui", he replied "What is it?"

"The pause after Maomao calls Shisui shows Shisui's feelings. She must have been happy, and I think the answer lies in that pause."

I was inspired while acting with Aoi Yuki , who played the role of Maomao .

"I've been working with Ao-san since we were teenagers, but I feel like we've become much closer through 'The Pharmacist.' I've had many opportunities to talk to her, and I've come to like her even more. I think Maomao is a very difficult character, so I was really impressed by her. I feel like I've gotten to know her better because we were able to act together in a heart-wrenching way."

While Loulan retains her true self as Zicui, she also becomes her mother's doll as Loulan. Although it is a difficult role for Seto to play, he smiles and says, "It was fun!"

"She's the central character of the second season, so I tried to play her well. I was looking forward to understanding her and playing her, and it was rewarding. It's a role and work in which the more you think about it, the more answers you get, so I enjoyed the time I spent thinking about it and acting."

Regarding the 47th episode, which aired on June 27th, Seto said, "I felt I had to make a decision here. I did my best."

"Some may think that the days she spent with Maomao and Xiaolan as Zicui were a lie, to take advantage of Maomao. In episode 47, we will find out why Loulan is trying to do something so big. I hope you will watch Loulan's once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You will surely be drawn into Loulan and Zicui even more."

The ending video for the second season of the second season is impressive for its depiction of the casual but beautiful daily lives of Zicui, Maomao, and Xiaolan. Was this daily life a lie? Surely not.... Please pay attention to Seto's acting, who says that Loulan's "once-in-a-lifetime fight" and "I've done it."