After the premiere of The Apothecary Diaries last week, I went back to the manga and picked up where the third episode left off. I quickly realized what was about to happen in the next episode and got really, really excited. I’ve always wanted to see a particular scene animated, and I’m so glad the day has come that wish came true.
SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 4: ‘THE THREAT’ STARTS BELOW.
Let’s start with the things I didn’t like about the episode, shall we?
Maomao’s behavior when she slaps the lady-in-waiting across the face and drags her by the hair was a shock to everyone, including the audience. But believe it or not, that scene had a lot more gravitas in the manga.
I don’t know what it was exactly… maybe it was the facial expressions? They weren’t exaggerated enough, in my opinion, to really express the seriousness of the scene and the depths of Maomao’s anger.
In the manga, some parts of this scene had a near full two-page spread, which placed emphasis on the gravity of the lady-in-waiting’s decision to keep putting the poisonous makeup powder on her Lady’s face.
Aside from that, there were other moments where I just felt like there was something… off about the animation in this episode. I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but there were times where the quality wasn’t up to par. And knowing the studios involved in making this series, I’m surprised they were okay releasing this episode the way it is.
Anyway, enough of the negatives. Overall, I think they did a great job bringing this chapter to life. I really, really enjoyed the additions that they made to the episode. They might seem like such small things, but it made the scenes and story flow so much better. For example, when Lady Lihua opens her eyes at Maomao’s mention of the powder killing her son. Or the teary return of the lady-in-waiting to Lihua’s side. Or Maomao and Xiaolan eating a meal together. So many things! None of that was in either the manga or the light novel.
The thing I loved the most, however, was the addition of the flashback scenes of Lihua and the prince. We got to see the love and care she had for her son, so Lihua’s grief is even more palpable for the audience. Lihua holding her hand in mid-air and the scene transitioning to that very same hand holding that of the prince…. ugh, just tears.
Apparently, this season is going to go for 24 episodes, which is INCREDIBLE. I’m trying to predict just where in the story the season will end, and I think I have an idea. There are so many scenes along the way that are going to be absolutely amazing seeing animated. Let’s just hope the quality of the animation returns to that of the first three episodes. I can’t wait!
If you’re looking to follow along in the manga or novel, start here:
Manga: Volume 2, Chapter 5
Light novel: Volume 1, Chapters 11-12
