薬屋のひとりごと

2023 - 2025

Maomao

22nd October 2023

Episode 1

After being kidnapped and forced to work as a servant in the rear palace, former apothecary Maomao inadvertently draws the attention of the higher ranks when she investigates what's causing the emperor's infant heirs to fall mysteriously ill.

Chilly Apothecary

22nd October 2023

Episode 2

Maomao tries to settle into her promotion to lady-in-waiting and food taster, but struggles to fend off both boredom and the overly-familiar Jinshi. That is, until she gets an assignment of her dreams: to concoct an aphrodisiac.

The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit

22nd October 2023

Episode 3

Tasked with investigating a ghostly woman dancing nightly on the palace walls, Maomao finds a sleepwalking Concubine Fuyou. But with no medicinal cure for sleepwalking, she's forced to dig deeper to find the real reason behind Fuyou's affliction.

The Threat

29th October 2023

Episode 4

Under direct orders from the emperor himself, Maomao tries to care for an ailing Concubine Lihua, but finds her work impeded by Lihua's own ladies-in-waiting.

Covert Operations

5th November 2023

Episode 5

A eunuch stricken by a curse comes begging for aid. Meanwhile, the rear palace buzzes with excitement as everyone prepares for the upcoming garden party, and Gyokuyou's ladies-in-waiting aren't about to let Maomao get away without dressing her up.

The Garden Party

12th November 2023

Episode 6

Maomao does her best to navigate the complex social situations at the garden party, including meeting the other Upper First rank concubines. But once she settles down to do her work as a food-taster, she discovers a surprise in a bowl of soup.

Homecoming

19th November 2023

Episode 7

Gaoshun goes to Maomao to get her help in resolving the events of the garden party. Later, Xiaolan explains the purpose of the hairpins Maomao was gifted, and Maomao makes a deal with Lihaku in order to finally visit home.

Wheat Stalks

26th November 2023

Episode 8

Maomao's peaceful morning at home is interrupted when she's called in to investigate an apparent double suicide at one of the local brothels.

Suicide or Murder?

3rd December 2023

Episode 9

An older acquaintance of Jinshi's dies while drinking at a party. A servant's body turns up in a moat. Both deaths are written off as self-inflicted, but Maomao's keen observations tell her that there's more to both stories.

Honey

10th December 2023

Episode 10

A tea party hosted by Lady Gyokuyou puts the politics of the rear palace at the forefront, and Maomao learns something new about Lady Lishu. His true intentions unclear, Jinshi sends Maomao to work for Lady Ah-Duo.

Reducing Two to One

17th December 2023

Episode 11

Maomao confronts Fengming about the dark secret she's been hiding from her noble Lady Ah-Duo.

The Eunuch and the Courtesan

24th December 2023

Episode 12

Discovering that Maomao's kidnappers were connected to Fengming's family, Jinshi is faced with a choice between keeping Maomao in the rear palace where he can be near her or releasing her from her service.

Serving in the Outer Court

7th January 2024

Episode 13

To Maomao's surprise, Jinshi brings her directly to his house instead of taking her back to the rear palace, and tells her she's to work in the outer court. Not only is there much to learn, it seems there's many eyes on her as the new hire.

The New Pure Consort

14th January 2024

Episode 14

Ah-Duo's replacement has arrived in the rear palace, and Maomao is assigned to give a certain lecture to all four high concubines. Later, Maomao helps Lihaku investigate a warehouse explosion.

Raw Fish

21st January 2024

Episode 15

Gaoshun requests Maomao's help in solving an apparent poisoning case. Meanwhile, Jinshi deals with an unwelcome visitor who's taken to lingering in his office.

Lead

28th January 2024

Episode 16

A shack, a chest of drawers, and a fishbowl are all that a talented metalworker leaves to his three sons upon his death. Maomao is assigned to investigate how these strange inheritances all fit together.

A Jaunt Around Town

4th February 2024

Episode 17

Covering up Jinshi's otherworldly beauty is no easy task, but after Maomao takes the challenge head-on, she's surprised when she's also asked to don the disguise of a noblewoman and escort "Jinka" outside the palace.

Lakan

11th February 2024

Episode 18

Back at home, Maomao visits an annex building at the Verdigris House that hides one of the brothel's secrets. Lakan continues to antagonize Jinshi as his connection to Maomao becomes clear.

Chance or Something More

18th February 2024

Episode 19

A discussion with Lihaku about recent events leads Maomao to realize that the mysteries she's helped to solve are connected. As the final piece of the puzzle falls into place, she rushes to stop impending disaster.

Thornapple

25th February 2024

Episode 20

Maomao was able to stop the assassination attempt, but was heavily injured in the process. However, the injuries aren't enough to stop her curiosity, driving her to confront the culprit behind the incident.

How to Buy Out a Contract

Episode 21

Back to work at the rear palace, Maomao listens to Guen talk about his family's business. Meanwhile, Lihaku hears a rumor that whips him into action.

Blue Roses

10th March 2024

Episode 22

Lakan challenges Jinshi to produce blue roses to present at the upcoming garden party, forcing Jinshi to turn once again to Maomao for her help.

Balsam and Woodsorrel

17th March 2024

Episode 23

No longer willing to keep running away from Lakan, Maomao decides to face off against him. She challenges him on his own turf, in a chess match.

Jinshi and Maomao

24th March 2024

Episode 24

Lakan must now choose a courtesan to buy out. As a high-ranking military official, he can afford to freely choose, even from one of the Three Princesses. Who will he choose? Who does Maomao really want him to choose?

Maomao and Maomao

10th January 2025

Episode 25

The spring garden party concludes without incident. Maomao returns to her regular life as Concubine Gyokuyou’s taster. Meanwhile, novels become popular in the rear palace. Maomao wonders how this came to be, as novels were typically considered low-class. But behind the scenes lies Jinshi and his goals as manager of the rear palace.

Caravan

17th January 2025

Episode 26

The caravan stirs up excitement in the inner palace. The merchants bring all kinds of goods. However, something gives Maomao a bad feeling.

Corpse Fungus

24th January 2025

Episode 27

A concubine passes away, and a woman goes missing. Jinshi sends Maomao to investigate - not these incidents, but mushrooms growing in the rear palace.

Mirror

31st January 2025

Episode 28

The special envoy from a foreign land gifts mirrors - a rarity in this country - to the high concubines. However, they bring mysteries as well.

The Moon Fairy

7th February 2025

Episode 29

In order to realize the seemingly impossible request from the foreign envoy, Maomao speaks to the “Moon Fairy” herself.

The Crystal Pavilion, for the Third Time

14th February 2025

Episode 30

The woman from the clinic finds out that Maomao knows a thing or two about medicine, and asks for her help.

The Shrine of Choosing

21st February 2025

Episode 31

Maomao directs her curiosity towards an old, oddly-shaped building.

The Empress Dowager

28th February 2025

Episode 32

Maomao's reputation for resolving conflicts reaches the empress dowager, who will ask for her help to unravel a mystery that won't leave her mind.

The Late Emperor

Episode 33

Maomao's investigation of the "curse" reveals more about the late emperor than anticipated.

A Ghost Story

14th March 2025

Episode 34

Maomao joins some women exchanging scary stories on a hot summer night to provide chills.

The Hunt

21st March 2025

Episode 35

Jinshi goes on a hunting trip, and brings Maomao along. He seems ready to share his secret with her.

Ka Zuigetsu

28th March 2025

Episode 36

Maomao discovers Jinshi's secret. She wants nothing to do with whatever the politics behind it is.

The Baths

Episode 37

Xiaolan's term of service is almost up, so she must find a new job. Maomao and Shisui decide to help.

The Dancing Ghost

11th April 2025

Episode 38

Concubine Lishu reports sightings of a ghost in the baths in her pavilion. Maomao goes to investigate.

Ice

18th April 2025

Episode 39

Xiaolan accidentally ruins an expensive block of ice. Maomao comes up with a delicious backup plan.

Festering Resentment

25th April 2025

Episode 40

Luomen returns to the rear palace. His observations trigger Maomao's curiosity.

The Fox Village

Episode 41

Suirei smuggles Maomao and Shisui out of the rear palace. Jinshi begins to search for Maomao.

Lantern Plant

Episode 42

Maomao has been missing for ten days now. Jinshi's investigations lead him to a forgotten graveyard.

Festival

Episode 43

The village holds a festival. Maomao attends, and Shisui introduces some of the village's history to her.

The Stronghold

Episode 44

Maomao is taken to a mountain stronghold, where many of the secrets of the Shi clan are revealed to her.

Taibon

Episode 45

Maomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.

Royal Guard

Episode 46

The royal guard, led by Jinshi, arrives, sealing the Shi clan's fate. Maomao wants to save her friend, Shisui.

The Shi Clan

Episode 47

Jinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.

The Beginning

Episode 48

After the war, Jinshi's work piles up and Maomao returns to the pleasure district.

Top Cast

Aoi Yuuki•Takeo Otsuka•Katsuyuki Konishi

Animation Drama Mystery

Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she's sold as a lowly servant to the emperor's palace. But she wasn't meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she's making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!

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Full Cast

Aoi Yuuki Image

Aoi Yuuki

Maomao (voice)

Takeo Otsuka Image

Takeo Otsuka

Jinshi (voice)

Katsuyuki Konishi Image

Katsuyuki Konishi

Gaoshun (voice)

Full Crew

Yukiko Nakatani

Character Designer

Misato Aida

Color Designer

Shoji Hata Image

Shoji Hata

Sound Director

Norihiro Naganuma Image

Norihiro Naganuma

Series Composition

Katsumi Takao

Art Direction

Rumi Ishiguro

Director of Photography

Daisuke Imai Image

Daisuke Imai

Editor

Satoru Kosaki Image

Satoru Kosaki

Original Music Composer

Kevin Penkin Image

Kevin Penkin

Original Music Composer

Alisa Okehazama

Original Music Composer

Tamotsu Nagai

CGI Director

Yoshihiro Nagamori

Character Designer

Kazutaka Yamanaka

Executive Producer

Atsushi Takahashi

Executive Producer

Katsuhiro Takei Image

Katsuhiro Takei

Executive Producer

Keiji Ota Image

Keiji Ota

Executive Producer

Hideki Kama Image

Hideki Kama

Executive Producer

Tatsuya Maeda

Executive Producer

Mitsuharu Moriya

Executive Producer

Nobumasa Sawabe Image

Nobumasa Sawabe

Executive Producer

Ryuji Abe

Executive Producer

Yuito Hirahara

Producer

Mitsuteru Hishiyama

Producer

Katsuji Morishita Image

Katsuji Morishita

Producer

Junya Okamoto Image

Junya Okamoto

Producer

Tomoko Fujimura

Producer

Yoshiki Kobayashi

Music Producer

Takahiro Sato

Executive Producer

Aya Kawamura

Producer

Hiroshi Muto Image

Hiroshi Muto

Producer

Kohei Takara

Foley Artist

Haruka Matsushita

Sound Recordist

Masamune Otani

Assistant Editor

Taiki Onoue

Associate Producer

Takanari Iwata

Associate Producer

Ryo Ebina

Associate Producer

Kana Miyai

Character Designer

Ryo Hirata

Prop Designer

mikitail

Prop Designer

Eiji Sumitomo

Production Manager

Touko Shino

Character Designer

Natsu Hyūga

Original Story

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