The Apothecary Diaries gave us one of the biggest plot twists with Shisui’s character. The reveal wasn’t something fans expected or even anticipated. It stands as one of the jaw-dropping moments in the anime.
With the recent episodes, we were given a glimpse into her past. Her backstory delves deep into the nature of her relationship with Suirei and others. But what the next episode did left the viewers jarred and scarred.
In other words, her actions may have posited the character as a potential villain. A minor one, that too, however, it doesn’t dispute one of the underlying themes in the series, and that has to do with the idea of a moral compass!
How Shisui might have become a minor villain
The real Slim Shady finally made her appearance in the form of Shisui. Or should we call her Loulan? Well, either way, Natsu Hyuga dropped a bomb with this reveal in The Apothecary Diaries, and most fans didn’t see it coming!
Episode 21 was an emotional rollercoaster for fans. It underlined some of the darkest moments ever in the anime. Shenmei’s abuse and her antics have solidified her as one of the most hateful characters in the series.
But what followed was Loulan’s actions in the end. She poisoning the kids is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the series. It was all done to save the little ones from the rebellion and its aftermath. Quite a noble cause indeed, right?
However, it may have positioned her as a minor villain in Natsu Hyuga’s series. This is something viewers pointed out lately regarding the recent episode. This is what they had to say:
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Was it cruel for her to give the kids poison? Yes. Will the poison kill the kids and counteract? Well, not exactly. The resurrection drug would interfere with their memory, as in the case of Kyou-u, who was saved ultimately.
Shisui’s actions might seem disputable at first, but it does not make her a complete villain. It seems extreme at first, but readers know what’s coming. However, this only points to the whole idea of a warped moral compass.
Moral compass and power in The Apothecary Diaries
Throughout the anime, we see instances of how power and socio-political status interplay to create a person’s moral compass. Social norms, expectations, and status would generate a distorted view of morality and humanity for a lot of characters.
Although it was all for a noble cause, Shisui’s poisoning of the kids would ultimately lead to long-term effects. What eventually happens is that Maomao and Ah-Duo ensure and enable the kids’ safety. So, where does a moral compass come in? Children, women, and innocent civilians are all subjected to the aftermath of the rebellion. Shishou’s silence and incompetence are one of the reasons behind this.
His inability to question his wife and her actions, merely out of love, doesn’t excuse him. The series of assassinations and scheming inadvertently affected those who weren’t involved in the matter. In this case, it is the children.
In addition to that, the socio-political space influences the characters and their decisions. This also has to do with their morality, in question. Lakan holds Jinshi accountable and questions his morality, mainly because of the position he holds.
Similarly, Loulan can digress from the social norms, and it was her position as a Consort that enabled it. Disguising herself as a palace maid and orchestrating Maomao’s abduction points to one thing: power. She holds power, hence she can act on her moral compass.
The Apothecary Diaries is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
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