The Apothecary Diaries is an intriguing mush of medicine, mystery, comedy, and drama. It is a wholesome Seinen anime that perfects most of these elements, but do you know what it does best? Tragedy.
Yes, Natsu Hyuga’s characters do not fit into the conventional moulds of characterization. This also applies to how well their dynamics are presented in the anime. Such is the case with love stories and their culmination.
Fans have their pick for the most saddening love story. Nothing, however, beats this tragic love story that deserves all its due attention. Through this couple, Hyuga proved that happy endings are a rarity in her manga.
The most overlooked tragic love story
Other than political intrigue, Natsu Hyuga is brilliant with the element of tragedy. Her characters are layered in every sense, be it Maomao or Loulan. This is pretty evident in how the author shapes the dynamics between them.
So, where does the tragedy come in? Well, love for one thing is often associated with pain and loss. Fuyou yearned to be with her lover, and even as a side character, her trajectory is relevant. One cannot love freely in any case.
A great example of this is Ah Duo and the Emperor. Now, fans may disagree here and say Lakan and Fengxian’s story is more impactful. We’re not denying that, but here it has to do with possibilities, and both were rid of them.
Shishou made sure Ah-Duo never retained her position as a High Consort. She left the Imperial Palace, which affected Jinshi. Honestly, she deserved a happy ending with the Emperor, and fans are disappointed that this ship never sailed:
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inKusuriyaNoHitorigoto
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inKusuriyaNoHitorigoto
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byu/Every_Natural_34 from discussion
inKusuriyaNoHitorigoto
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byu/Every_Natural_34 from discussion
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It is the political intrigue that shifts most of the narrative we see in the anime. Both the Emperor and his pure consort faced perils at the hands of the Imperial Court. She gave up her baby to ensure he thrived in the Court.
Readers know that Ah Duo still has a hold on the political affairs. While she might not be as powerful as others, she strives to protect her son nonetheless. This doesn’t, however, dispute that happy endings aren’t for everyone.
Happy endings are a rarity in The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries encompasses complexities well, be it the events or the characters. But what it teaches us best is that happy endings aren’t for everyone. Ah Duo and the Emperor were the victims of their circumstances.
This is also synonymous with Lakan and Fengxian, who were separated as a result of family and societal pressure. Their journey is nothing short of gut-wrenching. The path to love, after all, is determined by external factors.
Politics is one such example. Ah Duo was no longer useful to the Court, hence she was driven away by Shishou’s orchestrations. Madam at the Verdigris House, too, kept Fengxian’s status a secret to avoid societal pressure.
The circumstances might be different, but their outcomes are similar. We have individuals in love who are stripped away of any possibility that might bring them together. Fans’ concerns about Jinshi-Maomao are, hence, valid.
It’s interesting how people often tend to overlook Ah Duo and the Emperor’s dynamic. When in fact it deserves to be celebrated as one of the most tragic love stories in the series!
The Apothecary Diaries is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
