Maomao and Jinshi’s romance has taken the anime community by storm. Whether it’s the slow burn or the moments of intimacy, The Apothecary Diaries is heading the romance genre of anime without being focused on just romance.
The development of their relationship is agonizing but incredibly rewarding. While fans wish Maomao would acknowledge her feelings for the man, it will make her eventual realization satisfying. Jinshi, on the other hand, knows how he feels. While he fell for her first, it wasn’t a cliche case of love at first sight.
Takeo Otsuka, the Japanese voice actor for Jinshi, even speaks about his character’s natural instinct to, at first, see and use Maomao as a pawn or someone to just tease relentlessly. However, as time went on, he felt something deeper.
Jinshi’s feelings for Maomao grew over time, unlike most romance anime
The purple-haired Prince has always been fawned over for his good looks and charming personality. It’s a wall he’s built for himself living in the Imperial Palace. Underneath his looks, he’s deeply insecure about his intelligence in comparison to his “brother,” the Emperor.
Maomao chipped at these walls slowly and he felt seen by her. She knew his angelic personality was all an act under a much more vulnerable person who wasn’t just the Imperial Brother or the charming man. She’s the first person who commented on his great intelligence.
Their relationship starts from his curiosity about her. She was much more apathetic and aloof to his charms. This made his childish personality pop up a lot more since his charms had never failed him before. However, it was his turn to be taken aback by someone.
Takeo Otsuka comments on their dynamic from Jinshi’s point of view.
Takeo Otsuka (Jinshi VA):
“At first, Jinshi seems to have seen Maomao as a [useful pawn] or a [new person to tease], but as he got to know her, I think he was attracted to her honest way of life.”
— tamina 🦋 (@keiuzuki) January 8, 2025
His admiration for Maomao grew into genuine affection and love for her. He trusts her deeply enough to (almost) confess his true heritage. That’s a huge sign of vulnerability and trust in someone else, especially in the Imperial Palace where anything can be used against him.
Thus, he didn’t fall in love with her at first sight but a gradual emotional bond. It wasn’t a shock of lightning but a slow dance between the two.
The love at first sight trope would’ve weakened Jinshi’s affection for Maomao
The entire point of Jinshi and Maomao’s affection for one another is not the physical attraction they share. Despite the escalating steaminess of The Apothecary Diaries, their love is built on an emotional and intellectual bond.
If Jinshi was immediately attracted to Maomao, it would also make her efforts to be subtle within the Imperial Palace a failure. She deliberately doesn’t wear makeup, not wanting to attract any attention. Despite this, the purple-haired Prince was curious about her but definitely not in love just yet.
What makes Maomao more interesting is also her catlike behavior and how this makes Jinshi being special to her more romantic. When a cat chooses a person, they connect on a deep level.
Jinshi felt chosen and seen while also providing her with the same gratification and comfort. This is how The Apothecary Diaries excels when it comes to romance.
The Apothecary Diaries is available on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
