The Apothecary Diaries episode 21 is just as poetic as it is entertaining. While we get to see the quack doctor and Jinshi in separate parts of the episode, it is actually Lihaku’s character that shines in the best way possible with all his profound and romantic gestures to prove he is a man worthy of Pairin, one of the Three Princesses of the Verdigris House.
It’s a sweet change of pace that tells a very heartfelt story. That said, the other highlight of the episode is by far the most hilarious scene of the series — Jinshi walking in to find Maomao asking Lihaku to strip naked. The secondhand embarrassments, spirals of misunderstandings, and the silly excitement of it all gave me a really good laugh!
As someone who has been so invested in the deeper plots of The Apothecary Diaries, this week’s episode just feels so light-hearted, like a fresh breath of air in the spring.
As I watched the first part of the episode, I couldn’t help but appreciate (again) how wonderful the music is. It’s nice to see composers be passionate about creating music in anime, and I think Apothecary Diaries‘ music (Satoru Kosaki, Kevin Penkin, and Alisa Okehazama) deserves all the love they can get. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been awestruck by the anime’s Chinese-themed scenes, especially when the music has so many unique tones and instruments.
Anyway, I say this because the scenes with the quack doctor, as Maomao calls him, were simply enjoyable to watch. Like I can let my guard down and just watch calmly. While we learn more about the quack and his paper business, the scene sets up a curious atmosphere, so we already know that the cogs in Maomao’s mind have started to work. Oh, what mystery will we have today?
It turns out to be just a simple one solved through another demonstration by Maomao, just like in episode 14. I did have an idea of where it was going but when the quack finally figured it out, I felt that excitement too. My experience of making DIY papers from my high school days was suddenly revived.
That aside, it was overall fascinating to hear Maomao and the quack talk this much, especially Maomao’s effort to organize the rear palace’s medicines. The quack loves his snacks and he is kind-hearted, so perhaps he may not be as bad or as useless as we first thought.
The amazing thing about Lihaku in The Apothecary Diaries episode 21 is that it reveals how he is honest, passionate, and hard-working, if not stupidly in love. After overhearing that one of the three courtesans would be bought out (which was later revealed to be Maomao), he becomes worried it could be about Pairin — the woman whom he has fallen in love with. He then asks Maoamo for advice but becomes more anxious after learning that buying out a courtesan is not as easy as it sounds.
Maomao figures that money aside, Lihaku might be a good fit for her older sister’s “needs.” I agree that one should pick up a skill or two in reading people. With that in mind, the apothecary asks Lihaku to remove his clothes so he can assess his, uhh, physical features.
Of course, this assessment easily becomes humorous. If there’s one thing we’ve come to learn about Maomao, it’s that her cleverness is rooted in being knowledgeable and practical in many things. That’s why she doesn’t think about how weird this situation is and just seriously/medically investigates Lihaku’s build with her older sister’s preferences in mind.
By the time Jinshi walks into this scene, a million thoughts start rushing through him and you can literally feel his panic, drama, and meltdown. Maomao is oblivious to why Jinshi is especially bothered by it and makes the misunderstanding/explanation worse. Meanwhile, Gaoshun is the only one who gets it, and I’m here screaming and wheezing, just overall amused by this entire sequence.
For the most part, it is unexpected that Jinshi meets with Lihaku to offer him 20,000 silvers as payment for Pairin. He just low-key wants this Lihaku guy — who if you forgot, was the guy who granted Maomao’s favor to go outside and later, was also caught being friendly with her while solving Suirei’s case — to stay away from “his” curious cat. Yes, it’s dramatic and Jinshi is obviously a jealous man, but before I can come up with any other underlying motives, Lihaku suddenly steals the spotlight with a very noble and romantic statement, ultimately refusing Jinshi’s grand offer.
Lihaku, with his hand over his heart, chooses his own path on how to pursue and win Pairin’s heart, which is through his hard work in both money and courtship. This just goes to prove that Lihaku is the kind of man who respects a woman just as much as he loves her, despite the courtesan’s profession and all. How can you not find this man endearing?
In the end, the episode closes its curtain with the overwhelmingly wholesome note that Lihaku genuinely adores Pairin. Plum Blossoms — which symbolize perseverance, hope, and virtue– are the heralds of spring, after all.
All in all, The Apothecary Diaries episode 21 is a very fun and lovely watch. All the characters had their moments — the quack’s kindness, Jinshi’s protectiveness, Lihaku’s honor, and even the story of why Maomao is as close as family to her older sisters and granny at the Verdigris House. There were plenty of pretty shots too, from the smooth movements to Jinshi’s visuals, and the environment sceneries, too. (And please, Rikuson appearing again! The light-novel fan in me is fangirling.)
That said, The Apothecary Diaries still leaves us with an eerie cliffhanger — Lakan is back and although his intentions are mysterious and unclear, the only clue we have is the blue rose, a flower that symbolizes mystery, pride, and unrequited love.
If you enjoyed episode 21 (and love Lihaku), vote for it on our weekly polls!
The Apothecary Diaries is streaming on Netflix and Crunchyroll.
© Natsu Hyuga/Imagika Foss/”The Apothecary Diaries” Production Committee