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The Apothecary Diaries is a wonderful adaptation and makes the needed changes to fit a visual medium. The creative team, which includes director Norihiro Naganuma, and character designer Yukiko Nakatani, reimagined the characters to best suit this new format. The casting of Aoi Yuuki’s portrayal of Maomao is nothing short of phenomenal, and you can somewhat tell the team made changes to enhance her performance by having a lot of expression.

The setting of the series is based on fictionalised Imperial China. Despite being a fictionalised version of that setting, the author and the creative team involved do want to maintain cultural and historical authenticity. This ... period in history is full of political intrigue and exploring cultural taboos. This alone differentiates it from a lot of anime, as Chinese-influenced anime aren’t as popular nowadays, so it’s a refreshing detour.

So what’s the basic plot?

In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.

Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort... so she can taste the lady's food for poison!

At her lady's side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?

Did I forget to mention she was raised in a brothel? Yes, that happens. It’s an intriguing set-up, and throughout the show, it’s a mix of historical drama and mystery in a slice of life. One aspect of the show that’s undeniable is that it’s gorgeous. It has a wonderful aesthetic, and OLM did a wonderful job as a whole. The character Maomao is why the series works so well, she is an interesting character to follow. At one point, you may feel she is a Mary Sue, but you slowly realise that she makes a lot of mistakes and is far from flawless.

The story may seem like a loose collection of storylines, but as you progress, you realise how they are intertwined. Due to the story's feature many concubines, the character designs are meticulous, in particular Lady Loulan's sense of fashion, and it’s always a treat to see what she would wear next, depending on the occasion. The overall animation is slick and in particular the first openings dance sequence.

In Conclusion, it has been a wonderful show to watch weekly over the past 24 weeks. It’s a show I would highly recommend checking out if any of this sounds intriguing.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is truly something special. The initial simplicity of its concept blossoms into a crescendo of inspirational and heartwarming lessons. The inevitable passage of time, overcoming regret, embracing fear, and practicing open communication are beautifully interwoven into endearing messages throughout. Consistently gorgeous artwork and breathtaking arrangements help to cement the emotional impact of each scene. Through deliberate and patient pacing, the story is only enhanced with an open mind. Moreover, the production and creative talent behind this project are genuinely outstanding. Please take the time to watch this in its entirety. This is one anime that you do not want to miss.

Time ... is one of the most valuable resources available to people, and is closely related to our growth as individuals. With our limited lifespans, we have the opportunity to shape our ideals, qualities and personality for the better. However, even in understanding the inevitable conclusion of our life, we often forget just how important, and short, the time we have is. Frieren at her core encapsulates this union between time and growth. Despite the overwhelming difference in lifespans, her perception of time can be likened to our own, simply on a different scale. We each determine how and where our time is spent, and what we might sacrifice in the meantime. Due to how Frieren spent her time, she became emotionally distant in her connection to others. And only in trying to understand people did she regain her appreciation of time, and the growth she could achieve with it. Her gradual acceptance of her regret and continuing efforts to truly learn about and love others is but one of the heartfelt messages found within. “People will not know how you feel unless you tell them.”

The establishment and building of connections are frequently explored during the season. Well-thought-out cinematography combined with the “show, do not tell” approach of writing further adds to its many strengths, both sorely lacking in modern media. Fear shown through the rattling of an object in Stark’s hand, or reluctance displayed in the gripping of Fern’s sleeve, conveys much more about the characters than any amount of over-explanatory dialogue could hope to achieve. While romance is by no means the forefront of the story, and but one of many examples to choose from for illustration, the subject is treated with delicate care far more than even shows dedicated to that genre. Emotions are conveyed through clever cinematic shots, romantic interests develop realistically over time, and healthy communication is particularly emphasized. There is no room for what pairs might form or if a relationship will pan out or not because the writing is assertive enough to lead you through the journey. It does not withhold natural developments to retain engagement for the foreseeable future. The author is confident enough to commit to character and story growth while continuing to hold the viewer's attention, even in the mundane. Furthermore, the near complete lack of common tropes, unrealistic character expressions and reactions, and the overbearing anime humor and culture is a breath of fresh air.

This passionate attention to detail on every level of production has greatly contributed to the overwhelming success of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. The enduring message it conveys, along with its phenomenal presentation, can be enjoyed universally. The passage of time is something that everyone can relate to. During this brief lifetime, we can better learn to understand and communicate with those dear to us, aspiring to improve ourselves as individuals. Even the simplest of gestures can show those we love that we care. Time is something that we cannot control, but we can control the moments we spend with others.