Thanks to the efforts of the Cat Day Executive Committee, Japan has celebrated February 22 as Cat Day since 1987 (the three 2s in the date are supposed to be read as “nyan, nyan, nyan” in this case). To commemorate the day, The Apothecary Diaries has brought out a special trailer featuring over a minute of its best cat: Maomao.
The Apothecary Diaries started airing in late October 2023 and is currently in its second cour. Crunchyroll and Netflix are streaming the show. The anime is based on the Shufunotomo-published light novels written by Natsu Hyuuga and illustrated by Touko Shino, about an apothecary (Maomao) who is abducted and forced to contend with the dangerous politics of her nation’s inner palace.
J-Novel Club describes the books as:
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?
Staff
• Director and series composer: Norihiro Naganuma (The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 1)
• Assistant director: Akinori Fudesaka (Summer Time Rendering and Komi Can’t Communicate storyboarder)
• Character designer: Yukiko Nakatani (Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure) as character designer
• Color designer: Misato Aida (Eternal Boys)
• Art director: Katsumi Takao (Pokemon: Harukanaru Aoi Sora)
• Compositing director: Rumi Ishiguro (Akiba Maid War)
• Music composer: Satoru Kousaki (Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song-)
• Music composer: Kevin Penkin (Made in Abyss)
• Music composer: Alisa Okehazama (The God of High School)
• Animation production: TOHO animation STUDIO and OLM
Cast
• Aoi Yuuki as Maomao
• Takeo Ootsuka as Jinshi
Source: TOHO animation Channel