‘The Apothecary Diaries’ Season 2 Episode 3: “Corpse Fungus”

There is plenty to love about the miraculous tonal balance struck by The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 3. But there’s one major key point that draws out one of its significant draws: our protagonist,Maomao (Aoi Yūki), is a little oddball. Much is made about her exterior, straightforwardness that could be likened to a cat — prickly until you get to know her. More should be said about her desire to go to places where she shouldn’t for her health and benefit. She’s a cat both in name, attitude, and dumbassery that leads her gleefully to poison and danger.

She’s brilliant, but she’s weird. There are categorical groupings of characters that make for the best onscreen anime dynamics. Dumb and also dumb (Hinata and Kageyama in Haikyu!!, Denji and Power in Chainsaw Man) and all weirdos all the time (Delicious in Dungeon) are at the forefront. It’s what makes Maomao such a lovable character and her relationship with Jinshi (Takeo Ōtsuka) so fascinating. Especially as more of Maomao’s idiosyncrasies make themselves apparent. 

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 3 isn’t flippant, however. There’s definite comedy and a reliance on some chibi-style animation. But the story at the center contains dense layers. Like its protagonist, The Apothecary Diaries suffers no fools. “Corpse Fungus” is a dialogue-driven episode reliant on names and political intrigue. The plot revolves around the death of Concubine Jin. Those who knew Jin held little love for the Concubine, who was cruel and petty. Not every Concubine is as sweet and cordial as Gyokuyou. 

Through this pursuit of the culprit, Maomao learns of Jin’s status and, after, the shocking truth. In a chilling sequence, we watch as another disgraced concubine, Son, breaks down at Jin’s funeral, accusing the deceased of her downfall. While it seems like hysterics initially, it also proves vital to Maomao’s investigation. 

Mystery plagues The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 4.

The mystery steadily unravels as we learn that the ‘Jin’ who died wasn’t the real Jin. The real Jin died at least a year prior, her body buried by the Northern pavilion where the mushrooms sprout. The woman who recently died was Tao. In contrast to Jin, people liked her, regardless of her being of a lower status. But as Jin’s attendant of similar look and build, she’s used to cover up the latter’s death, convinced by the other ladies-in-waiting. Maomao believes that Jin’s death was a result of her jealousy, spurring her to violence and ending up the victim. Even Jinshi never caught wind of the deceit due to how good the transformation was. Tao, crushed by guilt for killing Jin and fearing the truth coming to light in her upcoming wedding, took her own life with the same poison that killed Jin. 

It’s one of many instances of the series detailing the horrors these women face, even when living comfortably compared to those of the Red District, where Maomao comes from. Status is everything, and anything threatening political positions of power faces consequences. The writing is, as always, superb. That ability to bridge tones without the silliness ever undercutting the severity of the scenario is one of the primary reasons The Apothecary Diaries is such a success. The world-building is lived in and immaculate. So much so that we understand every calculated decision made by Maomao and Jinshi, even if the former roams the palace for toxins for her experiments. 

It makes the ending tag fun as Jinshi resolutely confiscates Maomao’s haul. He hadn’t entirely realized the extent of her “studies” until the arrival of the new poisonous mushroom. She remains curious, of course. She wouldn’t be who she is if she weren’t. 

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 3 is striking. The animation has a wealth of texture, allowing it to become a rich tapestry of time and place. The anime thrives with its unusual color stories that utilize bold, vibrant shades that contrast. The setting sun against the inner palace walls allows for engaging light and shadows, creating dynamic settings. The last few episodes, in particular, have highlighted architecture and costuming, each panel of the palace and each billowing piece of fabric detailed in their rendering. The direction particularly likes to linger on the expansive, looming nature of the walls that tower over them—opulence for some, a cage for all. 

The silly banter can’t undercut the rising tension.

There’s nothing dreary or downtrodden about the episode but a sense of unease. A sense of change that was greater provoked by the arrival of the caravans in Episode 2 and perfumes that prove dangerous to pregnant women. The series lighting and the direction maintains that foreboding, even if what’s happening from moment to moment, doesn’t suggest danger. The historical drama elements, married with the mystery-of-the-week format, result in a striking, unpredictable story. 

The flower language of the OP also grows increasingly notable. It’s worth noting each hand and what it holds against the black backdrop. A clever way of insinuating what’s to come both for manga readers and anime fans alike. 

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 3 charms with Maomao’s fanatical nature before sobering with the intense plot at its center. Its ability to balance the two tones demonstrates the series’ formidable confidence while hinting at further upheaval to come. 

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 3 is out now on Crunchyroll. 

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Images courtesy of Crunchyroll.