Director Interview First Half（Please note that this interview contains some spoilers for Season 1.）

Below is an interview with Norihiro Naganuma, director and series composer, as featured on the official website. This interview was published at the end of 2023.

Official Site (JP)

—With the first cour now concluded and Season 1’s second cour set to begin on January 6, 2024, the series has received widespread acclaim, trending on social media and topping rankings across various streaming platforms. How are you feeling about this response?

I’m genuinely grateful. Seeing everyone’s reactions has made me realize that we’ve created something people are watching repeatedly. Producing anime requires an immense amount of time and effort, and I’m very thankful for our hardworking team. It’s wonderful to hear that people of all ages—even those who don’t usually watch anime—are enjoying it.

—Many people are indeed watching the show. As a director, what’s the most important aspect you focus on?

For me, it’s crucial to incorporate universal themes. In The Apothecary Diaries, I’m focused on themes of "parent and child" and "life and death." To portray these effectively, I’ve approached the series as a 24-episode story across both cours. In the first cour, the camera is centered from Maomao’s perspective, while in the second cour, it pulls back to reveal the world surrounding Jinshi and those impacted by his position. I believe that in adaptations, nothing is accidental, so I carefully craft each scene’s situation, composition, color, and sound. If a particular scene feels unusual, I encourage viewers to rewatch it—seeing it again from the beginning will likely shift one’s perception and bring out subtle changes in Maomao’s emotions. The first cour corresponds to Volume 1 of the novel, while the second covers Volume 2. We’ve even included elements from later volumes, so I hope the anime inspires viewers to explore the original novels and manga for an expanded experience.

A Story for Those Who Carry Solitude

—Your posts on social media highlighting each episode’s theme have also drawn attention. What was the theme behind Episode 1, “Maomao”?

Episode 1 was especially important, as it’s often a viewer’s first encounter with The Apothecary Diaries, so I condensed the story’s world into the first three minutes to grab attention. Although the original novel begins with Maomao’s life in the inner palace, the anime starts by introducing her work as an apothecary, then transitions to the colorful setting of the pleasure district, and finally, to the palace itself. Through these changes in color and scenery, we wanted to convey the expansiveness of her world and captivate viewers.

—What about Episode 2?

The story is structured in three-episode arcs to carefully introduce viewers to how Maomao integrates with the other characters and the environment where the story unfolds. In this first arc, we see her dual roles: as a food taster in the first half and as an apothecary in the second. I focused on the intentions and expressions of each character, using pauses effectively to create intrigue. Additionally, Episode 2 was intentionally more comedic, to broaden the series' tone and pacing.

—Maomao’s expressions, like when she’s curious or dazzled, are adorable!

The animators and cast members had fun with the comedic scenes, giving Maomao an endearing charm. My aim with these lighter scenes was to offer a break from the tension, allowing viewers to transition naturally into more serious moments.

—That’s a thoughtful approach. The food-tasting scene in Episode 2 also underscores the importance of food in this story. The food is portrayed beautifully.

Simply making the food realistic wouldn’t leave a strong impression, so I collaborated with Aida, our color designer, to give each dish deeper meaning. For instance, warm foods are given warm tones, luxurious items are made to look vibrant, and poisonous foods are depicted in a dangerously alluring way. Every color choice conveys emotion and significance.

—So this careful attention connects to the poison-tasting scene in the garden party. Episode 3 also had a lot of unique anime-specific charm. Could you tell us about it?.

Episode 3 showcases the human drama that defines this series. We crafted it with special attention to sound and inserted music to make Consort Fuyou’s story more impactful. We requested lyrics with relatable modern language rather than archaic terms, so that viewers could connect emotionally. While Fuyou’s story centers on her connection with a military officer, I think viewers can empathize with the positions of Consort Fuyou and Consort Gyokuyou, as both came to the inner palace bearing responsibilities and pressures from their home countries, always grappling with loneliness. Fuyou embodies strength in her dedication, while Gyokuyou is resilient and composed in the palace environment. We aimed to capture this, hoping to reach those who have also faced isolation.

Anime’s Unique Artistic Expression

—I’d love to rewatch with these perspectives on the consorts in mind. Episode 4, “Intimidation,” was a shift in tone. What was the focus there?.

Up to this point, Maomao had been portrayed as coldly curious about poisons and herbs, often indifferent to others. However, this episode reveals her true nature: when someone wants to live, she will exhaust herself to save them. This is particularly clear in the scene where she defends Consort Rifa’s maid. Our storyboard artists and animation directors meticulously captured Maomao’s changes in energy, showing both her exhaustion and her inner strength. This was a sequence that could only be conveyed through animation.

—Episode 5 took on a stronger mystery element..

The “fire” introduced in Episode 4 continues here, creating a supernatural effect that would seem ominous and cursed to those unaware of flame reactions. However, for Maomao, who understands these reactions, the fire merely changes color. This difference in perception between knowledgeable and uninformed characters is something animation uniquely captures. In the second half of Episode 5, there’s a significant moment between Maomao and Jinshi involving a hairpin, which marks a shift in their relationship. Here, Jinshi begins to feel empathy toward Maomao as he learns about her background, realizing the environment she came from before entering the inner palace. Through this scene, we highlighted their changing dynamics using contrasts of “light” and “shadow.”

—I think that scene was highly anticipated by fans of the original work. Seeing Maomao in her formal attire at the garden party was breathtaking.

If you look closely, you’ll notice differences in Maomao’s complexion and hair contrast compared to her usual look with freckles. Everyone has experienced a moment when they see someone in a different light due to a sudden attraction. We wanted to capture that impression through these subtle changes.

—Finally, Episode 6 will cover the much-awaited garden party!

Since this episode is a pivotal moment in the original story, we didn’t go for any extravagant effects or tricks. Instead, I want viewers to appreciate the timing, sound, and the cast’s voices. The poisoning scene will be depicted straightforwardly, but we’ve also highlighted Consort Riji’s bullying to show both physical and emotional toxicity. Maomao responds to this underlying darkness, bringing a sense of healing. This episode foreshadows future developments and promises even more excitement to come. Stay tuned for what lies beyond Episode 7!