REVIEW: ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ Episode 13 — “Serving In The Outer Court”

With her contract at the brothel paid off by Master Jinshi (Takeo Otsuka), Maomao (Aoi Yûki) returns to the palace to work. But instead of the Inner Court, she now works in the Outer Court, directly under Jinshi. With new responsibilities, expectations, and personalities to get to know, Maomao’s world isn’t done changing in Toho Animations Sutdio’s The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no hitorigoto) Episode 13, “Serving in the Outer Court.”

This week’s episode opens with Maomao preparing to return to the palace. The energy in these opening moments is upbeat as we see the ladies at the brothel gleefully helping Maomao prepare for her journey. Loading her down with cosmetics she isn’t likely to use, the genuine cheer they show towards Maomao’s fortunes is infectious. The scene’s bright colors and warm lighting further drive home the general happiness of the moment.

The Apothecary Diaries Episode 13 follows up the warmth and vibrancy of its opening with a far more bitter-sweet energy when Maomao returns home. As she prepares to leave her father alone again, Maomao bares conflicting feelings about doing so. She still feels guilty, despite her father’s approval to pursue what she wants. As the two bed down for the night for a quiet goodbye with a gentle head pat from her dad accentuating the moment, gentle blue tones wash over the entire scene, enhancing the tone beautifully.

As Maomao sets out with Jinshi to return to the palace, the show treats the viewer to a delightful surprise. The ladies have decked out Maoamo in gorgeous attire. With her hair done elegantly, she looks like a potential courtesan rather than a servant. Jinshi’s startled reaction adds a moment of levity as they head out.

Once they arrive, Maomao learns that she will be serving in the Outer Court, rather than the Inner. Furthermore, she will be working for Jinshi personally, putting her directly under his sway. This promises the pair will be interacting even more than previously, to the disapproval of some of the other servants there.

The rest of The Apothecary Diaries Episode 13 follows Maomao as she learns the ins and outs of her new posting. We see several new personalities like fellow servants and court ladies who promise to be recurring faces coloring Maomao’s story going forward. The new cast members feel like a good mix of friendly and antagonistic, sure to keep Maomao’s life lively as the season continues.

The biggest tease is a brief look at a military officer who seems to take an interest in our star. Watching ominously from the shadows, the series leaves little room to doubt that this individual spells trouble for Maomao. Seeing her drawn into clashes with military personnel will be a change from the court conflicts of the first half of the season. This shift in potential threat could also come with increased risk, as the potential for violent outcomes feels greater.

The other notable problem that seems set in Maomao’s path is some of the court ladies she meets. Unsurprisingly, the attention Maomao receives from Jinshi causes envy. When confronted by them, Maomao manages to eventually de-escalate the situation, though only after a few comical misfires. The character’s trademark bluntness plays out wonderfully here, as she calls out their insecurities before finding a more tactful approach to assuage their fears.

Yûki delivers Maomao’s shifting attitude wonderfully in this scene. Sarcasm effortlessly blends into thinly veiled pandering. While her delivery reinforces that diplomacy isn’t Maomao’s first instinct, the scene reminds us how quickly the character can adapt when necessity demands.

The Apothecary Diaries Episode 13 establishes a new status queue for the series while remaining entertaining throughout. Highlighted by some genuine emotion and stellar voice work, this episode allows the show to return with a strong start.

The Apothecary Diaries Episode 13 is available now on Crunchyroll.