A main character that solves mysteries and makes drugs. What wouldn’t you love about that?

Should You Watch?

What is it Anime About?

This story takes place in a make-believe Imperial China. Maomao is a young apothecary that works for Verdigris House brothel in the Red Light District. One day, she is kidnapped and is forced in a limited contract of servitude to the empire. While doing servant work in the rear parts of the Imperial palace, she comes across two of the top concubines arguing over what is leading to their new born’s sicknesses. Sneakily, Maomao comes up with a clever way to help inform them of what is potentially destroying their health, killing their babies.

Due to this mysterious revelation found out by one of these top four concubines, this begins Maomao’s new journey where she uses her skills and knowledge as an apothecary to help solve many different mysteries. Jinshi, the most handsome Eunuch that helps settle the Rear Palace issues where the concubines reside, is tasked with keeping the peace. In result, he serves as the main romantic interest of Maomao and tasks her with solving many of the mysteries that arise in the Imperial Palace.

What Will You Get From This Anime?

Mystery, mystery and more mystery. That is the glue that holds this story together. Many of the characters in this show are extremely likable. The mysterious characters stay mysterious and intriguing, while hinting as being potential antagonists. The likeable waifus are easy to cheer for. While it may seem like this show would consist of a lot of lewd animation (Toho/OLM), I’m sorry to disappoint some people that this show leans on the classier side of fan service. Most importantly, the romance that is in this show is very light compared to a typical shojo. There isn’t any super lovey dovey moments. Most of the time, it turns out to be a comedic moment as Jinshi is the main pursuer of Maomao, while Maomao stays completely clueless.

The Verdict

This anime is one of the more welcomed surprises for someone like myself, that is mainly a basic shonen/isekai viewer. I love comping this show to Detective Conan because of the mystery aspects of the show. As a person that can’t get into too much ‘love-dovey’ romantic love stories, I can gladly tell you shonen lovers that none of that stuff will get in the way of the great storytelling this anime has to offer. All of the ‘side’ characters are very important to this story as they contribute greatly to the story. With a great main character in Maomao, tons of waifus and a wealth of other great supporting characters, the mystery of the plot gives all of these characters chances to shine. This anime almost like a Mafia or like the UItimate Werewolf game as the audience is trying to figure out who the true villain is.

If I had to give it a score, it’d be at least an 8.5 out of 10. It’s an easy recommendation for a broad audience.