The Apothecary Diaries Maomao Voice Actress Aoi Yuki Reveals Her True Feelings on a Certain Scene in Season 3: "I Was S-o-o-o Embarrassed (laughs)" – Changes in Her Relationship with Jinshi

Season 3 Advance Screening Event Report

An advance screening event featuring a stage greeting for Season 3 of the TV anime The Apothecary Diaries (starting October 2, airing every Friday at 11:00 PM) was held on the 27th at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi in Tokyo. Voice actors Aoi Yuki (Maomao), Takeo Otsuka (Jinshi), Tatsumaru Tachibana (Basen), and Natsumi Fujiwara (Chouu) took the stage.

As the cast appeared before fans who had just finished watching Episodes 1 and 2 on the big screen, the venue erupted in applause. While Yuki and the other cast members greeted the fans gathered at the venue and those watching via live viewing, Tachibana, who plays Basen, showed off a greeting related to the "Ma (Horse) Clan"—perhaps inheriting the will of Gaoshun (played by Katsuyuki Konishi)—by saying, "Hello, every-horse (everyone)!" He continued with a touch of humor, "I feel like that slipped a bit (laughs)," instantly filling the venue, including the cast, with laughter.

When asked about her feelings standing before the audience who had just watched the first two episodes, Yuki commented, "Between the end of Season 2 and now, I've had the chance to meet you all at various events, so it feels like, 'Oh, somehow a new chapter is finally beginning!' There are so many scenes I want you to see quickly, so I'm incredibly excited right now! For us, The Apothecary Diaries has started to become a part of our lives, and we hope you will make it a part of yours too."

The conversation then shifted to the atmosphere at the recording sessions. Tachibana highly praised Yuki's leadership as the troupe leader, saying, "Aoi-chan's way of leading the team is wonderful! I want one Aoi-chan in every household!" Fujiwara also emphasized, "I joined midway (from the second half of Season 2), but when I enter the studio, Yuki-san is happily chatting with others, which makes me feel at ease before going into recording!"

Furthermore, Yuki and Otsuka were asked about the differences between the recording sessions for Season 2 and Season 3. Otsuka pointed out that "the number of male cast members has increased," revealing, "Until now, the rear palace was the setting, but in Season 3, the scenes shift mainly to the pleasure district. Since many people are joining the Apothecary cast from Season 3, there might be a fresh atmosphere."

As the event proceeded in a warm atmosphere with stories unique to the event, the topic turned to the relationship between Maomao and Jinshi, which many fans are curious about. Yuki stated, "Mysteries and incidents are increasingly getting out of Maomao's hands. Because of that, there are many things they can't face unless they cooperate, so their relationship progresses in that aspect." Otsuka expressed his hopes for Maomao and Jinshi in Season 3, saying, "In Season 3, problems arise that Jinshi must face as himself. Since Maomao has returned to the pleasure district, a distance has been created where he can't see her unless he goes to visit, and that slightly changes their relationship. I actually think it might be a good thing that this distance was created."

Additionally, attention was drawn to the duo of Maomao and Chouu in Season 3. Regarding their relationship, Fujiwara described them as "older sister and younger brother," commenting, "Entering Season 3, their sibling-like dynamic has increased." In response to Fujiwara's comment, Yuki spoke about their relationship: "Maomao plays the straight man, and moving forward, there will be more and more moments where Chouu does the same to Maomao. They are a very good duo." She continued, "I think Maomao is also somewhat relieved to see him freed from the loneliness he harbored when living as Kyouu, and spending his days energetically, sturdily, and childlike as Chouu. Furthermore, precisely because he is a precious existence left behind by Shisui, I feel Maomao interacts with Chouu in her own way, wanting him to 'grow up freely and energetically,' just as she was treated. Thinking about it that way, it really conveys the background of how Maomao herself was raised."

Regarding Basen, who plays an active role in Season 3, Otsuka said, "He lacks experience in many areas and still falls short of Gaoshun, but you can clearly see he is trying his very best in his own way, so it feels like Jinshi is also watching over him. I think he is a very lovable person." Tachibana followed up by talking about Basen: "He himself thinks, 'I have to do something for Jinshi-sama no matter what!'

The topic then moved to the characters and new cast members appearing in Season 3. First, regarding "Bai Niangniang," Fujiwara commented, "While she has a magical and mystical feel, she also has an atmosphere of being quite suspicious and pulling strings behind the scenes. How this will link together in the future is something I really want you to look forward to. Her overwhelming allure, or rather, while various suspicious characters have appeared in The Apothecary Diaries so far, she is definitely unique!"

Next, Tachibana answered with "Lahan," commenting, "I love the banter between Maomao and Lahan!" Yuki continued, speaking on the highlights: "The way their gears mesh, as if they are speaking with the same speed of thought, is really interesting, and it's so much fun to act out! It's a part I want people to pay attention to."

Furthermore, regarding "Rikuson," Otsuka sent a message: "Technically, he has appeared since Season 1, but at that time, he was only depicted as someone near Lakan. His personality will be depicted more and more from Episode 2 onwards. I want you to pay attention to this along with his relationship with Maomao." Finally, Yuki talked about the charm of the "Three Princesses": "Through her relationship of being treated with rough affection as a little sister by her older sisters, and her interactions with Chouu, you can even see Maomao's inner circumstances and human relationships. They are characters who express that naturally."

In the pre-screened Episode 2, there are scenes where you can feel the change in the relationship between Maomao and Jinshi. When asked about their future relationship, Yuki confessed, "When I was acting, I felt like I was facing it as work, but when I saw the completed footage and watched it as Aoi Yuki, I was s-o-o-o embarrassed by that scene (laughs)." Regarding that specific scene, Otsuka spoke meaningfully with feelings unique to him, having continued to play Jinshi through Seasons 1 and 2: "As long as she is by my side, anything is fine."

Furthermore, when asked about the opening animation featuring Yorushika's "Kumo wo Nuke Kazashimo he Watashi Dake" and the ending animation featuring Eve's "AIYOU," both premiered at this screening, Yuki highly praised them: "This time too, it is packed with expressions that surprise you, thinking, 'So there's that way of perceiving it,' and the content foreshadows future developments, which completely filled my heart!" Otsuka revealed his own routine, confessing, "Because the opening and ending are tightly linked with the work, you can enjoy the excitement for the story that is about to begin during the opening, and after the story ends, you can immerse yourself in the afterglow while watching the ending." The visuals definitely raise expectations.

At the end of the event, Fujiwara showed her affection for the character she played, saying, "Season 3 is where Chouu's power is truly demonstrated, so while watching that closely, I also want you to enjoy how the mysteries currently occurring will be unraveled. Many characters will play active roles, so I hope you will definitely enjoy watching that part as well." Tachibana spoke on the points of interest unique to Season 3: "While enjoying the satisfaction of solving mysteries, there are also many new ways of showing things sprinkled throughout due to the change in setting, so I hope you will enjoy this work from various perspectives."

Otsuka appealed to the charm of the work that continues to unfold in Season 3: "In Season 3 as well, while there is a major goal, there are small mysteries building up towards it. The satisfaction when the unique charm of The Apothecary Diaries clicks into place, and the characters involved in that—I think truly various elements will connect to the charm of the work."

Finally, Yuki expressed her gratitude to the fans, saying, "Every time I touch it, I truly feel what an amazing original work it is. Since there was a huge climax in Season 2, I think everyone is excited wondering how Season 3 will turn out. The mysteries that occur precisely because the setting has changed, and the even larger mysteries to challenge—Maomao will have to face such things. The animation team, the sound team, and of course, the acting team are all working incredibly hard, so we would be very happy if you could fully enjoy Season 3 as well. Thank you very much for gathering here today." Hoping for a strong start to Season 3, the stage greeting came to a close with great success.

Source : ORICON NEWS