The Apothecary Diaries: Ep 18 Release Date, Speculation

Jinshi and Maomao go undercover in episode 17 of ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ titled “A Jaunt Around Town.” Jinshi needs to meet with someone, but he cannot dress as himself. He requests Maomao to disguise him and tag along with him as well.

Maomao and Jinshi have a fun day out, which soon ends in an unpleasant conversation between them. Jinshi quenches his curiosity, but at what cost?

Here are the latest updates.

1. Episode 18 Release Date

Episode 18 of ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ will be released on Saturday, February 10, 2024. It is a weekly anime, and new episodes are released every Saturday. Watch ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ on Crunchyroll .

I. Is The Apothecary Diaries on a break this week?

No, ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ is not on a break this week. Episode 18 is not delayed and will be released on the above-stated date.

2. Episode 18 Speculation

Maomao’s answer shocked Jinshi into silence. He will now understand what Lakan meant when he said he forced himself on the courtesan he was obsessed with and reduced her value because she was so out of reach.

Lakan’s disgusting actions ruined the courtesan’s life. We will see more about the past and what happened to the courtesan—the glimpses of her look eerily similar to Maomao.

We still have not heard of her mother even once. Even the courtesan’s description of intellect matches Maomao. Maomao might be in for an unpleasant discovery.

3. Recap of Episode 17

Jinshi requests Maomao to put makeup on him. Many wars have started over beautiful women, and if Jinshi adds makeup to his natural beauty, another might start. Jinshi wants to look like a completely different person, so Maomao gets to work.

Maomao takes Jinshi’s hand to smell him, surprising everyone. He smells like expensive incense, which commoners don’t have access to. In order to make him fit the role perfectly, Maomao pulls all the stops. Jinshi requests her to tag along, too, as he cannot take his usual company.

Maomao has to wear a disguise to become unidentifiable as well. Maomao is dressed as a lady from a well-respected household, accompanied by Jinshi as her attendant, Jinka. Jinshi gets upset about the silence, so Maomao buys him chicken skewers.

Maomao rushes to get Jinshi to his destination, which upsets him. He wonders if she hates the life at the palace, but Maomao is grateful for it. She just worries about her adoptive father, surprising Jinshi that she cares about other people too.

Maomao reveals that because her father went to study abroad, he was made a eunuch. Lakan’s words have been bothering Jinshi, and he finally asks Maomao how to reduce the value of a courtesan. Maomao bristles at the question but answers nonetheless.

A courtesan having their purity until they are bought out is most valuable. If they lose it, their value halves. If they get pregnant, it reduces to nothing. Maomao’s answer stuns Jinshi in silence.

4. Where to watch The Apothecary Diaries

5. About The Apothecary Diaries

‘The Apothecary Diaries’ is a light novel series written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Touko Shino. The series will be receiving an anime adaptation in 2023.

The story follows a young girl, Maomao, who is the daughter of an apothecary and possesses an extensive knowledge of medicine and herbs. When she is kidnapped and sold to the rear palace, she is forced to navigate life in this new, foreign environment.