This Is What A Great Female Protagonist Looks Like

[@Shin_Kyo]

Mao Mao is probably one of my favourite characters to have come out of 2023 right alongside shadow. Also that episode 19 was really brutal... Subscribe if you enjoyed this video and comment below your own experience with the apothecary diaries^^

[@amandabernard8179]

They must have fought hard for that scene against censorship.

[@Rabestern]

You have dropped some quite heavy spoilers from books that will not be reveiled in this anime season. :)

[@amandabernard8179]

@Rabestern it has 4 episodes left bud. There's time

[@Rabestern]

@@amandabernard8179 I read books so I know that there is 0 chance it will be in this season.

[@amandabernard8179]

@@Rabestern lower your ego.

[@zuko1331]

I CACKLED AT "ONE PUNCH GRANNY" 😂😂😂 it's the perfect name.

[@zuko1331]

The director is doing amazing work for the source material, and I am so happy we are getting the material that we are. I am SO EXCITED that there are 14 novels to be adapted so far, and I hope we get it ALL ❤

[@agm631]

So glad your comment was near the top I almost choked on a pepperoni from how hilarious that was.

[@pamelaojeda22]

that whole makeup part was really good way to cement just how passionate Mao Mao is about her knowledge and field, one of the aspects I like about her is just when she has to do something she goes all the way, nothing half assed or sloppy, she does her best to do a good work and she takes pride on it. same with the sex ed classes she gave to the concubines, she went all out with it and in a very professional manner too! 😆 it's just really cool to see on a main character.

[@_yeodej]

this anime and frerien really made me comeback to watching anime. it;s awesome. I'm still in the process of convincing all of my friends to watch these anime tho

[@howliea]

ME TOO!! I had stopped watching anime around late 2018, but these two really got me hooked back into the anime world

[@maxfiregaming69]

man I really was waiting for someone to talk bout this cause so far it doesn't have the deserving buzz in the anime community. btw love your videos

[@gprovidakes]

One of best reviews of this anime I have seen. Terrific thanks.

[@ChosenOne2524]

It's insane to me that people mess up writing female characters. Just write them the same way you do your dudes, characters are characters regardless of their gender. I dont get how people mess it up. Edit: a lotta people are replying with the same thing and I'm realizing it's cuz I worded it badly, so to re-iterate When I say "write women the same way you do your dudes" I mean treat them with the same level of respect. Some characters can't be genderbent and have the story work(like Maomao for ex), but usually you can write a good female character with the same formula you use for your guys. and by proxy you can also genderbend your characters with slight changes in dialougue if a character's story isn't intertwined with their gender.

[@zomfgroflmao1337]

Not like they don't mess up writing male characters ...

[@Fingerscrossedout]

Yeah but what makes it better that she NEEDS to be female to let the story work. It causes problems for her that she needs to overcome yet she doesn't fight.

[@Ticking-time-bomb]

I feel like ppl that write females characters want to appeal the female audience by bringing up female struggles and making it their personality as if females spend on 24/7 of their lives living the female struggles...They have interest,hobbies and personalities unique to them...Their struggles don't define them...We may have movements fighting for female rights but that doesn't mean their entire lives and personality revolve around it.

[@tanyanguyen3704]

Because most men are putting their view of women into the women they write. What they want women to be, what they think women should be, what they think women ARE, etc. It's hard to write a good woman, when you are not writing about women, but about *ideas* of women.

[@mfthemattdetonados]

"Characters are characters regardless of their vender" its a statement of someone that doens't write for sure.

[@wingficwithoutwings]

Listen, I love the anime. But if they don't release the song that's been in three different episodes I will scream. It's the melody that plays at the end of episode 6 when Maomao talks to Lady Lishu and Lishu's food taster, the same melody plays in episode 9 when Gaoshen and Jinshi have a conversation. And the same melody also plays in episode 15 during the tea party arc where the youngest looks at the materials left by their father. IF THEY DON'T RELEASE THE SONG I WILL REALLY BE MAD.

[@thepaperfolder]

the ost will release on april 17th! if you're looking for the insert songs (the ones with lyrics), most of them are already out

[@elgishki4930]

Everyone keeps talking about how good Frieren is and although I agree is a very good show, this anime in my opinion is the best one from the past and current season. Frieren feels very slow but Kusuriya feels so fast, I somethimes think the episodes only last 7 minutes. That's how you know the show is incredibly fun. And yes, Maomao is best girl.

[@divinelycursed768]

It's so good that when I recommended this to my mom (who doesn't really like anime), she instantly became a fan.

[@anilanoorjahan4559]

This show is so amazing! Even as a non devoted anime fan I can still tell its been directed really very well! Mao Mao is one of my favourite characters ever!!! The visualization is also so well done I wish all anime would be like that its so pleasing to watch! Great review!

[@tylerc5021]

It is so interesting that you highlight the hand wave because that is the moment that I realized I was going to love watching the show. Not even just for the beautiful characters that I've already been introduced to or the setting, but the way that they animate things is so Good. It's just some good eye candy.

[@kritikaprasad2410]

Aside from everything, I just wanna say I love your storytelling, it's so interactive, so good.

[@Dryltd]

LMAO. "one punch granny" love it.

[@charko4191]

I remember reading it years earlier when I was still interested in manga read all of it (what was avalable) and forgot about I was so suprised when I saw it was getting an anime For me it was l always a lot like a shoujo I loved how the main female MC was written

[@Ayu_2004deph]

Sameeee

[@epicduckyman]

Oh man that's really high quality review. Keep up the good work man!

[@neretilderem7029]

By episode 6 this anime had a spot on my top 5 list.

[@mentar1048]

This was an _excellent_ review. Have a sub.

[@scottjs5207]

"How many times have you watched this show?" "What was the question? I was too busy rewatching the show..." Both dub and sub feel like they're missing a bit of context at time that's left me a bit confused. Some parts in dub really don't make sense, but others help me to understand what the sub was saying and vice versa. I've watched in both waaayyy too many times though... gosh I love this show!!!!

[@mikeglaus5440]

Frieren and the Apothecary Diaries are, without a doubt, the best animes since years...🥰

[@sanjeevanilakade2391]

This was my initial experience with your videos, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. Your narration skillfully captured every emotion I experienced while watching the anime. The way you delved into the intricacies of the anime was exactly what I had been hoping for. Thank you for providing such an insightful video!!

[@WingZeroCustom001]

I think what cements a good series is its ability to get a second season that stands up in quality to the first when it’s good. Too often the director or whoever was the driving force of the passion that made the show above and beyond in the first place moves onto a different project and a sub par replacement is drafted in the pick up the pieces - e.g. one punch man. Even mushoku tensei falls victim to this to an extent and they even made a whole new studio for the show - though it is still excellent overall. Not sure how realistic it is to hope that the same team or maybe an even better team decides to continue working on the show, through its journey to adapt the full source material (if they even decide to) but one can only hope!

[@shararan23]

Finally, a good anituber who’s also Indian! Much love from Karnataka brother ❤

[@sahilkunwar]

This is really a very amazing video. It was very informative and watchable. Thanks a lot for making this video.

[@KaitouKiara422]

Mao mao' smug face was enough reason why I started watching this. Its just damn entertaining

[@farannazar155]

You are so right about cote. I was so frustrated the entire season.....

[@abura2980]

5:05 HOLY SHIT YES! Now that you've mentioned it, that's probably why I also loved Maomao's character

[@tommyberru]

Damn I got this video recommended after I caught up with the anime... youtube is definetly spying on me

[@sawsanabdillahi4655]

As someone who read all the manga and the light novel the author and creator of this lovely series loves a slow burn and is building storylines that come to fruition 3 novels later. She is a genius and I’m so impressed with everything “apothecary diaries “

[@Robin-chan]

This is how you should write women character Netflix/Disney!!! ;)

[@vitorhenriquebatista]

This anime is incredible and Mao Mao has became my favorite anime character of all time.

[@captcardor]

Every comment you make about this anime is exactly correct. It is amazing in all it's Anime values. WATCH IT!!!

[@MilesToGo_]

Haha this was an awesome video. The commentary is perfectly explanatory, the scene choices are very fitting and some remarks made me actually chuckle (at least twice like at 6:50 one punch granny lol and 7:27 "unless it's about poisons. then she cannot contain her excitement" 😂) This video convinces me that you really enjoyed this anime too and want to tell people how diligently it's made 😂 Honestly I agree and heres a like and a sub cuz I wanna see more vids like this 👍

[@racheltoler3895]

One-Punch granny! Best part of this review.

[@sanaan0168]

Finally someone commenting on this amazing series the anime ost everything is soo great

[@ilianamage4125]

This is the kind of treatment I wish Ascendance of a bookworm got for seasons 1~3 and hope it gets in its upcoming 4th season

[@oogie_boo]

I read all the released novels and they were extremely hooking and fun!

[@irondragonmaiden]

It's not just shounen, some shoujo also has the problem of the "main female character with very little personality." The more romance oriented it is, the more likely the main female character will have a very archetypal "cute, but not so beautiful she is a threat to the reader, self-sacrificing, and the woobie you feel sorry for" generic personality that the reader can self-insert into. Mayu Shinju's work has this type of character because the selling point are the (asshole) love interests and not the main character. In that sense, Mao Mao has more in common with Mogami Kyouko from Skip Beat! in that both main characters have hobbies and a rich inner life. Jinshi and Tsurugua Ren are great characters in their own right but don't dominate or subsume Mao Mao and Kyouko's storylines. Ditto for Yona and how she's the master of her story. Or, heck, Chisato and Takina from Lycoris Recoil are awesome because they don't have the "love interest" role (well, for each other maybe, but it's mostly hinted at and they are equals)

[@Sandythesan]

Can we talk about the background music? I mean, everything else is so good, but I think sometimes music is overlooked.

[@hari325]

Agreed, it is really, really good. It blends into the background, a very distinct Chinese style OST. It doesn't stand out like Frieren's exhilarating OST (using Frieren as a comparison point because most people who see this are also huge fans of the latter)

[@gradclvz3501]

There are very rare Animes which quality by-pass its original material LN or Manga. The Apothecary Diaries is one of those. The others I can mention are Sou-sou no Frieren, Re-Zero, SAO, Konosuba, Oshi no Ko, Overlord

[@KukuMomsHouse]

I've not watched nor I've read the LN of it but you are telling me she is the female version of Hachiman. I just wanted to let you know that you sold me on it.

[@KukuMomsHouse]

An out-of-topic comment, if Classroom of the Elite has gotten a good anime adaption. It surely is as successful as The Apothecary Diaries.

[@lucifertheend]

​@@KukuMomsHousevery true... Kadokawa is rushing it too much skipping so many contents and dropping quality

[@Zeon081]

​@@KukuMomsHousewrong, CoE is trash even in ln. You can't mess up something that is already bad.

[@A.Martinez152]

One punch granny. Ok, that was fun

[@RaheEl_Qaisrani]

really loved apothecary Diaries it really is a master piece

[@Moneehh]

I recommend watching the Japanese version. It’s pretty good !

[@ninjaugal3832]

I already know that this manga will become an anime, it just becauss of monthly release it will took time. Now i will wait for Kindergarden wars, i believe this manga will have anime adaptation too.

[@Loyencer]

Mao Mao is badass half the time and the other half shes a literal buffoon and thats a really well designed character ngl.

[@atiwari1064]

Great video. What do you use to edit your video?

[@porky1118]

Didn't know, this was also passionate people, who adapt a light novel. That's much like Mushoku Tenseit, one of my favorite anime.

[@hackdog1258]

I love it when maomao gets serious

[@Sakata4939]

no offense i love your accent keep up the good work

[@catandrobbyflores]

Ive been on the fence on whether I should watch this, and you've convinced me. Although, I'm never watching it in English.

[@sekaihunter9378]

It amazes me how the 2 best characters of 2023 are all female. Frieren and Maomao truly show how to make amazing female characters, by make them actually interesting, full of charisma, and support them with equally interesting casts, not whatever the sh*t the feminists at Hollywood are doing.

[@rushrusher9724]

your vidoes gonna make me watch this the 3ed time T_T

[@purrl.]

Time to reread the manga and finish the light novels

[@Brenilla]

For demon slayer I’d say the women are written on par with the men. The characters are pretty simple even when debth/time is added. No one really super raises above. Not at all a bad thing imo. Anywho, apothecary diaries is pretty amazing and somthing I’ve been enjoying watching. Cool to hear how it’s been adapting with such detail/intent!

[@lunarsyke9957]

what's weird to me is they'd just assume kanao is nothing but a love interest for tanjiro when she's one of the best written characters in all of demon slayer, men OR women (and shinobu) edit: possibly even better than tanjiro himself

[@Brenilla]

@lunarsyke9957 yeah. :/ i guess comes with the terrotory that passive/less boistrous traits in women in wrighting are seen as a negative instead of as a trait. (That honestly plays into rejection of femininity for female characters being "whats right/always" kind of deal, but luckly its getting kinda better. Honestly with demon slayer gals being overtly feminine makes me enjoy them more)

[@lunarsyke9957]

@@Brenilla that part. the weirdest criticism i hear about demon slayer female characters is "all women have feminine breathing styles". that's like having an issue with all men having masculine breathing styles... which, what? for kanao, the automatic assumption that the women aren't written good without even trying to look into them feels more misogynistic than badly written women. and aside from kanao, i would admit mitsuri isn't the best written character, but quite honestly there's no one in kny who has affected me as much as her, purely because of HOW heavy it is as a girl in asia and what that means for life and marriage for us. gotouge, for what's it worth, wrote demon slayer for characters more than the plot. which is to say she wrote demon slayer as an outlet for the kinds of people she "fell in love with" rather than what they can add for a battle shounen manga. and that to me is a bigger celebration of women and femininity in art than any amount of complex women written by men to move the plot. i know there's fanservice... but something about demon slayer is just so beautifully _feminine_ that i cant really say anything bad about it as a media for women.

[@Popotato7777]

So just a good story, ight im in, besides it looks f ing great.

[@andyzhu1969]

I swear this sound exactly like every single Chinese drama shows that my mom watches

[@sacabambasspis]

maomao best girl

[@Mickeyy49]

How much of the light novel got adapted ?

[@IamG_]

2 so far for the anime, for the manga (there are 2 ongoing manga adaptations currently) which are both midway-towards the end of light novel 4. the new season coming out next year will adapt light novels 3 & 4 i believe.

[@pishbol-kwek]

Realistically a whole lore of Chinese history

[@sunny71511]

Fr maomao is so mature I've legit never seen a female character that well written

[@Simmlex]

Let's hope this crew keeps making this series and does not hand it over to some B team for S2 and beyond like what One Punch man did.

[@KurosakiIchigo2003]

Use subbed version not dubbed😅😅. I suffered a lot to listen in english😅😅

[@oindrilasasmal5019]

Which country do you live btw?

[@YoIntangible]

good to see classroom of the elite catching strays

[@gab_solo2391]

hi

[@Ticking-time-bomb]

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION THIS SHOW IS BETTER THAN FRIEREN...FIGHT ME FOR IT, I STAND ON THIS HILL AND WILL NOT BUDGE A STEP FROM HERE.

[@invalidusername9999]

I love this show because of the way that it treats female characters and shows the struggle of all women in all classes in a patriarchal society. But the ending of Freiren episode 23 gave me chills like I haven't had in an anime in years. The bottom dropped out of my stomach at that reveal. So can't I really, *really* like both?

[@Zeon081]

I agree. I think Frieren is overrated af. I remember way back when mangadex had its old api and Frieren manga has higher rating than Berserk. I read it and was disappointed. Frieren has a lot of problems in the writing depaetment. It's 8/10 at best, 6/10 at worst.

[@oindrilasasmal5019]

True. I also have same opinion. Well popular troupes and mass audience

[@Sairento-kun]

Welp u are right, Apothecary overall is serie is top and they animate its great. I think finally a new anime that came into 1st place in ranking v:

[@SnuSnuDungeon]

One Punch Granny😂

[@amandabernard8179]

And yet people rave about frieren. I love how this anime feels like someone is gently holding you/ feels like every line and color was caressed in the making of it.

[@user-ls5oj6kh7z]

Both. Both are great imo

[@sentryion3106]

Both are great. This would be my anime of the season if Frieren isn’t released. But Frieren just tuck my heart in a different way.

[@amandabernard8179]

@@sentryion3106 I tried reading frieren. I can't get into it like I can with the apothecary diaries.

[@purple66666]

Frieren is also a masterpiece ! wtf?! Both of them have a compelling story and well written female leads

[@sentryion3106]

@@amandabernard8179 I mean that’s just preferences. Though as a whole package Frieren is more rounded while apothecary excels at what it does. O

[@gio87vr]

8:20 horrendous voiceover, who would snarl "master" when in a good mood? I'd take Yuuki Aoi's (FGO's Shuten Douji / Gosick's Victorique / Youjo Senki's Tanya / One Punch Man's Tatsumaki etc) Maomao all days of the year over the en version.

[@gonzalotorres5282]

That's the issue when you have Jamie "let's shove feminism into Maidragon" Marchi, as Recording Director. Oh, and Gyokuyou's VA. Emi Lo was picked due to being Chinese descent, not as being quippy and a weirdo (a thing Aoi Yuuki nailed since the CD Dramas).

[@ms.err0r530]

I watch the subtitled version in the original language because I don’t like the voice overs or dubs.

[@oindrilasasmal5019]

Its better than freiren in almost every way but i just dont understand why it is getting overshadowed. Freiren is also very good but i find this way more interesting mature and fresh. Something like violet evergarden maquia and so many others has done the same concept of freiren. Friren is fresh no doubt but this is wayy better

[@pishbol-kwek]

For me frieren and apocaries are my anime of the year

[@D3sToD3s]

It's flawed. I cringed at the montage in episode 10. And even more when they had multiple montages in episode 12 and turned that mid-season finale right around. Should have given it time to breath in between episodes. Also the first 15 seconds of the OP look and sound like a fan project from 360p youtube times.

[@JellyOnAPancakeAyyyy]

Fair enough 🥲

[@JellyOnAPancakeAyyyy]

Fair enough 🥲

[@giorgias1606]

Ok but... where's the passionate couple named in the title? I fell like you never even touch on that. Who was you referring to in the title? The creator and the director? Mao Mao and Jinshi?

[@imhere1303]

Get that English out of my face

[@teongreen5254]

Thats not true. All girls in MHA have personalities lol. And they are very vell written and their powers and wits shown in training and fighting arcs. Its just that Deku is the MC so obviously they dont get as much time. Same in Demon Slayer. All female characters have personalities and are well written. They are all strong capable and amazing in their own right. Nezuko, Dr Tamayo, Shinobu, Kanroji, Amane the masters wife that took charge...But again tanjiro is the MC For Naruto though I kinda agree.

[@AnimeCritical]

I gave it 3 episodes. Got bored and dropped it.

[@HiteshJetwaniTechtesh]

I watched first 3 episodes and gave up because "it's so fucking slow" I would watch this show at 2x or 2.5x once it's completed

[@Zeon081]

Zoomer with goldfish brain detected.

[@Gecko3456]

Frieren is better