"The Apothecary Diaries" Machi☆Asobi Special Stage: Aoi Yuki (Maomao) & Takeo Otsuka (Jinshi) Speak On Buildup And Catharsis

The "Machi★Asobi vol.28" entertainment event was held over the weekend of May 10–11, 2025, near Tokushima Station.

This event included a special panel: "The Apothecary Diaries: Machi★Asobi Special Stage." 

The anime "The Apothecary Diaries" has made waves for its unique story, in which a young ex-apothecary girl named Maomao uses her knowledge and experience to solve mysteries and unravel unexplained incidents at the imperial court.

With its second hit season airing since January 2025, The Apothecary Diaries has seen the relationship between Maomao and Jinshi—the beautiful rear palace administrator—deepen, while intriguing revelations continue to unfold, including the mystery of Jinshi’s true identity and origins.

At the special panel, voice actors Aoi Yuki (voice of Maomao) & Takeo Otsuka (voice of Jinshi) took the stage. Their deep love for the series and behind-the-scenes stories made for a lively and engaging talk that thrilled the audience.


"The payoff from here feels incredible"

Aoi Yuki and Takeo Otsuka arrived on stage to enthusiastic cheers and applause. They appeared visibly moved during their greetings as they looked out at the sea of fans filling the venue. They expressed their heartfelt thanks to the huge number of attendees, not only from across Japan but from overseas as well.

Ms. Yuki shared that she feels the magnitude of the popularity of the series, noting the high praise it has received both inside and outside the industry. Mr. Otsuka agreed, adding that he has seen the overwhelming support from their many fans.

They described recording sessions for the series "as having a friendly atmosphere, with a wide range of ages involved." Ms. Yuki said: "The cast includes many legendary veterans you'd rarely get to work with in the industry, so during recording I often find myself wanting to ask about their acting and ways in the studio."

Mr. Otsuka brought up working alongside Sumi Shimamoto as an example, describing it as "a memory that makes him straighten his back." Ms. Yuki added that watching Ms. Shimamoto record background voices made her "feel like she had to lie down" and such.

However, they emphasized that "the real story is just getting started," encouraging everyone to be excited for what's in store.

They brought up episode #29, "Moon Fairy," as one that particularly packed a punch. When Ms. Yuki mentioned that Jinshi's dance scene in particular was a moment she had been dying to see animated, she had the fans nodding enthusiastically.

Episodes #37 to #42 brought back the lighter, more cheerful tone, but as Ms. Yuki noted, "Everything is connected." She explained that by fully enjoying these "slice-of-life" episodes, the "poison that comes later hits even harder," highlighting just how effective the story's foreshadowing is. It was also pointed out that even the opening and ending themes are laced with that same "poison," drawing the audience's full, captivated attention to the stage.

From episodes #40 to #42, the plot threads that have been building since the first cour take dramatic leaps forward. Ms. Yuki expressed confidence in the upcoming reveals, saying, "We're entering the cathartic phase where everything we've built up starts to unravel: the payoff from here feels incredible."

Speaking about the upcoming developments, Ms. Yuki said that while the story has been accelerating and foreshadowing has been getting payoff, "there are still major pieces left." She added, "These next six episodes are what the entire story has been leading up to. I want everyone to see what unfolds," building excitement for the final stretch toward the climax.

To close things out, the pair shared heartfelt messages with the fans before wrapping up the panel.

Mr. Otsuka: "Thank you so much for coming! Every day, I can truly feel the support for the second season now too. There are unmissable developments ahead, so I hope you all enjoy "The Apothecary Diaries" to your heart's content.

Ms. Yuki: "I’m sure those who’ve read the original novels are eagerly anticipating the whirlwind of events ahead. And if you’re watching the anime as it airs, I bet your heart is pounding, wondering, “What’s going to happen next?!” You're definitely in for a satisfying ride, so I hope you enjoy this exciting period and have fun experiencing "The Apothecary Diaries" in all sorts of ways!"

The special stage, which highlighted the rich and immersive world of "The Apothecary Diaries" alongside the pair's great chemistry during their talk, ended on a high note. The second season of the TV anime will ramp up the story with a whirlwind of developments. You definitely won’t want to miss what’s coming next in "The Apothecary Diaries!"

(C)日向夏・イマジカインフォス/「薬屋のひとりごと」製作委員会

2025 spring animeAnimeAoi yukiEventReportTakeo otsukaThe apothecary diariesVoice actors

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