What Chinese Viewers Notice in The Apothecary Diaries — Part 1: Historical Setting
I’m really bad at makeup, but I just did my first cosplay!?
(Does this even count… 🤔)
🎬Part 2: https://youtu.be/HQjoLYErugM
More fascinating details and hidden messages from #TheApothecaryDiaries !
00:00 OP (Fake)
00:13 Intro
01:14 Ming Dynasty
03:37 Tang Dynasty
05:36 Qin & Han & Qing Dynasties
06:05 Puzzling elements
09:07 Outro
#maomao #Cosplay #ChineseCulture #HiddenDetails #AnimeAnalysis
#character #flower #china #history
Part 2!!!
https://youtu.be/HQjoLYErugM
You're so pretty! You actually look exactly like what I pictured Mao Mao to look like
I thought it was strange when they bit into the mooncakes instead of slicing and sharing them 😂 those are meant to be shared!! They're not mochi 😅
Thank you for all your hard work in making this!! It really is so interesting to see which elements were taken from which dynasty and how even some Japanese elements made it in, thank you for such valuable insight 🥰🥰
As an European I've learned not to look too close at Anime/manga depictions of European settings.
The are almost always (way) off. I suppose that, as Japanese or Chinese settings feel exotic to us, it goes both ways.
So I believe this is simply what's happening here: using a Chinese inspired setting to tell a marvellous story. There are no hidden messages.
It counts.
That's what's fun about anime, its just an interesting mix of different cultures and doesn't explicitly reference a single one. And also it's a fictional culture would mean they can add any other cultural aspect there.
I thought the name feifa was just 非法 because that kind of weapon was outlawed but I never thoight about actually looking up if the guns back then were called anything similar!
This is so great! I really want to dive into research into the Temple of Heaven, the rituals/rites surrounding it, and one other idea I have in connection to it… Is it possible to get in touch with you via social media somewhere and ask your insight into primary sources?
I'm happy to see some of my own research verified here and also learn new things. The introduction of chocolates and mirrors was something new..
The fact that this anime borrowes so many different details from history is both a blessing and a curse for me. I'm really drawn in by the beauty of the palaces and temples, and then then Jinshi is using CPR correctly. That kinda kicks me out of the illusion of historical drama immediately..
I was just happy that loulan was alive in the end although a bit bummed that she had to sell Maomao's hairpin.
7:47 reminds me of how ‘handgun’ has meant many different types of firearms over the centuries with ‘handgonne’ (old spelling) basically being a small cannon on a stick.
Mentioned the chocolate but not THE POTATO. How dare. The potato is so ubiquitous around the world now that people forget, so easily ToT, that it is endemic to South America and was brought to the rest of the world by European traders. The potato would have been introduced to China in the late Ming dynasty, but would not become an important enough crop to farm on large scale, let alone keep in a warehouse that explodes, until like the 20th century.
Even as someone who isn't Chinese, I could readily distinguish that the kitsune masks and the hairpin trading were probably more of inspirations or somewhat romanticized. Glad to see that there was so much respect and research done on behalf of the author. Not to mention the enjoyable cast of characters. The concept of a poison taster and borderline mad scientist as a protagonist is quite fun.
This was really fascinating to watch. I've been loving the show and it's really cool to learn about its cultural inspirations.
the background music IS TOO LOUD
When I point out the inconsistency, people criticize me for taking it seriously and ignoring the disclaim at the start,I’m also a mainlander.
Been a cute girl can get away with many things 😂
amongst all these, is the 喜喜 thing, it is like Christmas decorations in the summer.
It brought back memories of watching Pearl Princess back in the 90's. Ah… Such a joy to watch.
If Kowloon Generic Romance is any indication, it looks like double happiness just reads as extremely Chinese to a Japanese audience
My literal thought process while watching Season 2 before realizing it's not set our world:
– Oh cool, Silk Road being mentioned.
– Sees emisaries from the West arriving Ok… I'm guessing we're more within the Medievel period judging by the clothes they are wearing, and are likely Byzantines based on their reaction from Diana (Roman Goddess of the moon) being mentioned
– Literal 17th century flintlock pistol being suddenly introduced despite knowing the silk road trade ended in 1453 What… why… HOW!? If you want to assassinate someone with a gun AND pretend everything is sunshine ans rainbows with the silk road in the 15th century, you could have AT LEAST TRIED to kill him with a French arquebu. Cazzo, I need a drink
None the less, thank you for the insightful video
I dont mind if none of them are exactly the same.with china culture or historical, and gueased it must be mixed with japanese culture.
This depiction of china is similar to the American renaissance festival interpretation of medieval Europe, it mostly comes from somewhere historically but there’s no telling where or when since it’s just supposed to all give a loose historical vibe. It’s a lot of fun for history nerds and historical fiction lovers alike!
Hey, a friendly suggestion: Improve the acoustics & recording quality and you'll get much more views
No amount of spoilers can deter me in digging in coz thid vid will be my justification to watch the series once and for all.
I've been hoping for a video like this! wonderful video!
Love your vibe and your content!❤
Haven't watched this yet but I have bought the manga for my godchild for her 18th birthday though. With that said, from the clips i've seen, it does remind me of Fushigi Yuugi, but less fantasy and more historical period fiction with modern-day conventions. :))
This video was so interesting and informative! Id been wondering what parts of Chinese history the story was inspired by. Thank you!
My wife and I were just discussing this topic! Great video. Apothecary diaries reminds me of Sherlock Holmes style storytelling, given her level of genius and the way more modern sciences are thrown in to reflect how ahead of the tine certain characters are.
Look forward to more!
Very glad the algorithm served me this video!
What is the opening song called? If you don’t mind me asking. I’ve been looking for it 😂
This was a great review of all the different periods the anime is inspired by, thanks for putting it together! And you have a great voice 🙂
This was cool to watch and learn from.
For all it's an invented word, I feel like 飛發 does capture the feel of, well… flying bullets.
I can't remember, does 喜喜 appear outside the rear palace? Because if it's only inside the rear palace, maybe it's meant to symbolize the Emperor's union with the residents?
Anyway, highly recommend the books if you haven't read them yet.