“The Apothecary Diaries” Season 2 Finale: Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Iconic Maomao & Shisui Scene — Aoi Yuki & Asami Seto Reveal “We Played It More Emotionally in the Rehearsal Take”

A special theatrical screening event looking back on The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 was held in Tokyo on April 12, featuring voice actors Aoi Yuki (Maomao), Takeo Otsuka (Jinshi), and Asami Seto (Shisui / Loulan). During the event, the cast shared behind-the-scenes details about one of the most memorable scenes from the final part of Season 2. The moment in question is the emotional exchange in which Maomao calls out, and Shisui softly responds, “What is it?”—a scene that left a strong impression on viewers.

Seto Reflects on Shisui’s Emotional Shift

Seto, who played the key character Shisui/Loulan in Season 2, spoke about the complexity behind the scene:
“Whether she should be called Loulan or Shisui is something I still struggle with, just like Maomao does in the story.”

She reflected on how the relationship between the two characters evolved, adding:
“Because Maomao called her ‘Shisui’ in that moment, it felt like their time together hadn’t disappeared. That’s how I interpreted that scene.”

Seto also revealed how she approached the emotional tone of the performance:
“She wasn’t openly crying, but I felt it was natural to have that subtle tightness in the back of your nose when acting it out.”

A More Emotional Take During Recording Tests

Yuki also discussed how the scene was performed during voice recording:
“During the test recordings, I leaned more into the emotion. But for the final take, we thought it would be better to stay true to Maomao’s character.”

Seto added that the recording process itself was unusual:
“We rarely record without stopping like that. The performances in the test and final takes were actually quite different.”

Yuki elaborated:
“In the test, I was more passionate, almost trying to stop Shisui more strongly. But we decided it was better to keep Maomao’s personality intact, so we adjusted the tone.”

Despite changing direction between test and final takes, the recording proceeded smoothly. Seto praised Yuki’s adaptability:
“I was watching and thinking, ‘Her ability to adjust is incredible.’”

A Playful Atmosphere on Stage

The event also featured lighthearted moments. It was Seto’s first time appearing at a domestic event for the series, prompting Yuki to jokingly call her “like a Hollywood celebrity.” Seto responded enthusiastically, expressing her joy at reflecting on the series with Japanese fans.

The cast continued to engage the audience with humor, drawing laughter throughout the talk session.

About The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a pharmacist’s daughter with an unusual obsession with poisons and medicine, and Jinshi, a mysterious and handsome eunuch. Together, they unravel a series of intricate mysteries within the imperial palace.

The series, written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino, has surpassed 45 million copies in circulation.

Source : ORICON NEWS