Mar 6, 2024
This easily could've been a tropey anime where "woah, ugly girl who is also smart??? and looks pretty in makeup??? and pretty boy whom everyone likes (and is definitely not what he seems) falls for her because she's so quirky??? AND she solves palace mysterys??? AND all the concubines love her????" but it's not.
What the anime nails 100% that i don't usually see in anime of this genre:
> well written women characters
> having a female MC
> writing romance into the story (even though it's very very tropey) that doesn't distract from the plot.
MaoMao's original intentions don't ever change from wanting to leave the rear palace,
...
despite getting a promotion and having Jinshi be interested in her. This only happens towards the end when she realises she'd rather work there as a food taster (given her talents in the apothecary) because she genuinely cares for the people there, and nobody else could do the job better (and also not wanting to be a consort herself). The fact that she's able to go back, out of choice and not force is very rare to see.
The anime doesn't undermine the concubines or the consorts in the story, rather draws attention to these women's struggles at the time. How being a consort or a girl working in the rear palace isn't something they themselves chose, but make do for survival.
The people who call MaoMao a mary sue fail to understand that it's really not the case, and the episodes intentions (say the 11th or 10th) are initially, and purposefully there to confuse you. Second, people are very easily forgiving of the "genius MC" trope when it comes to other anime (Death Note, Classroom of the Elite, etc) which don't necessarily, and always provide enough information as to how the MC reached the conclusion that they did.
(mild spoiler paragraph) The male love interest, Jinshi, although annoying at times is a genuine person. He could've chosen to keep MaoMao at the palace for himself by not firing the people who had connections with Ah-Duo's main lady in waiting and be selfish, but he didn't. Is he creepy at times? Yes. Do people overlook things like this in other series? Also yes. It doesn't make the plot bad, it's sprinkled in and their less significant moments don't last longer than 30 seconds (maybe less)
I haven't seen a detective/mystery show that incorporates a "mystery of the week" into the overall plot. None of the mysterys introduced initially are forgotten and are all important (the fireworks, poisioning one of the concubines, etc).
Honestly speaking, I do understand why some people would not like this show because it doesn't fit everyone's taste. Not everyone has the patience (including me) to sit through a very long, and somewhat predictable story. Though what keeps me engaged is the well written characters, pretty and consistent animation and the well written plot. Even the background ones or those who only appear for one episode are so thoroughly enjoyable. Please do yourself a favour and give this show a chance it's amazing <3
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
