The Apothecary Diaries second season has revealed more pieces of the intricate puzzle of the anime‘s plot than anyone might have expected. From dark truths about the Late Emperor to Master Jinshi’s true identity, the first half of Season 2 has been a whirlwind of revelations, even when some have burned a little slower than others. With Season 2, Cour 2 on track to continue through the Spring 2025 Anime Season on Crunchyroll, fans won’t have extra time to process everything that’s happened over the last twelve weeks before diving straight into the second half of the season.

Season 2, Episode 13 will air on Friday, April 4, at 10am ET on Crunchyroll, with episodes following every Friday until the season’s conclusion. Following the airing of Season 2, Episode 12, TOHO Animation Studios released the Cour 2 trailer, which features some interesting clips from past episodes that have all been leading Maomao to the truth. Villains rarely stand idly by while their plots are foiled, which means the Apothecary who’s been solving every mystery that comes her way isn’t going to be safe for long, and the Cour 2 trailer proves it.

Every Moment In The Apothecary Diaries Anime Leads To This

There Were Plenty Of Signs That Maomao’s Cleverness Would Become Problematic

While it may seem like the Season 2, Cour 2 trailer was a long recap of everything that’s happened so far, it really is so much more than that. Maomao has solved a lot of mysteries since she began working with Master Jinshi and Gaoshun in the inner palace, and others yet unsolved still hang in the balance. In the final episode of Season 2, Cour 1, Maomao contemplated how uncomfortable the situation surrounding Jinshi’s near-assassination was. It reminded her of many of the other things she’s faced, including Gaoshun’s riddle about the two sisters who used the mirror trick so one of them could escape, and the possibility those identical women were the foreigners who arrived in the caravan looking to not only see the mysterious Moon Maiden, but catch a glimpse at the Emperor’s mysterious younger brother.

The trailer launches with Maomao wondering if there is more than one culprit to these crimes, which are obviously all connected in some way. As she mentions the perfume incident, which may have caused Consort Lihua to miscarry had she continued to be exposed, it flashes back to her fallout with her head lady-in-waiting, who was jealous of Lihua’s relationship with the Emperor. A similar incident is forthcoming that reminds her of that near tragedy, which doesn’t bode well for the pregnant consorts.

There are also snippets from the Season 1 explosions, along with reminders of the mysterious court lady, Suirei, who wrought a lot of havoc throughout the first season before poisoning herself before she could be punished. Her body later disappeared from the morgue before Maomao could examine it, suggesting that it was all a rouse for her to escape and continue whatever dark plots she planned to carry out.

Where Is The Apothecary Diaries Going In Season 2, Cour 2?

Just How Dangerous Things Are For Maomao Is About To Become Crystal Clear

When Jinshi was talking to Dowager Empress Anshi outside the room where the Late Emperor holed up in until his death, she made a very important observation. Jinsh had a new favorite, and as she asked about the Apothecary, he couldn’t help but smile as he admitted she was very useful. Anshi warned him that he should keep his favorite things a secret, as others will do whatever they can to take those treasures away from him. Having lived within the imperial court for most of her life, Anshi knows all too well how dangerous their world is.

Now that Jinshi’s true identity as Ka Zuigetsu, the Moon Prince, has been revealed, an enemy using Maomao to hurt him is a strong possibility. Maomao has risen way above her station over her time at court, and it’s all due to the attention Jinshi pays to her. His obvious affection for Maomao has earned her plenty of bullying and criticism from jealous court ladies and servants, and people are definitely talking about it. It would be obvious to anyone looking for a way to get to Jinshi, they need go no further than Maomao.

The trailer reveals that Maomao has disappeared. With everyone frantic over her disappearance, it’s impossible to guess just what happened, but it’s guaranteed wherever she’s gone, she hasn’t gone there of her own volition. One of the final shots from the trailer shows her and two others traveling toward a palace in the mountains, and one of her companions looks mysteriously like Shisui, the bug-catching, energetic servant who befriended Maomao and Xiaolan. Maomao already suspects there’s more to Shisui than meets the eye. Anime fans will find out sooner, rather than later, just why Shisui seems so familiar, and exactly how she might be involved with Maomao’s disappearance.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, Cour 2 begins airing on Crunchyroll, Friday, April 4.