Apothecary Diaries Jinshi has never been a typical shoujo anime love interest

The Apothecary Diaries has decided to take a different route when it comes to defining the character of Jinshi. Even though in the story he stands out due to his physical appearance and his demeanor, these are just part of the fan service that is added for the audience to stay engaged with the show. The main reason why he truly stands out is that Jinshi has successfully defined what is expected of a male lead in anime.

While the anime itself is not entirely categorised as Shoujo, we cannot ignore the slow-burning romance between him and Maomao. Most shoujo anime love interests are possessive, emotionally forward, and overly romantic, even to the point of being overbearing.

Jinshi, however, is something else entirely: a man defined by restraint, duty, and a deeply ingrained understanding of social hierarchy. At the end of the day, while the duty inside the imperial palace is swiftly taken care of, the weight of political diplomacy and expectations end up taking more priority than personal desires.

He needs to ensure that his cover stays intact. Therefore, even thinking about taking a shot in romance is seen as a luxury he currently cannot afford. This is even reflected when Maomao is in the picture. Even when she is around, Jinshi ensures her well-being but from a distance.

It has been established in Apothecary Diaries that he truly cares about her, sometimes enough to participate in her personal affairs. It is a trend for shoujo men to have an overwhelming presence in the story. They constantly exist with their female romantic interest; in comparison to this, Jinshi’s way of showing affection is gentle and calm.

Finally, his way of caring in Apothecary Diaries does not translate to him being possessive. While sometimes he might misunderstand what Maomao is trying to communicate and get flustered, it does not last for a long time. And even when she would need help, Jinshi would not swoop if she did not ask for help; he waits. Only when it is necessary does he step in.

In most anime series, this slow-burning romance might feel frustrating, but it ends up working in the favor of Jinshi and Maomao in the Apothecary Diaries. This means the audience has room to interpret their romance in their unique ways.

Jinshi restraining himself in Apothecary Diaries is why I respect him

As someone who grew up consuming Shoujo content, I have witnessed all sorts of love interests. Then I was not aware of how problematic some of them were, but Jinshi is different. At no point in the story of the Apothecary Diaries has he tried to be the center of Maomao’s universe. He understands that she is her own person and respects her enough to let her have her space.

Furthermore, he understands that she is free to choose anyone she wants, even though he might dislike it and would pout over it, at no point does he intend to forcefully try to make her love him.

And for a male character to be unproblematic is rare, even the best shoujo anime love interests often think of the girl as theirs. Like the woman is a reward for patience, or a rescue mission to complete.

While he is becoming aware of his feelings towards Maomao, Jinshi does not force her to love him back. He has always simply endured and supported Maomao where he can, and quietly watches her reshape his world. And wait for the day when she would also reciprocate the same feelings.

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In conclusion, Jinshi may not be the typical shoujo anime love interest in the world of Apothecary Diaries. But the way he carries himself and cares for Maomao is why he works and is loved by fans. Even if their slow-burning romance dynamic might take more time for them to establish as a couple, his character is already unforgettable for fans. And it is all because he has never seen her as an end goal, but rather an important addition to his life.

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