#MAOMAO MY BEAUTIFUL QUEEN

[wonx2]

Maomao has my heart and soul, im so happy the anime adaptation looks so good, its so beautiful AND MY QUEEN LOOKS AWESOME

[dnana-2809-blog]

heyy do u mind if return an ask that u sent me?

"what are your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime/manga, books, movies or tv series)? And why do you love them?"

how are you, btw? :)

Not, at all... I'm fine, thanks.

My favorite characters mostly change from time to time. But my top 3 have been the same in the last 4 years. Here they are :

1. Ash Lynx (Banana Fish)

He is an amazing character. Have been through a lot but still have kindness in his heart. He deserves all the happiness in the world. His relationship with his "good friend" Eiji is just something else. That is why, after the series ended, I search for the fics. This series is the reason I made ao3 account, to search for their happiness.

2. Yona (Yona of the Dawn)

She is strong, beautiful and a great leader. Watching her journey from a spoiled princess to an amazing future queen is a so great. Also one of the few m/f canon relationship that I love is between Yona and her bodyguard, Hak....

3. Wei Wuxian (Mo Dao Zu Shi)

The one who started it all and got me to BL is him. I was surprised when I know he got together (canon) with the ml. And then I read the other works by the same author, they are all amazing works. And I became a BL fan until now. Wei Wuxian is smart, kind, cheerful, mischievous, and people can't help but like him when getting to know him...

4. Nakajima Atsushi (Bungou Stray Dogs)

I love him so much. He always try his best and try to see the good in everyone. Can't believe when I saw someone's hate in him. Like, how can you hate someone who already hate himself so much? Glad to see his developement as the story progress. Also, I'm surprise to find new otps (non canon mlm) when I start this series.

5. William J. Moriarty (Moriarty the Patriot)

As a fan of Holmes, of course I start watching/reading this series. And I can say that this is one of the best adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. The story and characters are all great. As I read, I'm surprise that my favorite is not Sherlock himself but William. He is just so kindhearted but willing to kill that part of himself for the greater good. Also, the relationship between William and Sherlock is special (that letter and bridge scene are a few of my favorite moments ever). Yes, I found new otps again from the series.

6. Merlin (BBC Merlin)

As new fan of this series (about 2 years), I'm glad I found it. Really love him, how he is kind hearted but can do cruel things if it's for his loved ones. His loyalty and bravery are just so him...And the ending, I did not see that coming. Well, it's me, of course there is a great bromance moments between Merlin and his prince/king, Arthur. Their relationship is so bittersweet (and why I search for their happiness in fics)

7. Patrick Jane (The Mentalist)

I've first watch the series in midde school. And he is the main reason for it. He is smart, unpredictable, mischievous, but deep down a kind hearted person. (Okay, now that I wrote it down, Jane is so similar to Wei Wuxian). Glad he can find his happiness in the end.

8. Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)

Love her. Never got bored reading her story. My favorite from all Austen works. Now, I'm not really into m/f romance stories anymore, but this book will always have special place in my heart.

9. Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)

The reason I got into the series is because of her. Love her personality, how dedicated she is to her hobby, and how she always use logic more than personal feelings. Now, I know I'm a minority here but I dislike JinMao ship. Like, I wish she can stay single and just focus on what she loves to do (I know it's romance and she will end up with Jinshi), but it's just my opinion.

10. Hinata Shouyou (Haikyuu)

How can I not love him. He is really just like his name (a sun). Because of his bright personality, he can made friends with anyone and also learn from them. There are times if it were most people, they'll give up. But not him, he always got back up again when falling. And it's great. Overall this series is inspiring and we can learn a lot from this. (Also, yes, I have at least 5 otps from this series, including Hinata with his rival/friend)....

Sorry for this long answer, hope you don't mind.

[amatres]

(9) people you'd like to get to know better

tagged by @aelyosos, @gutterspeak, and @arendaes, thank you!

three ships: maomao/jinshi from apothecaries diaries (it recently got an anime adaption which makes me so happy, ive been following this series since it was only a light novel), lann/layla (bc i can :)), rhaenyra/alicent (bc i love toxic doomed yuri)

last song: Femme Fatal - Exit Eden

last film: Miss Congeniality, which uh, i remembered loving a lot and realized it was Only for the scenes with the beauty queen pagent contestants when i watched it with my movie night friends Lol

currently reading: This Villianess Wants a Divorce! its partially a reread as well as finishing a story i wasn't able to before. its also just notalgia, bc it was the first ever villianess isekai i ever read!

currently craving: nothing, i just woke up lol. a healthier body and better teeth perhaps

i'll no pressure tag @marmeegle, @spyridonya, @thesolemnhour, @tenmillionbees, and @transprincecaspian, as well as anyone else who wants to do this ✨

[teaflowsthroughthesesims]

On Maomao's perspective on beauty in this show:

In the circles she runs in beauty is power, or a means of obtaining it, mostly but not exclusively for women. In her view, it's fitting that the powerful be beautiful, and expected that it be used as a weapon or tactic of controlling others.

Beauty is also tied up in desire towards others. The desire of a customer for a courtesan is due to beauty, the desire of an emperor for a concubine naturally falls on the lovely ones -- and her own undesirability is tied up in her lack of beauty (i.e chicken bones vs. abalone). This is important because maomao doesn't allow herself to desire or expect things of other people - not friends (ex. Her shock when xiaolan, Yao, and En'En at various points express that they are friends), not the acceptance of her peers, not romantic love. This is probably attached to her childhood tailor-made to produce avoidant attachment, but that's another story.

This is why she immediately sees jinshis flirting as a tactic - beauty is a tool to be used. Also, she chooses ways to describe Jinshi's beauty in terms of how it would control other people - "a nation-toppling beauty" or "a sex appeal that would drive both men and women mad" (paraphrased). China has an interesting cultural history with beauty, having lists of "four famous beauties" for both men and women. She could use metaphors like "beauty that would make a man weep to see it" or "beauty that would inspire poetry" or "beauty that would echo through history" or something, but she doesn't, she uses terms of control.

Aside from her upbringing in brothels, this is also probably why it doesn't "work" on her - she is always expecting beauty to be used as a weapon or tool. It's not that she doesn't find jinshi attractive - she frequently states that he is attractive as if it's a fact and not something running through her mind at least once every time they interact in the light novels... she just refuses to be controlled by emotion so why would attraction be any different?

I would also argue that she sees beauty as a way of commanding attention. For example, the way she talks about Gyokuyous attendants later on during the Shin incident - she notes Gyokuyous attendants are each pretty in their own right, but they dress in a way that allows Gyokuyou to shine forth, as compared to Shin who tries to compete. Also, she uses "ugly" freckles as a way of being invisible and deflecting attention from herself. Ugliness is a way to hide & avoid attention.

I'm having a hard time putting my conclusion into words but basically, I think part of maomao's conception of her own beauty is tied up in her perceptions about her own power and ability to effect change and get what she wants. Even in later volumes of the light novel, she frequently tries to have jinshi read her mind and "use her" as a tool as he wishes, without being willing to saying what she wants or make any attempt to influence the situation through her own actions - she leaves it up to jinshi to direct her where she wills. This causes conflict because what he's often looking for in those situations is for her to express a desire - desire for him, desire to stay with him, desire to help him, desire to leave, anything. She remains infuriatingly passive in many romantic situations where Jinshi is being particularly heartfelt. In fact, it's the times when he makes her angry enough to burst out, seize the initiative, and actually tell him what she thinks where they make some of their biggest leaps.

I think it would complete the motif if, as she becomes secure in herself enough to accept that she's at least a queen if not a kingmaker on this board and not a pawn, she was able to accept and display her own beauty freely, finally feeling that she is worthy of the attention and desire that comes along with it. Maomao's moves are subtle but they always make waves far beyond what she expects (and not always through Jinshi either) and I hope she at some point comes to recognize that she has that power.

Thoughts from reading The Apothecary Diaries Manga Ch. 1

Okay, I just first have to say I adore these little Maomao illustrations at the beginning of each volume. The art style is so cute!

And we get straight to it: the comparison of the pleasure district to the rear/inner palace. The similarities go to show how Maomao is in a position to successfully navigate and understand the rear palace due to her upbringing in the pleasure district. Her background gives her a unique, and in this case, advantageous perspective.

This introduction discussing eunuchs and the emperor's family is very hello! regarding Jinshi's real identity. I think it also introduces Apothecary's conversation on gender, specifically Maomao's perspective regarding it. She considers eunuchs to no longer be true men and to exist beyond the gender binary. She values frogs as a defining characteristic, if you will.

This here introduces Maomao's relationship with her own appearance and beauty. We later learn she draws her freckles on and so is trying to subdue her natural beauty, but she is also pragmatic about her appearance. She accepts what she looks like and utilizes her unassuming qualities, even accentuating them, but though she adds she's "not interested or anything" in becoming a concubine, I think there is some supressed disappointment in her looks. She can't fathom that someone like the Emperor would find her attractive. She is not just pragmatic but resigned.

There's a greater conversation to be had about how Maomao values beauty and recognizes how beauty gives someone value (within the environments of the rear palace and the pleasure district as well as within her own mind?). I'm going to put a pin in it for now, but I have thoughts on how Maomao views Jinshi's beauty (a waste on a man, disastrously powerful on a woman, extra wasteful on a man sans frog?) + the benefit of certain assets (big boobs XD)

Hello, future plot line and Jinshi's desire to increase literacy and education!

I find this important to note as it is how Maomao is characterized for the audience. "Forward-thinking" with "an insatiable thirst for knowledge and overwhelming curiosity" and "a budding sense of justice." It is interesting how her sense of justice goes against her insistence on the idea of "it is what it is" and that most matters are above her.

Feels like ominous foreshadowing for a later reveal + an indication of how the previous Emperor's shadow hangs over everything to some extent. (Side thought: there's no actual curse on the imperial family causing the current Emperor's heirs to die, but perhaps Jinshi would feel like there is one)

Introduction of Maomao's favorite concept/word–conjecture! She emphasizes how her dad drilled into her that she shouldn't go off of conjecture alone, yet she often engages in speculation to the point of it kind of being her "thing."

A fateful meeting. Jinshi notices Maomao but she doesn't see him (and is too busy thinking/working out a problem in her head–very on the nose for their relationship going forward).

I also like how this was drawn with the white outline around the both of them! I think it is more apparent around Jinshi, but it does envelop them both and put them together, which is interesting.

Maomao sees Jinshi for the first time. And going back to my prior pin on beauty! – Maomao's perception of Jinshi is tied to her thinking about the concept of him as a woman. There's almost a disappointment in how his beauty is not possessed by a woman.

This is very indicative of Maomao's actions. A large part of her character involves not only figuring things out and possessing/acquiring information, but obscuring things/holding things back (in regards to both what she figures out and how she presents herself). This also speaks to how Maomao even suppresses certain feelings and realizations in her own mind.

I feel like there is an instinct to write Maomao off as a cold loner type, and while part of this moment involves Maomao's relief at seeing the princess alive and healthy, I think (especially with how it is depicted) it shows a warmth for life and children. Maomao cares! You see this sweeter/softer (and protective) side of her in her interactions with Xiaolan as well.

Maomao is all about that social hierarchy and knowing her place. Beauty and status are perhaps lenses through which she sees the world (interesting that a certain character will land at the highest level of both of those XD)

My confession is that before I watched the anime and was just seeing people post about Jinshi as a sort of "silly little guy", I made assumptions about his intelligence and depth. I was very pleasantly surprised by the scene where he deduces Maomao left the note because she is the only one who can read. It even catches Maomao by surprise! Then again here, his ability to solve the sorts of little mysteries that will essentially become Maomao's main purpose goes to show their compatibility as a pair (that will work well together).

This moment and quote just hits me hard every time. Beauty and life, how they interact, and the value of both will continue to be explored. It also directly shows how Maomao's experience of the pleasure district informs her ability to understand and navigate the rear palace.

And that's all for chapter 1! Onto the next.

[aweebeing]

The novel I'm currently reading, The Apothecary Diaries, is one of the best I've read so far :) Kinda reminds me of Ascendance of a Bookworm even though their mc's have different personalities and the world they live in is different and Maomao is not even isekai'd

BUT...

The thing they do have in common, however, is that both books have obsessed main characters. One is obsessed with books and the other with herbs & poison. And they're both trying to make the world a little bit better and won't let anyone to get in their ways & will do anything in their power to reach their goals, and that they don't give a fuck about Romance whatsoever :))) even though the novel is supposed to be romance 😂

If these two girls aren't beautiful & respectable then I don't1 know what 'beautiful & respectable' even means!

Keep it up my queens, my goddesses >///< You are amazing!♥️

[recentanimenews]

J-Novel Club Licenses Five New Light Novels and a Pair of Manga

  J-Novel Club held a fresh announcement livestream on November 13, taking the opportunity to reveal five new light novel series with immediate digital launches, as well as two new manga titles that are both set to launch next week.

  Here's a breakdown of what was revealed, starting with the two light novels that are officially live now on the subscription service. 

  The Apothecary Diaries 

by Natsu Hyuuga with Illustrations by Touko Shino 

    Synopsis:

In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. 

  Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That’s her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao’s façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor’s favorite consort… so she can taste the lady’s food for poison! At her lady’s side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?

  The Ideal Sponger Life 

by Tsunehiko Watanabe with Illustrations by Jyuu Ayakura 

    Synopsis:

Yamai Zenjirou is your everyday office worker in modern Japan. One morning, he suddenly finds himself summoned to a tropical world where dinosaurs roam the land. He is told that this is the kingdom of Capua and the person who summoned him - its monarch, Queen Aura - wants him to marry her and leave his old life behind for a life of carefree extravagance as her prince consort. The reasons for her offer are many and varied, but she needs an heir, and she wants him to be the one to provide it! 

  If he accepts, he’ll never have to work again, lazing around in luxury with no worries other than securing the kingdom its next monarch. Certainly, sleeping with the buxom beauty is far from a hardship, but is everything really as it seems? He’ll also need to give up everything he knows on Earth. Is he ready to drop it all at a moment’s notice for her sake? And how well will he be able to navigate the politics, people and culture of this new world if he does?

  My Friend’s Little Sister Has It In for Me! 

by Ghost Mikawa with Illustrations by tomari

    Synopsis:

If a girl teases you, that means she likes you!

  Unfortunately, Akiteru knows from experience that isn’t the case. Because every girl he interacts with shows him nothing but scorn, and he’s not scored a single date from it! Luckily, he’s more concerned with securing a spot for him and his game-development buddies at his uncle’s business. But when his uncle throws him a condition that involves playing the part of his daughter’s boyfriend, Akiteru has no choice but to take it.

  What will his best friend’s sister Iroha, who bullies him relentlessly, think of the news? Find out in My Friend's Little Sister Has It in for Me!

  Are You Okay With a Slightly Older Girlfriend? 

by Kota Nozomi with Illustrations by Meruchi Nanase

    Synopsis:

First-year highschool student Momota Kaoru just saved a beautiful highschool girl, Orihara Hime, from a train molester. One thing leads to another, and they end up going on a date! They have a lot in common: they both love video games, they both jam to their favorite songs on mixtapes, they were even both born in the Year of the Snake.

  Except... Orihara’s first game console used cartridges... and her old mixtapes are all on MiniDisc... and, oh, her birthday is actually 12 years before Momota’s!

  When her secret comes out, she thinks it must all be over... but will Momota really let something like a little age gap get in the way of his love for Orihara? Find out if love really can transcend generations in this sugar-sweet romantic comedy!

  She’s the Cutest… But We’re Just Friends!

by Akamitsu Awamura with Illustrations by mmu

    Synopsis:

Kai Nakamura has the average range of otaku hobbies for a high school boy, but the buddy he shares them with is far from ordinary... Kai’s best friend in the whole world is Jun Miyakawa, his classmate known as a super hottie.

  Though Kai and Jun just met when they enrolled in high school, they hit it off with passion for all the same hobbies! When they’re together, the pair never have enough hours in the day. Kai and Jun can’t get enough of each other’s company as they chat about video games and manga or sing anime songs at karaoke.

  Love is fleeting, but friendship is forever in this "just friends" rom-com filled with flirty fun!

  The two manga titles below will launch on J-Novel Club next week.

  Der Werwolf: The Annals of Veight ~Origins~ 

by Yuuchi Kosumi / Original Novel by Hyougetsu 

    Synopsis:

Veight was reincarnated as a werewolf mage, and is now the Vice-Commander of the Demon Lord’s third regiment. His task seemed simple: capture and hold a remote commercial city. But the tension caused by mankind and demonfolk coexisting is the source of endless conflict. As a former human himself, he’ll need to leverage his ability to understand both sides in order to work with the human viceroy and maintain order!

  Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! 

by Shimo Aono / Original Novel by Makishima Suzuki 

    Synopsis:

Kazuhiro has one hobby, sleeping. His career and social life come second. Since his youth, he's spent his nights dreaming of adventures in a wondrous world. On an evening like any other, he heads out to explore an ancient ruin with an elf friend of his. Their investigations soon get put to an end when they are doused with a dragon's fiery breath. Waking up from his dream, he finds those dreams may not be as imaginary as he thought! Join Kazuhiro and his elf friend on new adventures, this time in Japan!

  Source: Press release

    -------

Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his brand new comic, MONSTER FLIGHT, at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox. 

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com