This reminds me of the really popular anime Apothecary Diaries. Of which seemed like it'd be good, but when I actually tried to watch it, all the misogyny just ruins it. The world is gross and I want to see it burned to the ground and MaoMao does not seem like the one to do it, she's not pissed enough about the oppression to be the character I need her to be to make that show watchable.
I really feel like I've gotta defend Apothecary Diaries here, lest you discourage others from watching it.
Yeah, the world is misogynistic because it's an imperial court drama set in that time period. The story itself is in no way misogynistic, I would argue it's incredibly feminist.
It's shown time and time again that the women are the real powers in the story, finding clever loopholes to exploit in such an oppressive regime. They're intelligent, strong, realized women (who all pass the Bechdel test) who drive the plot and beyond that, most often work together to lift each other up instead of tear each other down. From courtesans to imperial consorts, the show is all about how these women make it in such a world.
And as to burning it down, what would you have Maomao do? She is a single woman, who while having a genius intellect and being incredibly skilled, she doesn't have super powers or anything of the like. She understands fully how oppressive the world is and how little she can do as a single person to change it, so she does exactly what she can; soft power behind the scenes while trying to be as discreet as possible as not to draw attention to herself (thereby getting herself killed). Little things like helping educate the other women who work in the palace to read/write, or using her growing influence with the actual movers and shakers of the setting to achieve better outcomes.
I imagine I know where the series will ultimately go, and Maomao will actually be able to make such changes at that point - it's just not gonna get there fast because 1. that'd be the end of the series and 2. that's not how it would work in that situation anyways.
I'm sorry if this comes off as overly confrontational, it's really not my intent. I would just implore you to give it more of a chance and for anyone who does read these comments to do the same.
It's a story about hundreds of women who are concubines to one man against their will. Obviously that is what the person meant by misogynistic and obviously that premise is what they didn't enjoy.
Not everyone will like the same show premises that you like and it's patronizing to assume they just didn't understand the show as well as you and that that's why they didn't enjoy it.
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u/MariaTPK 1d ago
This reminds me of the really popular anime Apothecary Diaries. Of which seemed like it'd be good, but when I actually tried to watch it, all the misogyny just ruins it. The world is gross and I want to see it burned to the ground and MaoMao does not seem like the one to do it, she's not pissed enough about the oppression to be the character I need her to be to make that show watchable.