The Apothecary Diaries season 3 Opening all but spells out Jinshi's true parentage, and it couldn't be clearer

Still from the anime
Still from the anime - Source: TOHO Animations

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 has finally started to air, and fans are now talking about its opening theme song. Not only the music itself but also the overall sequence has given us plenty to dissect. While the anime has given us sufficient hints about who Jinshi's parents have been in the previous season, there are a few fans who still have some doubts and confusion about it.

However, now that Season 3 has started, one thing that the animators did was ensure there are no more doubts about it by giving us a clear answer, which makes it harder to dispute. Additionally, the opening is also full of visual symbolism and scenes that might be foreshadowing the major events that might play out in the story.

Still from the anime - Source: TOHO Animations
Still from the anime - Source: TOHO Animations

For those who have been longtime fans of the anime, some of these images are just giving them confirmation of details that have been hidden from the anime-only fans. There is one moment in the opening theme of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 where Maomao is shown to be reaching out and caressing the moon. This might be an important sequence that is connected with Jinshi, as he has been associated with the moon through his title and his mysterious identity.

Another major hint about this moment is Maomao's hand placement. She is touching the same side, which is where Jinshi has a scar on his face. The symbolism continues to deepen and become more obvious when combined with her new hairpin, which features both the moon and a poppy flower.

There is another romantic-looking shot in the opening of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 in which we see Jinshi from Maomao's perspective. It is clear that their relationship has developed, but at the same time it also gives a proper answer about Jinshi's birth.


The opening reveals the truth behind the baby swap

youtube-cover

The biggest clue regarding Jinshi’s parentage comes from the sequence involving Ah-Duo and Lady Anshi. These two women are shown together; the imagery looks like they are holding babies, but they are shown as the moon, which is supposed to represent the infamous birth switch.

For viewers who remember the revelations from Season 2, this is a big deal. Getting a proper image reinforces the proof that Jinshi was born to Ah-Duo but was raised as Anshi’s son following the switch. This explains why Jinshi's position within the Imperial family has been a little complicated.

The opening of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 does not waste any time by simply teasing us about this development; it visually puts the pieces together for viewers who understand the symbolism.


Fans Are Loving the New Opening of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3

Still from the anime - Source: TOHO Animations
Still from the anime - Source: TOHO Animations

The reaction towards the opening so far has been overwhelmingly positive. It is all because of how much information has been tightly packed into its visuals. Some of the fans are also admitting how many times they have rewatched this opening just to find out more hidden details.

Even the animation style is a little visually different in comparison to the previous opening themes. Yorushika's new theme song also adds to the dreamy and mysterious presentation. For those who are only watching the anime, many of these scenes might look beautiful, but they might not be able to understand all the imagery.

For those who have read the light novel, the opening is practically a roadmap of what is coming. In the end, even if The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 has barely begun, its opening is already revealing some of the biggest secrets waiting ahead.

Edited by Nisarga Kakade