Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)

Maomao (Japanese: 猫猫) is a fictional character and protagonist from Natsu Hyūga's light novel series The Apothecary Diaries. Set in a fictional country based on Imperial China during the Tang dynasty, Maomao is a young girl working as an apothecary in a red-light district, who was kidnapped and sold to the Imperial Palace as an indentured servant. She still retains her curious and eccentric personality and plans to work there until her two years of servitude are over. After learning that the emperor's newborns and concubines are critically ill, she begins to investigate the cause. Using her experience as an apothecary, she successfully solves the mystery of their illness. Even though she intended to remain anonymous, her actions catch the attention of Jinshi, an influential eunuch. She then undertakes the solving of mysteries for the royal court.

The character was created by Hyūga to come across as a strong character and gradually more sympathetic individual through her constant works in the district and her relationship with Jinshi. In the anime adaptation, she is voiced by Aoi Yūki in Japanese and Emi Lo in English. Anime director Norihiro Naganuma addresses the series' constant struggle to give her growth of a person who is expressing her emotions for the first time in contrast to her more emotionless state from the drama CD. The character was praised by critics for her strong personality and works involving medicine while also highlighting her subtle relationship with Jinshi.