!!! SPOILERS FOR SEASON 3 OF APOTHECARY DIARIES !!!
-- PROJECT OVERVIEW --
What is this project about?
This project is all about voicing the Web Novel for The Apothecary Diaries. With the aim of completing the current web novel content as well as increasing accessibility for the written forms of the series, I hope to make a project that fans old and new can enjoy while we wait for future animated seasons.
With there being so many characters requiring a voice I'm open to all kinds of voices
Requirements:
Clean audio with minimal background noise
ABCABC recording format (2 takes per line)
18+ Auditions only (There is no NSFW content in this project)
No Slating
A Discord account
The process for the Project:
This project will be pre-recorded however there is also a live recorded aspect of the project separate from the main story. For these live streams we will be voicing and acting older arcs of the story until we catch up to the current recorded arc.
Voicing in the live streams are not mandatory however if you can make them it will be highly valued in the casting process
FAQ:
This is a fan-made project, however due to the availability of the Web Novel and lack of official licensing this voiced project is protected and covered under creative commons
With the nature of the project, I do require all VA's to communicate in a timely manner as to keep the project moving smoothly without studdering
This project DOES NOT support the use of AI in any shape or form.
THIS PROJECT IS AN UNPAID PROJECT, PLEASE DO NOT AUDITION IF YOU REQUIRE PAYMENT
Socials:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kamenenvtuber
Twitter: https://x.com/KamenVtuber
Discord: https://discord.gg/4kjNkkDHzA
AAAAAAAND THAT'S IT EVERYBODY!
Thank you all SO damn much for the 300 auditions >.< I was not expecting anywhere near this many people to audition for this project.
I'm not accepting any more auditions & will be going through the final auditions today.
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE AND EAR OUT IF YOU WERE SHORTLISTED! There will be callbacks <3 I'll be contacting everyone throughout this week
A thank you! <33
Thank you to everyone who's auditioned so far! There are so many talented VA's who have sent in auditions, you're making my job so hard >.<
With just over a week left I'll be going through all of the auditions one final time before the deadline to finalise my shortlist. If you have been shortlisted please keep an ear & eye out for a message on me through either CCC or Discord as there will be callbacks!!
Callbacks! ^v^
The callbacks will be taking place between the 20th of October to the 25th of October. I'll be sending out congratulations and an invite to the Callback server the DAY AFTER the casting call closes.
I ask that if you're called back you respond quickly as there is a quicker turn around that I need to hit.
Again thank you all SO SO much for auditioning for my project >.< I'm so spoilt for choice. For those yet to audition or have auditioned alike, I wish you all luck! <33
Sincerly, Kamen ^v^
Maomao is the protagonist of The Apothecary Diaries, One day, she got kidnapped and sold by bandits, and she suddenly found herself as a servant in the Imperial Palace of Li, where she used her sense of practicality, keen deductions, and insightful knowledge of herbs and illnesses to solve the mysterious problems within the Inner and Outer Courts.
Maomao's approach to life is very practical, focused on learning to survive and thrive in whatever way her environment demands her to. She is rarely tricked or charmed by others: she is one of the few to be unaffected by the beauty and charm of Jinshi.
*Questioning/Confused* “And, wasn't it written that the small-scale locust plague that broke out last year was from this one?”
*Teasing/Coy* “You can’t even read and write properly. Fufu, in that case, you can’t ever use paper in your lifetime.”
*Judging/Careless* “The owner of that food cart is stingy. He acquires rotten fruit cheaply and makes juice from that. And it was also mixed with the leftovers from the previous day and the day before that as well.”
Jinshi is the deuteragonist of The Apothecary Diaries series. He appears to be a beautiful eunuch who was placed in charge of the Inner Court. He often requests for Maomao to solve mysteries in the Imperial Palace in exchange for rare medicines.
While Jinshi appears to be serene and collected, he possesses a severe lack of self-confidence. Despite he is rather diligent and intelligent as noted by Maomao and he does have a head for untangling mysteries, he is neither a great scholar nor a brilliant general and thus believes that he pales in comparison to the large shadow that is his “older brother”, the Emperor.
*Questioning/Planning* “The locust plague is a natural occurrence. It is about what we can do about it. Shall we light a bonfire and lure out the insects, or shall we crush them one by one?”
*Confused* “Even if it’s something like this, wouldn't it be found out if there were markings under the paper you wrote on?”
*Explaining* “I heard the Empress Regnant had proposed some idea to the U Clan. Oftentimes, under the Empress Regnant’s directions, the imperial child of the reigning emperor of those times had summoned the consort’s mother.”
Meimei is the second-oldest of the Three Princesses of the Verdigris House and one of Maomao's "older sisters".
Meimei is an emotional person who is very attached to her fellow courtesans and the apprentices from the Verdigris House. Although she usually is kind, gentle and patient, she can short-tempered at times, especially when it is about games. Like the other princesses, she became more miserly with age, resembling the Madam in that aspect.
*Pointing Out* “Gran would be talking to the brothel owner over there."
*Complaining/Fed up* “We are at the age where they would be getting sick and tired of us. Even though we were treated like jewels of admiration in times past.”
Pairin also known as Pai Ling, is the eldest of the Three Princesses of the Verdigris House and one of Maomao's "older sisters".
Pairin is described as a rather observant and thoughtful woman, which goes well with her line of work. Like the other princesses, she became more miserly with age, resembling the Madam in that aspect. But unlike many courtesans, she sells her own body not just for money, but also for pleasure
*Tenderly/Mothering* “Oh my, it hasn’t come off yet. Come on, I'll take it off for you, so stay still.”
*Teasing* “Eeehh, Maomao, don’t tell me, you have a gentleman you like—-"
Joka is the youngest of the Three Princesses of the Verdigris House and one of Maomao's "older sisters".
Compared to the other two Princesses, Joka is much colder and more aloof to customers. Despite being a courtesan, she does not like men, whom she sees as untrustworthy. She is, however, generally gentler with her fellow courtesans. Her words are often elegant but harsh, to the point the letters she writes while being angry must be checked before being delivered to her customers.
*Dismissive* “I’m in favour. People like men, we don’t know when they will change their minds. It is all the more with men that possess power.”
*Geltle Teasing* “After all, I am a harlot, and you are the child of one.”
Lady Ah-Duo, Previously holding the title of the Pure Consort from the Garnet Pavilion, she is currently the overseer of the Southern Imperial Villa.
Ah-Duo possesses a rather tomboyish personality, having always had a desire to be free from the Imperial Palace and travel around the world as a merchant. In fact, her childhood dream was to become a court official, a position illegal for Linese women to hold. Nevertheless, she is a very confident and caring woman with strong maternal instincts, especially towards younger women.
*Coy/Playful* "There shouldn't particularly be a need for introductions. I'm present, but do speak as if I'm not here,"
*Dismissive/Annoyed* “I hate formality. I want you to be more at ease. This one doesn’t mind that kind of thing, aren’t you brooding?”
Lishu is a member of the U Clan and serves as the Virtuous Consort from the Diamond Pavilion
Lishu possesses a very honest and straight forward personality. Similar to a spoiled princess, she often acted without caution at times, but deep down she is a kind-hearted maiden who simply lacked sense from experiencing more of the world. Because she was sent away at such a young age, she was still unsure of herself and often blindly followed the advice of others. As a result, she became the target of bullying by her own ladies-in-waiting, who bossed her around under the guise of helping her.
*Scared* “…I, really…. wasn’t supposed to return to the inner palace.”
*Cowering/Realizing* “So his name is Basen-sama…”
Suirei (born Shisui) is a descendant of the Imperial Family and a member of the Shi Clan. She is ultimately spared from the downfall of her paternal clan and taken in by Lady Ah-Duo.
Suirei is an introvert and does not have much energy to talk to others. She seems to have a somewhat strict personality, as she admonished Maomao for nearly trespassing on the palace's military quarters. She acts as a maternal figure to her little half-sister, Loulan, whom she loves deeply, and enjoys studying medicinal herbs, having learned the craft from her adoptive grandfather.
*Confused* “...It is missing one volume. I’m pretty sure there were fifteen volumes.”
*Explanation* “When he was ordered to create the elixir of life, the materials Teacher had researched up until then had nearly been disposed of. The things brought with him were to the extent of what was in that room.”
Chou-u is one of the surviving children of the Shi Clan rebellion. As the only child who woke up from the resurrection medicine without his memories intact, he was taken in by Maomao.
A typical child, Chou-u is excitable, adventurous, and petulant, bothering others for snacks or just out of boredom. He lived a somewhat spoiled life early on and expected servants to do menial tasks based on the influence of Shenmei. However, living around the penny-pinching Madam and Maomao has made him more entrepreneurial, turning his talent for drawing and painting into a side hustle.
*Scheming/Cheeky* “If you buy something, I might be able to remember.”
*Teasing/Playful* “Freckles! Can I eat your dango?!”
*Confused/Questioning* “Hey, Freckles. Why didn’t that dress burn?”
Gaoshun was the attendant of Li's Emperor, but temporarily transferred to Jinshi.
On the outside, Gaoshun appears calm, aloof, and capable. He will sometimes show his angry side towards his young master and his sons when they fail to do their jobs properly. On the inside, he has a fear of women due to his overly bossy wife and daughter. Despite being a high-ranking official, he will humble down to do peasant work if the command comes from a woman.
*Formal* "Shaomao, this person right here is Jinshi-sama. Could you have mistaken him for someone else?”
*Apologetic/Formal* “My slightest apologies. Jinshi-sama is waiting, so I bid you to quickly head in.”
Lihaku is a military official in the Outer Court and an acquaintance of Maomao.
He is often described as dog-like in that he is a good-natured, honest, and likable person. Righteous and passionate, he adores Pairin and works extremely hard at his job in order to buy out her contract. He appears relatively carefree, but still very smart and perceptive. He also has nerves of steel
*Annoyed* “I don’t have the free time to go after a sneak thief either, you know.”
*Dismissive* “The guy’s outside. I got your place’s manservants to look after him for us.”
Ukyou is the head of the Verdigris House menservants and the right-hand of the Madam.
Ukyou is quite easygoing and sociable, being fond of children. Maomao compares Ukyo to a carrot (someone who motivates people using incentives) in contrast to the Madam being a stick (someone who motivates people using punishments).
*Playful/Teasing* “Whaaaat, I’m keeping silent and eating dango only. I won’t hear aaaanything.”
*Theorizing/Serious* “Who knows. It goes without saying that there's her unusual appearance, but I heard that she could read people’s minds.”
Basen is the second son of Gaoshun and an attendant of Jinshi.
Basen exudes a sense of inexperience typical of his age, easily becoming frustrated when things go awry, and lacks subtlety. Despite that, he is quick to follow his instincts. As the youngest in his family, he often submits to his overbearing mother and sister.
“Ahhh! Whatever, I’m leaving. I’ve already passed over what I was supposed to pass over.”
“Don’t shit with me! Do you think you can leave the inner palace this easily?!”
Lahan is the adoptive son and biological nephew of Lakan and the adoptive brother and biological cousin of Maomao.
Lahan is a civil official and member of the La Clan who investigates financial and political matters on behalf of his adoptive father, Lakan, and Jinshi throughout the series. His eccentric fascination with numbers and sharp, calculating nature make him a highly valuable informant and strategist, giving the country of Li considerable leverage in political affairs. He is also meticulous in his dealings, pulling strings behind the scenes with minimal involvement, as he prefers not to get his own hands dirty.
*Playful teasing/Slight fake tears* “How cold of you. To speak to your brother like that.”
*Analysis/Matter-of-fact* “That gossip-loving person went to see Lady Pai’s show. It seems he was set up by the details of the talk. And also, his subordinate caught sight of the man on the portrait, when I borrowed him for a bit to come along to where I went."
The "Madam" is the manager of the Verdigris House and the biological maternal grandmother of Maomao.
The Madam's most prominent quality is her stinginess; she never wastes food, makes sure she collects all of her debts and frequently threatens her courtesans to bring in wealthy customers. As a result, she is easily bribed with the right amount of money. In order to seek fortune, she is very committed in making the Verdigris House thrive, which is why she buys high-quality amenities and ensures every courtesan in her charge has received some level of education. She can be cruel and heartless in her decisions to uphold the Verdigris House's reputation.
*Demanding/Authoritative* “Hurry up and eat! It’s the side dish ya guys have all been yapping about. Eat five per person.”
*Regretful* “Even though it’ll be paradise if he falls into it once, right?”
*Uncharacteristically kind* “Come on, listen to Chou’u. Sleep here today. Wouldn’t it be rough to build a fire after going back? I’ll also prepare sleepwear.”
Guen often referred to by Maomao as the Quack Doctor. As a eunuch court physician, he holds the responsibility of managing the health of the residents of the Inner Court.
Guen is a kind and friendly man, though a bit meek and insecure. Guileless, he carries out his duties with minimal actual medical knowledge. He is often oblivious to the political schemes he occasionally hears about but never pieces together. Loose-lipped by nature, he easily spills information without meaning to. He takes pleasure in small comforts, like caring for Maomao (the cat).
*Apolagetic/Slight panic* “Goodness gracious, I thought that I had made a mistake with the address I heard from Luoman-san,”
*Explanitory/Matter-of-fact* “With rice, the soil won’t get barren even if you produce other crops on the same plot of land.”
Sotei, known as "The White Lady" or "The White Immortal" was meant to become the next Shrine Maiden of Shaoh. However, she never got her chance as the previous shrine maiden failed to give up her position.
Sotei is very deceptive, initially being gentle and patient with Lishu, before showing disgust when they met face-to-face. She often uses information gained from pigeons to fake empathy and induce conflict.
*Mysterious/Hiding something/Playing a trick* “From one to ten, can you pick your favourite number?”
*Flat/Like she knew the whole time* “Third from the top, second from the left.”
The world of Apothecary Diaries is so vast, populated with many people who show up occasionally to give clarity and fill up the world. All of these characters big or small are still important and require someone to give voice for each and every one.
As this audition if for Extra's, feel free to do as many takes with as many voices as you'd like <3
[Male auditions only]
** “Excuse him. He doesn’t know how much brother-in-law has worked for his village.”
** “The drinking bout was something like a sideshow. I wasn’t serious from the start.”
** “Ten times? Haha, I’ll be happy if that’s the case. The dress you’re holding, I’ll just give it you.”
The world of Apothecary Diaries is so vast, populated with many people who show up occasionally to give clarity and fill up the world. All of these characters big or small are still important and require someone to give voice for each and every one.
As this audition if for Extra's, feel free to do as many takes with as many voices as you'd like <3
[Female auditions only]
** “I want you to return me to my family,”
** “I’m sorry. Please forgive him. Please forgive my foolish Father.”
** "Who's that eunich over there!? He's so pretty"
As this is a written format, the project will require many different talented people to narrate the wonderful story and world of Apothecary Diaries
[Narrator lines only need to be done once ^v^ as they're pretty long <3]
Palace ladies in beautiful outfits, adorned with cloying make-up and perfume, had superficial smiles plastered on their lips. There is no poison more terrifying than a woman’s smile, so the apothecary had thought when she had arrived. That doesn’t change for both the court where the officials reside and the pleasure district in town.
Maomao went up to a palace lady who was carrying a basket. The basket in the palace lady’s arms contained high-quality silk that must be washed in the pool on the west side. It would be damaged if it was washed on the east side, whether it be due to the water quality or having different people to wash it.
There were clumsy words written on the ripped piece of cloth. It wasn’t that the words were written messily. The blotted text was hard to make out because it had been written with grass juice. ‘The face powder is poison. Don’t let the baby touch it.’ Had the writing been messy on purpose? Jinshi tilted his head.
