Peps' Anime Wrap-up: Akagami no Shirayukihime Season 1

http://kazusanosekai.blogspot.com/2015/07/first-impression-akagami-no-shirayuki.htmlI found the title of Akagami no Shirayukihime to be intriguing. Translated as Snow White with the Red Hair, I thought it would feature a storytelling twist on the famed fairy tale Snow White. As it turns out, the female lead isn't a princess, and while there's a poisoned apple, it's the prince who eats it. And all this happens within the 1st episode.

What follows, though, is the story of two individuals from different social standings, each working towards their respective ever afters. They find in each other support and inspiration, and maybe something that goes beyond mere friendship.

Shirayuki's quiet life as a herbalist comes to an end when the Prince of Tanbarun decides to make her his concubine, all because of her rare red hair. She cuts off her hair and runs away. She meets Zen Wistalia, Mitsuhide Lowen, and Kiki Seiran during her escape. Zen accidentally eats a poisoned apple intended for Shirayuki, who goes to Prince Raji Shenazard in order to obtain the antidote to save Zen's life. But Zen arrives to reveal that he has developed a tolerance to poison, as well as the fact that he is the second prince of neighboring kingdom Clarines. Attempting to avoid conflict, Raji is forced to let go of Shirayuki, who in turn travels to Clarines to start a new life.

In truth, I was close to making the same first impression judgement on Akagami no Shirayukihime as I did for Plastic Memories, because I initially felt that the art was just okay. I did, however, stick around for the entire episode the first time I viewed it, because Shirayuki was far more upbeat than Isla and her first meeting with Zen was pure chemistry.

http://myanimelist.net/featured/86
While featuring an ensemble cast, Akagami no Shirayukihime is a series focused on the interactions between Shirayuki and Zen, who immediately strike up an easy friendship even with the rather unusual circumstances of their first meeting. Shirayuki is earnest and hardworking, and Zen is easygoing but industrious in his role as second prince. They find in each other a reason to work towards their individual goals, with Shirayuki hoping to repay Zen's kindness and Zen wishing to match Shirayuki's passion for her craft. And Akagami no Shirayukihime works as a story because of them, despite the fact that if you really analyze the anime series, it isn't really original in telling a story of would-be lovers who come from different social standings or of a hard-working heroine with big dreams and the hero that inspires her.

It might not be hard to guess the eventual ending of the story, given that Shirayuki and Zen are pretty much touchy-feely from the get-go. But it was nonetheless fun to watch how they get to that point. Challenges abound for the couple, whether in the form of disapproving or scheming nobles, kidnappers, endangered wildlife, and the eventual confession that makes you go 'squee', then 'why are you hesitating, idiot?'. Akagami no Shirayukihime serves up adventures in moderate doses in its episodes, but they only serve to highlight how strong Shirayuki and Zen are as characters, and in further solidifying their bond.

At the time I finished watching the twelve episodes of the series, I did not know that there was going to be a second season of the series. But even then, the ending they served wasn't abrupt and instead ended with how Shirayuki and Zen started their journey together... with a positive outlook towards the future.

http://myanimelist.net/anime/31173/Akagami_no_Shirayuki-hime_2nd_Season
Now that a second season is ongoing as part of the current winter anime roster, I looked forward to watching the next chapter of Shirayuki and Zen's story. I haven't started my viewing, so I'm hoping it also focuses on the other characters, particularly Zen's aides Mitsuhide, Kiki and Obi, who seems to find his new role within Zen's group more appealing than his previously solitary nature. I also want to know if Zen's brother, first prince Izana, would grow to accept Shirayuki for his brother despite her social status (although we all know that he eventually will, but you still want to find out how).

I can't promise that I will be able to write my second season post on Akagami no Shirayukihime right when it ends its run. But I can promise you that I will... eventually. :P

Happy viewing!!

Labels: , , , , , , ,