(L) Akagami no Shirayuki-hime (Red-haired Snow White)

[BPD Renegade]

Originally Posted by Irenesharda

This episode felt like a straightforward fairytale, from the music to the colors, and the story went so fast, it could have ended at the end of the episode and you could have said "They lived happily ever after" and I would have been satisfied. In a world that wants everything gritty, dark, revisionist, a simple, warm and fuzzy, Disney-esque story is so refreshing.

I loved this the moment I heard the flute in the beginning score. I'm excited to see how this continues to progress.

Hearing the birds chirping, then leading into the flute solo, the opening scene definitely gave me Disney princess vibes as well.

The episode was a nice relaxed pace, and it tied everything up neatly, so as everyone else expressed, I'm a bit perplexed as to where the story is headed. With the main problem looking like it's been dealt with, the show is looking like it might be a slice of life series, which I'm not quite in the mood for right now. I might end up backlogging this for a marathon later. Any manga readers with advice on whether or not to stick around for the second episode?

Originally Posted by White Manju Bun

Oh god hearing Jun as Raj just made me think of Koro-sensei trying to woo Shirayuki

More like I kept hearing Shinra rant and rave about not-Celty.

[Biohazardous]

I decided to take a peak and like it so far. I too hate she cut her hair though like others have said she still looks good with it short. I don't know the source so Im curious on what we will be seeing during the season especially since someone mentioned it was two cour.

[Haak]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Agreed. And that's actually my one concern going forward. This premier is almost too neat and tidy. It feels like a nice, sweet, straightforward short story with a good mix of comedy and drama. So now what?

Now I'm starting to understand why I didn't bother continue reading the manga past this point: The conclusion was so neat and tidy there wasn't any hook left to it. But now that it's an anime I'll be able to continue, because it's not like I didn't enjoy it (and the anime adaptation was even more enjoyable).

But there are two things I hope the rest of the series expands on:

• The conflict in this episode was essentially resolved by the second prince playing politics with the the idiot prince but we don't have much context to go on so we only understand the significance of the second prince reveal through the look on the idiot prince's face. Presumably the point was that there would be a breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two countries if it were found out that the idiot prince had poisoned the second prince and the idiot prince's rulers wouldn't look too kindly on him for it. But that's just an assumption.
  
• Our red headed protagonist has a great personality, but is a little lacking in background details. She doesn't seem overly bothered about leaving her home and her relationships with her friends in the village only seem to go as far as being their healthcare professional. Does she have any deep relationships, past or present, with anyone else besides the second prince? What's her familial background? How did she end up as a herbalist?

But overall, it was a solid première. Definitely one of the better ones.

[blewin]

I didn't quite get that fairy tale vibe from the manga. The growth of the characters, of both Zen and Shirayuki, is amazing. The first episode can be deceptive in lulling us thinking it's your typical prince saves damsel story. It's none of that though.

I hope to see the anime does a better adaptation to bring out the strength of the story and the characters' struggles. First episode is too rushed for a proper slow build up.

[PreSage]

Love it!

If you're expecting epic battles and bloodshed, then this show may not be for you. I'd say this series is more like The World is Still Beautiful than Akatsuki no Yona in terms of context and overall vibe.

The one reason I love the manga is because of the characters! They and their relationships are the main driving force of this series. Although Zen and Shiriyuki seem like typical shoujo MCs, I feel they break that mode in a way.

[Incest Emblem]

Originally Posted by BPD Renegade

With the main problem looking like it's been dealt with, the show is looking like it might be a slice of life series, which I'm not quite in the mood for right now.

Recall what Zen said about how he was able to move despite being poisoned: He has gradually been building tolerance toward poisons. He is the second prince of a kingdom--implying that there is at least one other prince. He has just picked up a competent herbalist for his retinue.

I am suspecting a reasonable amount of dangerous court intrigues, not necessarily involving venefice but including it when the series wants Shirayuki in her natural element.

[BPD Renegade]

Originally Posted by PreSage

Love it!

If you're expecting epic battles and bloodshed, then this show may not be for you. I'd say this series is more like The World is Still Beautiful than Akatsuki no Yona in terms of context and overall vibe.

The one reason I love the manga is because of the characters! They and their relationships are the main driving force of this series. Although Zen and Shiriyuki seem like typical shoujo MCs, I feel they break that mode in a way.

Funny you mention battles and bloodshed, because I watched an episode of Hellsing Ultimate right after Shirayuki. Talk about badass whiplash. This sounds like something I'll end up liking though, so I guess I'll give it a bit longer before deciding if it goes into backlog.

Originally Posted by Incest Emblem

Recall what Zen said about how he was able to move despite being poisoned: He has gradually been building tolerance toward poisons. He is the second prince of a kingdom--implying that there is at least one other prince. He has just picked up a competent herbalist for his retinue.

I am suspecting a reasonable amount of dangerous court intrigues, not necessarily involving venefice but including it when the series wants Shirayuki in her natural element.

I don't know, although it would be fun, I wasn't getting many vibes pointing at court intrigue. The show seems more like what PreSage mentioned -- built around the characters and their interactions with each other. But who knows, there may be an underlying tension in the court that gives us a plot in the background.

[PreSage]

You can actually see the Crown Prince of Clarines in the OP. I, personally, am still trying to figure out his character, to say the least. Can't wait for his debut.

I loved Matsuhide and his interaction with Kiki in the manga, and the anime, for the 1st ep so far, kept that adorableness of his character in tact -- as well as Kiki's sadistic sarcasm.

I also agree with others that the background and vibrant colours are spectacular. They give such a pleasant ambiance and feeling while I watched the ep.

[Master_Yoma]

Such a shame cutting off the red hair of hers

[GDiddy]

So far on this episode alone, I think this will be my favorite new series.


LOVED IT. But then again, I finished the manga in like, one day.

[PreSage]

Originally Posted by GDiddy

So far on this episode alone, I think this will be my favorite new series.


LOVED IT. But then again, I finished the manga in like, one day.

The manga is complete? I didn't know that. How many volumes in total?

Edit: Wait, according to Baka-updates, it's still ongoing at 14 volumes.

[Cloudedmind]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

I watched ep 1 out of curiosity, mostly because I wondered what kind of character Mitsuhide was with this rather ominous name... but going by the ED I guess it's just his name and he's not going to backstab anyone soon, too bad.

Anyway, this was pretty much what I expected, and in this case unfortunately that's not enough. This show is perfectly good for what it is, there's nothing wrong with it, and I'm sure people who enjoy adventure/romances will really enjoy this one, too, but personally I'm still waiting for someone to have the courage to adapt one of the many shoujo manga which are not harmless adventure/romances or tropey high school romances. (Although I think I'll continue to watch a few more episodes, simply to hear how Oosaka Ryouta does as a shoujo manga type romantic lead. Too bad that it seems Fukuyama Jun's character won't be around for a while, he was the most fun of the cast.)

I have to agree. It was sweet, it was lighthearted, and it was very Disney fairytale like. Which in the end didn't really do much for me. I didn't think it was bad, I just didn't think it was all that interesting either. I'll probably watch a few more episodes just to see where this goes though.

[BBOvenGuy]

Originally Posted by PreSage

I'd say this series is more like The World is Still Beautiful than Akatsuki no Yona in terms of context and overall vibe.

That was my impression exactly.

[chaos_animagic]

I like long hairs...

why do they always cut off their beautiful long hairs... so disappointed.

Minus one point for this series.


PS: "you have strange hair" --- Zen

Yes, redheads are always strange. *giggles*

[Incest Emblem]

It's a symbolism for cutting off old ties--appropriate for someone who is leaving the country where she grew up.

Unfortunately, this means beautiful long hair is frequently the casualty of character development. I quite agree that she looked better with long hair, but the short hair gives her a sprightly look, so it's not bad.

[IceHism]

Oh man, everything about this show oozes feminism, subtly and directly.

I'll stick it on for now. 1st ep was fun

[Salva]

I remembered why I stopped reading the manga early on. This ep does look like an already finished story. As much as I liked it (the graphics were absolutely lovely, seeing the forest was really breathtaking – I was recently rewatching older series) I had few problems: she was too hasty with leaving her home and everything in it; she DIDN'T dye her hair, that would be the first thing I'd do – dye it black, instead of cutting; she didn't have to hurt herself, just putting the ointment on her would suffice to prove it's not poison, the rest was unnecessary and stupid; her remarks about Zen being arrogant was sooo douchy, yeah because it's arrogant not to trust a stranger that suddenly appears at your door in a mostly deserted forest and offers you things, especially if it's an attractive, young female… honestly…?; his willingness to eat the poison was also stupid; they didn't have to deal with the prince at all, could have made the medicine since Zen wasn't in the immadiete danger all things considered, making an enemy of a prince from neighbouring country over one girl was rather… interesting diplomatic choice – although it seems there will be some backstory to Zen's current circumstances and behaviour.

But actually I am still going to watch it. It really seems good.

[Random Wanderer]

Congratulations, Prince Raj, you just committed an act of war against the neighboring country. What are you going to do next?

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Random Wanderer

Congratulations, Prince Raj, you just committed an act of war against the neighboring country. What are you going to do next?

He's going to MM land!

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Haak

Our red headed protagonist has a great personality, but is a little lacking in background details. She doesn't seem overly bothered about leaving her home and her relationships with her friends in the village only seem to go as far as being their healthcare professional. Does she have any deep relationships, past or present, with anyone else besides the second prince? What's her familial background? How did she end up as a herbalist?

Good points. I also hope we learn more about her background details.

Originally Posted by IceHism

Oh man, everything about this show oozes feminism, subtly and directly.

Zen is a strong and likeable character. And he certainly did get to play a dashing hero. I think they did a good job of making both leads seem strong and likeable, which can be tricky when there's a hint of romance involved between them.

Whatever you call this approach, it works for me. Both leads of both genders being strong and likeable is definitely the best approach if it can be pulled off, in my opinion.