I’m going to be completely honest, I find it pretty hard to write about this show every week. With episodic and slow shows like these, for me, I would rather watch than write about it because I can’t find too much to write about. Maybe that’s just me. I know after that incident with Atri, I know that Zen would have some trust issues. But seeing who he is now, I know he’s overcome that. But I guess that just makes Shirayuki a lot more special to him. Because if she were different it would have turned into another Atri incident. Shirayuki is probably Zen’s first real friend that’s not royalty or someone assigned to him (not like Kiki and Mitsuhide aren’t real friends). So yeah, I can get why he values her so much. And I got a little sad when we saw the arrowhead from Atri’s arrow in his desk.
And with Shirayuki, she basically feels like crap because she thinks she causes Zen problems. And she wanted to go to Laxdo to see how everyone was doing, but didn’t as she doesn’t know how to ride a horse, and also…she’s still drunk. So Obi mentioned he went there and gave her some messages and gifts from the soldiers and Shirayuki is happy. Obi had also caught someone suspicious observing Shirayuki. And here’s something I guess I’m not too…thrilled about?
The fiancee thing. Yeah people are going to be paying more attention to Shirayuki now. I feel like this fiancee thing is just something to push Zen and Shirayuki’s romance forward. It actually reminds me of The Hunger Games, where Katniss and Peeta had to pretend the “star-crossed lovers” thing and it all escalated to an “engagement” and “baby” and then all that corny shit I hated. I felt like the romance was forced. And I hope that won’t be the case here. I’d like their romance to be more natural, and so far it is. The difference with this and The Hunger Games is that Zen and Shirayuki actually have chemistry. And I’m sorry if I’m going off topic, but I just don’t want forced romance.
As of right now, I’m feeling a little…unsure? about this show. I don’t know if unsure is the right word. I liked the show from the beginning. Really, I loved it. But I always had the lingering thought in the first few episodes of the show just in what direction this show was going to take. It’s very slow and really focuses on the characters, but sometimes I feel like the delivery isn’t strong enough. I don’t feel invested enough, even though I want to. It’s just…slow. I want something interesting to happen. I’m okay with slow shows as long as they have a plot to follow, but Akagami no Shirayukihime does not have that, and I’m not used to those type of shows unless they’re comedy. I don’t hate the show, but the love and wonder I felt about this series in the beginning is slowly dwindling away.
I agree with what you said about the pacing/plot of the show. I used to read the manga long ago (it was even my favorite at a time), but eventually the excitement fizzed off. I started watching the anime, but got bored even more quickly. I dropped it after episode 4, actually. Like you said, the story is episodic; there’s no overarching plot or goal. An engaging show needs either a fast plot or amazing characters, at the very least, to keep it interesting. Zen and Shirayuki are cute, but that’s all they are. I feel like they lack any depth other than their “cuteness.” Especially Zen. Of course, Shirayuki worries that she’s causing trouble for Zen, and he worries the same thing, but that’s the extent of their struggling. They’re not bad people, but they’re static characters. They don’t draw people in, and they’re not deep enough for people to relate strongly to them.
At least, that was my issue with the anime and manga, as well as the reason I ultimately dropped both.
Slow shows can be good too, but it’s the characters that really have to leave a mark for it to keep it interesting. Just like slice of life shows. I like Zen and Shirayuki, but I’m not in love with them or anything either. Like you said, I feel like they’re not deep enough either. And the fact that there’s no plot or at least some good drama, I just feel…eh.
I enjoyed the first few episodes and I thought they were a good set-up for something bigger to happen. I thought we would have gotten into some political issues, but this is more of a romance story than anything. A slow romance story. :/
I’m actually a huge fan of slice of life normally; it’s one of my favorite genres! But those kinds of shows (Barakamon, Kimi to Boku., Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou, etc) need multi-layered, interesting characters in order to capture audiences. Since Zen and Shirayuki lack those layers, even I honestly don’t understand what they see in each other. I don’t see the chemistry so many people are raving about, so their interactions (like the way they slowly say each other’s names lol, or how they hug every other episode) feel forced to me.
I agree that it would have been nice to see some politics. There are faint traces of politics every now and then, but they’re all connected to the royalty’s inexplicable plethora of issues with red hair. I don’t understand what their fixation is, especially considering the common people have absolutely NO issues with Shirayuki’s hair. Everyone in the castle gets such a hard-on for it (excuse my crude language, I don’t know how else to say it), to the point where it’s just forced tension.
A hard on, lol. xD Yeah I think that’s a good way of saying it. I guess where they live red hair isn’t common even though red hair is a natural hair color. But yes politics could have made this show a lot more interesting. I don’t think the situation in Laxdo counts.
Honestly I think the hugging and stuff was actually kinda cute, but it always seemed more friendly. Yeah I made comments here and there about wanting them to kiss (lol) but yeah. It’s romantic, but it doesn’t feel that way. I can see why Zen would fall for Shirayuki, but I want to know what Shirayuki sees in Zen, or if she even feels romantic feelings for him right now because it looks like Zen is the only infatuated one.
I would definitely agree that it’s a slower show, but after watching Saiunkoku Monogatari (god that show is slow – I love it, but it moves at a snail’s pace), it doesn’t bother me as much anymore. (Ironically as slow as it is, Saiunkoku is actually centered around politics. It definitely helped make the show that much more interesting. But I digress.)
With shows like these, if I can’t see an overarching plot, then I usually try to focus on the characters and their relationships. I agree that at the moment Zen and Shirayuki are a little static, but I’m hoping that will change. I haven’t read the manga yet and I’m trying to hold off until this season is finished at least.
So while I can’t speak for anyone else, here are some things I’m watching for in Akagami no Shirayuki:
– Shirayuki’s progression towards being a full-fledged court herbalist
– Her relationship with Zen
– Zen’s growth as a prince/noble
– Wtf Kiki is doing reporting to Izana, and why it’s a secret
– What will become of the fiancee rumour
– Shirayuki’s personal growth
I also agree with Berry that it’d be great to see more of what Shirayuki feels for Zen, aside from admiration and respect because those are both already very obvious. But like is it romantic, yay or nay lol.
As I think I’ve said before on another review, I do see a lot of parallels between Saiunkoku and Akagami (in terms of both plot and characters), and I’m looking to see how Akagami handles some of the same issues I had with Saiunkoku.