Akagami no Shirayukihime Episode 5: This Path, the Crystallization of Premonition

Zen and gang head to Laxdo Fort to investigate the situation there, and Shirayuki runs an errand in the town of Laxdo. Reports haven’t been coming from the fort lately and Zen, Kiki, Mitsuhide, and even Obi check to see what’s wrong. Shuka, one of the soldiers, deems that what’s happening is the work of an evil spirit. Suddenly many of the soldiers have fallen to some sort of ailment and don’t seem to be recovering. The group tries to figure out what could be the cause, but then they get the idea to fetch Shirayuki from the town and bring her over to the fort to see if she can help. Long story short, it was a group of bandits giving out strange firewood that emits dangerous particles when burned and can cause sickness when inhaled. The bandits also stole everything from the armory, and thanks to Obi, they were able to find the bandits and save the day. Shirayuki made medicines and treated everyone but at the cost of her own health. And then we ended with the typical romantic-not romantic-hand-holding-gazing-at-each-other’s-faces scene with Zen and Shirayuki.

So far this show is mainly episodic. There isn’t too much of a plot except for Shirayuki learning more things to be a better herbalist. Now that she’s a court herbalist, she’s got more work to do. This show is…slow. And it’s not particularly a bad thing, it’s just that I’m more used to action shows where something is always happening. But here with this one it’s just so…chill. But I like it. I like taking a break and watching something so peaceful. And I like the characters and their relationships. Kiki mentioned that Mitsuhide is the one that Zen will really listen to, and I’d like to see how they came to be and how their friendship blossomed (as well as Kiki). Obi is a nice addition to the group and it really looks like he’ll follow under Zen. I’d like to know more about him too.

Zen’s big brother makes his appearance next episode, and it certainly looks like some sort of drama will arise because he just plain doesn’t look nice. Just from the preview, I can tell that Zen and his brother probably don’t get along. So that should make for something interesting.