I thought it would be nice to start the year with a review of a beloved series. It is one of the few shoujo series that have had an anime adaptation in recent years. Typically, what happens with popular shoujo in recent years is that a series will get a live-action movie adaptation instead of an anime adaptation. Shirayuki is one of my top 10 favorite shoujo heroines. On to the review!
Chapter 1
Chapter One opens with the egotistical Prince Raj declaring that he wants a uniquely beautiful girl to be his next concubine. The information broker, who Raj jokingly refers to as the “Mirror,” tells him about Shirayuki (Name meaning “Snow White), a girl with red hair. When word reaches Shirayuki about reporting to the palace as the next concubine, she decides to take matters into her own hands and flee the country. She will not let someone else determine her fate. I’ve always liked this aspect of Shirayuki’s character strong-willed and determined.
While fleeing, Shirayuki is deep in the woods when she meets a young man named Zen and his companions, Kiki and Mitsuhide. Zen takes note of her unique hair, and Shirayuki notices that he has a minor hand injury. Zen is stand-offish and reluctant to let Shirayuki help him because he believes she might carry poison. Shirayuki declares she is an herbalist, and that’s not her style. Shirayuki wins in a small stand-off between the two, and Zen appears to do a complete 180 and take a liking to the spunky runaway herbalist.
Zen gives Shirayuki permission to stay in a vacant home that he and his companions often use. The two bicker about the fact that Shirayuki doesn’t want to tell him why she fled. She ultimately opens up and tells him the truth. However, she omits that the rich guy in question is a member of her country’s nobility. Zen congratulates her for giving the slimeball just what he deserves, and the two seem closer. Zen tells Shirayuki that good things are surely coming her way; red is the color of destiny, after all.
With a clever play on an element of the classic tale, poisoned apples are delivered from Shirayuki’s would-be suitor Prince Raj. Zen intercepts them and takes the first bite. Warning Shirayuki and the others. Shortly after, a messenger for Raj arrives, alerting everyone that the foolish Prince holds the antidote.
In an attempt to save Zen, she very nearly accepts Raj’s demands to be his concubine. Fortunately, Zen storms in with an objection. Prince Raj is startled and demands to know who the intruder is. This question leads to the big reveal that Zen is actually the second prince of the Kingdom of Clarines. As such, he far outranks Raj. Prince Raj agrees to all of Prince Zen’s demands to save his own skin. Including never even speaking Shirayuki’s name again. Shirayuki is surprised to learn Zen’s true identity but is thankful. She tries to declare herself as poisonous for Zen, but he will hear nothing of that. He tells her that he would be happy if their encounter were destiny. He reminds Shirayuki that her future is hers to choose. Mitsuhide and Kiki, Zen’s companions, look at the two, making humorous remarks.
Chapter 2
Shirayuki has officially moved to Clarines Prince Zen’s kingdom. She lets Zen know that she intends to be a court herbalist so that when Shirayuki visits the palace, she won’t simply be a guest.
Zen is happy with Shirayuki’s decision since it would mean they would get to see each other more regularly. Shirayuki decides to go on a trip outside of the city for her herbalist training. Zen escorts her to the harbor. Unfortunately, a Prince Raj sleazeball type notices her hair.
The mysterious sleazeball kidnaps Shirayuki when he realizes she’s alone to sell her as a concubine. Zen takes Shirayuki to a battered old estate, which she desperately tries to escape. He seems to trip Shirayuki up at every turn despite her best efforts. He tries to bribe her, saying she’ll live the good life if sold to a decently rich person. Shirayuki promptly declines such a vomit-inducing offer just in time for Zen’s arrival.
After saving Shirayuki, Zen, as has become his custom, tells the kidnapper that he cannot even say Shirayuki’s name. The kidnapper asks, who are you, her dad? Which momentarily depresses Zen before he regains his composure. Zen and Shirayuki share a sweet moment as Shirayuki thanks the young Prince for saving her yet again.
During her time with the kidnapper, Shirayuki declares that she would never be his girl because she has somewhere important she needs to go. Zen hears the kidnapper ask her out of curiosity where that important place is. She doesn’t answer the kidnapper, but she does answer Zen when he asks her the same question. Shirayuki wants to see how Zen truly lives in his homeland, and so she is looking for a place to be to watch that dream come true.
Chapter 3
When Zen turns into Prince Grumpy due to a paperwork overload, Mitsuhide, and Kiki, being the loyal aides to the Prince that they are, quickly call over Shirayuki to lift Zen’s spirits. After witnessing just how hard Prince Zen works for the kingdom’s sake, Shirayuki also vows to work hard to become a court herbalist.
A retainer by the name of Haruka stops by after Shirayuki leaves the palace to remind Zen of his place and rank seemingly. That having commoners about is beneath him as a Prince. Haruka says that an ordinary girl would take advantage of him and want status and a title. Zen defends himself and Shirayuki, saying that Shirayuki would never be interested in anything like that. Haruka decides that he will have to take things up with Shirayuki directly since the Zen won’t see reason.
The retainer sends a young ninja to revoke Shirayuki’s right to enter the palace as a guest by pretending it is a direct order from the Prince. Shirayuki overhears the ninja’s exchange with the guards and is distressed. She needs to know if that is what Zen truly wants because she doesn’t want him to be criticized because of her.
Despite being warned via arrow not to take another step, Shirayuki continues to search for Zen within the palace. The young ninja doesn’t know whether or not to be impressed by her bravery. Shirayuki finally finds Zen, and she tells him about the arrow incident. He is angry but agrees to let her confront the person with her own strength.
Shirayuki confronts Haruka after realizing he doesn’t want her in the palace. The two have a showdown where Shirayuki says that if she is truly not allowed in the palace, then, by all means, Haruka may cut her down. Of course, he begrudgingly reframes from doing so. As a result, the mysterious arrow-wielding ninja makes an appearance. He tries to make it clear that he was the one that threatened Shirayuki but Haruki fesses up, saying he would never resort to an underling.
When Haruka confesses, Zen gives him his first and final warning if he is interested in the title he holds so near and dear. Haruka understands. All’s well that ends well, and Zen declares that he will be keeping an eye on the ninja.
Although it isn’t revealed in this chapter, the young ninja’s name is Obi, and he’s actually one of my favorite characters in the series.
Chapter 4
Shirayuki and the gang are excited as Shirayuki finally has her shot at a court herbalist apprenticeship. She enters the palace intent to begin her exam and is very excited. Zen, Mitsuhide, and Kiki all cheer her on.
The exam consists of managing the palace herb gardens for three days. Shirayuki diligently begins the exam and finds herself locked in one of the greenhouse gardens with Zen on the second night. Zen feels that Shirayuki was locked inside deliberately, although the culprit was unaware that Zen would be there.
Shirayuki continued with her exam and explained to Zen that she had decided to look in the gardens for any nighttime anomalies. She soon discovers that there is a toxin in the water that, although it does not affect humans, is dangerous to certain plants. Shirayuki finds that a mislabeled plant is causing the issue. She enlists Zen’s help to shut off the contaminated water supply while she replants everything to save the garden. Zen is afraid that his help may affect her score, but Shirayuki says keeping the plants is more important than worrying about the exam.
The two work all night to rescue the plants and are finally found by the chief herbalist the next day. Shirayuki explains everything, and the chief is surprised by her determination. She jokes that all Zen has to do is say the word, and Shirayuki would become a court herbalist, but Zen explains that he would hate to incur Shirayuki’s wrath by cheating on her. The chief doesn’t give the results, but things are looking bright for Shirayuki and Zen’s futures.
Rating: 10/10 It’s been years since I first read volume one of the series, so this was a nice trip down memory lane. It reminded me why I love this series so much. Especially Zen and Shirayuki. Although he is not seen much in volume one, I also love Obi. He comes into his awesomeness a little later in the series. Kiki and Mitsuhide as Zen’s aides are awesome from the start.
If you enjoyed the review, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. I love comments.
