Anime Review : Snow White with the Red Hair

With the new season of anime upon us, I delved into any number of newly streamed broadcasts from Japan.  Streamed by Funimation weekly with subtitles.

In the kingdom of Tanbarun lives Shirayuki, an independent and strong-willed young woman. Her resourceful intelligence has led her become a skilled pharmacist, but her most defining trait is her shock of beautiful apple-red hair. Her dazzling mane gets her noticed by the prince of the kingdom, but instead of romancing her, he demands she be his concubine. Shirayuki refuses, chops off her lovely locks, and runs away to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines. There, she befriends a young man named Zen, who, SURPRISE, is also a prince, although with a much better temperament than the previous one. Watch as Shirayuki finds her place in the new kingdom, and in Zen’s heart.

Shirayuki faces a choice.  Submit to the first prince who has marked her as desirable enough to "invite" her to become a concubine, or run.

Shirayuki of course decides to make a run for it.  She takes the time to prepare certain herbs for her patrons before setting off to ensure her freedom.  However not before cutting off her long flowing red hair.  A gift for the prince.

Eventually our heroine takes refuge at an abandoned estate outside of Tanbarun.  Falling asleep morning arrives and she must begin to continue her escape.

It's then that he arrives.  The prince of a neighbouring state.

After causing minor problems for the prince, she proves her trustworthiness by causing first injury to herself and then treating herself with herbs previously suspected.  A new trust is earned.

This is the story of a young girl who attempts to create her own destiny by the power of her own will.  The previously mentioned event within the first episode is but one of many examples detailing the heroines determination.

Currently five episodes long and streaming new episodes for subscribers every Monday at noon eastern time.  Our young heroine makes decisions which eventually bring her to a new town, a new path, with a new determination.  Aiming to become a court herbalist she spurns her new prince friend's help and only accepts his friendship to the chagrin of others who believe she should know her place.

This is certainly a romance which will have you returning weekly. A definite must watch.