Shirayuki, whose name means "snow white," is a cheerful herbalist (apothecary) living in the kingdom of Tanbarun. She diligently operates her own herbal shop tending to the health needs of the citizens. However, she has one unique feature: her beautiful red hair. Due to her unusual hair color, Shirayuki was raised to always be careful of her hair in new surroundings. However, her hair gets her noticed by Prince Raji, who orders her to become his concubine. Unwilling to give her freedom, Shirayuki cuts her long hair and leaves it behind as part of what he wanted. Her life changes drastically when she escapes into the forest to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines.
She meets and befriends Zen Wistalia and his two aides, Mitsuhide and Kiki. When Zen is poisoned by an apple meant for Shirayuki gifted by Prince Raji, Shirayuki returns to Tanbarun to retrieve the antidote. Upon her arrival, she discovers unexpectedly that Zen is the second prince of Clarines. Hoping to repay her debt to Zen, she decides to accompany the trio to Clarines. Shortly thereafter, Shirayuki passes an exam for a position to train as a court herbalist. Meanwhile, Zen becomes determined to become a prince worthy of his title. Over the course of the story, Zen and Shirayuki learn to support each other as they pursue their own paths and begin to fall in love with each other, in spite of opposition due to their difference in social status.
Snow White with the Red Hair was an adorable PG-friendly anime for families. While there were several romantic scenes, they were relatively tamed as the storyline places a lot of emphasis on Shirayuki's independence, resilience, and compassion for others. Unlike the traditional adaptation of Snow White, Shirayuki is determined to become a career woman-- in this case, a very talented court herbalist. This determination is due to her social status as a non-aristocrat and her willingness to pursue her own destiny. Despite the dangers lurking in her new environment, Shirayuki refuses to yield to societal norms of (aristocratic) women. I was curious to see how her relationship with Zen would turn out: would Shirayuki give up her freedom to become a princess or pursue her own passion? Zen falls in love with Shirayuki for this very reason -- her cheerful yet independent personality is her strength, and even encourages him to take his royal duties seriously. Despite their growing romantic feelings for each other, they also learn to respect each other paths. The audiences will not receive the typical happily-ever-after finale, but it will satisfy those who appreciate a self-determined protagonist in this adaptation of the classic tale.
Opening Theme: ""Yasashii KibÅ" (Gentle Hope) by Saori Hayami
Ending Theme: "Akagami no shirayukihime" (Placing on Bonds) by eyelis
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