Snow White with the Red Hair

Snow White with the Red Hair (赤髪の白雪姫 Akagami no Shirayukihime) is a Japanese shōjo manga written by Sorata Akizuki. It was serialized in Hakusensha's bi-monthly shōjo manga
magazine, LaLa DX but has since moved to monthly and is published in collected volumes by Hakusensha. An anime adaptation produced by Warner Entertainment Japan, Hakusensha, and Studio Bones aired in Japan between July 6, 2015 and September 21, 2015. A second season began airing in Japan on January 11, 2016.

Plot

Shirayuki is a normal herbalist in the kingdom of Tanbarun with one unique feature: her beautiful red hair. Due to her unusual hair color, Shirayuki was raised to always be careful of showing her hair in new surroundings and grew to be an independent young woman. However, her hair gets her noticed by Prince Raj, who orders her to become his concubine. Refusing his orders, she cuts her hair and leaves it behind as part of what he wanted and escapes to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines. On her way there, she meets and befriends Prince Zen and his two aides Mitsuhide and Kiki. When Zen is poisoned by an apple meant for Shirayuki gifted by Raj, Shirayuki successfully obtains the antidote and decides to accompany the trio to Clarines. Shortly thereafter, Shirayuki passes an exam for a position to train in the palace as a herbalist. Shirayuki and her friends find a place in Clarines and carries out her duties as a court herbalist. Over the course of the story, Zen and Shirayuki begin to fall in love with each other and eventually begin a romantic relationship, in spite of opposition due to their difference in social status.

Characters

Main characters

Shirayuki (白雪)
Voiced by: Saori Hayami (Japanese); Brina Palencia (English)
Shirayuki is born with rare red hair and is a skilled pharmacist. She escapes from the kingdom of Tanbarun after its prince orders her to become his concubine. Independent and persistent, she meets Zen and befriends him after tending to his wounds. In Clarines, she is accepted as a palace pharmacist and trains under Garack with Ryu. Shirayuki has demonstrated her abilities as a pharmacist in various situations, including identifying and controlling disease outbreaks in Raxd and Lyrias. She has a close relationship with Zen, and falls in love with him over the course of the story despite opposition due to their difference in social status. She moves into the east wing of Wistal Castle in chapter 49, and is later reassigned as a pharmacist to Lyrias in chapter 53.

Zen Wistalia (ゼン・ウィスタリア Zen Wisutaria)
Voiced by: Ryōta Ōsaka (Japanese); Josh Grelle (English)
Zen is the second prince of Clarines, and meets Shirayuki on a trip outside the castle. Shortly after befriending her, he is poisoned by an apple meant for Shirayuki, but obtains the antidote with her help. Initially, Zen is often seen escaping his duties to experience Clarines first-hand, though he has since taken more responsibility over official work. He has a close relationship with his three aides, Mitsuhide, Kiki, and Obi, and has both their respect and genuine loyalty. Over the course of the story, he falls in love with Shirayuki, and rescues her from various dangers.

Mitsuhide Lowen (ミツヒデ・ルーエン Mitsuhide Rūen)
Voiced by: Yūichirō Umehara (Japanese); Ian Sinclair (English)
One of Zen's closest aides was appointed by Prince Izana to watch over Zen (despite initially wanting to be Izana's retainer), and though their relationship was initially rocky, he is seen by Zen as both a close friend and reliable aide. He is extremely loyal though somewhat clumsy at times, as well as a little silly. It is hinted he has feelings for Kiki.

Kiki Seiran (木々・セイラン)
Voiced by: Kaori Nazuka (Japanese); Jamie Marchi (English)
One of Zen's closest aides, and arrives at the castle some time after Mitsuhide. As the heir to the household of the Seiran family, her father expects her to return home to assume responsibility after her time serving Zen. Reserved and independent, Kiki is extremely loyal to protecting Zen (and later Shirayuki as she becomes part of Zen's life) and is most often seen with Mitsuhide. She has stated (to Zen) that when the time comes, she will propose to Mitsuhide.

Obi (オビ)
Voiced by: Nobuhiko Okamoto (Japanese); Austin Tindle (English)
Obi is one of Zen's self-proclaimed aides. Originally sent by Marquis Haruka as a way to scare Shirayuki out of the castle, he later pledges himself to Zen after being discovered. It is hinted that he has feelings for Shirayuki, but his loyalty to both Zen and Shirayuki prevents him from acting out on his feelings. Obi has a relatively mysterious past as a loner, but finds himself drawn to protecting Zen, Shirayuki, and their respective goals. It's also slightly implied in an episode that he may have non-platonic feelings for Shirayuki, but this is never elaborated on. This is confirmed in 58, when Obi tells Zen about his feelings to Shirayuki. He is often sent by Zen to protect Shirayuki when Zen is unable to leave his duties. He has been seen using the alias "Nanaki".