Characters are pretty boring, the MC is kind of annoying with their I'm so amazing I can do anything attitude, the story quickly turns into nothing, there's no underlying plotline and the romance is mediocre at best. It's quite a hard read as there's nothing to keep the reader interested.

I always loved stories with European settings, stories that are unfold in a non-city like background. The manga itself is very warm, sweet and you can't even hate any of the characters 'cause they are very well developed in their own way.

The interaction between all the characters are fun and nice but for some reason, the author seems to want to tease the readers by giving very little romance scenes between Shirayuki and Zen. It's like you know when you see them both together after so many chapters and you'll want to keep supporting them 'cause it's so touching.

Yet it's kinda irritating when you get to see them together for a little while and then they don't have much screen time together 'cause the other 3 friends will keep appearing. Plus I feel like Obi gets to stick around Shirayuki far too many times, though I understand the reason why he's with her most of the time. Even so, I'm hoping that we will get to see Zen and Shirayuki together moreeeee.

I really commend the author who create this amazing story! Actually, Its my first time to read manga and I'm very happy that I come across to this manga! Im so inlove with it! So I kept on following updates regarding the new chapters. Its a very good story for me because its light drama, comedy, full of romance, "kilig moments" the female lead is very smart and can actually stand on her own. I love zen, he is very charming! though I love Obi too but I'm still rooting if Zen and Shirayuki will be have their happily ever after in the end, and mitshuhide and kiki too. I hope Obi will find love on his own. But I guess he will just remain single for shirayuki, he's inlove with her.

Over all I really love this Manga! I hope the author will not discourage about the other negative comment here. Because I believe there's more people like me who will appreciate this than get boring to this. I love every chapter of it! i really do and can't get enough about it.


You're avid fan from the Philippines

... Last updated on June 27th, 2018, 11:43am

for people who dont like reading love traingles you prob shouldnt read this. Id say in the beginning it starts out as a simple romance but more and more it seems like at the very least its an emotion love triangle. The other guy seems to get way more screen time as well as the most interaction with the main female lead so it might as well be a love triangle.

I first saw the anime of this and it was cool then from the last episode of season 2 I was about to cry because it's finished but then someone commented that the manga is still ongoing so I tried to read it. I am completely in love with the characters they're so handsome ヽ( ´￢`)ノ(I super love Obi ( ͡ʘ ͜ʖ ͡ʘ))even the girls are cute and beautiful. Their personality are also average but I don't know why I get so attach to the other characters. Then I didn't realize that after reading the manga for a whole day I get to finish it quickly. I've reread it countless times and I'm still rereading it now. Also I hate reading shoujo especially when royalties are involved because all of them are so cliché and I rarely rarely get to like those kinds of things (ex. Akatsuki no Yona) but this even though some scenes or parts are cliché I can't not love it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Anyways l love this manga and I'll probably cry for years if this get completed. ♥♥♥

I cannot believe I took so long to start this. Overnight I'm hooked. The perfect kind of shoujo with so much character development and story. Love the sweet, innocent yet deep romance in this.
Don't hesitate to start! Definitely in my top 5.

April 22, 2017 Review

The manga (I've read until chapter 84) is good and it gets much better in latter chapters. However, the anime is more put together. (As of writing, I've watched until episode 16). I think the author and their team's storytelling has improved a lot in the anime.

The plot progression and character development are more thorough and polished in the anime. The first episodes of the anime's second season masterfully weaved and progressed 3-4 plots at the same time.

I fully appreciate the manga because I've read it first. In the manga we can see the storytelling and art improve after tens of chapters. Chapter 1 for example, looks significantly different from Chapter 41.

However, the anime expounded on, polished, and remixed the earlier parts of the manga's story. In doing so, it's a higher level of quality and more worth your time.

It might be a good idea to finish the anime first, then continue with the manga. Then again, the changes in the anime might confuse you when you read the manga.

If however, you have spare time, like the characters, or are curious - the beginning of the manga is a nice read too. Shirayuki, Zen, & co.'s characters are encouraging and inspirational. Just beware that this story is more Slice of Life genre than it is a typical Shoujo manga.


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April 14, 2017 Review [OLDER]
The first few chapters makes it SEEM like your typical Shoujo. However, it's more of a Slice of Life. It's the daily life of Shirayuki and Zen and the people that surround them.

It really gets into it's stride later on as characters work hard towards a goal. Many of the interactions reveal character and relationships. As of posting, I've read until chapter 84.

What sets this apart is that it shows what it takes to work towards a long term goal: a lot of daily effort and standing by the people important to you.



... Last updated on April 21st, 2017, 1:25pm

    To be honest, I am completely baffled by the negative reviews of Akagami no Shirayukihime, as well as a few of the complements it receives. Akizuki-sensei's style is far from typical shoujo, even when the overall trajectory of the work is more typical of shoujo than this one. While, the first two or three chapters seem to be setting up for clichés, thanks to the natures of the leads and other characters, those very elements that seem to be clichés are ultimately tropes. While some have complained about Shirayuki being rescued in the beginning, rather than a "damsel in distress," she ranges from a "damsel out of distress" to a "defiant captive." While Akagami no Shirayukihime is a romantic tale, the feeling and focus is closest to "slice of life" works in all demographics (in fact, personally, I don't consider it to be part of any demographic, it just happens to be serialized in LaLa). What I mean to say is, this work is not the zenith of "shoujo" nor is it what people call incredibly romantic, nor the pacing abnormally slow or the plot drawn out. What Akagami no Shirayukihime is is a wonderful romantic slice of life with just the right amount of politics. The pace is perfect for the type of story it is, and I have a feeling that a lot of the readers who don't like that aspect were expecting a very different story and were unable to adjust. In all honesty, I personally expected the manga to progress at about this rate and in such a manner since chapter four or so, since Shirayuki is determined to reach her goals by her own power and (basically, they both are people who always take some kind of action).
    As for the characters, they just lovely. As I mentioned before, Shirayuki is not a helpless person nor is she the type to give up everything for love. She is determined, with her own goals, and independent (which only gets her into to trouble when she bites off more than she can chew). Zen is just as strong and charming, and while his virtues don't pop out from nowhere, they're also not purely a product of his surroundings, but rather a combination. Both leads can never just sit and wait, which is shown to be both a virtue and a fault depending on the exact situation, and this element is among those that are focused on as the tale progresses. In fact, while only the leads get truly fleshed out, the rest of the cast are not what one would call flat. Essentially, all the characters are considered equals in a sense. Thus far there is not a true antagonist and there doesn't need to be: life in general requires a lot of determination to reach one's goals.
    On that note: Akagami no Shirayukihime is not the type of story to keep you riveted and tense, but a story that makes one smile and reminisce. The few action scenes that occur are clear and well done, instead of being a sort of "cop-out," as is the case for many non-action manga that include moments of it. The romance binding the story is well done and is muted (instead of the usual drama-to-melodrama or cheesiness). There are also a fair share of heart-warming moments, and not only of a romantic nature either. The humour scattered throughout both keeps the story together and gives insight into characters' personalities and relationships and is quite enjoyable (it's the type that makes you smirk). Several individuals have referred to the artistic style as plain, but there actually is a decent amount of detail, not in a realistic sense or an MORI Kaoru sort of way, but there are embellishments. What Akizuki-sensei has done is eliminate many extraneous details (just look at the eyes, for one). Please note that in magazine scans are not the final version of the art: Akidzuki-sensei likes to edit and embellish for the volume releases. Although the time-skip and resolution to a particular sub-plot have been bothering me, this could well be resolved either in the volume releases or later on, nonetheless, these aren't that problematic. I consider the style an enjoyable medium perfect for a historical fantasy with a warm ambiance. As a whole, the style, writing, and art are well done and easy to follow.

... Last updated on May 2nd, 2024, 1:03am

I am baffled by the popularity of this manga. Yes, the art is nice. Yes, we all love a castle setting and a royal romance. But it's no good having those things if you're just going to attach them to a boring plot and extremely dull characters!

I was actually quite surprised. I've tried reading this manga about three times over the years and dropped it at different stages each time. But I watched the anime and quite liked it. I think the main problem for me is the male lead. He's just too much of a smiley 'nice boy.' I kept wanting to pair the female lead with other more interesting characters.

I don't think the drama is all that exciting either. Stuff happens, but in a boring 'oh is that all' kind of way. The mangaka clearly wants the female lead to come across as strong and independent, but then the male lead just keeps coming across as a bit wishy-washy and lame.

I'd say the anime is worth a watch if you're bored. But I don't think I can recommend the manga - it just doesn't quite make the grade plot and character wise. It's a shame really, I think it had the potential to be really great.

... Last updated on February 27th, 2016, 1:35pm

Don't get me wrong -- I'm glad shoujo as a demographic is getting more exposure and more respect. It certainly deserves it.

But, like, why this one?

I read and dropped this manga maybe two years ago. Suddenly, it gets an anime, and I'm seeing it everywhere. It's crazy! There are so many amazing shoujo titles out there -- why is this lukewarm one getting so much attention?

This is a manga I really wanted to like. I love fairytales, especially subverted and twisted ones. This seemed right up my alley. But, as it turns out, the premise is far more interesting than the execution. I think the author really dropped the ball on this one. It could have been excellent, but instead, it meanders around in mediocrity.

My biggest qualm is that it's boring. Despite the charming and sparkly artwork, the dull plot and characters made this a chore to get through. And that's the manga's biggest downfall: Its flat characters. I find it hard to criticize them because there's nothing particularly wrong with them. They're just... boring. Dull. Devoid of life. Here's another word that I think describes this manga: Safe. The author plays everything very safe, from safe artwork to safe characters in a safe plot. Nothing pushes any boundaries. Nobody acts outside their archetype. And the characters are archetypes. They can be found in any historical fantasy series. There's nothing in Akagami that we haven't seen done before, and done far, far better. I feel like the author was too afraid to really push these characters -- kind of like a mom who's content to let her children get Cs in school just so long as they're passing. She's afraid to push them to aim higher because there's a possibility that they'll crash and burn, so she's playing it safe. But I would rather see these characters crash and burn than stagnate. At least then, you know the author is trying to push them out of their comfort zones. But this author takes no risks, and there are therefore no rewards. Everything is very bland and palatable.

Like I said, I really wanted to like this manga. But the mediocrity wore on me, and I have little patience for regurgitated archetypes. Give me more flare, more passion! I dropped this one about eight or so chapters in, so perhaps it does get better, but from what I've seen so far, it's just not worth wading through all that tedium just to get to the light that may or may not be at the end of the tunnel. I'd rather spend my time poking around for another, better shoujo.

5/10 because it's... average.