Every once in a great while there comes along a manga so well written and drawn that it’s impossible to dislike. This is one of those. While the reasons for people liking it vary greatly, I find myself drawn because of only 2 of them.

The first being the simplistic, clean, yet beautiful artwork. Some may say that it’s nothing special, that it’s too simple and too ordinary. Although it may seem that way at first, if one looks deeper, they’ll find the artwork lends itself to showing a wide array of expressions and emotions. The backgrounds are also rendered superbly, with just enough detail to make world feel fleshed out, yet not so much as to get in the way of the story. Also (and this is my personal favorite reason), the artwork is perfect for coloring. I believe my best coloring job is a 2 page spread in this manga.

The second reason I love this manga is because of the things that are NOT said. While most mangaka would express things like anger or annoyance through the overuse of sfx and over the top super-deformed drawing, Akizuki-san rarely, if ever, uses them. Instead, she writes the scenes in such a way as the emotions are subtly implied and registered almost subcontiously.




I would and do recommend this manga to everybody. If you like love stories, you have one of the best here. If you like a little political intrigue, there is some. If you like slice of life, there’s a bit of that too. I can find something in it for just about everybody.

10/10, 5 stars, golden globe, w/e you want. This manga is, if not my favorite, definitely in my top 5.

If you want a fluffy shoujo brainrot romance, this isn't your stop, get off and go to the reincarnation isekai section or whatever. I assume most of the people who've come to read this in recent years have come from the anime and want more of that.

I've seen a lot of recent comments saying it's become bad, or that it gets dragged out too long, or that they dont know where the story seems to be going in the titles, but most of them are mainly complaints about how the main character and her love interest havent had much time together in recent chapters.

Romance isnt the only genre listed. It's not trying to be a fluffy cute romance, it's about Shirayuki and the challenges she faces at her position as a court pharmacist while trying to become worthy of being by Zen's side. There doesn't seem to be an underlying plot that goes through several arcs, but there is a clear end goal.

If I were to list any complaints that other people may have other than these, it may get a little wordy with the dialogue at times (in a few arcs they tend to use a lot of technical terms and along the line some names and stuff that you need to remember a little) but it's never really too dull. You can compare it to Akatsuki no Yona, perhaps a little more slow paced but just as amazing nonetheless (imo at least).

The absence of the male lead in recent chapters is not bad writing, nor is it done to pad the series out – as I mentioned earlier, it's about Shirayuki. It's not a forced situation- in fact, it makes quite a lot of sense. If you're not getting your fluffy fanservice then that doesn't mean it's bad, it just means you're not getting your fluffy fanservice.

Shoujo ≠ Romance. Shoujo just means that it's intended for a female audience, and probably has a female protagonist.

If you're in for well written story arcs and relationships with beautiful illustrations, this is your stop.
If you're here solely for some fluffy heart-throbbing romance and nothing more, I suggest you try something else.

... Last updated on April 26th, 2021, 8:06pm

The definition of cliched: "Something repeated so often that has become stale or commonplace; hackneyed."
As far as I can tell, this is one of the most refreshing shoujos I've ever read. It has many aspects of a regular shoujo fairy tale, but the way it's told doesn't seem cliche at all. I can't remember the last time I read a story where the author's payed so much attention to little details in the plot in order to craft it out. I mean a romance that's actually developed? Beautifully clean and crisp art? Characters that don't act robotic or unconvincing?
This manga has it all.
Also, cliche isn't always a negative connotation. Two people falling in love is technically a cliche.


This story is take on the original Snow White, but it seems nothing like it. Snow White is changed into an intelligent, strong-willed female who thinks things through. She occassionally depends on Zen to save her, but to be honest, unless she was some sort of "I can get out of every situation without thinking" Mary Sue, it would be difficult on her own. I'm not fond of the fact that everyone and their mother seems to fall for her, but at least a female WITH A BRAIN is getting men to fall for her.
Shirayuki isn't the only likable character. The whole cast is awesome and not irritating.

Even though this is a take on Snow White, the author only gives us two references (the only ones I could find): running away from home, and the poisoned apple.

And I have to laugh when people said the art makes the characters look the same. They obviously haven't read enough shoujo manga; characters are almost always cookie-cutter with the same face, but different hair. At least with Akagami no Shirayukihime, they have some identifiable features. Like Shirayuki's hair, Obi's scar, Kiki's eyes, ect.

If you can't handle slow, well thought out romances, I discourage you from reading this.

Edit: I seriously don't understand all the ones this manga's getting. Because I can assure you it doesn't deserve a score that low.

... Last updated on April 3rd, 2012, 8:29am

It has a bad start that is not interesting at all but afterwards, as the arcs starts it becomes very good.
This manga has everything needed:
1) A strong and determined female lead which cries rarely(when appropriate) thus not an exaggerated MC which is either super strong or super fragile
2) A decent male lead that is not arrogant,tsundere or whatever clichés that are available out there
3) Great and neat art as from the middle of the story
4) Great and lovable characters which are well drawn and funny
5) This story doesnt really have a fixed plot and its an asset if you dont like manga which are stretched and stretched till it makes you lose interest
6) A good and simple love that doesnt go through misunderstandings or other stupid situations
7) Historical background
8) A light hearted story that develops slowly and thus makes it interesting
The only bad point in this story is that the couple is fixed from the start and thus the reader knows there's no chance for the love rivals

... Last updated on December 17th, 2013, 3:17am

I think this is a great, easy going series that is happily devoid of any cliches. It honestly feels like a Slice of Life genre with an almost fantasy-esque historical setting, and from reading some of the negative reviews it seems they dislike it for its Slice of Life style, as opposed to disliking the series itself.

... this manga will show you, you just need love!
An amazing story of love between a commoner and a prince frome another country. And finally a manga where both of them have an actual personality and the will to change something. A girl who doesn't want to get spoiled and actually does something on her own, and a prince who doesn't want to sit idly in his study, but actually cares for those around him, and the all the people in his country. Sounds cliche? Well if that's not enough to lure you in, it can't be helped, you'll just miss one of the best romance and fantasy mangas out there, and with it time giggling or grinning like a small girl when actually something happens betwen the two of them.

great plot, nice characters and very beautiful art, just give us a bit more from the side characters: 9.5/10

... Last updated on February 8th, 2012, 12:08pm

    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 protagonists 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 protagonists 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 protagonists 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 April 25th, 2021, 4:38pm

That's my problem with this manga. I read manga mostly because of escapism, but there's not much character development and the story lacked an overarching story line. It's a huge shame, since I thought that Akagami no Shirayukihime had tons of potential.

The manga itself isn't bad at all though. Characters are fairly realistic and likeable. You don't see a lot of the overused shoujo manga cliches. The art is nothing spectacular but well above average. It's more of a slice of life set in a fantasy world, and that made sense. Still, it wasn't my cup of tea. As I said, without a Real Plot it just didn't look as appealing to me.

Recommended Audience (IMO) - Those who like slice of life, a light story and a sweet, not-so-cliche romance. Or those who wanted to kill time xD

... Last updated on May 20th, 2014, 6:08pm

I don't agree with Krysic. I've been reading mangas for a long time, and I found this one fascinating. I remember picking it up 1-2 years ago, and thinking it was boring. I'm so glad I decided to read it again; the heroine has the potential to become one of my absolute favourites.

You won't find passion in this manga. You won't find insane evil characters either. You will find relationships based on mutual understanding, people working to improve themselves. You will find people who make mistakes, and then recognize it. You will find acceptance. After reading it, I felt calm and content.

What I've loved the most was the way the two main characters' relationship helped them become better people. It was beautiful.

I found the art gorgeous in its simplicity , though some people might define it plain. I personally think it couldn't fit the story better. The clothes remind me of western fantasy mmorpgs. (A personal favorite).