Snow White with the Red Hair - Episode 3-4
It was nice to see that the show doesn't continue to fall into the formula set by the first two episodes. No more random kidnappings and stuff. It's nice to see it move very quickly into Shirayuki taking the initiative to earn her place in the palace. Zen sure surrounds himself with weird people though.
I liked the scenes between Shirayuki and the kid, they're pretty cute especially when he's like "look I'm just a kid don't make a big deal out of it" lol.
Snow White with the Red Hair - Episode 5
I like that they finally got out of the castle for another mini-adventure of sorts. There's something about the show's staging that feels very play-like though. It's probably partly intentional, but it also feels like they're working around a pretty low budget. I would have liked to see the town that Shirayuki was visiting, but instead everything was centered around the fort with lots of samey interiors. Gets pretty noticeable after a while.
Snow White with the Red Hair - Episode 6-7
The glorious introduction of Prince Izana was everything I expected and more. Akira Ishida playing a DOUCHELORD prince would have been satisfying enough, but I was surprised to see that there was actual effort put into giving the character depth and having an interesting dynamic with Zen. There were also a bunch of amazing comedy faces, especially in the garden scene. I really liked the flashback too. It was nice seeing Raj again, and the scene where Shirayuki told him to be a better ruler representing her country was pretty cool. I hope it has actual repercussions later in the series, because Raj trying to be a better person sounds like a real recipe for comedy.
Snow White with the Red Hair - Episode 8
Another flashback episode fleshing out Zen's past and his relationship with those around him. That was pretty bleak by the show's standards, but it was also pretty telegraphed. I guess the only one who didn't see it coming was Zen, which reinforces how he character has come to trust those around him more, because he knows he cannot always rely on his own instincts.
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General series thoughts so far:
This is a super duper oldschool shoujo type of story. It's fairy-tale-like, it gives the heroine just enough independence and drive to be a sort of role model or someone the viewer would support, but doesn't shy away from the lovey-dovey romance stuff where she still wants to be held in a prince's arms and feel wanted by someone she likes. It can be painful at times because it's so transparent about it though. Lol.
The music in the show is also very, very, good. It can be sappy as hell in terms of usage, but the violins and pianos are pure Oshima goodness. Unfortunately the backgrounds tend to stick out like a sore thumb most of the time. The CG buildings and interior layouts are the worst, because it makes everything look so cheap. The occasional painted scene with plants and flowers and grass or whatever can be nice though. They should use more of those.
Good show, and I'm glad Ando continues to show range in his directing. Part of me wonders what the show would be like if Igarashi was directing it, but honestly the rest of me doesn't care because Ando is doing a great job with it
It was nice to see that the show doesn't continue to fall into the formula set by the first two episodes. No more random kidnappings and stuff. It's nice to see it move very quickly into Shirayuki taking the initiative to earn her place in the palace. Zen sure surrounds himself with weird people though.
I liked the scenes between Shirayuki and the kid, they're pretty cute especially when he's like "look I'm just a kid don't make a big deal out of it" lol.
Snow White with the Red Hair - Episode 5
I like that they finally got out of the castle for another mini-adventure of sorts. There's something about the show's staging that feels very play-like though. It's probably partly intentional, but it also feels like they're working around a pretty low budget. I would have liked to see the town that Shirayuki was visiting, but instead everything was centered around the fort with lots of samey interiors. Gets pretty noticeable after a while.
Snow White with the Red Hair - Episode 6-7
The glorious introduction of Prince Izana was everything I expected and more. Akira Ishida playing a DOUCHELORD prince would have been satisfying enough, but I was surprised to see that there was actual effort put into giving the character depth and having an interesting dynamic with Zen. There were also a bunch of amazing comedy faces, especially in the garden scene. I really liked the flashback too. It was nice seeing Raj again, and the scene where Shirayuki told him to be a better ruler representing her country was pretty cool. I hope it has actual repercussions later in the series, because Raj trying to be a better person sounds like a real recipe for comedy.
Snow White with the Red Hair - Episode 8
Another flashback episode fleshing out Zen's past and his relationship with those around him. That was pretty bleak by the show's standards, but it was also pretty telegraphed. I guess the only one who didn't see it coming was Zen, which reinforces how he character has come to trust those around him more, because he knows he cannot always rely on his own instincts.
-----------
General series thoughts so far:
This is a super duper oldschool shoujo type of story. It's fairy-tale-like, it gives the heroine just enough independence and drive to be a sort of role model or someone the viewer would support, but doesn't shy away from the lovey-dovey romance stuff where she still wants to be held in a prince's arms and feel wanted by someone she likes. It can be painful at times because it's so transparent about it though. Lol.
The music in the show is also very, very, good. It can be sappy as hell in terms of usage, but the violins and pianos are pure Oshima goodness. Unfortunately the backgrounds tend to stick out like a sore thumb most of the time. The CG buildings and interior layouts are the worst, because it makes everything look so cheap. The occasional painted scene with plants and flowers and grass or whatever can be nice though. They should use more of those.
Good show, and I'm glad Ando continues to show range in his directing. Part of me wonders what the show would be like if Igarashi was directing it, but honestly the rest of me doesn't care because Ando is doing a great job with it
and at least he's not working at PA Works this season.
