A Tale of Two Redheads: Yona vs. Shirayuki

[@yanoizikawa770]

I have to say this. Yona is a better written character than shirayuki in my opinion. Shirayuki feels more perfect and thus more boring but yona starts with a ton of flaws. She is spoiled but she is forced to grow through hardships. Watching her character develop is not boring because it's more obvious that she is improving.

[@Monica-gy5tx]

👌💗 Couldn't have said it better.

[@riyanegi3455]

Becuz yona has the power of king hiryu but shirayuki is a normal girl who do her work hardly so i think both r equal

[@nikgokuhil]

For Shirayuki it feels like she is just a good person doing good things the best she can and has romantic goals. For Yona, romance is there but its far from anywhere near on her priority list. She has to face quite a bit more darker issues for sake of her kingdom. Her path is closer to Izana (Zen's older brother) than Shirayuki imo, even if their personality differ a lot. I dont think Shirayuki anime intends to tackle war, politics, leadership, etc. to the same degrees as Yona one

[@zynpkrdg]

Yona's story is mostly about HER improving, learning and changing through circumstances she was put in while Shirayuki's story is more about her changing or inspiring or fighting against people around her. They are really opposites in a way, Shirayuki is a girl with a great upbringing, knowledgable, confident, kind, witty, and she has to change places and make people accept her as an equal and use her skills in that aspect. Yona is respected and supported by people around her anyway, so when she loses it she has to learn to be knowledgable, confident, kind and witty. And that is putting them SO SIMPLY. Like, obviously they are more complex than that, but i thnk both situations are realistic and things people experience in different stages of their lives, which is really interesting. I do personally find myself in both situations even at the same time, so yeah. This was very insightful.

[@hafsasiddiqui2657]

I love yona of the dawn , recommends you people to read manga it's story is masterpiece 💖

[@sylver_drawer]

While I love both of them dearly, seeing the comments I’m opted to explain why it’s almost rude comparing the protagonists. They are of different plots completely, the nature of their stories not even close to eachother-which is why pitting the protagonists against eachother almost in comparison feels somewhat rude and invalid. AkaYona is a story with big risks and big actions due to the time and world it was placed in, so of course Yona’s development is easiest to visibly consume. However, AnS’s story takes place in a more modern and western world. There is no big risk of war, so the problems that happen to Shirayuki (who is a commoner and lives in a world where sufferage by famine and war is uncommon due) are more of problems you would experience in our modern world-being taken at face value and being underestimated for her position, appearence, and gender. Yona’s story is like a legend that is exciting to read, however Shirayuki’s story is quote on quote, ‘boring’, because it’s too similar like our own. Reading a lot of the comments, it makes me feel that Yona’s story and character is more liked at almost the same reason why Shounen stories are popular-the stakes are higher, forcing the main character to visibly show growth quickly to match the dangerous situations they’re placed in. At least, that’s the vibe I’m getting. The world AnS’s story is placed in doesn’t need to endanger Shirayuki to the degree Yona had been endangered. Which is why it seems Shirayuki’s character doesn’t go through extreme changes, which is what I ironically love. I love Yona as a protagonist, but I’d say I relate to Shirayuki on a more personal level, and can appreciate the story and her character because the things that happen to and around her are more subtle and things a modern person can face in everyday life. She is largely looked at by others for her red hair and her status as a commoner. In the beginning especially, she has to work hard just to not be looked down upon. She was objectified because of her rare appearence, and in a specific scenario someone else mentioned in the comments of when she’s preventing the bird experiment from going wrong, that’s actually one of the biggest moments where she’s underestimated. She’s even put down because she was ‘meddling in matters she didn’t belong in’. The bird experiment may seem small and insignificant compared to the dangers Yona had faced, but the gravity of that situation was also subtle-the true dangers of the experiment’s failing applicable to modern day. If the experiment had failed, the people in power in that region would have been able to legally hunt native animals to practically extinction and further diminish the power and rights of the people living there. That sounds awfully familiar. It’s true Shirayuki doesn’t have to go through the danger of war, famine, human trafficking, and mass drug addiction. But that doesn’t mean she can’t be dragged into struggles of power. Shirayuki’s character, unlike Yona’s, is consistent in showing her strengths and how she can apply herself to help a situation. But that isn’t a bad thing at all, especially when her story focuses on not how ignorant she is but how she can help others and break through the expectations and restrictions placed on her because of her status and gender. People keep putting her lower than Yona because she doesn’t get involved as a fighter and focuses her strengths on healing. The same could be said for Yona as they’re both focusing on using their strengths and what they’re good at to help others. She doesn’t need to know how to fight, and that doesn’t make her any weaker. Yona is empowering because of how she accepts her flaws and improves on them to suit her surroundings, but Shirayuki is equally as empowering for holding her ground despite the expectations put on her by society and those in power.

[@paolabetancourt3365]

Love your comment. I get the feeling of “rudeness” about the comparison. My first thought seeing the title of the video was they are nothing alike so I don’t get the comparison. Besides their hair, age and somewhat similar worlds (which are things you can found in many other animes), they are so different as their respective stories

[@maira4668]

So true!!!!! Finally someone who says this! I love Yona of dawn and snow white with red hair manga and anime and I hate it when people compare themmm

[@pmcatnip]

I love your comment. I would just like to point out that Shirayuki DOES come face to face with human trafficking. More than once, even.

[@HxH2011DRA]

"The sharpness of a sword results from repeated grinding, while the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from fridged weather." Even as a shounentard, these sound interesting!

[@abimariposa2842]

Personally, I wouldn't want to compare them, I mean their stories are total different yona is a princess of a*kind of * ruined land, and her having her power and responsibilities . While shirayuki is literally a normal girl with special looks that got her into trouble for NO REASON, just to end up having something to do with the second prince (and it's been 8 years since i watched this so I barely remember)

[@UnconsciousBias]

We fucking need akatsuki no yona season 2

[@malakadkarioli5445]

If you want to learn what happened you can read the magna

[@gab910]

#YonaofthedawnSECONDSEASON if the devil is a part timer got it after 8 years YONA DESERVES IT TOO

[@AlexandraStubbs]

Great VS! I LOVE Snow White with The Red Hair series SO much! I haven’t had the opportunity to see the Anime/or read Yona of the Dawn Manga yet. I can’t wait to do so in the future. Interestingly enough Snow White with The Red Hair came out first in Japan on August 10, 2006. And Yona of the Dawn August 4, 2009. So maybe that’s why, we often times see comparisons of Shirayuki and Yona. Followed by Chise from The Ancient Magus Bride.

[@perseph0ne1608]

You should definitely watch Yona of the Dawn! It’s my favorite Shoujou Anime/manga! It makes you tear up a bit lol.

[@AlexandraStubbs]

@@perseph0ne1608 Thank you so much for recommending to me. I can't wait to watch your fav story.

[@perseph0ne1608]

@@AlexandraStubbs No problem! It doesn’t have much romance as Snow White With The Red Hair, but it is still very good.

[@AlexandraStubbs]

@@perseph0ne1608 That is fine, it sounds great!

[@animefanatic33]

see I'm the opposite. I've been reading Yona since the beginning and fell in love with it!! I haven't looked in to Shirayuki because I was too invested in Yona but this video makes me wanna read/watch Snow White with The Red Hair.

[@Silverjax77]

Can we talk about the pirate scenes at the ends of both these anime?! It’s too funny!!!!!

[@B33-Animates]

God, I love both of these animes. I binged them both around the same time, and I adore both characters. I personally think Yona has had more character growth, but that’s mostly because of who they were when the series began. I LOVE these animes, seriously, go give them a watch!

[@perseph0ne1608]

I’m sorry I have to say, I prefer Yona over Shirayuki. (Contain spoilers for Yona of the Dawn, so if you haven’t watched it yet, don’t read.) Of course these two characters are absolutely amazing, but in my opinion, Yona had the most character development. Being a sheltered princess, unaware of war and poverty, a bit entitled, and being a spoiled brat. Later, after she witnessed her father get assassinated by her crush, also her cousin. (It was normal back then to marry your cousin.) She realizes that she is no longer in power, and must flee the palace before she too, gets killed. She ends up fleeing with the help of her bodyguard and childhood best friend, Hak. She starts suffering mentally, as her life completely changed in a just a day. Later, Hak is badly wounded, and this causes Yona to have a strong desire to protect the people she love and cherish. Shirayuki never really had any development. Everything was perfect for her, and she never really struggled. She mainly depended on the male lead and to that, I don’t like. While Yona struggles and she grows, maturing throughout the anime and manga. She doesn’t rely on Hak or the other dragons, instead, she wants to protect them, and fight alongside them. (Which I can relate to, because my culture is really biased towards guys. And they gaslight you and manipulate you to not do what guys do. That woman or girls can’t do what guys can do.) Both characters want to protect the people they love, but both of them express it in a different way. Shirayuki heals and is a medic, while Yona fights and tries to lift the burden for her friends who protect her. They both are amazing female leads. But I like it when female leads don’t act so feminine ( of course that’s not a bad thing, but I just don’t like the stereotype of girls are weak and emotional, and they can’t do things right.) Shirayuki is a strong female lead, from the beginning, running away from a marriage of a prince. And she is kind, willing to heal anyone. But Yona is weak in the beginning, and the show focuses more on her growing, and becoming a strong independent woman. She is surrounded with men who stronger than her, that protect her, the friends that she loves. But she trains hard, picking up a bow, trying to catch up to them, even though she is a girl. And ends up becoming just as strong as them. Out of the four warriors who protect her, she has the strongest mental strength. I think it shows that girls can also become warriors, not just men. While Shirayuki is a medic, (which in stereotype, most ladies are medics and stuff. But I’m not trying to say medics aren’t that special, they have to deal with a lot and have to have the knowledge.) I guess Yona kind of breaks that stereotype, but not all the way. ( both female leads still act pretty feminine but that’s shoujou for you lol.) I love both characters, but I have to give this to Yona. She has a stronger character development, and the show doesn’t entirely focus on romance. It goes deeper. I STILL LOVE YOU SHIRAYUKI!!!!!

[@pinktrutle1490]

yea you didn't read the manga huh

[@B33-Animates]

I agree with this, but I gotta say, it’s really empowering to me (a female) whenever really cool strong female leads are able to be awesome cool and strong and still be feminine. It shows that just because you like show your femininity, it doesn’t mean your weak. I love it. I think it’s part of why I love these animes actually!

[@paolabetancourt3365]

About you saying “marrying your cousin it was normal then”, no. It’s a fantasy world, it’s not historical accurate to say that because it’s not history. It’s fiction in a fantasy world…

[@srishtyrautela]

I love them both... But Yona more..

[@malakadkarioli5445]

I love Yona of the Dawn

[@anonymousviewer743]

They Do Look The Same Face And The Same Hair, Shirayuki Is A Medic And Yona Is A Fighter. And I Really Thought That Yona Would Be The Mother Of Shirayuki

[@adriannaa545]

To be honest, as similar as these stories and protagonist may seem, i think theyre vastly different. Truthfully, the only characteristics Yona and Shirayuki share are that they are red haired female protagonists who inspire to improve themselves within kingdoms. However, Yona is already granted power as a princess while shirayuki is a normal civillian who climbs her way up. Yona's story is also much darker, presenting more violent themes. Shirayuki's is more comparative to a woman pursing her dream within a new kingdom that she must earn respect from, and there are less gruesome plot lines. They are pretty different genres. As for which I prefer, I think Shirayuki is the overall more completed character, and i resonate a lot more with her as someone who is also pursuing medicine. Shirayuki utilized her brain, kidness, wits, determination and hard work to get to being a court herbalist. Yona is also a strong female protagonist, but there were honestly times where her decisions annoyed me. In terms of Romance, I adore Zen and shirayuki. Unlike Yona and Hak, Shirayuki and Zen arent indecisive, they fight for their love and there's no awkward moments between them of a will they wont they. Finally, I think side characters Obi, Kiki and Mitsuhede are truly amazing and complete Shirayuki's story. They feel like real tangible people with full lives and personalities. In the manga, this is expanded 10x more.

[@zatannavolkoff]

You’re missing a 3rd Red Head: Kyouko (Skip Beat) The 3 Musketeers, 3 Queens, etc.

[@eepwhite1209]

Definitely Yona, Because I am crazy for Yona and Hak😘

[@iwillnot._2807]

Then there's the action mixed in

[@justrashaad3963]

Tell me why I thought one of them was the Ancient Magus Bride lmao🤣 Haven't watched either of them yet but will soon

[@tal9744]

tbh, and this is solely based on their anime and not additional manga content, i found yona’s development far more compelling than shirayuki’s (as other comments have already stated). while shirayuki had moments of hardship, everything mostly turned up just fine for her, with generally lackluster effort. her successes felt predetermined, unsatisfactory, and almost handed to her. yes, she had to work and prove herself, but in the end, she always seemed to get her way (from my memory). she never really grew as a person, she only made people see her as one. while narratively important, this made for a boring watching experience after a while. in contrast, we see yona’s characters drastically evolve. she faced constant, dire struggles (girlie was really going through it); but through this, her wins feel much more tangible and deserved. not to say that yona’s situations were better or more enriching than shirayuki’s bc of their high stakes, but rather, yona’s reaction to her circumstances are what set her apart. yona grew *in spite* of her environment, where shirayuki was unchanged _despite_ her environment. one continuously bettered herself where the other bettered how people thought of her. hard to describe but the difference is obvious in action. even though i watched both series around the same time, i genuinely couldn’t tell you what happened for most of snow white with the red hair. like, to the point that i had completely forgotten that i even finished it and still have no clue how it ended. but with yona of the dawn, i could clearly map out what happened bc of the noticeable character progression. i could see yona turn into a heroine throughout the course of the show and it kept me engaged. idk if this makes sense to y’all but it does in my head lmao

[@MysticAstrea]

I'm the same with, I can remember anything about snow white with red hair anime, it was so boring and the characters are also boring except Obi. Akatsuki no Yona it was interesting enough for me to read the manga and oh boy, one of the best female protagonist in my opinion.

[@JLUV2002]

I'm black and I love redheads and gingers

[@MABfan11]

hiring Ember Reviews was a good decision, this is a great analysis

[@kennyulysse2163]

🤟💪

[@AraumC]

I've always hated how my favorite animanga full stop in Yona is constantly connected and compared to the slice of life with the least charm and character depth I've ever seen.

[@nonimonica1249]

I ❤ them all!!! I only need the NEXT SEASON!! I hate cliffhanger but yeah that's why shoujo, I knew 😌 | Shojo = cliffhanger

[@Ostsol]

Yona is great, though I'll have to check out Snow White, too. Sounds like something I'd enjoy. My favourite red-headed fantasy protagonist remains Youko, from The Twelve Kingdoms, though. She also goes through some amazing character development, as do the three other girls introduced in a later arc.

[@Unicorn-min]

They're both great characters. Both enjoyable animes too. However, I personally think Yona is the better character because she developed so much over the course of the story. Yona of the Dawn is such an inspiring story and leaves a huge impact. On the other hand, Snow white with red hair is an enjoyable watch, Shirayuki is a strong female character, but she lacks development. The story itself is not as deep as the former and hence doesn't leave as much of an impact. For me, YoD has a high rewatch value while SWRH doesn't :)

[@2l7amd]

Shirayuki is perfect to the point she got so boring seasone 1 was good but man did seasone 2 disappoint

[@kaixiaxia]

I do agree that Shirayuki's a strong female character, but I'm not a huge fan of her because we barely see her struggle throughout the series. Everything just seems to go well for her and she never fails, it's like the narrative keeps pushing "Hey look! She's so strong and assertive and smart and hardworking and kind!!!!" which frankly makes her a boring character. I wanted to see her fall, I wanted to see her break but still stand up again to chase her dreams. Yona, on the other hand, I agree that she was a great protagonist who actually grows throughout the series. Unfortunately Hak is pretty creepy to her so I disliked the romance too much to continue. This is unfortunately a common phenomenon in a lot of shoujo romance where even if the protagonist is great the male love interest is really creepy to her.

[@2l7amd]

so true

[@Silverjax77]

I do hate how creepy hak is to yona but I did go as far as to read the manga and you start to understand why he acts like that

[@kaixiaxia]

@@Silverjax77 I did read the manga for quite a bit until yona realises she likes him back but not until that point i presume you're referring to. Honestly if it takes THAT LONG for the author to explain a characters actions/make him more likable...i dont want to sit through 100 chapters of him being creepy when yona has better chemistry with like 3 other characters since the beginning

[@Silverjax77]

@@kaixiaxia oh I know, and that’s perfectly fine! I still think hak could have gone about everything in a less creepy way and I still don’t like him for that reason but since I like the action more, I can’t stop reading. Personally I enjoy reading about the dragons, especially Shinha and Zeno!!

[@perseph0ne1608]

I still love Yona more, but Shirayuki is an amazing lead as well!

[@kaldurskipper6821]

About to be biased here. I went into both of these shows completely blind as neither were recommended to me nor did I hear anything about them. I was only able to finish Yona. After the first three or four episodes of Snow White, I got so bored. Nothing felt like it was happening. The characters quickly got over challenges and the fact that the biggest Snow White lie threat (the apple) was so easily removed as a threat. So, this isn't to hurt anyone who likes it or to even call it a bad show/story. Personally, I just didn't see anything that made me want to come back. Not the characters and not the plot. For Yona though, they caught me in the pilot. By the time the episode ended, I wanted to see Hak tear up some traitorous soldiers and it snowballed from there. I agree with the points made from many comments regarding Yona's character growth. I really didn't like her in the beginning of the episode because she seemed so spoiled and disrespectful to her father who I could tell just loved her. The fact that I can now truthfully say I really like her is a testament to the story. Now, I want her to win not just for the other characters (who I also really like) but because she's become someone worthy of the title princess and queen. She's seen the troubles her people face and has worked hard to ease them. She shows so much honor even when she's terrified and in pain. I respect that so much. To me, this situation almost reminds me of Mulan from the 90s and Mulan a couple years ago. You have one character who is perfect and it's about watching more of her skills reveal themselves vs. another character who does have to work hard to earn what she wants. That's just my opinion though and again, I haven't even seen all of Snow White or read the manga, so this might not be fully accurate. Honestly, even the comparisons given here make me feel that the story of Yona is superior 😂Yona is taking down human traffickers and Snow is doing a bird test thing that's getting sabotaged

[@nyameowmeow]

Her father was really not the great after reading the most recent chapters I won't tell you any spoilers besides let's just say her parents were some what aware how stuff was going to go down

[@dojee8993]

nice

[@flickamina8423]

Yona is amazing.

[@maziio646]

Weird place to find "Renai Circulation"

[@emberreviews1364]

It's actually "Bird of Death" from the Nisemono OST. I didn't notice until now that they had similar melodies lol

[@retubey]

I am just gonna say it, Yona's far better written than Shirayuki, I like how Yona's character is built from a spoilt princess who knows nothing about her country to a warrior and a leader but Shirayuki... I didn't see any character building really... Moreover, I **personally** didn't like her personality and character that much, people might think I am criticising over tiny details but I do think she is kind of.... let's say she gets comfortable too easily, yes she and Zen love each other but still, I felt she was kind of being annoying and disrespectful at the beginning especially after knowing he is the prince of an entire country?? Yes, he doesn't mind her calling him by his name but still... But I loved how Yona at the beginning of her journey put boundaries in her relationship with Hack, I really loved her line to Hack after they ran from the castle

[@anahitanshia4368]

I prefer shirayuki

[@kappanova680]

wrong

[@maira4668]

I agree I love shirayuki

[@maira4668]

@@kappanova680 what's wrong with people having different opinions on shirayuki and Yona just because people have a different opinion then you dosent mean that what they feel or like is wrong

[@kappanova680]

waaaaalmaaaart

[@maira4668]

@@kappanova680 😭😭😭😭

[@deathhowl6594]

#YonaofthedawnSECONDSEASON