The Immersive Realism of 'Snow White with the Red Hair'

[@groofay]

What really sold me in this video was the discussion of emptiness being equal to the busyness. Most of my favorite moments in Ghibli are the ones where nothing technically happens. It's where the movie shows you its soul. So it looks like I'm trying out this manga.

[@larkinthesky]

I think part of the charm is also due to the underlying optimism of the stories. It acknowledges the tragedies and weaknesses of mankind but it mostly focuses on the little kindnesses you will witness on a daily basis in random characters that are not even of any major relevance to the plot.

[@maxaroni39]

This is a wonderful love letter to both Ghibli and Snow White With the Red Hair. I grew up with Studio Ghibli films, and the little moments always stuck out to me. It's hard to find media that captures that balance of nothingness and busyness, but Snow White sounds like the perfect fit 💖

[@annafirnen4815]

What struck me while reading this manga was exactly this "realistic" aspect of the story. Just like you mentioned, especially with the way they have to close the social status gap. Not only Shirayuki has to put on work, Zen has too. I love that they had to split to find their own way how to actually be together. And it's such a refreshing approach in a romance story, since usually the prince just marries the commoner just cause he can and then poor girl is left to fend for herself in a hostile world. I also enjoyed another side shown, where a character had to choose family obligations over love. That's why this story gave me a bit of a Jane Austen flavour in it too. Beside all that, the art style of the manga is simply gorgeos and like you said - cozy. I'm so grateful for your video cause I somehow never made the connection to Ghibli movies but you are so right. Every panel is such a joy to look at. And the DETAILS. Now hearing the author loves European architecture so much and researched a lot makes perfect sense why everything looks so real.

[@zynpkrdg]

having your characters interact as friends or normally without being in action is so important in storytelling in my opinion, whether it be a very high-stakes action story or a thriller story. a scene doesn't always have to serve the plot, character relationships, knowing they have lives and personalities outside of the action (even knowing something little like if a character likes cats adds to them), atmosphere building, and worldbuilding, those are all important things that you show through scenes like those. they aren't exactly empty, imagine the lord of the rings series if we always only got plot and none of the relationship building or worldbuilding. a scene doesn't even have to serve to a purpose actually, as you said here, it can just be a nice scene where nothing in particular happens, but those add soul, heart, and personality to a story as well, ghibli movies have so much character because of those. a story is made a story through all these things. many times when watching an anime, i find myself wishing to see more character interactions or characters' reactions to certain things, but many times i don't get it. i do love plot-driven moments though, spirited away is probably the most plot-driven ghibli movie and it's my favorite one. i just love ghibli so much.

[@cherryvenus196]

This is my favourite anime and manga. It’s such a beautiful depiction of love - two people who bring out the best in each other and inspire each other to work hard to achieve their goals. Loved hearing your thoughts on it ❤

[@tamararambo3079]

Without giving too much away, I thought it just gonna be just a typical Snow White inspired fairytale, but I was caught off guard. There are many times I was caught off guard throughout the anime series, again, not going to spoil it. Love the settings, and Zen and Shirayuki are perfect example of healthy relationship without annoying 'enemies to lovers trope' (nothing wrong with the trope as long as it's not toxic). Correct me if I'm wrong, Shirayuki's red hair indicates a protagonist being unique/different, and people will judge you based on where you from, and who you look (either positive or negative). Akizuki did an awesome job, beautiful story without any fan service nonsense. Not only her story is heavily inspires me, but Akizuki is my biggest influence.

[@miaryan9418]

I’ve been a huge fan of Snow White with Red Hair since 2015, it was actually the first anime I ever watched. I read the manga as soon as I found out that manga was a thing. Back then I felt embarrassed to say that I loved a show that was mainly focused on romance and I searched for years for people that shared my passion for shoujo. Thank you for highlighting how special this manga is!

[@m.di.c.]

One of my favourite shoujo mangas. I see it as fantasy slice-of-life with occasional adventures due to the nature of their roles ^^. I think the mangaka is a great designer, as well - her work would have fit in lovely with art deco or arts and crafts.

[@lino8051]

this just made me realize that this nothingness you're talking about in shirayuki is where i catch myself staring at the panels the most, i find it so peaceful and this is why i love reading shirayuki

[@bentheoverlord]

Ah yes ! Ive been waiting on a video about this, Snow White with The Red Hair got me back into anime and manga a few years back after a few years of being away as it was the perfect thing I needed. Fantastic video discussion as always !

[@ColleensMangaRecs]

Thank you!!

[@candicemceady308]

​@@ColleensMangaRecscondition called love and a sign of affection both are getting anime adaption

[@furihreunsicherheit3624]

What a beautiful ode to a truly engaging manga and studio ❤

[@MangaMouse]

Hell yeah! First comment 😁 I very much agree with you when it comes to what you said about Snow White with the red hair. Although I am currently only a anime only fan with only a couple manga volumes to speak of, of the series itself, it holds a special place in my heart. This video encouraged me even more to collect the entirety of the manga😊. Love your videos and content! 🤌😆

[@roguegabe]

One of my new favorite videos! Snow White with the Red Hair is such a relaxing and soft manga. The Ghibli is so present and so comforting! You broke everything down awesomely!

[@zazenbo]

yes!! just what i need. i love emphasis on the mundane in anime/manga; it actually makes me think more about the story and its meaning (usually) also look at that super cool castle library!!!! let’s goooo

[@madhukarg8052]

Snow White with a Red Hair, is my favorite romantic Anime after toradora, I watched it when it was ongoing weekly and it was magical in my eyes

[@middle_pickup]

Princess Mononoke is my fav Ghibli work too. I think that story might have turned my interest towards dark fantasy, and horror a lot sooner than if I hadn't seen it in my youth.

[@ZaraAllegra]

I wish they could do more anime seasons for Akagami no Shirayukihime. I love this manga so much, I have a few fanfiction works that I would like to revisit once I’m inspired again. My favourite character is always Izana. ❤

[@yzkkoch479]

Studio Ghibli needs its own cinema. Like why are the shows not even in cinemas, world wide??

[@nazokashii]

As a huge fan of Ghibli, who also really enjoyed the Shirayuki anime, I now understand why I love both :D this was super interesting, and makes me interested in reading the manga too :) thank you so much

[@terubokmasin3247]

Going to look for this manga. Thanks for the recommendation, Colleen!

[@heroicfool8541]

I remember watching this show as it came out and enjoying it but for some reason I almost immediately forgot all the details of the story. But you talking about the post anime story has me intrigued enough to try again. I do love me some fantasy world political drama.

[@LauraAGrace]

Coming in late to watch, but I found this video super interesting! As someone who just watched their first Ghibli last year (I'm not counting Kiki's Delivery that I saw as a kid because I barely remember it LOL) and doesn't have a huge familiarity with Ghibli films in general, I found myself really intrigued of how it has influenced Snow White with the Red Hair! I need to apparently watch more because everything the mangaka wanted to capture and what the films capture is exactly why I love this series. The everyday life and the moments that seem "not to move the plot forward" are exactly some of my favorite moments in this series. I LOVE that connection you made with her gushing in the side bars about the castles she visited and how it is hugely shown in her backgrounds! I never made the connection until you said it! :o Also LOVE the line of you saying that it isn't there is nothing going on, its just there is no rushing. Literally internally clapped because YES! It really bothers me that people say the series is boring but I have never felt that and think with all your points made, its gives me a greater understanding of why these characters honestly feel like my fictional best friends. Fantastic video and SO glad I waited to watch this while sitting down and not have it on while cleaning! I felt myself get teary at the end and truly appreciate you sharing all your thoughts!

[@owenp1996]

Wow this is giving me the same cozy vibes as drifting dragons!

[@ozziedylan9903]

Spirited Away is one of my favorite films of all time Hayao Miyazaki is an artist

[@user-we6ks6pw5j]

i'm only familiar with the snow white anime so i never got ghibli vibes from it, since like you said, it really only starts heading towards that direction in the manga chapters that were not adapted. but what you describe here made me think of another shoujo anime: natsume's book of friends. basically iyashikei rules

[@ColleensMangaRecs]

Both Snow White and Natsume's are published in the same magazine so I've always viewed them as siblings haha

[@sarahjarche7893]

YEAH! One of my favorite Manga. I love Akagami no Shirayukihime - and now i actually know why I enjoy it so much. Thank you for explaining it this good!

[@katarinaclaes96]

Great video thanks so much for sharing. I'll check out this Manga and Anime and give them a watch and read.😁

[@ozziedylan9903]

Studio Ghibli created fantastical worlds that live forever in our hearts

[@yuki5619]

Absolutely lovely video! Snow White is currently one of my favourite manga of all time and when I learned that you also love this story it made me really happy. I remember that when I picked up the manga, the beginning didn't leave much impression on me, but since I bought the first 4 volumes at once I decided to continue reading and I quickly fell in love! The slow burn, the relationships, the world building, everything was perfect! Thank you for the incredible video!

[@mahoupanda2639]

You keep bumping this up my tbr the more I see you talk about it! I have been a big Ghibli fan since I was a child, the way you describe it is so beautiful and just really captures the essence. I was mildly interested in the series just because it’s shoujo and I hadn’t seen people really talking about it so this was really helpful :)

[@vivi-cl3wt]

super happy to see you talk about snow white! it's my favorite shoujo.

[@foryouphilanything]

great video, truly a love letter to both akagami no shirayukihime and ghibli

[@rheanneharkness498]

Well, dang! I watched the anime years ago, and really liked it (especially Season 2). But I guess I gotta read the manga now! 😄

[@UnstoppableAdam]

Easily my favorite shoujo series, and one of my few 10/10s.

[@jchan4327]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS

[@filterjoon]

I just started Snow White with the Red Hair and I couldn’t stop thinking to myself that it felt like a Ghibli anime ! From the interactions between the characters, the beautiful landscapes and the optimistic story it might as well been a Miyazaki creation. This video came up in my recommendations just in time

[@deborarosa9080]

I loved you analysis! ❤

[@bugga179]

I can zone out watching Snow White with the Red Hair nearly all day comoletley entranced. Its such a warm and indeoth world. There relationships pique my mind and sometimes I feel like im one of the group members listening in and being just as concerned.

[@pandicorn5268]

If I'm being honest, I wasn't really sold on Snow White with the Red Hair after watching first season of the anime. It doesn't seem to be my cup of tea and the slow progress of things may be partially why. I'm also not a fan of Ghibli movies, funnily enough all of the ones that I've seen were shown to me at least to some extent not by my own will. And here's the *but*: this essay made me rethink some things and appreciate those little details as well as thoughtfulness behind them a bit more. It really moved me how you talked about this series and so I think I might even give it a second chance, this time going with the manga instead

[@SoraiaLMotta]

Thanks Coleen.

[@NaritaZaraki]

Aaaannndd there goes another addition onto my TBR pile like it isn't about to bury me already. But no regrets. There is nothing that I've tried from your channel that I didn't at the very least like. ^_^

[@juliettacapuleto3419]

I always had in mind finishig this series since I was like 15, but I never did, now I definitely gotta! I loved the comments you did on the food, it truly is a key aspect on it's own... this might not pop in the chanel, considering it's a seinen, but it really remainded me to Atelier of Witch Hat (which I adore btw): a lot of stuff might be going on, but the meal is the meal hehe

[@itsyaboichilde5397]

i watched the shirayuki anime a while ago and now i feel the need to rewatch it and get the manga

[@Athariah]

Thank you for your hardwork on these essays, they are really well done.😍

[@angelsdoexist]

This is a wonderful video. Reminds me why I love the story. I really need to catch up on the manga

[@ColleensMangaRecs]

It's currently on hiatus so you got time lol

[@angelsdoexist]

@@ColleensMangaRecs Oh really? it's still is coming out so regularly in my bookstore I didn't realise LOL.

[@MissSun23]

Very good video! Keep up the good work. ❤

[@shelbymckinney8888]

This is one of my favorite manga and the anime was one of the first shoujo I was exposed to. I had no idea that Ghibli had an influence on this. Also my favorite Ghibli film is Kiki's Delivery Service.

[@oportaelaine]

Omg great video!!!!❤❤ Now I need to read this manga😊😊

[@patapixel]

Studio Ghibli was my first real introduction into Japanese animation, outside of Pokemon/Yugioh/Digimon as a child. I think the comfort of Ghibli films is what kept bring me back to every release after Spirited Away. I do think this video has convinced me to read Snow White with the Red Hair. The influence on the series is magical. I think I was scared since it's a long, ongoing series which I haven't read one of those in a long time. Hopefully I can get volumes in print 🙏

[@moonberrie_s]

good god this is making me want to re-read the whole manga

[@moonberrie_s]

i read the entire thing and i fell in love with it again :)

[@benedicttambiga6994]

it's amusing to see the author keep referencing insomnia in diffirent ways throughout the siries, very relatable for me.

[@smudge8882]

OMG I was watching this after not getting much sleep last night and I fell asleep early on in the video. The audio actually played in my dream and throughout the dream, I was trying to convince a friend of mine to get into Snow White with the Red Hair. 🤣 On a separate note, it's cool hearing that you're vegetarian! I'm vegan myself. :) I normally only see vegetarians on the recipe side of KZbin so this was a pleasant surprise.

[@ColleensMangaRecs]

I'm glad I could help you fall asleep lol, I will take that as a compliment on my soothing voice 😊

[@smudge8882]

​@@ColleensMangaRecs That definitely helped lol

[@cthellis]

Nausicaä rates “first three” as Ghibli examples. Eeeeexcellent. The kids today! They don’t know! Remains my favorite Miyazaki.

[@lu6754]

OKay, i think i have to go read this now

[@WanderingWisp]

Just commenting to up that sweet, sweet algorithm engagement number

[@laurenperrin705]

My favorite mangoooo lets fucking go Also i need to know im not alone in wanted to be in a throuple with both obi and shirayuki

[@kudosforkai888]

here you are, restoring th glory of colleens (Colleen Ballinger and Colleen Hoover really soiled it lol)

[@ColleensMangaRecs]

I will try to be one of the good Colleens.

[@lazy_shepherd]

hi🖖 I want to know your opinion on "Witch Hat Atelier" one of my fav's I know it's not shoujo, but characters and designs and most important panels are pretty awesome I'm on V10 so no spoilers please

[@yorurumi]

I saw the Akagami no Shirayukihime manga and immediately clicked-

[@19Rena96]

I shoud probably start reading Snow White with the Red Hair ^-^ Have you read the Nausicaä manga? It's one of my favorites and sooooo good! :)

[@mimi5769]

I've waited for this video more than I waited for my birth

[@notationmusical]

Beautifully written video! Now where to start. Manga or anime? I would say manga because of the art style, but Michiru Oshima's music is too good not to listen to, so I'll start with the anime.

[@ColleensMangaRecs]

You can do the anime first since it's pretty faithful and very well animated by Bones!

[@notationmusical]

@@ColleensMangaRecs Ok, thanks! I'm watching Natsume's Book of Friends right now, so hopefully I have time to watch Shirayuki hime.

[@emuwu6125]

BOOST!

[@nguyenhoangnam8609]

To me, the vast majority of Ghibli films are honorary shojo anime.

[@ColleensMangaRecs]

I believe at least Whisper of the Heart was based on a shoujo manga

[@Angglio]

Fr Ghibli movies has an exceptional Female characters.

[@Reed5016]

This may be a bit off topic, but have you ever considered doing a video on the toxic elements of Yuri/Shoujo Ai series, and how they often s*xualize gay women and represent queer women poorly?