#Shirayuki (SWWTRH)

[clickabletale]

[spoilers for ans: chapter 136!]

Me, utterly emotional and impressed at how gentle Zen and Obi’s body language with Shirayuki is:

[tohruais]

zenyuki i doodled while procrastinating on my essay

[meefy]

Diverse Autistic Characters in Akagami no Shirayukihime

I could go on for hours about my dislike of how autism is, for the most part, portrayed in popular media - the butt of a cruel joke; autism representation by a non-Autistic actor; or centered around the plot of the story itself, where it boils down to the Autistic person "overcoming" their autism or some outside force "fixing" it (or, semi related, an Autistic character being shoehorned in as a token minority).

I think that's one of the reason I love Akagami no Shirayukihime so much. While none of the characters are confirmed as Autistic, the ones that are quite blatantly Autistic-coded are so diverse and so welcomed by the cast that it's both sweet and refreshing to see.

I have talked at length about Ryuu and why I love his character so much, so I don't want to get into it too much here because I've said most of what I want to say. He is, at first glance, the "typical" popular culture depiction of autism: the male child savant who has no friends, can't socialize, and has the niche restricted interests in science that seem to characterize every big Autistic character in media. But it doesn't take long to see he is so much more than that! His interests in poisons has granted him a field of study and work where he thrives and does what he loves day in and day out. His mentor, Garak, supports him and treats him as an equal, and looks for opportunities for him to grow - as does everyone around him, including Shirayuki.

Ryuu's time in Lilias was so beautifully depicted. The years he spends studying and working there are not him masking his Autistic traits or "beating" them; they are years of him feeling safe and supported enough to test his comfort levels and branch out because he knows he won't be mocked or scorned for it. He has found an environment where he thrives because of his Autistic traits, not in spite of them. And so, as of most recently, we see that he wants to remain in Lilias to continue his studies there because of this. His growth is not reduced to finally acting neurotypical; Ryuu being Autistic has not changed. But he has found others who share his passions, who support him, and who encourage him without changing who he is.

I also want to touch on Kirito specifically, because he is one of the few people Ryuu's own age who interacts with him. Kirito is too young to hold back his questions about Ryuu's behaviour. Why is he running away from a crowd of people? Why has he never had a snowball fight? But Kirito doesn't dwell on Ryuu's quirks; he accepts them, moves on, and focuses on what the two have in common - which is what I would hope for any Autistic person, myself included.

What is particularly special to me about how Autistic characters are depicted in AnS is the diversity. Too often I see Autistic characters depicted in the same way, like the author read a WebMD checklist and created a character around said list. Autism is a spectrum, and with that comes two ends of the spectrum.

Which brings me to Lata.

Although I haven't explicitly mentioned at length Lata + autism the same way I've discussed it about Ryuu (and although I could write a whole essay on it), I do want to go in a bit more depth because his overlap and contrast with Ryuu is exactly the kind of Autistic representation I live for. Ryuu actively wants to work to help people; Lata seeks to work in solitude. Ryuu is open and generally friendly with others, Lata is blunt and evasive. Ryuu's expressions are generally flat (and his voice monotone in the anime); Lata is quite expressive (even if he doesn't smile often, and neither does Ryuu). Yet we see certain similarities between the two; for instance, both have their own niche hyperfixations that they absolutely live for, and neither is totally at ease in crowds.

But leaving Ryuu out of the equation, one of my favourite things about Lata's character is that none of the Lyrias crew seemed genuinely bothered by how he acts. Like, even Obi's teasing is, by and large, in good faith. They're just like "Oh, that’s just how Lata is..." and move past it. Most recently in Chapter 133, Shirayuki is visibly happy to see him. And related to that, the other scholars always go out of their way to include and invite him to their outings - to their banquet celebrating the successful germination of the phostyrias, or to see them blooming in their lab. Even if he always declines, and they probably know he will always decline, they ask. Speaking on a personal note, I am like Lata and really, really hate parties or any large gathering; so people (understandably) stopped inviting me. And that hurt; even if I knew I'd say no, and wouldn't go, people actually thinking of me meant a lot more than they likely realized.

So, seeing representation of people actively trying to invite and include their Autistic comrade means so much to me.

Lastly, I want to talk about Shirayuki. It's not terribly often that Autistic representation in media is a female character, let alone the lead character. I know I am not alone in thinking Shirayuki is Autistic, but I do love its subtlety unless you know what to look for. The long running theory that there is a "girl" autism (versus the stereotypical "male" autism that is most commonly diagnosed and seen in popular culture) is absurd; autism is a spectrum, and just where some Autistics are reclusive, have a flat affect, and exhibit quirky behaviours and interests, there are plenty that are the complete opposite, or somewhere else along the spectrum. In many respects, this describes Shirayuki; she seems to have no trouble making friends, attending parties, or showing emotion.

And yet, she has the intense focus in herbalism and pharmacology that mirrors Ryuu's in many respects; she just does not express that interest in the same, "typical" Autistic way. She reads her textbooks to relax and spends time in a garden (the latter of which is, stereotypically, a perfectly expected behaviour for someone of her gender). It's easy to forget that, much like how Ryuu ran away from the crowd on his first day in Lyrias (a depiction of an Autistic shutdown), Shirayuki ran away from Zen when her feelings for him became too overwhelming. She asks Zen for a comfort object of his when she leaves for Tanbarun, much like how many Autistic people have a particular tangible object that gives them comfort. Shirayuki is also blunt; she tells Prince Raji to act more like a leader she can be proud of, and rebuffs the knight who insults Ryuu at the beginning of the story - her low rank does not deter her. Autistic people are sometimes known for apparently "not understanding" power dynamics and rules (which I doubt, as do most Autistic people - I think it's more likely that the rules and dynamics are simply unfair, and created and upheld by neurotypical people) - Shirayuki's behaviour certainly seems to fit this. She is not rude by any means...but where it might intimidate many others, a person's title does not keep her from speaking her mind. In many respects she reminds me of myself!

I could go on and on about this topic - and how different Autistic traits are present in different characters - but I'm comfortable stopping at Ryuu, Lata, and Shirayuki (at least for now), and reiterating that media like AnS proves that diverse Autistic characters can exist without being a punchline, can grow throughout the story without shedding their Autistic traits, and can be accepted, supported, and loved by others for who they are. This series is dear to my heart, and this is but one (albeit huge) reason why!

[tepli-mravenci]

I've been watching Shirayuki-hime and this is all I have to say send post

[couldpolyamorysavethem]

SHIRAYUKI, ZEN WISTERIA, and OBI from SNOW WHITE WITH THE RED HAIR

Justification:

"So Shirayuki and Zen get together relatively early in the story (especially for a romance anime/manga) and there's generally the vibe that Obi is in love with both of them but won't act on it because he cares about them too much to risk their happiness for his own. And they both also care about Obi a lot in return so yeah I think they should all kiss." - Anonymous

[ansmangacaps]

Guys, I've got my obizenyuki keychain exactly today! Happy AnS comeback to everyone! 🍎

[ebby-bebby]

Blacktober may be over, but that will not STOP me from posting my obligatory Snow White with the Red Hair Fanart!!!

[lauraagrace]

Snow White with the Red Hair manga appreciation post!

I love this series so much! It's hard for me to say X thing is my favorite because there was no volume I disliked, and any character I may have not been a fan of, I came to love.

Truly, a wonderful shoujo in every way! 🥰

YouTube Video Review: https://youtu.be/dhpXbTpwxYc

[mrsmarymorstan]

If ship not canon, why always sailing?

Check and mate.

[do-you-ship-it-polls]

[maqiisan]

obi rkgk

[zenyuki-festival]

ZenYuki Week 2024

ZenYuki Week 2024 will be June 9th through June 15th! This year, we went with more of a flower theme, to which you may create things inspired off of the flower meanings or inspired in any way off the flowers for each day! We also decided to do something new this year and add audience participation prompts! Anyone can participate with the audience participation prompts, even if you created something already for that day or are not creating something for any reason. It is just an added fun way you can participate! The bonus audience prompt is either for the day after the event or for answering any day of the event you would like to.

The prompts are down below, and the audience prompts are at the bottom of the post.

Day 1: Rose

Day 2: Lily

Day 3: Chrysanthemum

Day 4: Yura Shigure

Day 5: Phostyrias

Day 6: Wisteria

Day 7: Bouquet

.

Appreciation Prompts:

Day 1: Pick a flower and its meaning that you feel most represents ZenYuki.

Day 2: What is your most favorite ZenYuki moment?

Day 3: Show us a picture of flower(s) or garden that you'd think ZenYuki would have, or show a picture of one from an anime or manga.

Day 4: What makes them work as a couple?

Day 5: What are their strengths as a couple? What are their weaknesses as a couple?

Day 6: Is there anything you would add or change about their relationship?

Day 7: If Sorata-sensei had given you the power to choose one scene or moment ZenYuki could have in a future chapter, what would it be?

Bonus: Free Day! Share anything you'd like about ZenYuki!

[tohruais]

little shirayuki doodle

[meefy]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 赤髪の白雪姫 | Akagami no Shirayukihime | Snow White with the Red Hair (Anime & Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Raji Shenazard/Shirayuki Characters: Raji Shenazard, Shirayuki (Akagami no Shirayukihime) Additional Tags: Apologies, Sharing a Bed, Married Couple Summary:

Raji has never managed to apologize to Shirayuki for his biggest mistake of all: how they came to be acquainted in the first place. Even so, she has forgiven him - not with her words but with her actions…and that makes Raji feel all the guiltier. How could she offer forgiveness when he has never had the courage to offer an apology?

-

For @ans-arcade​  AnS RarePair Scramble 2024 - RajiYuki: "Apologies"

[everylata]

[ansmangacaps]