##Akagami no Shirayuki-hime Chapter 143
Finally a new chapter. Does this mean the end for the break? Who knows!
Next chapter August 24th release.
###Hosting Information
Source| Status :--|:--|:-- Clarines Press| Mangadex
It's been years since I stopped reading the manga. I watched the anime when it first aired, fell in love with how mature and respectful the characters felt, and immediately caught up with the manga. But between the slow updates and the long hiatuses, I eventually drifted away. Recently, though, I stumbled across some old screenshots I'd saved, and it hit me all over again how much I adored these characters.
For me, there was never really a love triangle between Shirayuki, Zen and Obi. I've always read them as OT3.
Maybe not in an explicitly canon sens, I'm not expecting the series to suddenly become openly polyamorous, but the subtext has always felt incredibly strong to me. The admiration and trust they all have for one another goes beyond the boundaries of a traditional romantic dynamic.
Btw, wasn't Obi canonically bisexual? In my eyes they all are.
Anyways, revisiting these pages made me feel incredibly nostalgic and I wanted to share some of the screenshots.
You can create bunch of headcanons of poly relationship but it ain't happening...
It's all just bunch of second ml syndrome excuses who want poly relationships
By the way, if anyone has the next image after this, I'd love for someone to post it. I don't seem to have it, but they are such sad little pumpkins...
As for the beggining of the manga, we can already see the endgame being Shirayuki and Zen: Shirayuki tracing her own destiny to become equivalent to Zen, going as far the otherhalf of the country to show her worth beside Zen. And Zen supporting her with everything he's got, without taking her pride away.
Their relationship is pure and fairy-tale-ish. A Prince who serves a pretty commoner from a conflict/horrible man/monster and so on. And it's done pretty well. Their romance is based on the butterflies on their stomach, you can see they have passion for each other and trust at each other through the manga.
However, for me, it seems a bit unfair. Shirayuki has worked so much to show her worthness to be by his side. His role as a Prince was always such a big thing in their relationship. The fact of how much time they spent away from each other, and so many opportunities for him to make time to just see her, but it's always "work and duty for the first place" is what has cool down the relationship for me. They do have feelings for each other. But it's seems more a passion.
Do Zen know what's Shirayuki favorite lunch? Shirayuki knows what Zen is afraid of? Their moments together are so tight... Shirayuki is always blushing and a bit nervous to stay with him.. but I can't feel as a realistic love: while you feel passion towards your partner, do you feel security? Do they feel ease at the presence of each other?
On the other hand, the reason I feel Obi x Shirayuki is so dear for the fans is that we can see their daily feelings towards each other. We can see Shirayuki having more personality and willingness with Obi. She is seen to be at ease with him, to say things by her mind, to not feeling stressful to become someone worth of being by his side. She can be herself, Shirayuki. She doesn't have to be the Court Pharmacist nor someone with a Title. She feels like Obi understands her feelings and she can trust him with her worst wishes too.
And she understands and respect Obi the way he is.
Obi has finally found a place where he belongs to. Obi didn't even realize how much Shirayuki knows and cares about him. It gets to a point where she can difference his usual silence from his worrisome silence.
Shirayuki and Obi are best friends. The time they spent and the confessions about life they share is unique. Shirayuki knows him, and Obi knows her, and both respect their individualities and needs. The fact where, in the chapter that everyone is complaining about Obi not showing up for the breakfast, and Shirayuki defending him with "this is how he is, he feels better with less people" shows us how much they don't want the other to change/to proof something that they arent. And that's what is so special with Obi x Shirayuki: the way they live life as it is. Relying on each other, wanting to see the other improvement because they support the partner.
Obi never wanted to be reciprocated. He always felt his feelings were one sided only. Maybe the romantic ones are. But the fact Shirayuki even risked her job just to remark Obi's worthness and being irreplaceable shows that "duty and job" are behing from their company.
As well as Obi always being the one to give the other's a reality check about Shirayuki's feelings: when she was anxious about the stand-by in Lyrias, for example.
Shirayuki and Zen are passionate about each other. But I can't stop feeling Shirayuki and Obi is way more even and realistic. Their company is worthy than their work. They understand for each other and care for each other.
It's not about who should be with Shirayuki. I love Zen and Obi the way they are. They are so unique in their way and their friendship is pure. Zen cares deeply about Shirayuki and is such an interesting character. But Obi and Shirayuki feels something more healthy and realistic: love comes with time, being by their side no matter who they are, putting them in front of the duty and job and, especially, not afraid of being their selves.
Thats my rant about it.
im finishing up the anime and i just can't get a proper read on obi like yes he's in love right but like is he unaware or like not understanding the feelings what's this character troupe???? im loving it tho i need more Obi vibes/ anime recs?