Snow White With the Red Hair Manga Volume 8: Christian Review and Content Guide
In our Christian review of Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8, we will discuss Sorata Akiduki’s manga from a faith-based perspective. Includes a parent guide.
This review is about Volume 8 of the fairytale manga series. For our review of Volume 1, click here.
Quick Facts
- Author: Sorata Akiduki
- Date: 2012
- Demographic: Shojo
- Genres: Romance, clean romance, fantasy
- Anime Adaptation: Yes
Quick Content Guide
- Language: Uses of “oh g*d,” “d*mn” and related phrases, “p*ssed,” and other insults.
- Sex and Nudity: Chapter 31 features a bath scene; Shirayuki and Kiki have cleavage visible. A male character is shirtless on the manga cover, and multiple shirtless men appear inside. Suggestive comments and situations occur. A mermaid character has a visible, exposed back.
- Substances: A past mention of Shirayuki being drunk occurs. Characters drink. Zen drinks more than normal and becomes bedridden.
- Violence/Frightening Scenes: A character falls off a roof but is caught. A child is injured and requires the herbalists’ help. Characters sustain injuries, sometimes with blood.
See content guide below for more detail.
My Rating
Synopsis of Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
As Shirayuki and Zen continue to keep their romance out of the public eye, their responsibilities pull them in different directions. Before departing for Tanbarun, Sakaki delivers a letter from Prince Raj. While out running errands, a sudden rainstorm forces the group to take shelter at an inn, where Obi slips away to meet an old acquaintance, hinting at connections from his past. Meanwhile, Zen and Izana share a pivotal conversation, adding another layer to Zen’s path forward. Just as things seem to settle, Shirayuki is sent north to investigate herbalism research, leaving her and Zen separated once again.
Review of Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
Zen and Shirayuki’s Growing Romance
Volume 8 starts out where Volume 7 left off: Shirayuki and Zen alone together in the woods, realizing their feelings for each other. Zen promises that soon, he will tell everyone about his love for Shirayuki, but for now, they agree to keep it on the down-low.
It’s only Volume 8, and their secret meeting started at the end of Volume 7. Although I’m rooting for Zen and Shirayuki, I don’t feel overly irritated that they are continuing to wait to make their relationship public—likely because the story is still ongoing and has over 20 volumes out as of this writing.
Obi was a huge reason that Zen and Shirayuki got this time to be together alone to talk about their feelings and where they are at in their relationship, and it just further endears him to me. His care for Shirayuki and Zen (and the others) is inherently clear and is further established throughout this volume.
The Little Mermaid Theme
As with previous volumes, Snow White with the Red Hair imagines what the story would look like if it were based on another fairy tale, and this time, it’s The Little Mermaid. However, the narrative is short-lived because, when Zen is in the water, Mitsuhide (or Kiki) jumps in after him, making it unnecessary for Shirayuki the mermaid to save the prince.
This short comic perfectly describes their situation, as Zen’s aides are so loyal that Shiryuki wouldn’t have needed to save him. Thankfully, though, Snow White with the Red Hair is based on Snow White.
Obi’s Backstory and Character Development
For the first time in Snow White with the Red Hair, we get a deeper look into Obi’s past. He meets an old acquaintance, Trow, who operates in morally questionable circles. Obi’s backstory is unveiled as we learn about his life before joining Zen’s service. His character is further developed, showing that his motivations and personal growth make him one of the most compelling characters in the manga.
Obi’s past adds richness to the story, giving fans even more to love about his character. His loyalty toward Zen, Shirayuki, and those close to them offers an echo of Proverbs 18:24, and also Proverbs 17:17. Obi doesn’t have a perfect track record, as his past experiences in Snow White with the Red Hair show, but it’s clear that he’s trying to change—and that’s a step in the right direction.
Zen’s Flawed Reaction to Seduction in Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
In volume 8, Zen and his aids, as well as Shiryuki, meet a woman at an inn who takes on questionable work and is willing to take practically anyone, male or female, to bed with her. Obviously, no one takes her up on that, but Zen’s reaction to her seductive attempts makes me a bit…annoyed, to say the least. He says,
“As much as I’d like to…I can’t tonight. we leave early tomorrow.” (pg. 49).
It’s disappointing to see Zen, who’s usually so principled, respond in a way that sounds like he might have considered it under different circumstances. It doesn’t align with the character we’ve come to admire—or with the standard of integrity we’re called to in 1 Corinthians 6:18.
Ryu’s Struggle with Youth and Maturity
Ryu’s journey is one of growth and self-realization in this volume. He is a skilled herbalist and a respected member of the royal court, leading the excursion to the north. However, his young age often leads others to underestimate him and comment on his age—even asking if he is Shirayuki’s assistant (the opposite is actually true).
Ryu, though only 12 years old, is not only extremely accomplished for his age but is also highly respected in the field of herbalism, as he is a court herbalist—a title held by only a select few. Though the reactions of others initially get to him, he decides to work even harder instead of dwelling in self-pity.
Ryu’s storyline connects to the message from 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV):
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
FAQs for Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
Can Christians read Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8?
With discernment, some Christians may be able to read Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8. Feel free to use our content guide below if you have any questions about potential content flags/concerns.
Where to read Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8?
Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8 is available on Amazon. You can also often buy copies used or possibly find copies at your local library or through interlibrary loan.
Conclusion: Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8 (Manga)
Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8 is another fun installment in Sorata Akiduki’s fairytale manga series.
We gain some crucial backstory and character development for key characters, and get to see little Ryu push forward despite his young age.
So, is Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8 okay for Christians to read? With discernment, some Christians may enjoy the growth and character development, and find some of the content uplifting.
See you in our review for volume 9!
Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8 Content Guide
Nudity and Sexuality in Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
- The cover features Obi with an open shirt, exposing much of his chest.
- Prior to the start of the story, a scene inspired by The Little Mermaid depicts a mermaid with a fully exposed back (she has a tail, so no explicit details are shown).
- Zen and Shirayuki kiss, and he carries her princess-style. She shows some leg, and he suggests they find a room. They find one, and Zen comments that it has a bed, then quickly clarifies that he mentioned the bed because she had trouble standing, not for anything inappropriate.
- Other moments of affection include hand-holding, hair-touching, and general closeness.
- Chapter 31 features a bath scene.
- Obi and Zen share a bath, with their upper bodies visible while their lower halves remain submerged. They casually chat about girls, and Obi jokes about peeking on the women’s bath, though Zen refuses.
- Shirayuki and Kiki are shown in the bath with some cleavage visible. They discuss Zen sneaking out and how it gives him and Shirayuki more time together.
- Obi occasionally naps in Zen’s bed, leading Mitsuhide to make teasing comments, though it’s purely platonic.
- Obi notices a loose strand of Shirayuki’s hair.
- A flirtatious woman attempts to seduce Mitsuhide, Zen, and Kiki but is unsuccessful. She later kisses Mitsuhide and jokes about trying to win him over.
- Obi removes his shirt for Shirayuki to tend to his wounds.
- At the end of the volume, Obi jokingly suggests Zen take advantage of their room arrangement to be with Shirayuki. He also mentions that he wants to get closer to Kiki, leading to some playful retaliation from Zen and Mitsuhide.
Language in Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
- Crap
- Dammit/Damn
- Oh god
- Shaddup
- Trow (name of a character, can mean “troll”)
- Pissed
- Idiot
- Oddballs
- Geezer
Violence/Gore in Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
- Obi fights with a former colleague (Trow), and a flashback shows him with a bloody wound from their past adventures. In the present, she gets a minor scratch that might scar, and Obi also sustains injuries.
- A child is injured and requires the herbalists’ help.
Frightening & Intense Scenes in Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
- Trow falls off a roof, and Obi catches her just in time.
Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking in Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
- Mentions of Shirayuki getting very drunk in a past volume.
- Obi drinks occasionally, and alcohol appears at meals.
- Prince Izana drinks, and Zen drinks more than usual after a conversation with him. Zen becomes bedridden afterward, requiring Shirayuki to take care of him.
Religion/Magic in Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8
None.
Photo: Cover of Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 8 from Amazon. Under fair use for review/commentary/criticism. All rights retained by respective owners.
