Story: I'll bring you up to speed.
There's a girl named Red, or Shiro-Shirayuki or just simply Red, who is a herbalist, one of them medicine workers in the olden days who work in apocthearies. Not really a doctor or an alchemist even though the last one is different- But a herbalist, who deals in... herbs. Literally. She's rocking a shop, being all nice, kind and perfect and everybody loves her. Then some douche named Prince Douche goes all "Shit son, her sexy red hair is so sexy, I gotta have it. She gon be my conc! Ubine." Then he sends a goon to tell her to dress nicely for a time, or something implying some bumping uglies going on later. So she cuts her hair and dips out of dodge because that guy can eat a sack of herbal dicks. She ran off to a different kingdom, befriended the prince there and then they get into some episodic adventures while building up on some wholesome vanilla romance.
Basically, Red flees to another kingdom to avoid the pervy advances of a douche noble and gets into herbal adventures with the prince of said another kingdom.
That's pretty much it, everything else is details.
So the deets: The main consistent thing is the relationship between Zen (Second Prince, cool guy) and Red (Herbalist, actual likable heroine WTF), their genuine interactions that feel wholesome, them caring about each other and having a nice repetoire that doesn't feel forced. This is the general foundation of which the anime builds it's house on. From wanting to help the other out because they want to and not for personal gain, for not abusing the difference in standing, everything is done out of the goodness of their heart.
That consistency is money. Add to the fact that they're both good, decent, likable characters that have solid interactions and relationships with others that don't make you hate said others. This is like taking a trip to Flavortown. With that as the overarching plot, as sweet and diabeetus as it is, the meat of the episode is somewhat episodic. Not purely so as it builds on relationships while sometimes introducing characters that end up as secondaries and mainstays or have cameos throughout. A lot of it is just for the moment but it's that moment that builds on the relationship while sometimes providing tidbits about the world or what it means to be one with such unique features or being of royalty (The latter one should know at least). As it went on, my qualms decreased and eventually it didn't bother me. Because of the characters. It makes the characters of a lot of other shoujo crap look like a bag of hot sun-burnt dicks.
Animation:
It might be because I watch a lot of shit with shit animation or old shit with questionably shit animation with good art direction, but this shit has good animation, direction and all that good shit. It's smooth, syncs up nicely and doesn't take shortcuts with animation and cheap out. Even early on it has a guy get smacked and spun right round like a record on a corkscrew. It's like a flowing river and remains consistent in fights. In moments of just talking and discussion, it doesn't look chintzy. Plants look good, gorgeous even. They look like they belong in the background and not just as a feature that pops out just because it's meant to be interacted with. And it's not just that but the characters themselves. They look DAMN good, and I don't just mean the ladies. Even though Red has her hair and her amazing green eyes. Snow white-haired prince and the facial expressions they use are both comical and fitting for the animation style. Basically, everything works.
Sound: I have the least to say about this but it's:
Nice
Good sounding
Clear
Crisp
Consistent in quality
Cornucopia of craftsmanship
It's just incredibly solid.
Characters: I already gushed on the mains so I'll leave them be. The side characters whose names mostly escape me are quite good. Said interactions with others and they get in some great serious and/or comedic moments. Even minor (Yet plot important) characters get a shining moment or enough to define them, even if it's just for an episode. But not all minors are equal, and that's no problem; they're minors! But what is important that those who aren't total scumbags aren't whiny pissant pisspot pissmires. And THAT is key to everything: It's difficult to find someone so hateable because at worst, you tolerate the non-douchebags.
I had something else to say here but I forgot it.
Overall: I keep on hitting 4 instead of 7 so that's the rating. It's low-stakes because you know everything is going to be alright but you aren't here for thrills, chills and suspense. You're here for a feel-good time of a girl who aims to become a court herbalist to look out and be with her good Prince friend. And for the budding romance between the two likable characters, because having a likable main and companion to main (In the sense of a duo sharing the spotlight) is half the battle and half of the reason to get you to care about a slow-paced and/or episodic show.
Essentially, it's a slow-burning good time.
Secret Santa 2018 and on time son! THAT'S HOW I ROLL
Screenshots
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