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Izana Wistaria

Izana Wistaria (イザナ・ウィスタリア, Izana Wisutaria) is the current King of Clarines in the Akagami no Shirayuki-hime (Snow White with the Red Hair) anime and manga series. He is the first son of Haruto Wistaria and the late Kain Wistaria, making him the elder brother of Zen Wistaria, the second prince of the kingdom. Known for his composed and strategic nature, Izana plays a key role in shaping both the political and personal paths of those around him. He is also the fiancé of Haki Arleon, the daughter of a noble family with close ties to the royal lineage.

As crown prince and eventually king, Izana holds significant authority and is deeply involved in maintaining the political stability and future of Clarines. While he is often perceived as cold or calculating, his decisions reflect a deep sense of duty to the crown and his kingdom.

Personality

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Appearance in Anime

Izana Wistaria is a responsible and pragmatic ruler who consistently places the well-being of his people and kingdom above personal matters. Even during his time as crown prince, Izana demonstrated his dedication to the crown through decisive and calculated actions. This is evident during the Lilias incident, where he swiftly ordered the barricading of the town’s gates to prevent the spread of disease, highlighting his ability to make urgent decisions in times of crisis. He frequently travels across the country, often for official business, reflecting his commitment to actively overseeing the affairs of Clarines. Izana holds zero tolerance for corruption, as shown when he dismantled the power of corrupt lords in Lido and Sui on his seventeenth birthday.

Izana is also a shrewd and highly perceptive individual, often displaying a composed, authoritative, and at times intimidating presence. He is known to be manipulative when necessary, especially when testing the people around him. A notable example of this was when he deliberately summoned Shirayuki to an official meeting with Zen Wistaria, revealing her presence in front of Zen before dismissing him clearly orchestrated to provoke a reaction and observe the outcome.

Though typically serious and formal, Izana possesses a subtle, mischievous streak. He occasionally teases Zen, particularly regarding his feelings for Shirayuki, often with a calm expression and a faint smile. One instance includes a moment with Mitsuhide, where after playfully outing their secret conversation to Zen, he jokingly remarked, “Oops, looks like our rendezvous has been discovered,” and casually walked away, much to Zen’s annoyance and Mitsuhide’s flustered reaction.

Izana is also known for his tendency to test others without warning. Upon returning to the palace, he did not inform Zen of his arrival and even ordered the guards to keep it a secret, later claiming it was a test of Zen’s attentiveness to palace affairs. Similarly, when he departed for Lilias, he once again withheld his destination, even when Zen asked directly.

In public, Izana often prefers to conceal his royal identity during initial encounters. For example, he signaled Ryuu not to reveal his identity to Shirayuki, and later assumed the alias “Lowen” (borrowing Mitsuhide’s name) while in Lilias, posing as Garak Gazelt’s assistant to freely observe events.

His keen observational skills and physical agility further emphasize his unpredictable nature. He was able to eavesdrop on a private conversation between Zen and Shirayuki undetected, then noticed Obi hidden in a tree, successfully catching him off guard by hurling a stone that left a cut on Obi’s face before vanishing from sight. Izana has a habit of appearing suddenly and silently, often surprising those around him by showing up without being noticed vanishing around corners or blending in until he chooses to reveal himself, much to the frustration of those like Mitsuhide who try to keep track of him.

Photo Section with Captions

Appearance

Izana Wistaria is a handsome young man in his twenties, distinguished by his shoulder-length blond hair and dark blue eyes. His bangs fall neatly over his forehead, and his hair is typically tied into a ponytail, a style he has maintained since his younger years. Six years before the main events of the series, as well as in the present timeline, this hairstyle remains a consistent part of his appearance.

As the King of Clarines, Izana often wears formal and refined clothing, especially when attending to royal duties within the castle. His usual ensemble includes a black long-sleeved collared shirt, a vest adorned with ornate patterns along the edges, and light-colored pants. He is frequently seen with a sword, which is either worn at his side or carried by an attendant, signifying both his status and readiness for formal appearances. At times, he also wears a jacket draped over his shoulders, adding to his regal and composed image.

During his visit to Lilias, Izana adopted a slightly more practical and travel-ready appearance. He tied his hair into a shorter ponytail and wore a light-colored jacket with fur-trimmed sleeves layered over his black collared shirt. In colder conditions, he was also seen wearing a fur-lined cape or a jacket with fur detailing around the collar and edges, blending functionality with his usual refined style.

History

On his seventeenth birthday, Izana Wistaria made a bold political move by requesting a castle on the border between the Lido and Sui Territories, an area plagued by tension due to longstanding conflict between the lords of the two regions. His request surprised the court and the lords involved. When asked if he intended to mediate the dispute, Izana casually responded that it simply seemed like a nice place to build a castle.

His neutral response triggered a rivalry between the two lords, who began sending gifts, money, and supplies in hopes of earning his favor. However, the competition soon escalated, with both lords turning to exploiting their people to fund their efforts. Concerned retainers from each territory approached Izana to request that he intervene, but he ignored their pleas, allowing the situation to unfold.

This led to public criticism, with many believing that Izana was manipulating the situation for personal gain. Even Zen Wistaria, his younger brother, questioned his motives. To address Zen’s doubts, Izana brought him along on a visit to the construction site and the competing lords. There, Izana subtly undermined each lord by revealing the extent of the other’s corruption, calling their actions foolish.

When the lords resorted to illegal dealings to gather more funds, Izana launched an investigation, ultimately exposing and overthrowing both lords. He then appointed the two retainers who had previously sought his help as their successors and returned all bribes to the respective lands. When Zen later apologized for doubting him and expressed concern about the overthrown lords holding a grudge, Izana calmly acknowledged the possibility and advised Zen that as a ruler, he must earn the people’s respect and solidify his position. This moment served as a turning point for Zen, inspiring him to strive to become someone worthy of standing alongside his brother.

Six years prior to the main events of the manga, Izana visited the Sereg knight group’s base, where Mitsuhide Louen was undergoing training. After witnessing Mitsuhide’s victory in a sparring match, Izana approached him with a proposal to serve the royal family, initially suggesting that Mitsuhide assist Zen. Although Mitsuhide expressed doubts about his inexperience, Izana stated that if he and Zen were compatible, Mitsuhide might end up serving Zen for a long time. When Mitsuhide hinted at wanting to serve Izana instead, Izana feigned disappointment and said he would find someone else, prompting Mitsuhide to accept the original offer.

On their return to the castle, Izana pointed out Zen performing parkour across the rooftops, and introduced him to Mitsuhide, laying the foundation for their long-term bond.

Later, when Mitsuhide sought Izana’s advice about Zen frequently sneaking out to play with Atri, a young servant boy, Izana advised him to monitor them and suggested several likely hideouts. This proved critical when Atri later betrayed Zen, using him as leverage for an audience with Izana. The conspirators turned out to be former affiliates of the fallen Lido family, one of the corrupt lords previously deposed by Izana. In response, Izana and Mitsuhide confronted and defeated the attackers, protecting Zen.

A month later, Izana was seen observing Mitsuhide and Zen conversing privately from behind a pillar. Realizing that Mitsuhide had earned Zen’s trust, Izana quietly walked away, choosing not to interrupt, content that the bond between them had been successfully forged.

Relationships

Kain Wistaria
Kain Wistaria is Izana’s father. While little is revealed about their relationship in the series, it is known that Kain was once the King of Clarines prior to Izana’s succession. Due to the limited references, the nature of their bond remains largely unexplored.

Haruto Wistaria
Haruto is Izana’s mother and the former Queen of Clarines. She continued to rule in Wilant Castle after stepping away from Wistal Castle, reportedly due to a “sickness” or unease associated with the location. She was present during Izana’s coronation and is portrayed as someone who loves her sons deeply, though the details of her relationship with Izana are not heavily elaborated on in the series.

Zen Wistaria
As the younger brother of Izana, Zen Wistaria initially shares a strained and distant relationship with him. Zen openly admits his discomfort with Izana, once stating, “I do not want to speak to that guy alone,” and often brings his close aides along during summons. Their conversations are frequently guarded, particularly from Zen’s side.

Despite this cold surface, there are strong hints of mutual respect. During their youth, Zen was inspired by Izana’s strength and leadership, resolving to become someone capable of standing by his brother’s side. In the present, Izana begins to entrust Zen with more responsibilities of governance, acknowledging his growth and capability as a leader.

Izana initially tested Zen’s relationship with Shirayuki, even disapproving of it, but over time, he came to accept and support their bond, showing that he trusted Zen’s judgment and recognized Shirayuki’s strength of character.

Haki Arleon
Haki Arleon is Izana’s fiancée. Unlike Zen and Shirayuki’s expressive relationship, Izana and Haki’s connection is more reserved and subtle, though there are clear signs of mutual affection and familiarity.

During their departure from Lilias, Izana is seen frequently looking back at Haki, suggesting a quiet attachment. In a lighthearted moment, Haki suggests Izana should cut his hair like Zen’s so people could better read his expressions, to which Izana jokingly responds by asking if it’s a “fetish.” He ultimately declines, saying it’s more convenient for his eyes to be hidden and tells her she’ll just have to get used to it.

In a memory the two share, Izana gives Haki a flower from a vase she had been admiring, telling her that it would look better in her hands, highlighting a rare moment of tenderness between them.

Shirayuki
Izana’s initial interactions with Shirayuki were marked by coldness and intimidation. Amused when she referred to him as “Zen’s brother” a title he rarely hears he made deliberate efforts to test her resolve, including provocatively kissing her to gauge her reaction and further unsettle her. This led Shirayuki to briefly doubt her place beside Zen.

However, her determination ultimately strengthened, and she boldly declared to Izana that she had no intention of returning to Tanbarun and planned to remain in Clarines. This moment marked a turning point, earning Izana’s respect. Over time, their relationship improves, and Izana becomes less antagonistic and more supportive of her presence and her relationship with Zen.

Trivia

    • Much like his younger brother Zen Wistaria, Izana often disguises himself or lays low while traveling among civilians to observe situations firsthand without the influence of his royal title. This allows him to gather insight and better understand the state of the kingdom.
      • Izana is believed to be six years older than Zen, making him the more experienced and politically seasoned of the two brothers.
        • Fans have noted that Izana bears a striking resemblance to Howl Jenkins Pendragon from Howl’s Moving Castle, particularly due to his blond hair, refined features, and calm, mysterious presence.
          • In a character popularity poll, Izana was ranked seventh, reflecting his intrigue and appeal as a strategic and quietly charismatic ruler.