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Raji Shenazard

Raji Shenazard (ラジ・シェメザード, Raji Shenazādo) is the Crown Prince of Tanbarun in the Akagami no Shirayuki-hime (Snow White with the Red Hair) series. He is first introduced as an arrogant and self-centered noble, earning him the nickname “Stupid Prince” among both characters in the story and the audience. His initial attempt to force Shirayuki to become his concubine due to her rare red hair sets the foundation for her departure to Clarines.

Personality

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Appearance in Anime

Raji Shenazard begins the series as a spoiled, self-absorbed, and irresponsible prince, shaped by the privilege of his royal status and a lifetime of indulgence. His early behavior—marked by arrogance and entitlement—causes him to be viewed with disdain by both his servants and the public, many of whom regard him as a disgrace to the royal name. His attempt to force Shirayuki to become his concubine further reinforces his immaturity and lack of understanding about the responsibilities of leadership.

After his encounter with Zen Wistaria, who bluntly refers to him as “Prince Moron,” Raji’s cowardice and insecurity are brought to light. He is visibly intimidated by Zen, and their interactions often serve as comic relief, especially in the earlier episodes. Raji is also socially awkward, often relying on his loyal attendant Sakaki to speak on his behalf or manage delicate situations.

However, as the series progresses and he reconnects with Shirayuki, Raji begins a slow but steady transformation. Her strength, independence, and honesty serve as a mirror to his own shortcomings and inspire him to change. Determined to earn her respect and become a worthy leader, Raji puts greater effort into his duties as crown prince, begins taking his responsibilities seriously, and starts making decisions with the well-being of Tanbarun in mind. His growth from a foolish royal into a more humble, sincere, and dedicated prince reflects one of the most notable character developments in the series.

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Appearance

Raji Shenazard has brown hair and striking forest green eyes, with a distinctive beauty mark located just beneath his left eye. His overall appearance is refined and fitting for royalty, as he is frequently seen wearing formal and elaborately decorated royal garments that reflect his status as the Crown Prince of Tanbarun.

He bears a notable resemblance to his father, the King of Tanbarun, particularly in facial structure and expression. However, one key difference between them lies in their hair texture, with Raji’s being softer and styled differently. His princely attire and polished appearance contribute to his initially pompous image, although his maturing personality gradually aligns more closely with his regal look as the series progresses.

History

Raji Shenazard was first introduced as the initial antagonist of the series, playing a pivotal role in prompting Shirayuki’s escape from Tanbarun. Enchanted by her rare red hair and beauty, he attempted to force her into becoming his concubine, sending a royal guard to deliver the command. In an act of defiance, Shirayuki cut her hair short and fled the kingdom, leaving behind the severed ponytail as a message.

In a misguided attempt to retrieve her, Raji arranged for a basket of poisoned apples to be sent to her. However, the plan backfired when Zen Wistaria unaware of the plot ate one of the apples and was poisoned instead. This incident gave Zen leverage over Raji, threatening to reveal the act unless he behaved accordingly. In an attempt to save face, Raji spread a rumor that Zen had declared Shirayuki as his fiancée, unintentionally creating further complications between the kingdoms.

Despite his initial cowardice and selfishness, Raji began to mature and change as the series progressed. His turning point came when Shirayuki was captured while visiting him as a guest in Tanbarun. Faced with the consequences of failing to protect her, Raji stepped up and offered to help Zen in her rescue, marking the beginning of his shift from antagonist to ally.

The foundation of his growth was his developing friendship with Shirayuki. During a visit to Clarines, she challenged him to become the kind of prince his people could be proud of, particularly for the sake of her hometown. Though surprised by her directness, Raji reflected on her words and responded that he already understood what needed to be done even if she hadn’t said it. This moment deeply influenced him, serving as a catalyst for his transformation into a more responsible and self-aware royal figure.

Relationships

Shirayuki
Raji’s initial interaction with Shirayuki was highly negative. Captivated by her rare red hair, he attempted to force her into becoming his concubine, believing her beauty to be a possession fit for royalty. He sent palace guards to bring her to the castle, prompting her to flee Tanbarun in order to escape his control. His obsession even led him to attempt to poison her in a scheme to abduct her, though this ultimately backfired when Zen Wistaria consumed the poisoned apple instead.

After Zen confronted and threatened him, Raji became visibly terrified of Shirayuki and her connection to Clarines. In their next encounter, he was so overwhelmed by fear and guilt that he was unable to act confidently in her presence. Over time, however, Shirayuki’s strength of character and sincerity began to influence Raji. Her challenge for him to become a prince worthy of pride led to tremendous growth in his attitude and responsibilities. Their relationship, once rooted in fear and conflict, gradually shifted into a tenuous but developing friendship, with Raji showing genuine admiration and a desire to become a better person because of her.

Zen Wistaria
Raji was initially terrified of Zen, especially after the latter sternly warned him to never speak Shirayuki’s name again or attempt to pursue her. Raji took this threat seriously and went to great lengths to avoid any contact with Shirayuki when visiting Clarines. His discomfort around Zen was evident he shifted nervously during conversations, struggled to maintain composure during palace tours, and accidentally sparked rumors by blurting out that Zen was considering Shirayuki as his fiancée, causing an uproar within the royal court.

Despite their rocky start, Raji gradually began to respect Zen as a capable and honorable prince. Their interactions became more civil and eventually friendly, and Raji grew to value Zen’s example as a ruler and admire his leadership. Over time, the two formed an unlikely camaraderie, rooted in mutual respect.

Sakaki
Sakaki is Raji’s trusted aide and closest attendant, someone he relies on heavily for both emotional support and practical matters. Often acting as Raji’s voice in public settings, Sakaki is accustomed to his master’s cowardly and boastful tendencies, and doesn’t hesitate to respond bluntly to his more arrogant statements.

Their relationship reflects a long-standing familiarity, with Sakaki often accompanying Raji on official duties and diplomatic visits. Though he can be critical, Sakaki is also loyal and protective, guiding Raji through difficult situations and offering subtle encouragement. He is one of the first to notice the changes in Raji’s character following his encounters with Shirayuki and quietly supports his journey toward becoming a more mature and admirable prince.

Trivia

    • Raji has a habit of snapping his fingers whenever he makes a decision, a small quirk that reflects his self-important attitude especially in his earlier appearances.
      • Ironically, if not for Raji’s selfish and foolish attempt to claim Shirayuki as his concubine, she would never have fled Tanbarun and met Zen Wistaria, making him an unintentional catalyst for their relationship.
        • Despite his arrogance, Raji never sought petty revenge. Even before his character growth, he refrained from destroying Shirayuki’s pharmacy and instead attempted to disable her with a poisoned apple, showing he preferred capture over senseless destruction.
          • He is unintentionally responsible for several of Shirayuki’s later kidnappings, as many criminals and opportunists heard rumors of a prince obsessed with a red-haired girl and sought to profit from her capture.
            • Unfortunately, Raji never made efforts to publicly dispel these rumors, which contributed to Shirayuki’s difficult first year in Clarines, putting her at unnecessary risk.
              • Raji inadvertently granted Shirayuki an original, official title “Friend to the Tanbarun Royal Family”, which later allowed her to attend royal functions and balls alongside Zen without facing objections over her status.