He isn't the prince. He isn't the herbalist with the rare hair color that drives the entire plot forward. Honestly, Obi starts out as a literal obstacle. When he first drops from the trees in Akagami no Shirayuki-hime (Snow White with Red Hair), he's a mercenary doing the dirty work for a disgruntled lord. He’s a guy with a scar and a smirk who seems destined to be a one-off villain or a background nuisance. But then something happens. He sticks around.
Obi becomes the anchor.
If you’ve watched or read the series by Sorata Akiduki, you know the feeling. Zen is great—he’s the noble, blue-eyed prince we all want to win. Shirayuki is incredible—she’s focused, hardworking, and defies every "damsel" trope in the book. But Obi? Obi is us. He’s the outsider looking in, the guy who doesn't quite believe he belongs in the light but guards it with his life anyway. He represents the transition from a lonely, cynical existence to finding a found family that actually cares if you show up for dinner.
The Transformation of Obi from Assassin to Ally
He didn't have a grand epiphany. It wasn't some magical "I see the light" moment that changed him. It was a slow burn of respect. Initially, Obi is hired by Lord Haruka to scare Shirayuki away from the castle. He shoots an arrow near her head. He's menacing. But Shirayuki doesn't flinch the way most people do. She faces him. That curiosity—that "who is this guy?" energy—is what starts the shift.
Eventually, Zen Wistalia sees something in him. It’s a bit of a gamble, really. Zen makes Obi his personal messenger and, later, his most trusted attendant. This isn't just a job promotion. For a guy like Obi, who spent his life in the shadows of the "pathless" world, having a place to return to is a radical concept.
He’s agile. He’s fast. He can scale a castle wall faster than you can blink. But his real strength is his emotional intelligence, even if he hides it behind a cheeky grin and a "Master" honorific that he uses with just a hint of irony. He watches. He notices when Shirayuki is pushing herself too hard in the herbalist labs. He notices when Zen is carrying the weight of the Clarines Kingdom alone. He fills the gaps.
Why Fans Are Obsessed with the Obi and Shirayuki Dynamic
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the shipping.
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In any other shoujo anime, Obi would be the "Second Lead Syndrome" king. He clearly loves Shirayuki. It’s written in every protective glance and every time he steps into the line of fire for her. But what makes Snow White with Red Hair so refreshing is that Obi doesn't try to sabotage the main romance. He respects Zen too much. He respects Shirayuki’s choices even more.
It’s a complex, mature kind of love. It’s the love that says, "I want you to be happy, even if it’s not with me, so I’ll just make sure you’re safe while you pursue that happiness."
There’s a specific scene in the manga (and the Lyrias arc in the anime) where Obi’s loyalty is tested. He’s tasked with being Shirayuki’s guard while she’s away from Zen. This is where he truly shines as an individual. He isn't just "the help." He’s a partner. They share meals, they solve problems, and they face the mysterious "Oglis" disease together. You see his internal struggle—the desire to stay by her side forever and the realization that his role is to be her shadow, not her sun.
The Mystery of Obi's Past
We don't get a 10-episode flashback of Obi’s childhood. We get snippets. We know he was part of the "Wind of the Night" or similar mercenary circles. We know he has scars that aren't just physical.
He’s a lone wolf who forgot how to howl until he met the Clarines crew.
His lack of a surname is telling. In a world where lineage and titles like "Prince" or "Chief Herbalist" define your worth, Obi is just Obi. He represents the self-made person. He chose his loyalty. He wasn't born into it. That makes his devotion to Zen and Shirayuki much more powerful than a knight who is simply following an oath of birth.
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Why Obi Isn't Your Typical Shoujo Sidekick
- Agency: He leaves when he wants to, and stays because he chooses to. He isn't bound by laws, but by a personal code.
- Skillset: While Zen is a master swordsman, Obi is a master of everything else. Stealth, hand-to-hand, parkour, and psychological warfare.
- Humor: He breaks the tension. When the political drama gets too heavy, Obi is there with a dry comment or a cat-like stretch to remind everyone that life goes on.
- The Earring: Even his character design—the single earring, the headband—screams "I don't fit in," yet he becomes the most essential piece of the puzzle.
The "Master" Relationship: Zen and Obi
The bond between Zen and Obi is arguably the most underrated part of the story. Zen gives Obi a name and a purpose. In return, Obi gives Zen the truth.
While other guards might tell Zen what he wants to hear because he’s a prince, Obi tells him what he needs to hear. He’s the only one who can truly challenge Zen. Their sparring sessions aren't just for practice; they’re a dialogue. When Zen officially makes Obi his knight, it’s a moment of profound validation. It’s the story saying that your past doesn't define your future—your actions do.
What Most People Get Wrong About Obi
Some people think he’s just "the third wheel." That’s a massive oversimplification.
If you remove Obi from the story, the structure of the Wistalia court collapses. He is the bridge between the royal world and the common world. He can go places Zen can't. He can talk to people Shirayuki can't reach. He’s the intelligence officer of the group.
He also isn't "miserable" because he isn't with Shirayuki. That’s a very modern, cynical way of looking at it. Obi finds genuine joy in their joy. He finds peace in the fact that he has a room in the palace where people will actually look for him if he goes missing. For someone who used to disappear for a living, being "found" is the greatest gift.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan looking to dive deeper into Obi’s character, or a writer trying to capture that same "rogue-with-a-heart-of-gold" energy, keep these things in mind.
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For the Watchers/Readers:
Check out the manga chapters specifically covering the Lyrias arc (around Volume 8 and beyond). The anime covers a lot, but the manga spends way more time on Obi’s internal monologue and his evolving relationship with Ryu and the other herbalists. You see him become a mentor, which is a wild character arc for a guy who started out as an assassin.
For the Writers:
Obi works because he is "consistent but unpredictable." You know he’ll always protect Shirayuki, but you never know how he’ll do it. He might use a smoke bomb, or he might just use a clever word. To write a character like Obi, focus on the "Observer" trait. Make them notice the small things others miss.
For the Collectors:
Obi merchandise is notoriously harder to find than Zen or Shirayuki’s. If you’re looking for high-quality figures or acrylic stands, look for the "LaLa" magazine anniversary specials. They often feature Obi in exclusive art that highlights his more "mercenary" aesthetic versus his "attendant" look.
Moving Forward with the Story
As Snow White with Red Hair continues (especially in the manga), Obi’s role only expands. He becomes a vital diplomat. He travels. He grows. He stops being the guy who "follows" and starts being the guy who "leads" in his own right.
He teaches us that you don't need a crown to be noble. You don't need a special power to be essential. You just need to show up, do the work, and maybe jump off a few rooftops along the way.
Next Steps for Deepening Your Knowledge:
- Compare the Anime and Manga: Look at the "Oglis" arc specifically. The manga adds layers to Obi's caution and his fear of losing the "place" he's finally found.
- Analyze the Color Palette: Notice how Obi’s colors (earth tones, greens, browns) contrast with Zen’s (white, blue, gold). It’s a visual representation of his grounded, "of the earth" nature compared to the celestial royalty.
- Track the "Master" Honorific: Watch/read how the tone of how Obi says "Master" changes from the beginning of the series to the current chapters. It moves from a shield of sarcasm to a badge of genuine pride.