Snow White With The Red Hair: 10 Best Zen Wisteria Quotes

In terms of fairytale princes, Zen Wisteria from Snow White with the Red Hair is one of the most engaging. Used to living in the shadow of his older brother as the second prince of Clarines, Zen is determined to experience the world. When he meets Shirayuki, his direction in life comes sharply into focus, causing him to learn a great deal about the type of person he wants to be.

Zen has a strong desire to better himself by being a “hands-on prince,” a trait that flips the script on the old cliché of a royal who leaves the palace to escape their duties – Zen does frequently leave but for completely opposite reasons. His greatest lines show the true nature of his character and reflect on the places he’s been, as well as where he’s headed.

A Chance Encounter

“Color Has Meaning, And Red Is Supposed To Represent Fate.”

Shirayuki flees the country when the prince of Tanbarun covets her for her red hair and tries to make her his concubine. At the border, she crosses paths with Zen and his attendants. She tells him her story, and he helps her to see the situation in a new light.

This quote introduces Zen’s philosophy on life. He looks for the good in everything, but more so, he looks for ways to have agency over what’s happening to him. By telling Shirayuki that her red hair may lead to unexpected good things, it puts the power back in her hands. She can’t control “fate,” but she doesn’t have to view her unusual hair color as something undesirable because it’s not.

Knowing His People

“I Lead People Who Have All Kinds Of Different Perspectives. I Need To Understand Their Points Of View, No Matter How Different They Are From Mine.”

Due to her lack of social status, Lord Haruka fabricates a lie to keep Shirayuki from entering Wistal Castle and spending time with Zen. He’s fast-exposed due to Shirayuki’s quick thinking and strong will, both of which help to make her a strong protagonist. Instead of harsh punishment, Zen lets him off with a warning.

This moment of wisdom gets to the heart of why Zen would rather spend time among his people than hide away. He understands that every person has their own experiences that lead them to certain beliefs and that he represents all of those people. He would rather unite than divide, and his choice to continue working with Lord Haruka demonstrates remarkable maturity.

No Turning Back

“You Said My Name. What Could I Do, Walk Away?”

Shirayuki sees Zen from afar and calls out to him. She thinks he can’t hear her from the balcony he’s standing on, but he does. When she climbs up to him and remarks on how she thought he’d already gone inside, he says this swoon-worthy line.

Zen is head over heels in love. He’s witnessed Shirayuki’s tenacity and determination to advance under her own power, and he’s smitten. She’s like a magnet, pulling him in and leaving him unable to walk away even if he wanted to. Though not officially together yet, this line marks the first bold move either character has made to that end.

Loyal To The End

“No Matter What You Think Of Me, You Were My Friend, And That’s How I’ll Remember You.”

In a dark twist, Zen’s only childhood friend, Atri, turns out to be a rebel bent on killing him. During a violent confrontation, Atri spits out insults at Zen, calling him unworthy of the life he was born into. Zen is deeply saddened but refuses to insult him back.

This peek into Zen’s backstory reveals that his strength of character comes from past trauma. It’s heartbreaking, but it shows how much he’s overcome to be who he is and that he always had wisdom beyond his years. Even at age 13, he chooses to remember the bond he shared with Atri rather than the bitter and tragic end of their friendship.

A True Gentleman

“Shirayuki, Next Time, I’ll Ask To Kiss You First.”

After a display of courage, Shirayuki is mildly injured and Zen rushes to see her. He’s moved by her bravery, and in a moment that surprises both Shirayuki and himself, he kisses her for the first time.

After the kiss, Zen realizes how shocked Shirayuki is. He apologizes and promises to respect her boundaries if she doesn’t want a relationship. Asking for consent for a kiss is rarely seen in any love story, classic or modern, and it works in Zen’s favor. It shows his maturity as well as his concern for her over himself.

Declaration of Love

“You Are My Strength. I Think You’re My Destiny.”

Shirayuki has just returned Zen’s feelings of love, and he couldn’t be happier. Down on one knee, he swears to protect their relationship with his life and openly admits the depth of his affection for her.

Destiny is a recurring theme in the show, and it’s always viewed through the lens of choice. Zen and Shirayuki both strongly believe in carving their own paths, so when Zen tells Shirayuki that she’s his destiny, it’s a profoundly powerful statement because he himself has made the decision to intertwine his fate with hers.

A Real Connection

“Can I Trust That People Won’t Love Me For My Title?”

In a flashback, a young Zen speaks with his loyal aide Mitsuhide about his fears surrounding people using him because he’s a prince. He worries that he won’t be able to recognize and accept true love due to his doubts.

Here, Zen’s vulnerability is on display. The one thing he desires most is to make real connections with people. Being a prince makes this difficult, and he’s used to people treating him a certain way because of his title. This moment is sad yet beautiful because, with Shirayuki, he’s finally found someone who removes every hesitation he had around accepting love.

Clear Intentions

“Someday I Am Going To Marry Shirayuki.”

Zen is desperate to get to Tanbarun as fast as possible to ensure Shirayuki’s safety, but Prince Izana won’t let him go. This pushes Zen to finally stand up to his brother, proving how serious he is about his relationship with Shirayuki and defending their romance, which takes place in a scene that helps this series to stand out among many other romance anime.

Zen and Izana have a complicated relationship. At the end of the day, Zen typically defers to his brother’s judgment out of equal parts reverence and fear. He’s also desperate to prove himself worthy in Izana’s eyes. But his love for Shirayuki is stronger than his insecurities, and by standing firm, he shows Izana that he deserves to be taken seriously.

A Prince’s True Strength

“I Don’t Plan On Revealing My Title. At Least, Not Until I Have The Villains On Their Knees.”

Shirayuki has been kidnapped, and Zen is on a mission to save her. He needs permission from Tanbarun’s king to search throughout the country. The king grants it with the condition that Zen will act under Raj’s authority, to which he responds with this quote.

This shows the strength of Zen’s resolve. It’s also an important moment for Raj, who’s been spoiled and sheltered for his whole life; he gets to see how a true prince responds in a time of crisis, inspiring him to join the search himself. Zen is a ruler who leads with his actions before all else, and this line is a perfect example of that.

Giving His Word

“A Promise To Promise Is Silly, Huh? Doesn’t Make Me Feel Too Clever.”

On a rooftop garden against the backdrop of a beautiful sunrise, Zen tells Shirayuki of his intentions to marry her. He can’t propose just yet, but he promises that someday he will.

Zen’s joke at his own expense prompts Shirayuki to tell him that she finds him both clever and inspirational. He’s now certain that no matter what, she will be part of his future, and his confidence is taken to new levels. He’s even able to look his brother in the eye, something he could never do before. Ironically, his “silly” non-proposal gives him just what he needs to boldly move forward.

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