Perfect World

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Normally I wait until a series is over to review it, as I believe a series can to some degree be saved or ruined by it's ending. This manga however, like a shack built on sand or in a swamp is built with a flawed foundation. Spoilers.

The first few chapters of this series seemed rather interesting and promising. As proper, well done Josei is some of the best romance manga out there. I, like a specific comment I read on a chapter of this manga, expected to see the difficulties of being disabled, how to handle them, and how to provide support to such a ... significant other. Not this shit, where instead of focusing on those aspects, the manga uses them as a cheap weapon for characters opposed to the relationship to force cheap superfluous and frankly contrived melodrama. Something that certainly isn't SoL, and in my opinion, ends up creating a bad manga.

The characters of this manga seem irredeemable. Kawana is the most typical Shoujo protagonist I have ever seen, and hoped never to see in this supposed Josei and in any manga in general. She's weak, unable to function or think on her own, and frequently breaks down. Nothing is 'evil' or 'wrong' with these qualities individually, however compiled together it creates a frankly annoying character who has basically become concurrent with the Shoujo genre. Ayukawa is a bit more sympathetic a character and is generally of greater quality. He's paralyzed from the waist down, understandably tormented by it, and trying to deal with it. The ways his disability affected the main pair's relationship was interesting until the side characters started using it as a weapon to force drama and try and split them up. While this isn't impossible or even unlikely, it's overdone and out of place considering the genres. Kawana's parents use emotional blackmail stating her father is going to die soon and don't want their daughter tied to a cripple because 'he won't be able to provide or protect her'. Neither Kawana nor Ayukawa refute this or defend themselves. While they thankfully do not concede, they do simply accept this grotesque and invasive bullshit without response. It is not enjoyable or reasonable and does not make for a good slice of life, what this manga claims to be. The other cunt who weaponized Ayukawa's disability is his freshly divorced nurse who uses it to poke and prod Kawana and Ayukawa into breaking up be she thinks she a superior partner. An arrogant, god complexed and narcissistic cunt if I've ever seen one.

All in all, this manga instead of focusing on what it should and what by genre it purports to be, the reality of being in a relationship with someone who is paralyzed, it decides to focus on emotional blackmail, and the torment of two vulnerable characters. The only character I had the slightest respect for was Koreeda, however he ends up pursuing a relationship with Kawana after her emotional break down and nasty break up. Which is one of two things, a display of unparalleled idiocy and selfishness, or like the cunt nurse, an abuse of position and emotions.

In summary, the manga magnificently failed to focus on and write about what it should as a Josei and more specifically a Slice of Life. Instead it took a typical Shoujo approach to romance and further desecrated itself by using a character's disability as a weapon to push cheap drama. I believe such a manga had the potential for at least a "7 / 10". The reason however I am writing this review prior to it's completion is because I believe it has lost all possible hope of redemption. Regardless, I'll likely update the review upon completion of the series. While I'm almost certain that completion will resolve with the revival of the main relationship, I'm unconfident but suspect the road to such will be a typical and generic soul search, unhappiness in a new and unhealthy relationship followed by the ever unoriginal realization of who their true love is followed by reconciliation and a sad but inevitable acceptance by all previous cunts who opposed the relationship.

Considering such, I deem this manga an astounding 1 / 10. This manga merely uses disability as a cheap weapon instead of a main theme of the story. Follows typical Shoujo character design and plot formula, and aside from the aforementioned disability is of no originality of notice.

Update: I was right. Disappointing all around.

(this review is provisory and likely to be changed when more chapters become available)

This is really good. Since it's josei, it's got that warm, pinkish, power of love kinda thing, but the disability part isn't watered down at all* and is presented rather realistically. Right from the get-go the male lead is very upfront about what daily life in a wheelchair is like, especially the parts healthy people don't really think about, or try not to (like defecating), and the reality of his situation hits us earlier than I expected. I thought a josei manga would only approach the medical complications derived from chronic immobility ... once the pairing's love was going strong and steady, as a way to bring drama to the narrative, so the display of bedsores before they started dating took me by surprise. Rather your average josei that deals with two people in love and the human drama that accompanies them, it turnas out that Perfect World is about the dificulties a couple has when one of them is in a wheelchair. The judgement from society, of course, but also the inner demons each of them has to struggle with personaly in order to be a better person and a better partner.

Yup, I like it.

*from what I can tell. I have absolutely zero experience with people on wheelchairs, both in reality and fiction

This manga could have been great, and it started out very strong, but contrived drama seriously undermines it. The characters become unlikable and typical love triangle (square?) nonsense cheapens what had the potential to be a very powerful romance. The struggles that the main couple would have to deal with provides enough dramatic content to sustain the entire story - it should have focused on the couple growing through their hardships, learning to support each other in an inhospitable world. Instead, far too much time is focused on communication problems and manipulative secondary characters that never really earn our support. The entire middle of the ... manga was a chore to get through because of this and what could have been a 9 or 10 was ruined.

The art is great as is much of the writing, so I'm giving it a 4.

I’m usually not into romance but I gave this a try and actually really liked it. The story was good, I found it interesting learning about what someone who is disabled might face in a relationship because it’s not something I’ve ever thought about before. Also, now I know way more about the health conditions that spinal injuries can cause. The only thing I didn’t like in this manga were some of the characters. Half of them were irritating and annoyed me but I wouldn’t say it’s a bad thing because they grew on me a little but towards the end. The author explained the ... characters feelings very well and so although I didn’t like a certain character, I did understand why they acted the way they did. Absolutely loved the ending and the artstyle tho. Because of this I give Perfect World a 7.

Story (8):
I saw a lot of people complaining about the drama in this manga, but I actually don't think it was that overdramatic at all. I mean, if you are writing about a disabled person, if this person's life is a lot more difficult than yours of course is gonna be a lot more dramatic as well. The mangaka doesn't lie. Actually, the problem wasn't the facts, just the way the author talked about them, so emotionally. I think the autor did it wrong because she was trying to make you feel pity of Ayukawa much more than criticising the way he was treated, wich ... I think it was the objective at first. No, more than trying to make you feel pity, I think Rie (the author) itself though this people were pitiable (but she didn't notice) and was trying to rub right in your face how much strong disabled people are and trying to make our consciousness oblige us to treat then better and with care. I think she's the one that's too emotional. But personally I would feel a lot worse about my condition if I knew the people around me were so conscious about it. The word "disabled" doesn't stop being said even for a second, like she doesn't want you to forget about that. There's a lot of emotional talks wich I think it was unnecessary, because people usually don't feel that comfortable to talk about they're deepest feelings so easily. I'm a really emotional person and I can't talk about myself that much even with my mother.

Another think I didn't like about Perfect World it was just how fast the events passed by. But I can't complain about that because it's a slice of life and the reason I usually don't like slice of life is exactly because of that. I can't complain about the existence of romance in a manga of romance, right? But it was a problem because of the drama. You can't just do it like every day in a disabled person's life is sad and life threatening. I already talked about it with a guy that lives in a wheelchair and he said that is not usual for him to go to the hospital for such dangerous problems in such a tiny period of time like Ayukawa did. But, again, I understand that the author did that because she wanted to show us everything a disabled person can pass by in just a few chapters. The manga is more didactic and critical than anything.

But, beside that, I don't think it's a terrible manga. The plot is interesting and I learned a lot. I said it was didactic because I didn't know people in wheelchairs had that much health problems at all. I though they just could't walk. Besides, I really liked the romance and, in this point, I liked how fast it was. It's cute and I like of the actually normal chapters were they just overcome usual disabled person's problems. But I would no recommend this manga if you are a depressed person or is in a bad day. You're just going to get worse. But, if you like overemotional plots or just enjoy different kinds of couples I think it's worth giving it a shot.

SPOILER!
Besides, I don't like when the protagonists go so far with the "rivals in love" as Kawana did. I actually don't even like when there is rivals, but I'm used, since every manga that deals with romance has them. I understand the argument that Perfect World looks a lot with shoujos even though it is a josei. I just looked at the raws, but if it is what I'm thinking the autor also found a
really lazy way to solve the couple problems. I'm mean, it has a chance that Kawana lost her ability to walk as well. Maybe she didn't, since I didn't understand a word, but she was in a wheelchair.

Art (8):
Really enjoyed the art. Is cute, though is not the most beautiful and detailed art I've ever seen, but I doubt you will find something to complain about here.

Characters (6):
Well... Nothing special. Too emotional characters, too insecure and predictable. Ayukawa was more interesting when he was a teen. The rivals aren't that interesting as well, they're just annoying. It's not like they are terrible or anything, they're just nothing special. I didn't love them. But I did liked Maika, I think she should be the MC, hahaha. She's so energetic when dealing with the "disabled" thing.

Enjoyment (7):
Yes, I enjoyed. Even with all the bad things it is worth your time. I complained about it being too emotional, but I don't care that much. Usually I like well worked out drama, like Boku Dake ga Inai Machi (wrong couple, but the story itself is amazing). I just dropped it for a while cause I was really scared about Kawana being with the rival at the end instead that being with Ayukawa, that's why I read the raw and saw the both together before starting to read it again. And, even though I didn't gave it an amazing remark I actually think you should give it a try before putting it aside. At least 4 chapters. Who knows, you can love it, specially if you like mangas that talk about different kinds of persons and criticise society with lots of moral lessons and with romance to make it all better. It's not as good as Koe no Katachi, but the style is similar (not as heavy and abrupt with the critics), so if you liked it you may like Perfect World as well. If you don't, you will learn a lot. Actually, I had to put my feelings aside so I could make a good review, because I wanted to give it a nicer remark, since it looks like the mangaka gave her best to accomplish her objectives with this manga. Well, I did say I'm really emotional.

PS: I did not read it until the end and I don't know if it can get a lot better, so maybe I will give it a higher (or lower) rate next time. Man, that's why I don't like rating mangas that I did not read til the end...

Perfect World is a Japanese comic book series, in the romance and drama genre, written and drawn by author Rie Aruga and which has forty-three chapters published from 2014 to 2021. The story has as its central theme the difficulties that people with disabilities face in life; with a special focus on the romance between Itsuki, an architect, who is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair. And Kawana, an interior design.

They both knew each other from high school, before Itsuki lost movement in his legs in an accident. When they meet again, years later at the company where they work, Kawana will be faced ... with the question: can she overcome prejudices and revive the old high school love she felt for Itsuki in the conditions that life presents her?

The author managed to bring to paper, in a visual, sensitive and accessible way, the reality of several people with whom she lived, interviewed, and observed. Bringing to light a work largely painful, but also, within the uncontrollable limits that are imposed by life, happy. Showing that a Perfect World is different for each person, as it adapts to their imperfections.

September 11, 2022, Sunday

From age 5 to age 11, I lived with my grandmother whose body was 96% immobile. From Monday to Friday, she'd take care of me (alone, my grandpa was dead by that time). During the weekend, I'd be with my parents.

This is why 'Perfect World' was a personal premise to me. Especially as I have hazy memories of my grandma's condition - she became wheelchair-bound within 2 years of the first symptoms.

Enough personal stories: let's see why the manga is a solid 7.5/10 to me. Here are 5 bad and 5 good things about it:

The bad things:

- Kawana's growth took way too long. She spent ... so many volumes being the typical shoujo protagonist in a manga narrative that warrants a quicker growing pace.
- The middle volumes were filled with too much drama which sometimes almost reached 'Domestic Girlfriend' levels of forced character confrontations/plot 'progression'.
- Reducing the above drama a little and instead focusing a bit more on the architecture/industry details and its interaction with barrier-free projects would have been amazing.
- Slightly disappointing treatment of one of the main side characters.
- Slightly jarring time skips - realistically, the manga goes through A LOT of years. I'm not fully sure, but it covers a 5-6 year span or so through its entirety.

The good things:

- Aruga-san has done extensive research for her work and it shows. From complications to the general lifestyle of wheelchair-bound people, her compassion and interest shine through.
- Ayukawa is simply a great character. Later on, Kawana becomes a fleshed-out counterbalance to her earlier persona.
- Decent side character cast. They can be one-dimensional, but it's better than your typical shoujo manga.
- Extended period of time covered -- I said it's a bit jarring (the transitions just feel awkward); however, it's great to see a series which follows the main couple through several years with distinctive progression and life situations.
- Simple, but very expressive art style; some beautiful chapters and tear-jerker scenes.


I guarantee you'd feel irritated and itch to drop it around the middle, where the forced drama is the worst. Highly suggest you persist through that, the latter chapters are very slice of life and more mature.

As I said, 7.5/10, a solid one. I wish my grandma were still alive, so I'd read some chapters to her.

I found this manga so realistic. The struggles of the characters felt so real to me that it had me with tears in my eyes.
It got me thinking about my life and that I don't appreciate enough what I have.
Seeing Kawana so helpless when trying to better herself and learn in order to be with Ayukawa had a greater impact on me that I expected.
Seeing Ayukawa struggling with his mental status and the fact that he will never be able to give his girlfriend what she deserves truly moved me.
It made me think that anyone's life could change for the worse any second. Ayukawa ... never thought that he will not be able to walk ever again. And neither does any of us. Just imagine the pain that someone disabled goes through. And that is shown perfectly in Ayukawa.
All the characters have depth. I found none of them being annoying. Everyone has good intentions and a kind heart. And sure, they all make mistakes, but that is what makes them real, what makes them humans.
I love this manga and I recommend it with all my heart to anyone that wants to see things in life from a different perspective.

I'm a big fan of shoujo manga, but this time i'm gonna do a review about josei manga, perfect world.

For me this manga is outstanding especially the story. It talks about a man with a dissability and an able woman. What makes me love it is because the story is really touching and realistic, like you can see the hardship of someone with dissability and how stressing it is. This manga really touch my heart and there are a lot of things i learn after this manga. What i lobe the most is the moral value, it teach me to respect the diffable, because i'm ... sure that before i read this manga i'm one of people who usually stare at the diffable and talks about them behind their back. So this manga really teach a lot new things for me.

Really recommended. Thank you

In some moments, I am very happy to be french since I get to read and complete a beloved manga series before anyone else.

I loved this series and while I was so frustrated for around 20 long chapters during the middle of the story, the end result was so satisfying that I could not give it less than 9.

I am so happy that the author didn't end it with chapter 44 and continued on with 3 more volumes, it made the conclusion 100% more satisfying instead of lacking.

The manga was just so enjoyable to read and the romance amazing which is why I had never ... been so frustrated by a manga part in a long while, but all the character's decisions made sense and didn't feel unnatural so even the worst part of the manga didn't feel unnatural in the least.

I had such a good time reading this story and it gave me such a smile, it also educated me on topics i knew nothing about, a great romance manga and easily one of the best ones of the last decade.

I am not sure why people are reviewing this so badly. I actually really enjoyed this manga. I feel like people are kind of comparing this to how people treat disabled people in America and I think you should be going about it through the eyes of living in Japan. Although Japan seems to be trying to do better with disabled people, disabled people don't seem to get the same help and attention that others do. It seems as though they are rather looked down upon a lot more than, let's say, America. You also have to consider that bullying is much higher in Japan ... and suicide is one of the highest killing rates.
This manga really shows a man trying his best with a disability. You see just how difficult it is to have a relationship and how Japan is different in the way that they kind of look down on having a disability. I think all things considered, this manga shows you a relationship that really goes through different aspects of being wheelchair bound. You might think it's dramatic but do you really think it would be that easy to be in a relationship with someone who is paralyzed from the waist down? Do you not think that it would be strenuous at times? Or something might happen? Things happen all the time in normal relationships and I think it would be a bit silly to think it wouldn't with a person who is in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. And considering how a lot of romance manga usually has a lot of drama, this one actually seems to be more interesting than that.
I really enjoyed it and liked the character plots, relationships and how it turned out.

(I have only read volume 1, so this review may change)
Rating breakdown: 8 - 9 - 8 - 9 - 9 overall

This was really wonderful. The author has also worked with an architect who has a spinal cord injury, and he is credited. I appreciate that she didn’t just make this up, but actually did her research.

The art is pretty, the plot is good, the characters are wonderful. I want to go buy the rest of the series straight away!

Personally, I have been a caretaker for someone who is disabled (not in a wheelchair and not with the same struggles), so the content ... in the first volume (to a degree) was relatable for me.

I really enjoyed Perfect World, I thought it was beautifully written and didn't shy away from some of the more unspoken aspects of living with a disability and how these all affect their relationship.
I became aware and learnt about a lot of different complications that affect people with spinal cord injuries including phantom pain and reproductive problems and it was evident the mangakas did a lot of research on the matter.

At times some of the situations were farfetched but they didn't majorly hinder the likability of the manga, and in fact aided the narration of the two main characters insecurities within the relationship. The pacing ... felt very natural and I think the different arcs built a strong foundation for their relationship while also showing how his disability affected different aspects of Itsuki's life. I appreciated that they did not use the misunderstanding/miscommunication tropes and the couple generally had good communication skills however the obstacles they faced proved challenging.

The two characters were both likable and had realistic character development arcs. I appreciated how the manga showed that Itsuki's dreams of being an architect were still achievable and that he could still play basketball while not hiding the aspects of his health that were struggles for him and his regrets from the past. I felt as though Kanawa's character was comparatively given less development and was more centred around Itsuki even in terms of her art but not to a very noticeable degree.