I was rather excited for this series and found myself rather disappointed. I think if this wasn't based off real events and people I wouldn't have found much issue. But Knowing the historical figure, Richard, who is the protagonist in this story. I can't help but say I'm disappointed and honestly offended that they changed his disability. Richard the 3rd Duke of York was known for being a cripple and having a curved spine. Something we would now call scoliosis. This is why I was excited, as someone who grew up a cripple and with this same painful condition, I was hoping to see representation and possibly exploration into what body dysmorphia is like. Instead they remove Richard's crippled spine and instead imply that he is a trans man. (Which yes, trans men can also use some representation) but seeing the nature of this manga; it's obvious they chose to make Richard's gender a question because androgyny is more appealing in shoujo than seeing someone with a crippled back.
But then why continue to refer to the character as a cripple? I think erasing his actual condition is only more insulting and honestly triggered my own dysmorphia.
That being said trans dysphoria is also an important and very valid topic that I do think should be explored more. But in these circumstances it felt inappropriate to rewrite Richard the 3rd's medical condition, solely so that the reader would find him more attractive.
