Reviews

Jun 30, 2022
Preliminary (86/127 chp)
I'm a near blind person myself, with eyesight slightly better than that of the heroine of this manga (but really, our impairments are so different that it's pointless to compare.) I've been around a lot of other blind people with varying level of impairment when working with disability organisations and such, so my knowledge of visual impairment is pretty broad, and I'm writing this review to note that I was honestly floored with how much research the mangaka has clearly done- the accuracy of the visually impaired characters and the overall themes surrounding disability and the way Japanese society treats those who differ from the norm is really impressive for such a comfy read, especially considering it manages to stay so comfortable while realistically and delicately tackling topics that often lean to the heavier side.

I didn't go into it expecting much, I'll admit. You don't see a lot of manga featuring blind characters that could actually exist in real life and I picked it up for the cute style, not because I care if I'm well represented in a manga about a high school dropout trying to court himself a moeblob. But I found my expectations quickly subverted, because it nailed pretty much everything, from the accommodations a blind person might need and actual impairments themselves, to just the day-to-day of someone living with a disability, and the societal issues inherent to being disabled. I also really enjoy Yukiko as a character, independent of her disability- nobody in this manga exists solely as what holds them back, and the titular hakujou girl herself is no different. She's got a strong personality that makes her ooze with cuteness, and her fierce, often insistent independence is both very refreshing and more reflective of an actual blind person than the woobified white cane clad pitycripples you often see blind people (and disabled people in general, really,) represented as.

There are a million reviews singing the praises of the sugary sweet, light-hearted romance, so although I do love Morio and Yukiko's relationship I won't bore you to death rattling off specifics of my adoration. All the aspects of this manga that don't have to do with disability are just as splendid, as a matter of fact! But I rarely write reviews in earnest, or about media that deserves an earnest review, so I feel more qualified to simply discuss the bits that I know best. And something I know very well is that I think that this is a really fantastic social commentary and an educational, thoroughly enjoyable read. I hope my specialist input is of service to anyone wondering about the accuracy of information!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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