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soulwinds's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Ableism
Minor: Grief, Medical content, and Cancer
theautumnalreader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Do you think I have any right to love anyone? Any right to be loved in return? Has my disability taken all my freedoms away from me?” Itsuki Ayakawa in Vol.9
I keep returning to Ituski’s very real and heartbreaking fear: Am I, a disabled person, worthy of love despite the fear of becoming a burden?
Seeing Itsuki, who in the first few volumes answers this question of worthiness with a resounding no, fight for his yes brought me to tears (this series does that a lot).His steadfastness and drive to love Tsugumi and fight for her father’s blessing felt like choosing to live fully in his capacity to love and dream. By earning her father’s blessing by being his authentic and caring self, Itsuki hurdled over the barrier of disapproval from Tsugumi’s father’s own ableism. This volume meant so much to me - to see Itsuki and Tsugumi married under the cherry blossoms that meant so much to them, my goodness, my heart!
While there are three other volumes left in the series, from the beautiful but realistic depictions of different disabilities from various points of view, the cruelty of ableism (external and internal), and the bittersweetness of new beginnings, this is a manga series worth reading. It’s an emotional roller coaster but worth the ride (especially if you love drama - think K-Drama level of drama). Characters who I despised initially, including one of the protagonists, Tsugumi, are well-fleshed out, redeemable, human, and lovable through multiple volumes. Tropes I usually loathe in romance, like love triangles and miscommunication, were compelling. The art and research have been brilliant, even when drawing painful realities like bedsores. Aruga is phenomenal for unflinchingly depicting multiple realities of disability. What makes Aruga more commendable in my book is that Itsuki, my favorite male lead in a romance manga, doesn’t feel objectified or infantilized because of his disability. His character is given equal standing through his point of view throughout the series thus far.
It makes me sad that I only have 3 volumes left.
Seeing Itsuki, who in the first few volumes answers this question of worthiness with a resounding no, fight for his yes brought me to tears (this series does that a lot).
While there are three other volumes left in the series, from the beautiful but realistic depictions of different disabilities from various points of view, the cruelty of ableism (external and internal), and the bittersweetness of new beginnings, this is a manga series worth reading. It’s an emotional roller coaster but worth the ride (especially if you love drama - think K-Drama level of drama). Characters who I despised initially, including one of the protagonists, Tsugumi, are well-fleshed out, redeemable, human, and lovable through multiple volumes. Tropes I usually loathe in romance, like love triangles and miscommunication, were compelling. The art and research have been brilliant, even when drawing painful realities like bedsores. Aruga is phenomenal for unflinchingly depicting multiple realities of disability. What makes Aruga more commendable in my book is that Itsuki, my favorite male lead in a romance manga, doesn’t feel objectified or infantilized because of his disability. His character is given equal standing through his point of view throughout the series thus far.
It makes me sad that I only have 3 volumes left.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Cancer, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
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