A review by rnbhargava
Perfect World, Volume 1 by Rie Aruga

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-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

This book wonderfully depicts the struggles of a paraplegic man in relationship to the woman he comes to care greatly for, his former schoolmate. It  doesn’t pull any punches in showing the recurring health struggles of Itsuki’s disability, complete with glimpses into how the people around him interact with his disability. I frequently found myself relating to Itsuki’s experience, feeling emotional yet happy to have physical disabilities seen in a story that reaches many types of people that hopefully learn a bit from it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Ableism, and Medical content

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Blood, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Classism, Grief, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship

This volume covers the gamut of ways that Ableism is pervasive in daily life, complete with not so great things being said behind Itsuki’s back, disabled people feeling undesirable, friends and family members caring too much or too little about the ups and downs of the disabled person’s health, struggles with independence and usual rights of passage are all illustrated well and written about with a deft touch. I hope this series continues to be this high quality in future volumes, I’ve already bought about half of volumes of the full run of this series. It would be a shame if it loses its way as it progresses. I’d definitely recommend this book even if it’s to someone who doesn’t usually read romance leaning stories.