Ok, an admission. Yes I’ve already reviewed the first five volumes of this series. And in truth, I’ve already caught up to the official releases so far. So in other words, what could I possibly talk about in reviewing it a second time?
Well, Kodansha Comics is releasing this in print editions! So between that and combining the first 2 volumes, you’ll get to understand why Perfect World — which involves relationships with people who have disabilities and its many triumphs and challenges — is a must-read in any format you’d like.
Perfect World begins with this sentence:
“If being in a relationship meant facing obstacles, could you handle it?”
Which seems simple enough if you’re expecting traditional challenges that will occur in every relationship. It then introduces Kawana, a 26-year-old woman who works at interior design company Cranberries, meeting her high school crush Itsuki, who works at Kodan Architecture, at a work get together. Soon enough she realizes things are a lot different when she later sees him sitting in a wheelchair. While she began remembering those past years, this all changes when she begins wondering about falling for someone disabled.
This is one of the clear themes once you read the first two volumes of Perfect World. There are numerous challenges that can occur in a relationship with able-bodied people. But a relationship where one has a disability? You can’t fool yourself into thinking there won’t be significant difficulties. Kawana ends up understanding this when Itsuki has to go to the hospital due to a bedsore and a fever. What might be common ailments for able-bodied people can be dire for those disabled. Naturally this occurs right when his team is working on a project, and he’s unable to finish due to it.
This isn’t the only example this manga shows regarding the challenges of this type of relationship: from understanding when to give space and not constantly ask how to help to knowing what’s appropriate to say, there’s a huge emotional component that only time and understanding can make things work. Perfect World emphasizes this quite heavily.
It also emphasizes consistently that people with disabilities should still be happy. While there are things they can’t do, there are things they can do that not only can satisfy them personally, but make a difference for others.
That also means falling in love. Obviously Kawana and Itsuki are the ones we follow, but we have one relationship with 2 kids in high school, Haruto and Maika, who have one common bond between them that allows them to stick together…well, after Haruto attempts to reconcile that he is disabled. There’s a moment where Kawana sees an able-bodied person with someone in a wheelchair enjoying each other’s company. Kawana is later introduced to someone in a relationship with a disabled person whom she can ask for answers. So yes, this manga takes great care in emphasizing that no matter their state, a disabled person is still human, and they can be treated as one in society.
The one thing, however, that is a constant theme in Perfect World is perception. “There’s not many disabled people, why should I have a ramp when it’ll cost me money?” “There’s no benefit to being in a relationship with someone that can’t help around the house.” “Just in the way!” Whether it’s because we don’t see many bound on wheelchairs, upbringing, etc, there’s a tendency to look down on those with disabilities, unintentionally or intentionally. Kawana ended up noting this when she hung out with Itsuki. People would stare, have a certain attitude, or act like they’re bothered.
This becomes a major issue later on in the series, but you get a preview when Kawana accidentally reveals to her family she’s dating Itsuki. In hindsight, it probably was awful timing to mention it so early, and while lying wouldn’t have felt great, she didn’t plan this out with Itsuki so she wasn’t prepared to deal with how her mom and dad would respond. All of that said, their reasoning at this point of the manga — fairly dismissive — is really unfortunate. And well, that ends up affecting Kawana a lot unbeknownst to them.
Now, as much as this manga shows the challenges disabled people go through, it doesn’t give an idealistic take either. It goes into explaining and showing how they feel, the times they want to give up, and the types of ailments they each have to deal with if they’re disabled that they can’t control. Sure it’s not appropriate to mention you have an excretory disorder at dinner, but Itsuki does to Kawana anyways! We also get to see a unsightly hole in Itsuki’s back before undergoing surgery. There’s also a moment where a question was raised regarding heated flooring, and Itsuki mentions that while certain things are barrier-free, you don’t have to remove all the barriers. Disabled people are capable of doing what needs to be done.
Now, there are things to also keep in mind while reading this manga. Perfect World is serialized in Kiss, so you can expect some drama that you wouldn’t (or would?) count on — like, say, Itsuki’s knowledgeable caregiver/former nurse and Kawana’s former high school classmate showing up to (somewhat) negatively impact Kawana and Itsuki’s relationship. And also even after some time away the ending for volume 2 still makes me go, “Seriously?” You’ll want to note Itsuki’s family vs. Kawana’s family since their reactions are worth looking out for.
This manga really talks about — and there’s one chapter even devoted to it — the many ailments a disabled person can or will have happen to them, which can lead to complications if not treated immediately. And accompanying it is Rie Aruga’s art, which is quite reserved and feels like typical shojo/josei style, but at important moments emphasizes the right emotions we should be feeling for each character. Finally, this print release is fairly standard — it’s similar to releases like Living-Room Matsunaga-san or Knight of the Ice.
Overall though, Perfect World highlights many sensitivities that you likely never would’ve considered before. The research is there, the characters feel right, and the story is well thought out. Whether it’s digital or in print, Perfect World is worth all of your time.