From the countless shoujo and romance manga I have read in my life, Perfect World is one of the most painful pieces of fiction I have ever consumed. In the synopsis it writes about how Kawana Tsugumi is newly employed in an interior design company. She goes to a drinking party at a client’s architectural office and happens to meet her first love. He’s more handsome than ever and it isn’t until he’s leaving that she realizes something has changed: Ayukawa is in a wheelchair. ( 2014, myanimelist.com).

I thought the premise of the manga seemed very heart warming and it would lurk in more of a slice-of-life genre seeing how these two grow together. I was correct… half correct. This is one of the angsty-est manga I have ever read and it was physically painful seeing both of the lead characters fight their own insecurities so that they could be together. Ayukawa struggles with his duty as a man as he lets go of all his former relationships thinking he could never provide for them as he should. As well as he struggles with his own disabilities. While Kawana tries to be a pillar for Ayukawa yet she has her own insecurities if she could be the woman he needs to care for him. Both wanting to take care of the other while both wanting no help from the other. Though how angsty, though how many ploys of miscommunication that fill the pages of the manga and all different breakdown and self-reflections of every character in the manga I believe I love this manga because it depicts a very truthful story.

An account of how a relationship that takes in the real struggle of the social stigma from the public and the real struggles of a person with disability must face. From the many shoujo/josei manga I have read this was the first piece where I did not experience sugar-coating or any unbelievable situations to move the plot. It was very real, it was very painful and even cited actual illnesses and bodily problems the PWD in the story had to face. I love this manga because it pushed the stereotypical genre to another direction, and elevated this to a more in depth story telling that I believe everyone needs today.