Tsugumi Kawana is an interior designer who has just reunited with her childhood friend from high school, Itsuki Ayukawa. But, since their last meeting, Ayukawa had gotten into an accident leaving him in a wheelchair with a spinal cord injury. As Kawana gradually falls in love with Ayukawa, she begins to realize how difficult her life would be dating someone in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, Ayukawa refuses to fall in love ever since he had broken up with his high school sweetheart.
Perfect World does not sugar coat the issues arising with disabilities. I had expected this manga to have a lighthearted story where Kawana would have to overcome her reservations for dating someone in a wheelchair. Instead, Ayukawa's health problems are worrisome, and paint an accurate portrait of what someone with a spinal cord disability would have to face on a regular basis. When Ayukawa is first introduced, he appears to be an optimist who has begun to overcome adversity faced through his spinal cord injury. But, as the story goes on, Kawana realizes just how difficult Ayukawa must struggle on a daily basis. Their love story is hardly perfect, but its realism makes it all the more endearing.
The artwork of this manga is clean, and the translation is very clear and understandable. Perfect World is a great manga for those who love to read romantic dramas.
*I received an advanced copy of Perfect World from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I had been meaning to read this, but couldn't find a good reason to. But this series looks to be both enlightening and a painful story to read.

Perfect World at times feels heavy handed and preachy about the challenges facing those with wheelchair disabilities; but at the same time, it's an important reminder that Japan, unlike countries like America, does not have many laws in place to give equal opportunity access in public places. Still, many plot points feel there simply to make a statement or create a 'poignant moment' rather than as a natural occurrence. But the illustration work is quite lovely and (mostly owing this to being a josei (adult women oriented) rather than shoujo (school girl oriented) title) is a thought provoking read. Especially for all the fans of Jojo Moyes "Me Before You" series since there are similar issues explored.

Story: 26-year-old Tsugumi Kawana works as an interior designer, having long ago given up her dream of being a painter. At a work party, she ends up meeting again her long time unrequited crush Itsuki Ayukawa (whom she has not seen since high school graduation). He had always planned to be an architect and he, unlike her, managed to make his dreams come true. But she soon finds that life wasn't without its own price for Ayukawa; in college, he was struck by a car and received a permanent spinal injury, resulting in the need for a wheelchair. As Kawana gets to know him better and works with him, she finds she is falling in love with him all over again. But Ayukawa lives with all the mental and physical complication of his injury: from pushing away all people to the constant risk of further injuries and complications. Is there a future for the two?

As with the Jojo Moyes book, we have a highly successful and driven male lead who becomes permanently handicapped by a freak accident. Cue somewhat ditzy but sweet girl who doesn't know how to handle the strong-willed boy but knows she is falling in love with him anyway. In this case, Kawana had known Ayukawa most of her life and always was drawn to him, even when he ended up choosing a different girl. Her memories of him, especially the heartbreak when he chose a different girl, form the pathos of much of the book.

The plot does feel contrived, though, to push certain points. From the ex girlfriend who seemingly 'dumped' him when he became handicapped but who in reality was pushed away - to a boy whose parents hire Ayukawa in order to help them redo their house to be handicap friendly to their son, who was recently crippled in an accident. Both chapters were about Ayukawa learning to understand his own disability and grow from it. But both situations were far too convenient to be happening just as Ayukawa meets him.

The illustration work is very clean and lovely. It is in the typical Josei fashion and can be irregular at times but I prefer this to the overcrowded paneling of most shoujo manga. The focus is on the nuances of emotions rather than zany action.

In all, I greatly enjoyed Perfect World, even with the detractions. It is a smooth and clean story, if a bit preachy. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Falling in love isn't very easy under normal circumstances, and it's especially harder when the boy you're falling for is in a wheelchair.

Perfect World is a beautiful graphic novel which tells the tale of two people in their mid-twenties, as they fall in love. Beautifully illustrated in the manga style, with poignant moments scattered all over, this is a book that tugs at your heartstrings, as the protagonist learns what it is to truly love someone who is disabled.

Tsugumi Kawana is an 26 year old interior designer, who runs into Itsuki Ayukawa, her highschool crush, at a professional get-together in Tokyo. Though years have passed since she last saw him, just talking to him sends her heart aflutter – till she realises that he uses a wheelchair. (Paraphrased from the blurb.)

The story isn't simple – Kawana doesn't just hang out with Ayukawa, and they don't just fall in love. Kawana has a lot to learn, and Ayukawa has a lot to accept.

Kawana is initially apprehensive of dating someone in a wheelchair, even if she's attracted to him like a moth drawn to a flame. But as she spends time with Ayukawa and her "crush" turns into something more solid, she resolves to learn everything there is about him, and the best way to care for him. She's determined, level-headed, and caring, which in turn makes her an extremely likable protagonist.

Ayukawa, on the other hand, is resigned to his fate. An accident in uni left him with an injured spinal cord and paralysed legs, and while he hasn't let that stop him from pursuing his childhood dream of becoming an architect, he's given up on enjoying life. He doesn't want to fall in love, ever, period. Reason? He doesn't want to impose on others and be a burden to them. He wears his disability like an albatross around his neck to such an extent that he doesn't even inform his family when he's hospitalised twice in the course of the story.

The story is divided into four acts, and each act brings the protagonists closer to acceptance and understanding. The narration is primarily from Kawana's point of view, and documents her thoughts as she truly understands the difficulties disabled people face – not just physical obstacles, but also the ones thrown upon them by society. The few moments from Ayukawa reveal his self-doubt and uncertainty about life.

This is a beautiful love story, and a realistic one, at that, and catches an angle that I've never seen before. Rie Aruga's artistry is something to behold and respect.

In short, I loved it, I loved it, I loved it!

This is my first manga of 2018 and Itsuki and Kawana's love story is definitely worth a read.

This is NOT the usual silly teen romance...it is a meaningful, touching story about real love, with beautiful art work. I loved the notes at the end which explain a little more about Japanese culture and terms used in the book. It was informative as well - I learned a bit about spinal cord injury and how hard it must be for people who cannot walk. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a light, touching, quick read which will stay with them a long time.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I liked reading this Manga.