May 15, 2021
For a story written about a cripple, I found it insulting as a cripple myself.
I was rather excited for this series and found myself rather disappointed. I think if this wasn't based off real events and people I wouldn't have found much issue. But Knowing the historical figure, Richard, who is the protagonist in this story. I can't help but say I'm disappointed and honestly offended that they changed his disability. Richard the 3rd Duke of York was known for being a cripple and having a curved spine. Something we would now call scoliosis. This is why I was excited, as someone who grew up
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a cripple and with this same painful condition, I was hoping to see representation and possibly exploration into what body dysmorphia is like. Instead they remove Richard's crippled spine and instead imply that he is a trans man. (Which yes, trans men can also use some representation) but seeing the nature of this manga; it's obvious they chose to make Richard's gender a question because androgyny is more appealing in shoujo than seeing someone with a crippled back.
But then why continue to refer to the character as a cripple? I think erasing his actual condition is only more insulting and honestly triggered my own dysmorphia.
That being said trans dysphoria is also an important and very valid topic that I do think should be explored more. But in these circumstances it felt inappropriate to rewrite Richard the 3rd's medical condition, solely so that the reader would find him more attractive.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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