How diverse anime material can be, disability representative unfortunately rarely appearing in stories favored by the industry. Furthermore, even when disabled characters are present, their disabilities are often downplayed or ignored, sometimes even completely overturned. This is the case of characters who are said to suffer from certain diseases, then receive magical powers that make them stronger than anyone else, without actually being limited in any way. .
So it’s much more impressive when anime stories go further and try to realistically portray the experience of living with a physical disability. Showing how characters interact with the world, as well as how those around them react to their condition without making them handicapped, is a surprisingly fine line, with many stories that aren’t unique. maintain this balance.
10 Ranking of Kings
Protagonist Bojji of the Kings’ rank is disabled due to a deal made by his father, who received powers from a demon in exchange for his own son’s abilities. So he was born not only deaf and mute, but also unusually weak and small. This has serious implications for his life, as most people in the kingdom look down on him despite his prince status, and many do not realize how smart he is. and how kind. Another point that adds to the program’s commitment is that it includes accurate sign language overseen by official Japanese organizations.
9 A silent voice
A Silent Voice is about a deaf girl named Shouko Nishimiya, whose hearing loss led to severe bullying by her classmates and friends during her childhood. This combined with her difficulty connecting with others, led to her developing self-esteem issues, blaming herself and feeling guilty about things that were beyond her control. your control. Although the title is somewhat controversial in its choice, bullying and its traumatic consequences are real concerns that need to be addressed. Furthermore, it also depicts the deep remorse of bully Shouya Ishida, who learns sign language to reconnect with Shouko and sincerely apologizes for his younger self’s thoughtless actions.
8 Yuki Yuna is a hero
One of the main characters of Yuki Yuna is Mimori Tougou, a girl who, after losing the use of her legs as a child, had to use a wheelchair. What’s especially notable is that, even though this is a Magical Girl anime, she doesn’t magically regain her legs in her transformed form; instead, she moves around using extensions of her costume and engages in long-range combat. Furthermore, other characters eventually lose various bodily functions and need to find a way to live with their new condition later on, although unfortunately there is a specific development close to the ending. compromise the legitimacy of this program.
7 Josee, tiger and fish
Josee, the main character of Tiger and Fish Josee, whose real name is Kumiko Yamamura, is a young girl with paraplegia that has affected her throughout her life. Needing a wheelchair to get around, she rarely has the chance to go out on her own, leaving her with an unfulfilled dream of seeing the outside world with her own eyes. Furthermore, due to the way society treated her, she also became increasingly fearful of strangers and developed a tendency to act more defensively and seem meaner, even towards her loved ones, in order to Try to appear less vulnerable and more confident. than she really is.
6 interviews with monster girls
Although not as explicit as other stories, Interview with Monster Girls exhibits certain similarities to real-life disabilities, albeit with a slight mythological element. The story follows a teacher who seeks to connect with and learn from demihumans, all while being influenced by their identities. For example, there is a Dullahan whose head is always separate from her body, requiring her to be more careful and mindful than others, as well as a vampire who needs to constantly drink blood. Since society was not built for such demihumans, they tend to be misunderstood and treated differently. Luckily, the program is generally healthy thanks to the teachers’ genuine curiosity and kindness.
Your 5 Lies in April
Although it is never revealed exactly what afflicts Kaori Miyazono, the main character of Your Lie in April, it is clear that it is a serious illness, most similar to Friedreich’s ataxia. First, she spent most of her life in the hospital, and as a result, she missed out on many experiences. Furthermore, as her condition worsened, at one point she was paralyzed and unable to stand up. Finally, when she realized she didn’t have much longer to live, she decided to spend her remaining time without regrets, doing everything she never had the courage to do, and being as happy as possible.
4 My older sister Momoko
Although older and less known, My Sister Momoko is still a deeply emotional film about a girl with both physical and mental disabilities but is extremely hardworking and cheerful. After attending a special school, Momoko finally has the opportunity to study with her twin brother. Watching her try her best to fit in and become independent not only inspired viewers but also her classmates, who after initially dismissing her but eventually sympathized with her and developed a deep respect for her efforts. Overall, this is a touching anime story that will make anyone cry.
3 Code Geass: Lelouch Rebellion
As the younger sister of Code Geass: protagonist Lelouch of the Rebellion, Nunnally vi Britannia not only represents Lelouch’s main motivation in building a better world, but also represents a strong character within the main character. she. When her mother was assassinated, she was paralyzed by bullet wounds and blinded by the trauma. Despite her condition, she remains optimistic, always smiling and showing kindness and empathy to others. In fact, it could even be said that it was her circumstances that allowed her to be so kind and understanding, as she knew what it was like to be weaker than others and need to work harder to What is it like to keep up?
2 Purple Garden
Violet Evergarden’s eponymous protagonist is a girl who has only known life on the battlefield. This affected her not only emotionally, as she never learned how to be human, but also physically, as she lost both of her arms in the war. Even though she uses silver prosthetics as replacements, she is still different from others. First, there are things she has difficulty with, such as writing with a pen. Another interesting aspect is the reactions of the other characters when learning about her prosthetics, whether they are curious or hesitant to discuss them, which is common for people with eye disabilities. .
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Brotherhood’s protagonist, Edward Elric, lost his right arm and left leg after violating the basic rules of alchemy. He can get prosthetics to make his life easier, but they also come with their own problems, especially when they need to be repaired regularly. Even after undergoing painful surgery to obtain an automated prosthesis, he continued to experience limb pain. Furthermore, there are things he cannot do, such as going near water or extremely cold or hot places that could cause his car to rust, freeze, or even burn his skin. Although he remained strong, his physical condition definitely took its toll on him.
While the number of anime stories depicting the lives of people with physical disabilities may be limited, they are all extremely valuable in providing representation of conditions that many people face as well as Insight into issues that most may not think about. These series do an important job and help spread the message that everyone feels respected and included, because no voice is ignored. Therefore, serious anime stories that present important issues that others avoid or ridicule, such as physical disabilities, are especially noteworthy and worthy of praise.