As I’ve said before I love reading things with a focus on disability especially visual media such as manga or comics. My current favorite read is A Sign of Affection Volume 1. I watched the anime first and gobbled it up in a few days. I’m going through the manga just as quickly.
The story is centered around Yuki, who is a typical college student except for the fact she is completely Deaf. She has her friends, social media and is enjoying her classes but a chance meeting the enigmatic Itsuomi makes her wonder if she wants more out of life.
The first volume details their first meeting and the beginning of the two of them getting to know each other. Some of my favorite moments focus on when Yuki is teaching Itsumoi sign language as well as a cute scene when they are walking home in the snow.
I have seen this compared to A Silent Voice, which is also about a Deaf girl. However as a person who reads about disability often and is disabled myself (though not Deaf or Hard of Hearing) I find this to be the superior manga for the simple reason it is showing the person with the disibility not suffering because of their disability.
Yuki has issues but they are issues that anyone would face. No one makes fuss about her being Deaf except for later when she trouble finding a job. But overall I enjoy a piece that isn’t focused on disabled suffering.
I’m starting Volume 2 this week and can’t wait to see what the story is like compared to the manga. Do you have any series you are reading at the moment?
Rose's Book Garden 