Wonderful world is a wonderful book with some really good characters, good artwork, and a compelling story.

This book is about Akasura Shinobu, who has lost hope. He considered himself stupid because of his inability to read and write like others. One day he meets a cafe owner, Haruka and he gets to know that he has the reading disorder, Dyslexia.

The story is about hope, dreams and little things of life.

I liked the book a lot and am eagerly waiting for the next Volume.

This had a good idea and it was great seeing dyslexia represented in a manga but it was also kind of boring. Usually by the end of a first volume I care more about the characters. This wasn't bad at all but I don't feel the need to keep going.

This comic warmed my soul and left me feeling inspired. It's great seeing more representation of different disabilities and ways of life in media. The main character discovers he has dyslexia and he learns new ways to interact with the world around him. There is also an excellent section the explains pretty well what dyslexia is. I found myself cheering on Asakura Shinobu as he learns how to find ways to be successful despite his dyslexia. He makes new friends and even has such a sweet supportive grandma. This comic is an excellent slice-of-life comic (with a few not-so-common happenings). Looking forward to the next volume.


*I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I'm sorry to say that I did not really enjoy this copy of My Wonderful World. The topics it touches are important and interesting, but they way they were presented were not for me. I found the discussions about dyslexia to be very too much on the nose. I extrapolate that it is not a well known and accepted condition in Japan, but still, I found it to be too textbook. The way things went, the plot seemed to be a little bit too much of a second thought. Per exemple, the MC relationship with his grandma was only brushed and everything went so fast that it didn't feel too important or tangible. I just hope that for the next volume they'll explore more deeply the different elements it brings in a way to create an interesting plot.

2.5 stars
-Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.-
I think that the concept of this book is okay. Our main character (Shinobu) found out he has dyslexia and trying to traverse life with it. So far he's been down on his luck not knowing why he can't read or write but our second lead (Haruka) noticed that the way Shinobu was writing looked similar to the way some one with dyslexia would write and tries to inform Shinobu that he has a disability.

I liked the way this was heading but it took a bit to get there

I don't think that in this time period there would be people you didn't know what dyslexia was. I think even if there wasn't a direct influence of someone with dyslexia people would still be aware that it's a thing. The diagnoses in here were pretty realistic though! So I enjoyed that
I didn't appreciate the long lecture of what dyslexia was. I think it could've been done in a shorter amount of time and a more entertaining way. But I did like that they explained and showed what it can look like to different people.
Also for this book being about dyslexia the font choices weren't great for people to read.

I don't love the characterization of Haruka simply because he pushed Shinobu to try new things but if it's something Haruka doesn't want Shinobu to do Haruka gets really judgey and rude. I think his personality flipflops between prince and goblin too much.

I really like Shinobu and I'm excited to see more of him in the next volume.

4 cute, heartwarming stars~

This is quite the charming and heartwarming anime. I like how the main character is almost like an underdog kind of character - he's quirky and doing his best to overcome his own hardships. The plot was definitely different than most animes/mangas I've read, which was refreshing!

I would definitely read more of this series to see how things end up for our heroine!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for this cute digital ARC!

This manga is about a young man named Shinobu with a learning disability called dyslexia. In Vol. 1 we mostly follow the story of our main character's discovery of his disability. If you don't know much about dyslexia or haven't had much experience with it in the real world, you might find these sections of the book to be highly enlightening. However, given this Vol.. 1, there wasn't much in the way of story or character development. However, I'm excited about the chapters that will come.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing ARC of this manga for reviewers.

I really wanted to love this but I ended up really struggling.

I do think that this book provides great information on dyslexia and really takes the time to explain it, I just think it was poorly executed. I find the fact that it comes from a random cafe owner so bizarre and that character comes of super smug.

In a story of events the cafe owner gives the main character a job and chucks him into a seriously stressful *fake* scenario which would be super overwhelming to someone who just found out they have dyslexia…..
The main character then gets involved in the theatre troupe with the cafe owner and I could not have cared less.

I really think this could have been amazing if perhaps it was explored in a school setting. You could still keep the character working at the cafe as well as him joining the theatre troupe (perhaps in future volumes to keep the story going) but this would open up the possibilities to explore dyslexia in all settings as well as keeping the story interesting.

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review!

My Wonderful World is about a man named Shinobu who finds himself struggling to hold a job and is constantly put down by those around him because he is unable to read. One day, Shinobu visits a café and the barista who owns it, Haruka, asks him if he is dyslexic. Shinobu is initially put off and confused by this, as he does not know what it means, but returns to the café and finally realizes he has this undiagnosed disability and is not "stupid and lazy" like he is often told. As the story progresses, Shinobu starts working at the café, learns ways to work around his dyslexia, makes new friends, and overall becomes motivated to change his life for the better.

I actually really enjoyed this manga. I feel like it did a great and thorough job explaining what dyslexia is, some of the ways it can manifest differently, and how it often goes undiagnosed. I liked Haruka and how he truly seems to want to help Shinobu, but also challenges him at times to push him to change and do better instead of feeling helpless. I also really like how the mangaka portrayed Shinobu's emotions throughout the story. There was a part where he says his dream is to have "a normal life" and someone else jokes about it, causing him to become quite defensive and sad that someone would judge him for wanting this. It made me think about how sometimes we take our "normal life" for granted and don't think about those who struggle.

Overall, a wonderful first volume. I will definitely be continuing with these as they release. I highly recommend it!

I really, really enjoyed this manga. The main character, Shinobu Asakura, has a hard time reading and writing even though he tries so hard to be like everyone else. He didn't make it past middle school, keeps getting fired from jobs, and is berated by people who think he's just "lazy" and "stupid." After meeting a barista named Haruka at a cafe, he begins to realize that there is more to his inability to read and write than he thought.

I loved all the aspects of this manga- the story, the characters, the information. I felt like I learned a lot while simultaneously getting to read a story that is both engaging and well paced. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume!

The main character slowly learns to overcome obstacles that come with his disability, makes new friends who don't judge him for it, and it's nice to see him get excited about writing a story. The story briefly touches on how Japanese society views dyslexia and how that view changes.

Characters are interesting, and believable. The mangaka's art style is pretty. A nice representation.

#MyWonderfulWorldVolume1 #NetGalley

My Wonderful World is a story about invisible disability. Dyslexia, in this case. This volume handled some very real subjects, like learning about a condition later in life, wondering how life would have been if they had known about their condition earlier and gotten the help they needed then, and the very real struggles someone can have while in school or holding down a job, with kindness and understanding. It was honestly refreshing to see a story where our main character legitimately didn't know he had dyslexia until it was pointed out to him by someone who was also dyslexic. There's a sense of fear, but also relief, because now it's not a character flaw, but something that's named and he can work with. While I'm not the biggest fan of the mistaken identity plotline towards the end, the rest of the book is absolutely worth it and I want to see what kind of series it becomes.

It’s refreshing to see manga tackling social stigma and different issues, neurodivergence being one of them. My Wonderful World stars a pair of protagonists that improve themselves even with dyslexia, and does it sensitively. It’s a heartwarming story for those wanting to understand the inner workings of someone with this learning disorder.

Asakura Shinobu knows that he can’t keep a job, as he has trouble reading and understanding information. Meeting barista Haruka at a café makes Shinobu understand that he has dyslexia (Haruka also has it as well). While hesitant to admit his neurodivergence, Shinobu wishes to change in order to help his ailing grandmother. Throughout the volume, Shinobu and Haruka manage the café as well as a startup theater troupe.

My Wonderful World is a lighthearted look at someone figuring out who they are mentally, and at first it’s heartbreaking. However, with the guidance of someone with a greater understanding of their neurodivergence, it becomes a great learning experience. I appreciated the realistic reactions of both Shinobu and his grandmother initially (of denial and ignorance) before they understood. It’s a lifechanging thing to learn about disabilities, but it takes a strong person to want to improve their circumstances.

My one criticism is that the story didn’t need to introduce the theater troupe aspect in this volume. I was fine with Shinobu and Haruka still managing the café, and this could have been the focus. That said, the pacing for the rest of the volume was fine, and I hope that the next volume can balance both settings equally. It’s a truly remarkable series that touches on an issue that isn’t explored much in recent manga.

The first volume of My Wonderful World is a short but heartfelt look at being neuroatypical in a society decidedly not made to support or understand you. As an autistic person with a dyslexic partner, neither of whom were diagnosed until well into adulthood, I related to and sympathised with so much of Shinobu's life, and am unashamed to say I was teary-eyed throughout most of the first chapter. The portrayal of his struggle through everyday life without accommodations for his disability felt realistic, if simplified for a neurotypical audience. The entire volume did seem rather simplified, with the plot basically working as a framework around which to describe and educate about dyslexia, but I didn't mind it, and enjoyed reading about Shinobu's self-discovery and acceptance in this way. I do think the last chapter didn't fit quite as well with the others, as it's difficult to imagine Shinobu suddenly being able to write (sort of) an entire play, and I honestly couldn't tell if this story was meant to be throwing out 'eventual BL' vibes, but overall I think it's a great manga to help teach about dyslexia and can't wait to have it in my bookshop.

Rating: 3.88 leaves out of 5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 3.5/5
Story: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Slice of Life
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yes!

First want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review. This was an okay read. I liked the story enough and we start to see Shinobu learn about himself and branch a bit. I wasn't as immersed as I would have liked to be but it was worth the read and there were some funny and sad bits.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an ARC copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I came across this book and read that it featured a character with dyslexia, I immediately wanted to read it. I didn't need to know anything else about the story, simply coming across a book.... especially a manga, with a dyslexic MC completely made my day.

Why would I be so thrilled about a book like this? Easy... my daughter has dyslexia (among other learning disabilities) and finding books with characters she can relate to isn't all that easy. Most characters with any kind of disabilities is usually a secondary character or simply a character briefly mentioned. Very few books feature a MC with disabilities. And a manga? well, this is the first one I've come across. And not only is there a dyslexic MC but the author actually explains what dyslexia is instead of assuming all individuals reading the book already know. This was a nice touch in my opinion because it helps inform and in return, helps others understand.

From the very beginning, the author captured my attention. The wavy, hard to read computer screen to help readers "see" things as the MC does. The struggle to not only read but also write! And what is written is super messy. People not understanding, assuming the individuals are less intelligent than they truly are, being scolded for little mistakes,, no one understanding... and worse... not fully understanding just what the disability is.

I was a little surprised that the MC had no idea he was dyslexic although that could be accepted if raised unaware but for no one to know? Okay, grandmother could also be overlooked as being unaware but it's hard to fully accept that throughout school, not one teacher picked up on any of the signs and suggested testing. Perhaps things are different (although the other dyslexic character had teachers that suggested testing so I'm not sure about this part).

Not only do we experience the MC struggling to read, write, find and keep a job but we watch as he discovers his disability, meets someone that not only helps him understand but who is also dyslexic and helps show that just because you have this disability doesn't mean it has to stand in the way of you achieving your goals. The disability doesn't mean you can't, it doesn't define or determine your life. The characters remind the MC, remind us all that just because it's the hand we are dealt and can't be changed, WE can change. We are still in control with our actions and decisions we make. **and while a little hard to believe this total stranger figured everything out in just seconds is a little farfetched. In ways, it's not. When you also struggle with the same disability or are a parent of a child who struggles, you quickly can notice/pick up on things like this especially when you take into account the person's demeanor/body language/etc.

Yes, there are parts where the explaining of dyslexia could seem like a major info dump but I read this while trying to picture my daughter trying to read it, reading it from her POV of having characters explain her disability instead of me, her dad or doctors. And that's another plus about this manga. Going into more detail and explaining so much about dyslexia provides a manga to help parents explain things instead of explaining in boring details. I don't know about you but my daughter definitely learns better when I incorporate her favorite characters into the learning.

Perhaps it won't be for everyone, especially with so much detailed information about dyslexia and not much story outside of that. However, I can see this as more than just a manga to read. I can see if (so far) as being used to help kids/teens to better understand, to help them accept their disability if they are struggling, to help their peers be more understanding and accepting and as a way to learn instead of the typical textbooks/pamphlets.

Overall interesting and I wonder how the story will continue.

This was fine, I guess. I wasn't a fan of the infodumping, since it added too much text and I believe manga should be a visual storytelling method first and foremost. If you need your story to have multiple walls of text, then maybe manga isn't the right way for you to tell it. Plus it couldn't get me to suspend my disbelief, with the tall dark and handsome stranger realising in two seconds upon meeting the MC that he has dyslexia, proceeding to make a powerpoint presentation about its possible causes and symptoms and stuff. Seeing the way the main character dealing with it, like with voice notes and zooming in on pictures, was informative enough. Show, don't tell. Or if you want to tell, write a non-fiction book about dyslexia.

I really love that it’s becoming easier to find translated manga about people of all different walks of life and identities. As much as I love reading the umpteenth shojo romance about a high school girl who just can’t choose between her childhood best friend and the hot new guy from the other class, it is absolutely refreshing to get to see other points of view represented, and especially how they’re represented in a culture other than my own.

My Wonderful World is an excellent example of this. Shinobu, the main character, has struggled with reading and writing his whole life. He’s dyslexic, but until meeting cafe owner (and fellow dyslexic) Haruka, he’s had no clue that there was a name and an explanation for the difficulties he’s been experiencing. What follows is a pretty standard themed slice-of-life story. With the help of Haruka (and his ragtag theatre troupe led by a mysterious, unseen benefactor reminiscent of Charlie from Charlie’s Angels), Shinobu wants to figure out how to navigate his dyslexia and the world around him in order to achieve his dream: having a job, taking care of his grandmother, and just living an average life.

Some may find the plot here a little basic and the characters a little bland, but there’s nothing wrong with that in my opinion. I think everyone deserves to have a relaxing, simple story where they can see themselves, and this isn’t one I’ve seen before. Plus the art is so reminiscent of the 90s style of shojo manga that I love so much. How could I not love it?

Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review!

While this title covers an important topic, and is somewhat heartwarming, it reads too much like an after-school special. I can see it being used more in a classroom setting than something you would pick up for a pleasure read.