RWBY PTSD Ages of Geek

Disability Representation: Fairy Tail, RWBY & The Legend of Korra

by: MinaRose2023

Hi MinaRose2023 I’m going to be writing a series of Articles about Disabled Anime Characters, I’m disabled as well so this series is important to me. Along the way I will be talking a bit about myself too but not too much. Just to let you know that I’ve gone through similar things like the characters even if not all of the same stuff.

Gildarts, Yang, Korra are all strong characters, fighters and the tanks of their shows. All end up disabled in similar ways. We can learn from them if we just try. Representation is so important for those who have been disabled in battles whether through war or otherwise. I hope this look into these characters help someone out there or at the very least check their shows out.

Gildarts is one of the most adventurous strongest S Class Wizards in Fairy Tail. He was even made a special way to come into the city for he is that strong. One day when he was out in one of his work adventures he faced Acnologia, a vile and killer dragon. This Dragon has no mercy; he is here to kill and destroy. Gildarts lost an arm, leg and his insides were also wounded; if he hadn’t been treated he would have died. So Gildarts got prosthetics. What was beautiful though was seeing him cry and hug his daughter Canna who up to the point of the Tenrou Arc he hadn’t known he had. I believe Canna also helped him get even stronger when they face Augustus is even a contrast of a boy who never told his father who that he was his son and then he in spirit says Mom to his mother after death. Canna was able to tell her father she was his daughter. This is very important for Gildarts not only is he adventuring but now he has a reason to get stronger and keep on fighting for his daughter Canna and all of Fairy Tail.


Yang Xiao Long is the life of the party if you will she’s fun, loves motorcycles, loves her friends and family and she loves puns not to mention cute cat girls. She loves those she cares about so much that when she saw Blake Belladonna in trouble she went on and attacked Adam Taurus head on and lost her arm. This was a battle at the Fall of Beacon. Much like Acnologia Adam Taurus is vile abusive man. He also hurt Blakes insides thankfully nothing vital was punctured but even so he stabbed her side thus also hurting her as well. Yang eventually finds strength but she finds it not because Taiyang Jokes with her now. She overhears from Port and her Father that Ruby is missing yes she knew she left but hearing her fathers worry for her she looks over to her new prosthetic arm and puts it on the next day and begins training with her father. She builds strength and goes over on a hunt for Raven Branwen her mother who abandoned her as a baby because she found out a way to get to Ruby Rose her baby sister much faster.

Korra gets vennom inside her and is injured by Zaheer in battle to save the newly formed Air Nation and everyone else. Korra ends up in a wheelchair for years. Her the Avatar, the human able to rule four bendings ends up in a wheelchair. She later on finds her strength but I think the key reason why she also finds her strength is not just because Katara submerges her in water over and over but also the comfort she found in Asami through letters and sometimes visits. She only talked to Asami during this time. Yes we all know that Asami and Korra end up together in the end but like this is so important for Korra’s healing physically. She later becomes stronger and saves everyone again.

But I think it’s important to note two things: while it is wonderful to see these disabled characters, it is also important to note how they end up getting true strength to move forward. They had someone to love and protect. Someone that gave them reason to keep fighting and keep living. Gildarts Canna, Yang Ruby and Korra Asami. I know sadly in life not everyone has this. I know disabled people are also poor without a home and have absolutely no one. But for those of us who do have someone we must continue fighting for them cause they bring us as much joy and love. I’m not saying an abusive relationship no but even so much as a pet that you need to feed each day and take care of is a reason to at least wake up each day and give thanks that yes I’m not able to do what others do but I’m alive and still living.

Till Next Time Keep Moving Forward as two greats one said Walt Elias Disney and Monty Oum.

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