According to one embodiment, a magnetic head for perpendicular recording includes a main pole, a first soft magnetic film disposed on a trailing side of the main pole, and a first nonmagnetic film interposed between the main pole and the first soft magnetic film. A thickness of the main pole is increased in a depth direction from an air bearing surface using an inclination, and a thickness of the first nonmagnetic film increases in the depth direction from the air bearing surface. In another embodiment, an angle from a horizontal plane of an upper surface of the first nonmagnetic film is greater than an angle from a horizontal plane of a lower surface of the first nonmagnetic film in contact with the main pole. Other heads, methods, and systems are described according to more embodiments.