What do you think?
Rate this book
メダリスト [Medalist] #1
Medalist T01
Le Japon est reconnu comme l’un des meilleurs pays au monde dans le domaine du patinage artistique. Cependant, l’accès au prestigieux championnat national, qui se déroule chaque année, est réservé à une poignée de privilégiés. Tsukasa, un ancien athlète, a vu son rêve se briser après avoir consacré toute sa vie à ce sport. D’un autre côté, Inori, âgée seulement de 11 ans, nourrit le rêve de devenir une grande patineuse, bien que personne ne croie en elle. Le destin réunit ces deux êtres sur la glace, et ensemble, ils se préparent à conquérir le monde avec une motivation sans égale !
Si je vous disais que je voulais devenir la numéro 1 mondiale, vous accepteriez de m’y aider ?
Si je vous disais que je voulais devenir la numéro 1 mondiale, vous accepteriez de m’y aider ?
228 pages, Pocket Book
First published September 23, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
June 27, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Here's something you might not know about me: even though I personally can't ice skate, I'm absolutely obsessed with it. There's something about the grace and strength needed by skaters, both physically and emotionally, in order to be successful that I find incredibly intriguing. So, it won't come as much surprise that I really enjoyed reading this.
'Medalist' follows Tsukasa, a former professional ice skater, and Inori, a young, budding talent, and their somewhat unlikely team up to succeed despite all the obstacles in their way.
This manga gives you main characters you find yourself genuinely rooting for; Tsukasa's given up on his dreams because of time and other issues, while Inori's dreams, despite her talent, aren't supported by those around her. While I do hope that future volumes delve more into their characters and how they grow, their passion for their art itself makes you want them to accomplish and achieve their dreams.
The art style is fascinating in that the characters' portrayal is far more intricate when compared to their location, providing an interesting contrast, especially considering the characters' facial expressions, etc. There's also a fair amount of information on the technical aspects of the sport as well.
Overall, this proved to be an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for sports manga.
Here's something you might not know about me: even though I personally can't ice skate, I'm absolutely obsessed with it. There's something about the grace and strength needed by skaters, both physically and emotionally, in order to be successful that I find incredibly intriguing. So, it won't come as much surprise that I really enjoyed reading this.
'Medalist' follows Tsukasa, a former professional ice skater, and Inori, a young, budding talent, and their somewhat unlikely team up to succeed despite all the obstacles in their way.
This manga gives you main characters you find yourself genuinely rooting for; Tsukasa's given up on his dreams because of time and other issues, while Inori's dreams, despite her talent, aren't supported by those around her. While I do hope that future volumes delve more into their characters and how they grow, their passion for their art itself makes you want them to accomplish and achieve their dreams.
The art style is fascinating in that the characters' portrayal is far more intricate when compared to their location, providing an interesting contrast, especially considering the characters' facial expressions, etc. There's also a fair amount of information on the technical aspects of the sport as well.
Overall, this proved to be an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for sports manga.
May 21, 2021
Comparing Medalist with any other ice skating manga out in English is like apples to oranges. This is, first and foremost, a sports manga about competitive figure skating, with the dynamic art to back it up. But it's also a story about learning to believe in yourself against all odds - unlike, for example, the boys of Haikyu, Inori doesn't fully believe that she can win or that she's worth it. Mostly that's because all of the adults she interacts with prior to meeting Tsukasa, her coach, are horrible people who not only don't understand her implied learning differences (I'd guess dyslexia and a rote memory disorder), but tell her that she's not smart/good enough because of them. Even her own mother doesn't believe that she has a future in figure skating, although her objections could be framed as simply not wanting her to pin her hopes on an impossible dream.
And maybe it will turn out to be impossible. But Tsukasa doesn't think so, and more importantly, he's willing to work with Inori until she sees it too. She has talent if only people would look past her anxiety and learning differences to see it. She's the kind of heroine we desperately want to see succeed, not just because she's good despite what the world is telling her, but because her triumph will rub it in the world's collective face - and more importantly, show her that she's worth believing in.
And maybe it will turn out to be impossible. But Tsukasa doesn't think so, and more importantly, he's willing to work with Inori until she sees it too. She has talent if only people would look past her anxiety and learning differences to see it. She's the kind of heroine we desperately want to see succeed, not just because she's good despite what the world is telling her, but because her triumph will rub it in the world's collective face - and more importantly, show her that she's worth believing in.
June 15, 2021
NOO, I NEED MORE.
Well, since I finished reading the first chapter of this first volume, I knew that this manga was going to become one of my favorites of this year and of my whole life💙✨.
Honestly, I didn't think I was going to like it so much, but when I saw that it was about ice skating, that there's an adult who teaches skating to a girl, plus the drawing style is cute and very funny, this story already had me completely😍. It reminded me a lot of Yuri on Ice and I think that also influenced me to like this manga a lot because YOI is one of my favorite anime ever💙.
I thought the characters were amazing. I'm in love with Inori, she's amazing and just makes me want to protect her forever💚. I love Tsukasa, he's wonderful as a trainer and seeing how he unconditionally supports Inori, makes my heart warm💙. One of my favorite scenes was watching Tsukasa teach Inori some skating technines, it was amazing and I already love them so much💖.
It's definitely a story I'll keep reading and I know I'm going to love it even more💚.
Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for allowing me to read an ARC of this wonderful manga in exchange for an honest review✨💙
Well, since I finished reading the first chapter of this first volume, I knew that this manga was going to become one of my favorites of this year and of my whole life💙✨.
Honestly, I didn't think I was going to like it so much, but when I saw that it was about ice skating, that there's an adult who teaches skating to a girl, plus the drawing style is cute and very funny, this story already had me completely😍. It reminded me a lot of Yuri on Ice and I think that also influenced me to like this manga a lot because YOI is one of my favorite anime ever💙.
I thought the characters were amazing. I'm in love with Inori, she's amazing and just makes me want to protect her forever💚. I love Tsukasa, he's wonderful as a trainer and seeing how he unconditionally supports Inori, makes my heart warm💙. One of my favorite scenes was watching Tsukasa teach Inori some skating technines, it was amazing and I already love them so much💖.
It's definitely a story I'll keep reading and I know I'm going to love it even more💚.
Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for allowing me to read an ARC of this wonderful manga in exchange for an honest review✨💙
July 9, 2021
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/p08X0rGE-zo
WOW! That last page (before the bonus chapters) though! What a way to drive all the emotion of this story into that final page. SO good!
This was quite the adventure…and would say one of the most stressful manga I've read.
What I mean is that there is a real sense of pressure when reading these pages. I don't know how the mangaka did it but I felt myself anxious on the behalf of Inori. I honestly couldn't imagine being in her shoes, but I could imagine this is why her story is all the more compelling. We are hearing and seeing the things spoken to her that are just SO degrading. And if not that, then far from encouraging.
The crazy thing is this is not just from other parents, but children her age too. While some of their talk is only on a few pages, there is no denying the hurtful words from other skaters who don't even see her worth the time of a day.
Truly, this is an underdog story and it's hard not to want to root for Inori and her success.
Tsukasa is AMAZING! I absolutely love love LOVE his energy and him as a character overall. He is a phenomenal coach and while I already found myself cheering for Inori before his excitement, I couldn't help but cheer for her even more because of him. He's amazing! <3
The art was superb! The sense of movement really reminded me of figure skating because it's bold, graceful, and enchanting. The mangaka really brought to life the beauty of this sport through art and would have not thought that possible before reading this.
Overall, this is an excellent sports manga that is memorable in many ways! It is intense, beautiful, and exciting. Highly recommend!
*(I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
WOW! That last page (before the bonus chapters) though! What a way to drive all the emotion of this story into that final page. SO good!
This was quite the adventure…and would say one of the most stressful manga I've read.
What I mean is that there is a real sense of pressure when reading these pages. I don't know how the mangaka did it but I felt myself anxious on the behalf of Inori. I honestly couldn't imagine being in her shoes, but I could imagine this is why her story is all the more compelling. We are hearing and seeing the things spoken to her that are just SO degrading. And if not that, then far from encouraging.
The crazy thing is this is not just from other parents, but children her age too. While some of their talk is only on a few pages, there is no denying the hurtful words from other skaters who don't even see her worth the time of a day.
Truly, this is an underdog story and it's hard not to want to root for Inori and her success.
Tsukasa is AMAZING! I absolutely love love LOVE his energy and him as a character overall. He is a phenomenal coach and while I already found myself cheering for Inori before his excitement, I couldn't help but cheer for her even more because of him. He's amazing! <3
The art was superb! The sense of movement really reminded me of figure skating because it's bold, graceful, and enchanting. The mangaka really brought to life the beauty of this sport through art and would have not thought that possible before reading this.
Overall, this is an excellent sports manga that is memorable in many ways! It is intense, beautiful, and exciting. Highly recommend!
*(I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
May 28, 2024
This was so unexpectedly good and cute and sweet and NO love plot line, which I appreciated. Well, the love for the sport, but as the MC h is young, it is more about standing up for herself for her passion of ice skating and the coach's passion to teach her and the children her age she meets along the way, friends, foes and frenemies. The competition is...normal for the sport, but seems unhealthy to me, someone who has never been that dedicated to a sport before. It literally takes every thought of one's mind and cell of one's body. It's very intense to read.
I love that the MC h did stand up for what she wanted to do and that her coach is so passionate about training her. They have a sweet bond as mentor/mentee. The storyline is good, the artwork is crisp and not ugly and I REALLY want to see the MC h succeed.
4, shining, spinning stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.
I love that the MC h did stand up for what she wanted to do and that her coach is so passionate about training her. They have a sweet bond as mentor/mentee. The storyline is good, the artwork is crisp and not ugly and I REALLY want to see the MC h succeed.
4, shining, spinning stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2025
With a beautiful amalgamation of a diverse array of characters and a unique art style, Medalist only reaffirmed my beliefs in sports being a superior manga genre.
Our two protagonists: Inori, a grade schooler, and her part-time coach, Tsukasa, an aspiring figure-dancer offer a fresh perspective to building up from the bottom of the barrel in competitive sports. Though captivated by the ice rink, Inori is "too amateur, too behind" the other kids of her age, and Tsukasa, having faced similar struggles in his past, sees the potential he couldn't employ in Inori. Together, they take baby steps to navigate the beautifully wretched world of figure skating while meeting others on the way who have their own stories to share.
The story isn't especially technical or flamboyant like other sports manga; if anything, the cover gives away the exact same warmth that you would find in these three chapters. It's a story of sheer determination, hard work, and above everything, believing in yourself. Adorned with its comically adorable character designs and easily comprehensible plot, it's a book worth looking out for.
If you have been obsessed with Haikyuu, Ao Ashi, or Run with the Wind, this could be your next favourite in the genre.
Our two protagonists: Inori, a grade schooler, and her part-time coach, Tsukasa, an aspiring figure-dancer offer a fresh perspective to building up from the bottom of the barrel in competitive sports. Though captivated by the ice rink, Inori is "too amateur, too behind" the other kids of her age, and Tsukasa, having faced similar struggles in his past, sees the potential he couldn't employ in Inori. Together, they take baby steps to navigate the beautifully wretched world of figure skating while meeting others on the way who have their own stories to share.
The story isn't especially technical or flamboyant like other sports manga; if anything, the cover gives away the exact same warmth that you would find in these three chapters. It's a story of sheer determination, hard work, and above everything, believing in yourself. Adorned with its comically adorable character designs and easily comprehensible plot, it's a book worth looking out for.
If you have been obsessed with Haikyuu, Ao Ashi, or Run with the Wind, this could be your next favourite in the genre.
September 16, 2022
Tsukasa is a 26 ice-skater who was once in the nationals but now can't find a spot anywhere, so he works part time jobs and slowly gives up on his dreams. Inori is 11. She is awkward, has no friends, her classmates call her stupid, her own mother thinks she is stupid. But it all fades away when Inori gets to skate, skating is the one thing she wants most in life. The paths of these two cross and Tsukasa becomes Inori's coach.
Brilliant. One of the best sports mangas I've read. It just had everything. Tsukasa is 26, he started being serious about skating when he was almost 20. That is very late in the game, no one wanted to coach him. So when he meets Inori, who is 11 which is also quite late in the game, he sees her. No one in her life has truly seen her before, but if anyone can understand her it's Tsukasa. This relationship they have is wonderful, the way he supports her, the way she can shine because of his support. I loved how the author didn't just make her some genius who has it easy. No, it was the opposite of that. What she has is through hard work and passion and hunger. In the beginning all Inori wanted was to skate, but then she gets to understand herself better and realizes that she wants to be the best at it in the whole world. That's some passion! And Tsukasa! He wants to help Inori be the best, but it's not because he failed at it in his life. No, it's because he understands what's it like to be in her shoes and if no one was there for him then he can be there for her. The character work here was just brilliant. And even Inori's mother. At first I thought she's just being cruel. But then I thought no, that's not it. She has seen one of her daughters devote so much time and energy into skating, to the point where she didn't have a proper childhood or any other passions and hobbies, only to give it up later on because she could not compete with the best. And now the mother doesn't want that to happen to Inori, her youngest. In her own way she is trying to protect her. Being a parent is not easy. You want to save your children from heartache but at some point you will have to realize that your children have their own way, and all you can do is be there for them.
And that art. It was so beautiful, I can't remember the last time I loved an art style so much.
I will definitely be continuing with this series, and you should pick it up, it really is that good.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Brilliant. One of the best sports mangas I've read. It just had everything. Tsukasa is 26, he started being serious about skating when he was almost 20. That is very late in the game, no one wanted to coach him. So when he meets Inori, who is 11 which is also quite late in the game, he sees her. No one in her life has truly seen her before, but if anyone can understand her it's Tsukasa. This relationship they have is wonderful, the way he supports her, the way she can shine because of his support. I loved how the author didn't just make her some genius who has it easy. No, it was the opposite of that. What she has is through hard work and passion and hunger. In the beginning all Inori wanted was to skate, but then she gets to understand herself better and realizes that she wants to be the best at it in the whole world. That's some passion! And Tsukasa! He wants to help Inori be the best, but it's not because he failed at it in his life. No, it's because he understands what's it like to be in her shoes and if no one was there for him then he can be there for her. The character work here was just brilliant. And even Inori's mother. At first I thought she's just being cruel. But then I thought no, that's not it. She has seen one of her daughters devote so much time and energy into skating, to the point where she didn't have a proper childhood or any other passions and hobbies, only to give it up later on because she could not compete with the best. And now the mother doesn't want that to happen to Inori, her youngest. In her own way she is trying to protect her. Being a parent is not easy. You want to save your children from heartache but at some point you will have to realize that your children have their own way, and all you can do is be there for them.
And that art. It was so beautiful, I can't remember the last time I loved an art style so much.
I will definitely be continuing with this series, and you should pick it up, it really is that good.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2025
The cover is so polished I was surprised at how chaotic and a bit sloppy the art was on the inside. Maybe that will change as the series progresses and the artist style for this story grows.
January 12, 2026
Ok, I’m so into this series! It took about halfway through for me to really get into it, but I’m ready for the next one. The illustrations are expressive and dynamic, which lends itself to the skating of course. The story encourages you to try new skills no matter your age and keep trying even though it seems like you’ll never be proficient based off how clunky and inadequate you might feel at the beginning.
September 3, 2024
Inori may be 11 and into worms..but she's also into Figure Skating...though everything seems to be against her.
Fun first Volume.
Fun first Volume.
August 1, 2023
One of my Kodansha free manga haul and I thought it would be fun to read it. I was in the mood for some ice skating! And that is what we get, a lot of it, as Inori learns a lot and proves to be quite a genius about it, but we also get more than that. Tsukasa (the male lead and Inori's coach) has quite a few things that happened in regards to skating and Inori (the little girl who wants to be the very best) has not the best mental health (I would call it that at least), she startles easily, is quite shy, is afraid to speak up, but we see her grow in this first volume. She becomes stronger. She knows what she wants. I loved seeing the bond between her and Tsukasa grow and see her have a lot of fun with skating. I loved how she isn't giving up, and I loved how Tsukasa helps her out wherever he can (had a laugh how he explained something by finding a dog on the streets XD). The art was a bit weird at times, but still I liked it.
May 25, 2021
Tsukasa is an ‘almost-was’ athlete who came just short of being able to make a living as an ice dancer. Inori is a struggling wannabe whose passion for skating is only matched by the obstacles against her. They’re two people the world doesn’t expect much from, but together, well, that’s a different story...
I don’t like ice skating. In fact, I think it is one of the most annoyingly subjective sports on the planet. So when I say this book is bloody brilliant, please realize the hurdles it jumped (single and double) to get there. This is one of the best sports manga I have read.
Both our leads are fantastic and I think Inori wins out, but just barely. Tsukasa’s arc of going from his dreams dying to finding something he can be equally passionate about is a good one and I like that he’s not trying to live his dream via Inori - he just sees her talent and wants to give her the chances he never got.
Inori, meanwhile, is a young girl who is being so utterly crushed by the weight of the world that it’s a miracle she can look straight ahead with needing a brace. Ice skating is the one true passion she has and she doesn’t have anybody pulling for her until Tsukasa sees her and recognizes her talent.
Poor Inori is truly the heart of this book, an eleven year old girl being beaten down at every turn, yet still pushing ahead as hard as she can. She’s abysmal at school, though it’s fairly obvious from the jump that she has some sort of barrier to traditional learning that nobody seems to give a darn about diagnosing. Instead she just gets treated like she’s stupid, which we see is also a lie once she starts skating.
This problem leaves her struggling to make friends and also has her subjected to the ‘help’ of her mother who is borderline abusive strictly through sheer neglect and frustration with Inori. I swear the poor girl spends half the book in tears.
As a consequence, this is one of those underdog stories that really earns it. Inori’s struggles make every small triumph feel that much more impactful. When she’s being talked about behind her back or being cut down by new ‘friends’, you can’t help but pull for her to succeed.
The book wisely seeds itself with a long-term rival (although frenemy seems slightly more apt), a coach who’s the total opposite of Tsukasa, and a short-term nemesis for the next book (this one’s a REAL peach). There’s clearly a plan here and one I am excited to see play out.
And good lord that art. This book has a lovely sketch-y style that really grabbed me. When it needs to be gorgeous it is absolutely some of the most dynamic and beautiful stuff I have seen lately. The skating is just breathtaking, especially when it uses multi-page spreads.
5 stars, easy. I might change a couple of things, but what works here works so well it makes it look easy. And it’s not. I have been reading Knight of the Ice, another skating manga, more out of habit than because it’s any good. After I finished this book, I erased the spot on my pull list where Knight of the Ice was and wrote Medalist in instead. I don’t think I’ll regret it.
I don’t like ice skating. In fact, I think it is one of the most annoyingly subjective sports on the planet. So when I say this book is bloody brilliant, please realize the hurdles it jumped (single and double) to get there. This is one of the best sports manga I have read.
Both our leads are fantastic and I think Inori wins out, but just barely. Tsukasa’s arc of going from his dreams dying to finding something he can be equally passionate about is a good one and I like that he’s not trying to live his dream via Inori - he just sees her talent and wants to give her the chances he never got.
Inori, meanwhile, is a young girl who is being so utterly crushed by the weight of the world that it’s a miracle she can look straight ahead with needing a brace. Ice skating is the one true passion she has and she doesn’t have anybody pulling for her until Tsukasa sees her and recognizes her talent.
Poor Inori is truly the heart of this book, an eleven year old girl being beaten down at every turn, yet still pushing ahead as hard as she can. She’s abysmal at school, though it’s fairly obvious from the jump that she has some sort of barrier to traditional learning that nobody seems to give a darn about diagnosing. Instead she just gets treated like she’s stupid, which we see is also a lie once she starts skating.
This problem leaves her struggling to make friends and also has her subjected to the ‘help’ of her mother who is borderline abusive strictly through sheer neglect and frustration with Inori. I swear the poor girl spends half the book in tears.
As a consequence, this is one of those underdog stories that really earns it. Inori’s struggles make every small triumph feel that much more impactful. When she’s being talked about behind her back or being cut down by new ‘friends’, you can’t help but pull for her to succeed.
The book wisely seeds itself with a long-term rival (although frenemy seems slightly more apt), a coach who’s the total opposite of Tsukasa, and a short-term nemesis for the next book (this one’s a REAL peach). There’s clearly a plan here and one I am excited to see play out.
And good lord that art. This book has a lovely sketch-y style that really grabbed me. When it needs to be gorgeous it is absolutely some of the most dynamic and beautiful stuff I have seen lately. The skating is just breathtaking, especially when it uses multi-page spreads.
5 stars, easy. I might change a couple of things, but what works here works so well it makes it look easy. And it’s not. I have been reading Knight of the Ice, another skating manga, more out of habit than because it’s any good. After I finished this book, I erased the spot on my pull list where Knight of the Ice was and wrote Medalist in instead. I don’t think I’ll regret it.
March 19, 2024
— 4.5 ⚝
thank you to netgalley and kodansha comics for an e-arc of this sports manga. all thoughts are my own and not influenced in any way.
"Medalist" is a captivating story that breaks away from the common sports manga tropes by focusing on characters who are not necessarily the typical protagonists. Tsukasa's journey from a failed professional skater to a coach and Inori's struggle with confidence and late start in skating adds depth to the narrative. The passion of both characters for figure skating creates a compelling dynamic that draws viewers in and makes it easy to root for them.
The art style seems to complement the story well, with expressive characters and attention to detail in conveying emotions. Tsukasa's belief in Inori and his expressive personality make him an engaging character to follow, while Inori's adorable character design as well as her drive and determination adds charm to the series.
Overall, "Medalist" appears to be off to a strong start, laying a solid foundation for the story to unfold. It will be intriguing to see how the characters' journeys progress and how they overcome the challenges they face in pursuing their dreams. It is worth picking up as it seems like a very fresh voice in the sports genre of manga. Would also be super cool to see this animated.
thank you to netgalley and kodansha comics for an e-arc of this sports manga. all thoughts are my own and not influenced in any way.
"Medalist" is a captivating story that breaks away from the common sports manga tropes by focusing on characters who are not necessarily the typical protagonists. Tsukasa's journey from a failed professional skater to a coach and Inori's struggle with confidence and late start in skating adds depth to the narrative. The passion of both characters for figure skating creates a compelling dynamic that draws viewers in and makes it easy to root for them.
The art style seems to complement the story well, with expressive characters and attention to detail in conveying emotions. Tsukasa's belief in Inori and his expressive personality make him an engaging character to follow, while Inori's adorable character design as well as her drive and determination adds charm to the series.
Overall, "Medalist" appears to be off to a strong start, laying a solid foundation for the story to unfold. It will be intriguing to see how the characters' journeys progress and how they overcome the challenges they face in pursuing their dreams. It is worth picking up as it seems like a very fresh voice in the sports genre of manga. Would also be super cool to see this animated.
May 6, 2024
This was REALLY good.
I will say the way we go from serious to funny is jarring at first and sometimes I feel the art is TOO much at once to catch all the moments. But, when the humor does land, and when the story picks up, it hits both emotional beats and funny ones. The ice skating world is new to me so it's fresh and fun to learn about. The leads are great. I'm excited to see where this one goes and continue to buy the print versions as they come out!
I will say the way we go from serious to funny is jarring at first and sometimes I feel the art is TOO much at once to catch all the moments. But, when the humor does land, and when the story picks up, it hits both emotional beats and funny ones. The ice skating world is new to me so it's fresh and fun to learn about. The leads are great. I'm excited to see where this one goes and continue to buy the print versions as they come out!
May 10, 2021
WOW. The story of the two comings together to accomplish their dream was magnificent. Tsukasa is a young man with shattered dreams, who meets Inori, a girl no one believed had the skills and heart to compete. In the face of adversity, the two work together on the rink to create beautiful magic on ice, displaying to all of those who didn't believe in them they could accomplish their dreams. The adverse dilemmas these two undergo are a display that anyone can overcome obstacles as long as they believe in themselves and their partner.
The journey of Tsukasa and Inori was so beautiful to watch and I was turning the pages with butterflies in my stomach, wanting more. If you are a fan of "Yuri on Ice", you will LOVE the journey of Tsukasa and Inori.
The journey of Tsukasa and Inori was so beautiful to watch and I was turning the pages with butterflies in my stomach, wanting more. If you are a fan of "Yuri on Ice", you will LOVE the journey of Tsukasa and Inori.
April 17, 2025
A really entertaining underdog story set in the world of figure skating. It has solid elements of slice of life, going over the realistic life struggles of child athletes and the people around them, but it also does a great job at telling a very passionate narrative around the competitive nature of figure skating. The characters and their internal conflicts are very relatable, and the comedy paired with the art make for a very immersive story. And while it does follow some of the typical elements of sports stories to dramatize events and dialogue, it doesn't overdo it to the extent of being cringy. An overall engaging sports manga that presents surprisingly profound outlooks on life through its colorful characters. I will be reading this one again in the future.
April 23, 2026
I'm not flagging this as spoilers because this is is part 1 of a 14+ volume series but I will be discussing things from the ending of this volume.
On the very first page, before the story even begins, Tsurumaikada writes:
I am a former competitive figure skater. I spent a large portion of this volume texting my friend detailed breakdowns of SOV calculations, identifying blade models from panel illustrations, and going down a rabbit hole about whether a specific equipment detail was a translation error (it wasn't, we checked). Make of that what you will.
Medalist earns that level of scrutiny because it genuinely invites it. The love for figure skating here is not the surface-level enthusiasm of someone who watched a few Grand Prix events and decided to set a story on ice. Tsurumaikada knows this sport with real intimacy, and it shows in ways that most readers won't even clock. The SOV calculations shown during the program construction scene are detailed and accurate. The boots worn by each character are specified by brand. These are not the kinds of details you find through casual research.
To give you a sense of what I mean: Hikari's blades are never named in the text or labelled in the illustrations. But the Revolution-style mount is immediately visible, and across multiple panels from multiple angles and distances, the toe pick configuration is rendered with enough accuracy that I can identify them specifically as John Wilson Pattern 99s. That's what I mean about the care in these illustrations... which is exactly what makes the inconsistencies so strange - because there are several - and they follow an odd pattern where the technical knowledge is clearly there but it doesn't always make it onto the page.
Take the program construction scene. Inori's original program is planned around a double salchow (base value 1.3 points), single loop (0.5), single Lutz (0.6), a flip+axel sequence (1.28), and a sit spin (1.1), for a total base value of 4.78. Since she can't land the double salchow, Tsukasa pivots: he swaps the double salchow for a single axel (1.1) and upgrades the sit spin to a flying sit spin (1.7), bringing the total to 5.18. The math is correct. The 0.8 multiplier on the jump sequence is correctly applied, which is an obscure enough rule that I was genuinely impressed they got it right.
But the logic doesn't hold up. Why was the single loop in the original program at all? A better composition would have included both a standalone single axel and the double salchow from the start. Even keeping the regular sit spin, that program would be worth 5.38... and with the flying sit spin, 5.98, a full 0.8 points higher than what Tsukasa arrives at after his "optimization." The sequence choice is also puzzling: a single flip + single axel sequence is worth 1.28, but a single axel + single loop combination jump would be worth 1.6. Unless Inori simply can't execute a proper combination jump (which is entirely plausible given her experience level) but this is never stated in the text. In fact, the Hitomi's reaction to Tsukasa's plan all but confirms that the sequence is deliberately unusual, not a workaround for a technical limitation.
There's also a question about the competition level itself. Inori's competitor (whose name I honestly cannot remenber) is performing a double salchow in the preliminary division. In Canadian competition, this would be an illegal element: every level has not just a minimum technical requirement but also a maximum, and elements above that ceiling are awarded zero points. I don't know whether Japanese domestic competitions operate under the same rules and, believe it or not, I don't particularly care enough to find out. But it did pull me out of the story.
Then there's the blade situation, which is the most confusing thing in the volume and I have thought about it more than I care to admit. Tsukasa's character profile specifies that after he started coaching Inori, he switched to MK ice dance blades. The panel illustrations tell a completely different story: his blades are clearly in the Revolution style, probably an MK Phantom or Gold Star. These are not similar, technically or visually. An MK Dance blade is, well, designed for ice dance. It's optimized for edges and steps, with no toe pick worth speaking of, and genuinely terrible for jumping. A revolution blade is a high-performance jumping blade, among the most expensive on the market.
Neither option quite makes sense. Tsukasa competed in singles as a child before moving to ice dance, where he reached the national level before retiring. Ice dancers don't jump. So his competitive blade history would have gone from a singles blade to an ice dance blade. Now that he's coaching singles, it might make sense for him to want to be able to demonstrate jump technique, and a return to a singles-appropriate blade tracks. But a revolution blade is an unusual choice for a coach, particularly one the text establishes is financially struggling. These are elite jumping blades, not coaching tools. And the text says "MK ice dance", not MK Revolution (also weird, because the correct name is "MK Dance"). I initially assumed this was a translation error, that he switched from an MK Dance blade. We checked the original Japanese... it also says MK ice dance. So this is not a translation issue. This is a very strange detail where the text doesn't make sense, the illustration doesn't match the text, and the illustration also doesn't entirely make sense on its own.
I want to be careful here because I don't think this reflects a lack of care. Quite the opposite. The art is gorgeous and rendered with extraordinary attention. The blade inconsistency is all the more jarring because everything around it is so lovingly accurate. It reads less like carelessness and more like a single detail that somehow slipped through in an otherwise meticulous work. I just can't quite let it go.
As for the story itself: Inori is a sweet, earnest protagonist whose love for skating is immediately legible and easy to root for. She knows exactly what she wants but struggles to articulate it to the adults around her, which is a specific kind of relatable that will resonate well beyond the skating context. Tsukasa is underdeveloped, but this is volume one and there's time. Hikari - Inori's age, national novice champion, already the skater Inori measures herself against - already feels like a rival worth caring about.
The author's note mentions, almost as an aside, that before launching this series they broke a bone skating. No timeframe, no details. I broke my ankle figure skating at eleven, the same age as Inori, and it derailed my career while my peers moved on without me. I don't know if something similar happened to Tsurumaikada. But the way this manga feels about figure skating makes me wonder. Maybe this is someone finding their way back to something they lost. If so, I think they're going to make it.
Three stars, docked from five for the program logic, the blade situation, and a leggings illustration that contradicts the character note in ways I still haven't fully worked out. But the love for this sport is real, it's on every page, and I'll be reading volume two.
On the very first page, before the story even begins, Tsurumaikada writes:
Figure skating isn't the kind of sport you can do anywhere anytime, but still there are people who dive into that world, make it part of their lives, and keep going on that cold ice everyday.
Through this manga I want to show how intensely all these athletes are aiming for victory, and how cool everyone supporting them is.
I am a former competitive figure skater. I spent a large portion of this volume texting my friend detailed breakdowns of SOV calculations, identifying blade models from panel illustrations, and going down a rabbit hole about whether a specific equipment detail was a translation error (it wasn't, we checked). Make of that what you will.
Medalist earns that level of scrutiny because it genuinely invites it. The love for figure skating here is not the surface-level enthusiasm of someone who watched a few Grand Prix events and decided to set a story on ice. Tsurumaikada knows this sport with real intimacy, and it shows in ways that most readers won't even clock. The SOV calculations shown during the program construction scene are detailed and accurate. The boots worn by each character are specified by brand. These are not the kinds of details you find through casual research.
To give you a sense of what I mean: Hikari's blades are never named in the text or labelled in the illustrations. But the Revolution-style mount is immediately visible, and across multiple panels from multiple angles and distances, the toe pick configuration is rendered with enough accuracy that I can identify them specifically as John Wilson Pattern 99s. That's what I mean about the care in these illustrations... which is exactly what makes the inconsistencies so strange - because there are several - and they follow an odd pattern where the technical knowledge is clearly there but it doesn't always make it onto the page.
Take the program construction scene. Inori's original program is planned around a double salchow (base value 1.3 points), single loop (0.5), single Lutz (0.6), a flip+axel sequence (1.28), and a sit spin (1.1), for a total base value of 4.78. Since she can't land the double salchow, Tsukasa pivots: he swaps the double salchow for a single axel (1.1) and upgrades the sit spin to a flying sit spin (1.7), bringing the total to 5.18. The math is correct. The 0.8 multiplier on the jump sequence is correctly applied, which is an obscure enough rule that I was genuinely impressed they got it right.
But the logic doesn't hold up. Why was the single loop in the original program at all? A better composition would have included both a standalone single axel and the double salchow from the start. Even keeping the regular sit spin, that program would be worth 5.38... and with the flying sit spin, 5.98, a full 0.8 points higher than what Tsukasa arrives at after his "optimization." The sequence choice is also puzzling: a single flip + single axel sequence is worth 1.28, but a single axel + single loop combination jump would be worth 1.6. Unless Inori simply can't execute a proper combination jump (which is entirely plausible given her experience level) but this is never stated in the text. In fact, the Hitomi's reaction to Tsukasa's plan all but confirms that the sequence is deliberately unusual, not a workaround for a technical limitation.
There's also a question about the competition level itself. Inori's competitor (whose name I honestly cannot remenber) is performing a double salchow in the preliminary division. In Canadian competition, this would be an illegal element: every level has not just a minimum technical requirement but also a maximum, and elements above that ceiling are awarded zero points. I don't know whether Japanese domestic competitions operate under the same rules and, believe it or not, I don't particularly care enough to find out. But it did pull me out of the story.
Then there's the blade situation, which is the most confusing thing in the volume and I have thought about it more than I care to admit. Tsukasa's character profile specifies that after he started coaching Inori, he switched to MK ice dance blades. The panel illustrations tell a completely different story: his blades are clearly in the Revolution style, probably an MK Phantom or Gold Star. These are not similar, technically or visually. An MK Dance blade is, well, designed for ice dance. It's optimized for edges and steps, with no toe pick worth speaking of, and genuinely terrible for jumping. A revolution blade is a high-performance jumping blade, among the most expensive on the market.
Neither option quite makes sense. Tsukasa competed in singles as a child before moving to ice dance, where he reached the national level before retiring. Ice dancers don't jump. So his competitive blade history would have gone from a singles blade to an ice dance blade. Now that he's coaching singles, it might make sense for him to want to be able to demonstrate jump technique, and a return to a singles-appropriate blade tracks. But a revolution blade is an unusual choice for a coach, particularly one the text establishes is financially struggling. These are elite jumping blades, not coaching tools. And the text says "MK ice dance", not MK Revolution (also weird, because the correct name is "MK Dance"). I initially assumed this was a translation error, that he switched from an MK Dance blade. We checked the original Japanese... it also says MK ice dance. So this is not a translation issue. This is a very strange detail where the text doesn't make sense, the illustration doesn't match the text, and the illustration also doesn't entirely make sense on its own.
I want to be careful here because I don't think this reflects a lack of care. Quite the opposite. The art is gorgeous and rendered with extraordinary attention. The blade inconsistency is all the more jarring because everything around it is so lovingly accurate. It reads less like carelessness and more like a single detail that somehow slipped through in an otherwise meticulous work. I just can't quite let it go.
As for the story itself: Inori is a sweet, earnest protagonist whose love for skating is immediately legible and easy to root for. She knows exactly what she wants but struggles to articulate it to the adults around her, which is a specific kind of relatable that will resonate well beyond the skating context. Tsukasa is underdeveloped, but this is volume one and there's time. Hikari - Inori's age, national novice champion, already the skater Inori measures herself against - already feels like a rival worth caring about.
The author's note mentions, almost as an aside, that before launching this series they broke a bone skating. No timeframe, no details. I broke my ankle figure skating at eleven, the same age as Inori, and it derailed my career while my peers moved on without me. I don't know if something similar happened to Tsurumaikada. But the way this manga feels about figure skating makes me wonder. Maybe this is someone finding their way back to something they lost. If so, I think they're going to make it.
Three stars, docked from five for the program logic, the blade situation, and a leggings illustration that contradicts the character note in ways I still haven't fully worked out. But the love for this sport is real, it's on every page, and I'll be reading volume two.
May 6, 2021
W H O L E S O M E
Do you need a reminder that there is good in the world? This manga is IT!
Inori is a wonderfully unique spitfire, that makes you want root for her. She feels genuine through and through, from her anxiety to her passion.
Tsukasa is incredibly supportive, and does an amazing job supporting Inori in her growth as a skater, as well as her mental health. His drive to ensure she feels like she has agency in her growth as a skater is also awesome.
WOULD RECOMMEND!
Do you need a reminder that there is good in the world? This manga is IT!
Inori is a wonderfully unique spitfire, that makes you want root for her. She feels genuine through and through, from her anxiety to her passion.
Tsukasa is incredibly supportive, and does an amazing job supporting Inori in her growth as a skater, as well as her mental health. His drive to ensure she feels like she has agency in her growth as a skater is also awesome.
WOULD RECOMMEND!
March 14, 2024
Though the art in this one didn't thrill me like some other series, I think the story is an interesting one. I love that we are getting more sports manga now, and I can see why so many people love this one.
September 7, 2022
I don't write Manga review on goodreads since I write them on MyAnimeList instead but this one is exceptionally amazing, so I had to put it here too lol
-----
This is a review from a sport manga reader and Figure Skating fan.
It's been a while since we get manga/anime about Figure Skating. 1st manga I know was Ginban Kaleidoscope from 2003 and then; Yuri on Ice anime, in which, was okay but it was below my expectation in term of sport entertaining aspect.
Story:
Now, we get to see manga about Figure Skating(FS) which focused on Competitive skating. Tsukasa, a retired average-no-job Ice Dancer met Inori, low self-esteem, 5th Grade girl who sought to learn FS but started a tad late according to her age. Nonetheless, she bears a glimpse of talent. Mangaka also has FS as a hobby. They said they had an injury from ice rink before releasing volume 1. Not only that, they also cooperate with Skating Expert to help furnishing the Skating domain. and this was about Ladies FS which was I've been waiting for a long while, hence this passed my checklist box. The training element, tournament was very good, met my standard. The skating scene during tournament wasn't just come and go. Even though we won't hear a music or watch an animate scene, but Mangaka did a great job to express the scene for us to grasp the atmosphere. Looking forward to the story in the future. I bet this is a coming-of-age which means there must be time-skip scene (or at least she must grow in age). In no way they gonna let her be 5th grade forever had she wanted to compete Olympics. Not to mention, there was many real-life drama inserted here e.g. No funding to support skaters— it was pricey hobby after all.
The Art:
was so neat, delicate and clean. The facial expression was funny, on point, dramatic. I just love it. It seems the author was very competent at digital art. Good for them.
Character:
The character development gonna put so much into play here. So far, it met my expectation: The rivalry b/w Inori and other skaters.(The rivalry b/w athlete? count me in), The trust b/w Coach Tsukasa and Inori. Inori has to change herself from low-self esteem into someone who has a lot of confidence in order to shine in her career.
Overall:
It looked promising and was one of a manga that you wouldn't see much in rare genre as Ice Skating, it's worth a try, especially if you are Figure Skating fan. You gonna love it.
Looking forward to how this series gonna pan out!
-----
This is a review from a sport manga reader and Figure Skating fan.
It's been a while since we get manga/anime about Figure Skating. 1st manga I know was Ginban Kaleidoscope from 2003 and then; Yuri on Ice anime, in which, was okay but it was below my expectation in term of sport entertaining aspect.
Story:
Now, we get to see manga about Figure Skating(FS) which focused on Competitive skating. Tsukasa, a retired average-no-job Ice Dancer met Inori, low self-esteem, 5th Grade girl who sought to learn FS but started a tad late according to her age. Nonetheless, she bears a glimpse of talent. Mangaka also has FS as a hobby. They said they had an injury from ice rink before releasing volume 1. Not only that, they also cooperate with Skating Expert to help furnishing the Skating domain. and this was about Ladies FS which was I've been waiting for a long while, hence this passed my checklist box. The training element, tournament was very good, met my standard. The skating scene during tournament wasn't just come and go. Even though we won't hear a music or watch an animate scene, but Mangaka did a great job to express the scene for us to grasp the atmosphere. Looking forward to the story in the future. I bet this is a coming-of-age which means there must be time-skip scene (or at least she must grow in age). In no way they gonna let her be 5th grade forever had she wanted to compete Olympics. Not to mention, there was many real-life drama inserted here e.g. No funding to support skaters— it was pricey hobby after all.
The Art:
was so neat, delicate and clean. The facial expression was funny, on point, dramatic. I just love it. It seems the author was very competent at digital art. Good for them.
Character:
The character development gonna put so much into play here. So far, it met my expectation: The rivalry b/w Inori and other skaters.(The rivalry b/w athlete? count me in), The trust b/w Coach Tsukasa and Inori. Inori has to change herself from low-self esteem into someone who has a lot of confidence in order to shine in her career.
Overall:
It looked promising and was one of a manga that you wouldn't see much in rare genre as Ice Skating, it's worth a try, especially if you are Figure Skating fan. You gonna love it.
Looking forward to how this series gonna pan out!
June 26, 2021
[English below]
4,5/5 estrellas
(Gracias a Netgalley y la editorial por la copia en digital a cambio de la reseña)
Medalist es mucho más que un manga sobre patinaje, es una historia de superación, de evolución y de perseguir los sueños.
El primer tomo empieza con Tsukasa, un chico que dejó el patinaje profesional porque pensaba que no era suficiente y creía que estaba siendo un lastre para su pareja de danza. Ahora busca trabajos varios y le ofrecen uno como entrenador de un club de patinaje. Allí conoce a Inori, una niña con aprendizaje lento a la que le cuesta hacer amigos ya que sufre acoso en su colegio. Todo el mundo se ríe de ella y se cree inferior por ello. Lo único que la ayuda a sobrellevar el día a día es el patinaje, aprende por su cuenta gracias a videos y ensaya sola en la pista. Todo empieza en ese encuentro. Tsukasa ve el potencial en Inori y la quiere entrenar y llevar a un nivel más alto.
Este manga me ha enamorado por sus personajes, estoy deseando ver la evolución en Inori como patinadora, pero también como persona, al igual que Tsukasa. Espero que en futuros tomos se ayuden y lleguen a confiar más en si mismos. También me han gustado los personajes secundarios, otros patinadores que por ahora solo han aparecido un poco pero que seguro competirán más adelante contra Inori. El diseño de personajes también ha sido un plus, me gusta el estilo de dibujo.
Y no me quiero olvidar de comentar la ayuda que supone toda la información que dan sobre el patinaje, competiciones, niveles inferiores, piruetas, etc. Se agradece sobre todo para las personas que no sepan como funciona el deporte.
Si os gusta el manga y el patinaje sobre hielo os recomiendo Medalist.
------------------------------
4.5/5 stars
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital copy in exchange for this review)
Medalist is much more than a manga about skating, it is a story of overcoming, of evolution and chasing dreams.
The first volume begins with Tsukasa, a boy who left professional skating because he thought he was not enough and believed that he was being a drag on his dance partner. Now he is looking for various jobs and is offered one as a coach of a skating club. There he meets Inori, a slow learner who finds it hard to make friends since she suffers bullying at her school. Everyone laughs at her, even her mum doesn't have any faith in her (moreover when she is compared with her sister), and thinks she's inferior for it. The only thing that helps her cope with the day to day is skating, she learns on her own thanks to videos and rehearses alone on the track. Everything begins in that meeting. Tsukasa sees potential in Inori and wants to train her to a higher level.
This manga has made me fall in love with its characters, I am looking forward to seeing the evolution of Inori as a skater, but also as a person, just like Tsukasa. I hope that in future volumes they help each other and come to trust themselves more. I also liked the secondary characters, other skaters who have only appeared a little so far but will surely compete against Inori later. The character design has also been a plus, I like the drawing style.
And I do not want to forget to comment on the help that all the information they give about skating, competitions, lower levels, pirouettes, etc. It is especially appreciated for people who do not know how this sport works.
If you like manga and ice skating, I recommend Medalist.
4,5/5 estrellas
(Gracias a Netgalley y la editorial por la copia en digital a cambio de la reseña)
Medalist es mucho más que un manga sobre patinaje, es una historia de superación, de evolución y de perseguir los sueños.
El primer tomo empieza con Tsukasa, un chico que dejó el patinaje profesional porque pensaba que no era suficiente y creía que estaba siendo un lastre para su pareja de danza. Ahora busca trabajos varios y le ofrecen uno como entrenador de un club de patinaje. Allí conoce a Inori, una niña con aprendizaje lento a la que le cuesta hacer amigos ya que sufre acoso en su colegio. Todo el mundo se ríe de ella y se cree inferior por ello. Lo único que la ayuda a sobrellevar el día a día es el patinaje, aprende por su cuenta gracias a videos y ensaya sola en la pista. Todo empieza en ese encuentro. Tsukasa ve el potencial en Inori y la quiere entrenar y llevar a un nivel más alto.
Este manga me ha enamorado por sus personajes, estoy deseando ver la evolución en Inori como patinadora, pero también como persona, al igual que Tsukasa. Espero que en futuros tomos se ayuden y lleguen a confiar más en si mismos. También me han gustado los personajes secundarios, otros patinadores que por ahora solo han aparecido un poco pero que seguro competirán más adelante contra Inori. El diseño de personajes también ha sido un plus, me gusta el estilo de dibujo.
Y no me quiero olvidar de comentar la ayuda que supone toda la información que dan sobre el patinaje, competiciones, niveles inferiores, piruetas, etc. Se agradece sobre todo para las personas que no sepan como funciona el deporte.
Si os gusta el manga y el patinaje sobre hielo os recomiendo Medalist.
------------------------------
4.5/5 stars
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital copy in exchange for this review)
Medalist is much more than a manga about skating, it is a story of overcoming, of evolution and chasing dreams.
The first volume begins with Tsukasa, a boy who left professional skating because he thought he was not enough and believed that he was being a drag on his dance partner. Now he is looking for various jobs and is offered one as a coach of a skating club. There he meets Inori, a slow learner who finds it hard to make friends since she suffers bullying at her school. Everyone laughs at her, even her mum doesn't have any faith in her (moreover when she is compared with her sister), and thinks she's inferior for it. The only thing that helps her cope with the day to day is skating, she learns on her own thanks to videos and rehearses alone on the track. Everything begins in that meeting. Tsukasa sees potential in Inori and wants to train her to a higher level.
This manga has made me fall in love with its characters, I am looking forward to seeing the evolution of Inori as a skater, but also as a person, just like Tsukasa. I hope that in future volumes they help each other and come to trust themselves more. I also liked the secondary characters, other skaters who have only appeared a little so far but will surely compete against Inori later. The character design has also been a plus, I like the drawing style.
And I do not want to forget to comment on the help that all the information they give about skating, competitions, lower levels, pirouettes, etc. It is especially appreciated for people who do not know how this sport works.
If you like manga and ice skating, I recommend Medalist.
May 19, 2021
All the stars.
This manga is off to such a promising start.
Tsukasa age 26 is a retired ice dancer whose dreams were to be a singles skater. He keeps being turned down for ice shows but he is always auditioning. In the meantime he is offered a job as an assistant coach for the kids in his local skating club. Feeling a bit dejected about his past losses he feels he doesn't have the credentials to coach even though he has skated at the highest levels in Japan. This is where we meet Inori Yuitsuka age 11 who has only ever wanted to skate, but her mother has been reluctant to let her since her sister didn't get that far in the sport. Seeing her determination and love of skating has Tsukasa inspired and willing to become her coach.
Together they are aces. It’s full of encouragement, hard work, and joy.
In this volume we see their journey to earn her preliminary badge test, meet some child skate prodigies, and learn the basics of skating in a way that is easy to understand. Every character you meet is trying their best in their own way. It’s heartwarming to see Tsukasa becoming the best coach he can be for Inori and her trying her best to be a beautiful dancer like him and closing the gap between her and her competitors.
I hope we get to see this journey go all the way to the Olympics. I can’t recommend this enough. It’s beautiful.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.
This manga is off to such a promising start.
Tsukasa age 26 is a retired ice dancer whose dreams were to be a singles skater. He keeps being turned down for ice shows but he is always auditioning. In the meantime he is offered a job as an assistant coach for the kids in his local skating club. Feeling a bit dejected about his past losses he feels he doesn't have the credentials to coach even though he has skated at the highest levels in Japan. This is where we meet Inori Yuitsuka age 11 who has only ever wanted to skate, but her mother has been reluctant to let her since her sister didn't get that far in the sport. Seeing her determination and love of skating has Tsukasa inspired and willing to become her coach.
Together they are aces. It’s full of encouragement, hard work, and joy.
In this volume we see their journey to earn her preliminary badge test, meet some child skate prodigies, and learn the basics of skating in a way that is easy to understand. Every character you meet is trying their best in their own way. It’s heartwarming to see Tsukasa becoming the best coach he can be for Inori and her trying her best to be a beautiful dancer like him and closing the gap between her and her competitors.
I hope we get to see this journey go all the way to the Olympics. I can’t recommend this enough. It’s beautiful.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.
February 25, 2026
There were some moments that gave me goosebumps and made me feel quite emotional :']
A chapter that's 70 pages long can be a little hard to read in one sitting and that's probably why I put the manga on pause last year - given there were three like that - and struggled a bit this year too when I went to give it a second try (I decided to start again from chapter 1), but it's definitely worth your time!
Inori clearly has the passion for the sport and she has the drive too! I'm sure she'll achieve great things. I too hope to see her compete against Hikaru one day. Tsukasa's spark is still there and I'm glad he saw the potential in Inori and took her under his wing 🫂 I don't exactly understand what's the deal with Mittens (I know too little about her to judge) or Hikaru's coach (alleged?), but I guess I'll eventually find out as I keep reading :p
A chapter that's 70 pages long can be a little hard to read in one sitting and that's probably why I put the manga on pause last year - given there were three like that - and struggled a bit this year too when I went to give it a second try (I decided to start again from chapter 1), but it's definitely worth your time!
Inori clearly has the passion for the sport and she has the drive too! I'm sure she'll achieve great things. I too hope to see her compete against Hikaru one day. Tsukasa's spark is still there and I'm glad he saw the potential in Inori and took her under his wing 🫂 I don't exactly understand what's the deal with Mittens (I know too little about her to judge) or Hikaru's coach (alleged?), but I guess I'll eventually find out as I keep reading :p
September 26, 2025
Por fin un manga de patinaje acorde a mis gustos :)
Me está pareciendo una maravilla y está superbien documentado (o quizá ni le hizo falta). Si sabes algo sobre patinaje, te sonará todo lo que mencionan. Me hizo gracia la viñeta calculando los puntos base con diferentes layouts para ganar dos míseras décimas porque es tan real xD
El dibujo a veces me gusta mucho y a veces nada. Tiene demasiadas viñetas toscas/de gag porque les pone un estilo muy feo para mi gusto, pero con alguna hasta me he reído.
Ya me he comprado los cinco siguientes, así que esperaré con ganas a que me lleguen :D
Y la verdad es que da gusto leer cosas sin errores, solo falta una letra en una palabra y casi ni te enteras. También es un poco triste que esto no sea lo habitual.
Me está pareciendo una maravilla y está superbien documentado (o quizá ni le hizo falta). Si sabes algo sobre patinaje, te sonará todo lo que mencionan. Me hizo gracia la viñeta calculando los puntos base con diferentes layouts para ganar dos míseras décimas porque es tan real xD
El dibujo a veces me gusta mucho y a veces nada. Tiene demasiadas viñetas toscas/de gag porque les pone un estilo muy feo para mi gusto, pero con alguna hasta me he reído.
Ya me he comprado los cinco siguientes, así que esperaré con ganas a que me lleguen :D
Y la verdad es que da gusto leer cosas sin errores, solo falta una letra en una palabra y casi ni te enteras. También es un poco triste que esto no sea lo habitual.
May 5, 2021
Аз, както обикновено, не се запознах обстойно с резюмето и бях изненадана, че попадам на манга за фигурно пързаляне.
Това е сравнително рядка тема, въпреки успеха на анимето Yuri on Ice!
(Знам, че за пореден път досаждам с вечното си недоволство от това и онова, но...) тази манга те залива с многото си текст xD Но пък от друга страна е добре структурирана и някак "жива", а пък Инори и Цукаса са страшни чаровници. Атмосферата е хем някак невинна, хем си е в традицията на спортните манга истории.
Онова с чорапите ми хареса xD
Това е сравнително рядка тема, въпреки успеха на анимето Yuri on Ice!
(Знам, че за пореден път досаждам с вечното си недоволство от това и онова, но...) тази манга те залива с многото си текст xD Но пък от друга страна е добре структурирана и някак "жива", а пък Инори и Цукаса са страшни чаровници. Атмосферата е хем някак невинна, хем си е в традицията на спортните манга истории.
Онова с чорапите ми хареса xD
May 22, 2021
Medalist is an adorable manga but more than that, it actually has solid technical notes and best of all the most expressive assortment of faces I've seen in manga in a while. It covers both realistic and idealistic portrayals of figure skating (learning and coaching) as a sport and as a career. I think there's also an undiagnosed learning disorder lurking in the wings. I look forward to seeing seeing how our young skater develops and learning more about the coach in the next volume. I should probably note in case anyone gets grossed out, but there are earthworms in the beginning of the story. (I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.)
March 17, 2024
Every now and then I would read a manga book to feel something, and this is what this one did. I love a cute manga book that put me into my feels. It was fast paced which I really enjoyed. One of the man characters comes back from Japan from ice skating and later finds themselves helping a young person how to ice skate. There are topics of financial issues but the subject is talked about once. I overall enjoyed the story and would continue on, I was hooked from the first page.
I would rate this a 3.5 stars which is still a pretty good high rating for a manga book that I enjoyed reading.
I would rate this a 3.5 stars which is still a pretty good high rating for a manga book that I enjoyed reading.
November 29, 2021
3.5 starts. The art is cute. A lot happens at once, so I feel like it's hard to keep up of I put it down. And, I feel like I'm missing something with the coach. It felt abrupt to switch from him to the kid, but otherwise I like it.
February 3, 2024
this has been on my tbr for a while and i'm so glad i got a deal on the digital editions! this series is really great so far, and from a coach & athlete perspective which is different from your typical sports manga. i'm intrigued by this and looking forward to reading the next few volumes!
May 10, 2024
Medalist gives us a retired skater who takes an ambitious late start skater with a big dream under his wing. Do they have what it takes to succeed? Characters worth rooting for & an art style that fits our spunky Inori.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews