The Climber, Vol. 2

孤高の人 [Kokō no Hito] #3-4

by Yoshio Nabeda, Jirō Nitta (creator), Shin'ichi Sakamoto (illustrator)

Genres: Manga, Sports, Comics, Graphic Novels Manga, Mountaineering, Climbing

450 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2025

Reviews

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m no longer me. I’m one with the mountain!

The singleminded pursuit of a goal. An almost frightening dedication to one thing and only one thing, nothing can get in his way. When a former classmate appears and seduces him- for the first time, he isn’t filled with a singleminded purpose. I believe he will climb K2

[Eros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peak fiction. Peak Art. Everyone read this

[Marc Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was on a whole other level. I’m starting to see why people say this series is one of the best OAT.

Volume 2 took it even deeper into exploration of isolation, loneliness, obsession and passion. Mori is a character I simultaneously like and dislike, intentional by the author. I want him to set aside his “loner persona” and desire to do things alone, but I get where he’s coming from.

So far, all the characters feel extremely human and fleshed out in that way. Not good or bad, just flawed people.



SPOILERS AHEAD:

Oniishi’s death hurt BAD.

Yumi became just the worst too. One could argue that she’s just as human as the other characters, but her sexual assault on Mori was just terrible. I definitely think that things getting to the point they did is overall Kurosawa’s fault, but that doesn’t excuse what she did.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume really shoves it in your face that people die during rock climbing, which very effectively raises the stakes of this sports manga. Normally the highest consequences a character might face in your average sports manga is like, concern over a back injury or graduating before they make it to Koshien.

Also, even if you don't die, you get horrible frostbite blisters that the author illustrates in nightmarish detail.

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I was super into this and felt so bad when Ohnishi died and was cheering Mori on when he wanted to climb K2. But Yumi’s sexual assault on Mori was completely unexpected and threw me for a 180 degree loop. I really needed better trigger warnings to prepare me for that. I probably will go ahead and finish the third volume because I want to see if he conquers K2, but the whole assault issue was def a big drawback for me.

[Tahani Hc · Rating 5 out of 5]

midori is sooo relatable, you cant even hate him for wanting to do anything and everything alone. Every event that takes place just gives you a more and more understanding of him.

[Nicholas Dehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is just ridiculous and the story has kept me on my toes. I did not expect some of these turns. I want to see what Miyamoto is up to now!

[Mersi · Rating 5 out of 5]

O...M...G!!

I wasn't sure anything could beat Vol. 1, but....I cried tears of sadness and frustration. so freaking amazing

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kid is crazy intense.

[leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

page 254🫡🔥

[Al Capwned · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first volume. At some point I had the feeling that the author might be influenced by Elia Kazan's "America, America" (only when it comes to a specific part).

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serving verse same as the first, beautiful art but now we get good character writing as well

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Mahdiye HajiHosseini · Rating 5 out of 5]

چقدر دارک شد، همانطور که از جناب ساکاموتو انتظار میرفت.

[Chris K.]

God the art is so beautiful. I wanna get back into climbing because of this manga lwk

[Andrew Wenzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art work improved. The story is more interesting after the high school arc.

[Kamis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mori may be a great climber, but he's also kind of an idiot. I am still enjoying the series though.

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

bro, shit gets so much better