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メダリスト [Medalist] #12
Medalist 12
Inori and Tsukasa, fresh from reaching the Junior class and being named a designated skater by the federation, take on their first Junior Grand Prix event in Bangkok. She ultimately finished in fourth place, overwhelmed by the sheer talent of Iruka Okazaki and the other older skaters. After the end of the meet, they're both pressed by Riley Fox, head coach and founder of her own club, to join her group-firming up their desire to keep on growing all over again. Meanwhile, Hikaru suddenly informs her coach Shinichiro (who's in the hospital with a sudden illness) that she's leaving her club. The perspective shifts to Hikaru for the first time as the story kicks off a new chapter, depicting just how much every skater puts into their craft!
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 30, 2025
A fun volume of Medalist that humanizes Hikaru, Inori’s rival, as swiftly as it demonizes her. Implying, accurately, that people are often a lot more complicated than we initially think them to be.
The focus on Hikaru turns out to be an interesting take on things, plus it glosses over some of Inori’s story to get the two of them back to throwing down on the ice pretty swiftly. It’s a narrative shakeup that really works.
If there’s one thing that I don’t think makes much of a dent, it’s Rioh’s sudden love for Hikaru, which is as open here as it was not really mentioned previously. Technically, it’s because she’s moving to a new club, but it felt a bit forced and awkward (I’m also at the ‘jaded at eternal love when you’re not even 14’ stage of my life).
Hikaru’s mask slips all over the place this time out. She’s mouthy, overconfident, more than a little full of herself, and beyond driven to beat Inori, who Hikaru sees as the real heir to the legacy of her coach, Jun. The way to prove herself better than Jun goes right through Inori.
I’ve said before - I love this idea that Inori could be taking the road that the grim Jun took and Hikaru’s feeling far more akin to Tsubasa. It’s not quite there in their skating yet, but she’s clearly convinced herself of this at the very least.
The next competition is not only crazy important, but full of surprises. There are some big moments from characters you might not have expected and some real shocks. You’re only perfect at something until you’re not, and given what was on the line, is it possible that nerves finally played a part?
Part of me thinks that having a rival that remains an impossible machine of perfection is a great hook, but there’s a lot more to be mined from where things sit at the end of this volume. It’s also a reminder that this is a sport that can be brutally unforgiving in myriad ways.
The drama of Medalist remains spot on. There have been some moments where I think these kids are a little more mature than their ages suggest, to the point of incredulity, but mostly it’s been a heck of a ride.
This volume really drills down on Hikaru’s journey and totally changes things up. It was a great way to move things forward and I can genuinely say that I’m not sure exactly where it’s going, but I can’t wait to find out.
Oh, there’s also an extended omake section that doesn’t amount to much.
4.5 stars - love confession and omake aside, this was another fantastic instalment. It’s one of my favourite competition manga and almost certainly my favourite sporting one.
The focus on Hikaru turns out to be an interesting take on things, plus it glosses over some of Inori’s story to get the two of them back to throwing down on the ice pretty swiftly. It’s a narrative shakeup that really works.
If there’s one thing that I don’t think makes much of a dent, it’s Rioh’s sudden love for Hikaru, which is as open here as it was not really mentioned previously. Technically, it’s because she’s moving to a new club, but it felt a bit forced and awkward (I’m also at the ‘jaded at eternal love when you’re not even 14’ stage of my life).
Hikaru’s mask slips all over the place this time out. She’s mouthy, overconfident, more than a little full of herself, and beyond driven to beat Inori, who Hikaru sees as the real heir to the legacy of her coach, Jun. The way to prove herself better than Jun goes right through Inori.
I’ve said before - I love this idea that Inori could be taking the road that the grim Jun took and Hikaru’s feeling far more akin to Tsubasa. It’s not quite there in their skating yet, but she’s clearly convinced herself of this at the very least.
The next competition is not only crazy important, but full of surprises. There are some big moments from characters you might not have expected and some real shocks. You’re only perfect at something until you’re not, and given what was on the line, is it possible that nerves finally played a part?
Part of me thinks that having a rival that remains an impossible machine of perfection is a great hook, but there’s a lot more to be mined from where things sit at the end of this volume. It’s also a reminder that this is a sport that can be brutally unforgiving in myriad ways.
The drama of Medalist remains spot on. There have been some moments where I think these kids are a little more mature than their ages suggest, to the point of incredulity, but mostly it’s been a heck of a ride.
This volume really drills down on Hikaru’s journey and totally changes things up. It was a great way to move things forward and I can genuinely say that I’m not sure exactly where it’s going, but I can’t wait to find out.
Oh, there’s also an extended omake section that doesn’t amount to much.
4.5 stars - love confession and omake aside, this was another fantastic instalment. It’s one of my favourite competition manga and almost certainly my favourite sporting one.
July 1, 2026
That was one of the best ones yet! I loved getting more of Hikaru’s backstory near the beginning. Cliffhanger! I need the next one asap!
January 31, 2025
整個不知道該從哪裡說起 前幾集開始真的給我小孩子太快長大的感覺我超難過 然後 我是理凰✖️いのり派的耶 看到某場面有點難過😅 （不過後來的另一個男生也能期待，但實在沒什麼戲份啊囧） いるか超攻我其實之前也是有默默期待，所以在這裡看到這樣結果也是難過，希望會康復回歸。（退場前突然帥死是怎麼回事，本來就超帥了但這次是真的帥）（在講什麼xDDDD）
October 17, 2025
4.5 stars
Wieder ein richtig spannender Band. Fand es erfrischend, dass dieser Band sich sehr auf Hikaru fokussiert hat, da wir sie bisher noch nicht gut kennenlernen konnten. Dadurch haben wir zwar Inoris zweiten Auftritt bei der JGP-Reihe verpasst, jedoch treffen die beiden nun endlich bei einem Wettkampf direkt aufeinander. Es scheint, dass Hikaru auch nicht immer ganz mit Jun Odaka übereinstimmt - zB was Inori angeht - trotzdem frage ich mich, was theoretisch passieren würde, wenn Hikaru nicht gewinnt und somit ihre Vereinbarung nicht hält. Gleichzeitig empfinde ich den Druck, den Odaka auf Hikaru mit sowas ausübt alles andere als pädagogisch wertvoll, weshalb ich erst recht froh bin, dass sie die Sonidoris hat. Inori scheint sich auch weiterentwickelt zu haben und ich bin sehr auf ihren Auftritt gespannt, erst recht weil diese Meisterschaft ja bereits zwei große Überraschungen der unschönen Art mit sich gebracht hat. Einfach eine tolle Reihe!!
Wieder ein richtig spannender Band. Fand es erfrischend, dass dieser Band sich sehr auf Hikaru fokussiert hat, da wir sie bisher noch nicht gut kennenlernen konnten. Dadurch haben wir zwar Inoris zweiten Auftritt bei der JGP-Reihe verpasst, jedoch treffen die beiden nun endlich bei einem Wettkampf direkt aufeinander. Es scheint, dass Hikaru auch nicht immer ganz mit Jun Odaka übereinstimmt - zB was Inori angeht - trotzdem frage ich mich, was theoretisch passieren würde, wenn Hikaru nicht gewinnt und somit ihre Vereinbarung nicht hält. Gleichzeitig empfinde ich den Druck, den Odaka auf Hikaru mit sowas ausübt alles andere als pädagogisch wertvoll, weshalb ich erst recht froh bin, dass sie die Sonidoris hat. Inori scheint sich auch weiterentwickelt zu haben und ich bin sehr auf ihren Auftritt gespannt, erst recht weil diese Meisterschaft ja bereits zwei große Überraschungen der unschönen Art mit sich gebracht hat. Einfach eine tolle Reihe!!
March 22, 2026
4⭐️ Cry! My queen has fallen in her important competition.
……
The thought of Hikaru changed. But she still chase his back. Who is the most similar to him?
—
If I’d stayed in Nagoya, I would have gone on thinking all I was good for was hurting people. I’ve only learned how precious my time was now that I’ve lost it.
That coach talks about sacrifice like it’s always a bad thing, but I want to learn why Jun Yodaka is so obsessed with it.
—
Like my last name suggests, I will become a nightly “wolf”, one who won’t lose to a predetermined fate. But I won’t be a light that casts dark shadows around it. No, I will become the light of hope.
—
A girl who can only live on the ice. One who utters the exact same words as Jun Uodaka - words I could never come up with. I don’t want to prove I am at the top. What I want is to take the gold from this mini Jun Yodaka.
……
The thought of Hikaru changed. But she still chase his back. Who is the most similar to him?
—
If I’d stayed in Nagoya, I would have gone on thinking all I was good for was hurting people. I’ve only learned how precious my time was now that I’ve lost it.
That coach talks about sacrifice like it’s always a bad thing, but I want to learn why Jun Yodaka is so obsessed with it.
—
Like my last name suggests, I will become a nightly “wolf”, one who won’t lose to a predetermined fate. But I won’t be a light that casts dark shadows around it. No, I will become the light of hope.
—
A girl who can only live on the ice. One who utters the exact same words as Jun Uodaka - words I could never come up with. I don’t want to prove I am at the top. What I want is to take the gold from this mini Jun Yodaka.
January 17, 2026
This volume of Medalist focuses on Hikaru and her move to Starfox FSC, taking a short break away from Inori. I think this has been long time coming, and it's interesting to see more of Hikaru's home life, motivations, and struggles.
I loved this volume for how it fleshes out Hikaru's character, especially because she chose to move clubs, when Inori chose not to. It also builds up the very stressful All-Japan Junior Championships, and I can't wait to see how it fully plays out!
I loved this volume for how it fleshes out Hikaru's character, especially because she chose to move clubs, when Inori chose not to. It also builds up the very stressful All-Japan Junior Championships, and I can't wait to see how it fully plays out!
June 1, 2025
Such a good final book I’m happy for inori and the other girl
December 24, 2025
Hikaru Kamisaki I love you
January 21, 2026
unironically one of the best sports manga right now
February 24, 2026
Hikaru switches to skating with Starfox. Soon, troubles beset the All-Japan Juniors competition!
February 28, 2026
the hikaru pov oh my goodness gracious.
March 19, 2026
Poor Hikaru. ;_;
May 10, 2026
This volume had so many plot twists that I did not see coming.
May 26, 2026
4.5/5
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews