Medalist is a manga written and illustrated by Tsurumaikada, serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine. The first chapter was published on May 25, 2020 in issue 5, 2020 of Monthly Afternoon.
Synopsis[]
Awestruck from the performance of one of the best figure skaters in the world, Tsukasa Akeuraji, aged 14, knew exactly what he wanted to do — pursue figure skating. However, starting late in the sport brought constant discouragement from those around him. Eventually, he was forced to abandon his dream of singles skating and settle for ice dancing. For years, he lived as a shadow of his former ambitions, struggling even to find skating-related work. That is, until a fateful encounter with a certain girl.
Having poor grades and no standout skills, Inori Yuitsuka was always alone and excluded by her peers. She saw figure skating as her only escape, having gained a passion for the sport after seeing her older sister perform, so much so that she practiced in secret at her local rink. But now, at 11 years old, she is quickly approaching the cutoff age for going pro, and her mother, bitter over her eldest daughter's career-ending injury, is firmly against letting her tread the same path.
After witnessing her talent on the ice however, Tsukasa sees a reflection of his former self. His passion rekindled, he takes it upon himself to coach Inori, promising to help fulfill her dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist.
Volumes and Chapters[]
Volume | ISBN | Release Date |
---|---|---|
![]() Volume 1 | 978-4-06-520783-3 (JP) 978-1-63-699098-9 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877185-3 (EN Print) | September 23, 2020 (JP) May 18, 2021 (EN Digital) March 5, 2024 (EN Print) |
![]() Volume 2 | 978-4-06-522253-9 (JP) 978-1-63-699157-3 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877195-2 (EN Print) | February 22, 2021 (JP) June 15, 2021 (EN Digital) May 7, 2024 (EN Print) |
![]() Volume 3 | 978-4-06-523607-9 (JP) 978-1-63-699469-7 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877196-9 (EN Print) | June 23, 2021 (JP) November 16, 2021 (EN Digital) July 2, 2024 (EN Print) |
![]() Volume 4 | 978-4-06-525162-1 (JP) 978-1-68-491132-5 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877197-6 (EN Print) | October 21, 2021 (JP) April 19, 2022 (EN Digital) September 3, 2024 (EN Print) |
![]() Volume 5 | 978-4-06-525162-1 (JP) 978-1-68-491132-5 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877197-6 (EN Print) | October 21, 2021 (JP) April 19, 2022 (EN Digital) September 3, 2024 (EN Print) |
| ||
![]() Volume 6 | 978-4-06-528515-2 (JP) 978-1-68-491710-5 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877199-0 (EN Print) | July 22, 2022 (JP) February 21, 2023 (EN Digital) January 7, 2025 (EN Print) |
| ||
![]() Volume 7 | 978-4-06-529918-0 (JP) 979-8-88-933039-4 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877200-3 (EN Print) | December 22, 2022 (JP) July 18, 2023 (EN Digital) March 4, 2025 (EN Print) |
| ||
![]() Volume 8 | 978-4-06-531682-5 (JP) 979-8-88-933148-3 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877201-0 (EN Print) | May 23, 2023 (JP) September 19, 2023 (EN Digital) May 6, 2025 (EN Print) |
| ||
![]() Volume 9 | 978-4-06-533261-0 (JP) 979-8-88-933416-3 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877315-4 (EN Print) | October 23, 2023 (JP) March 19, 2024 (EN Digital) July 8, 2025 (EN Print) |
![]() Volume 10 | 978-4-06-535154-3 (JP) 979-8-88-933695-2 (EN Digital) 979-8-88-877451-9 (EN Print) | March 22, 2024 (JP) August 20, 2024 (EN Digital) September 9, 2025 (EN Print) |
| ||
![]() Volume 11 | 978-4-06-536472-7 (JP) 979-8-89-478310-9 (EN Digital) | August 22, 2024 (JP) January 7, 2025 (EN Digital) |
![]() Medalist Official Fanbook | 978-4-06-537857-1 (JP) | January 22, 2025 (JP) |
| ||
![]() Volume 12 | 978-4-06-538012-3 (JP) | January 22, 2025 (JP) |
Uncollected Chapters[]
- UCSP1 — Tsukasa and Senpai (司と先輩)
- 49 — All-Japan Junior Women's SP (全日本ジュニア女子SP)
- 50 — Proof of Earnestness (本気の証明)
- 51 — All-Japan Junior Women's FS (Part 1) (全日本ジュニア女子FS(前編))
- 52 — All-Japan Junior Women's FS (Part 2) (全日本ジュニア女子FS(後編))
Trivia[]
- Tsurumaikada is a long-time fan of voice actress Natsumi Haruse, initially known for her role as Kaoru Ryuzaki from THE iDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS. Tsurumaikada envisioned Natsumi Haruse in the main role while creating the Medalist series, and also hired her to narrate a special commercial for the release of Volume 1.
- Two proposed titles for the series were "The Beast of Fire and Ice" (Japanese: 氷焔の獣 Hyouen no Kemono) and "MEDALIST!!", both rejected by Tsurumaikada's editor. "The Beast of Fire and Ice" was later used as the title for the "Exhibition" spin-off chapters.[1][2]
- In Medalist, there is a rule where an athlete's name must include an animal reference. Athletes who lack an animal reference are ones who are cast away from the fate of skating.[3] For more details, see Animal References in Medalist.
References[]
- ↑ Exhibition 1: The Beast of Fire and Ice
- ↑ Exhibition 2: The Beast of Fire and Ice
- ↑ Medalist Official Fanbook, Page 21