Medalist is a masterpiece of tension. It captures the feeling of stepping onto the ice—the cold, the silence, and the split-second where you either fly or fall. Whether you read the raw or the translated version, this is a series that deserves to be read immediately.
Pros:
Cons:
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a sports manga with teeth.
(メダリスト) manga, written and illustrated by Tsurumaikada, is a highly acclaimed sports series. Since its debut in Monthly Afternoon
in May 2020, it has become a significant title in the seinen genre, known for its intense emotional storytelling and dynamic depiction of figure skating. Core Narrative and Themes
The story follows two individuals who feel they are "too late" for their dreams: Tsukasa Akeuraji
: A 14-year-old who started figure skating late and was forced into ice dancing after his singles dreams were crushed. Inori Yuitsuka medalist raw manga
: An 11-year-old girl who practices in secret. Despite her late start and lack of support, her raw talent and tenacity catch Tsukasa's eye. The series centers on their mentor-mentee relationship
as they aim for the Olympic gold. It explores themes of resilience, the technical brutality of professional sports, and the psychological burden of competition. Serialization and Current Status April 2026
, the manga is well into its competitive arcs, recently exploring the All-Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships and international Grand Prix events.
: 14 tankōbon volumes have been collected as of January 2026. Raw Chapters : Recent raw releases include
(published February 2026), continuing the high-stakes drama of the junior circuit. Release Schedule : Chapters typically update monthly in Monthly Afternoon Critical and Fan Reception
(メダリスト) is a sports-drama masterpiece that captures the grueling, high-stakes world of competitive figure skating with breathtaking intensity. Serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon
, this award-winning series by Tsurumaikada has quickly become a standout for its raw emotional power and dynamic art. Plot & Themes Medalist is a masterpiece of tension
The story follows Inori Ageuta, an 11-year-old girl who has been written off by her family but harbors a burning desire to skate. She crosses paths with Tsukasa Akeuraji, a former skater who missed his chance at greatness due to being "too old" for the sport's rigid timeline. Bound by their shared status as underdogs, they form a partnership to take on the world of elite figure skating.
The "raw" experience of this manga—reading the Japanese original—is particularly rewarding for several reasons: Visual Impact
: Tsurumaikada’s art is explosive. The "raw" panels use kinetic lines and unique paneling to convey the sheer speed and physical strain of jumps like the Axel or Lutz in a way that feels visceral. Authentic Tone
: The Japanese dialogue captures the nuances of the mentor-student relationship (teacher/student dynamics) and the specific, often harsh terminology used in the Japanese skating circuit. Emotional Stakes
: It deconstructs the "cute girl" sports trope by showing the literal blood, sweat, and psychological toll required to reach the podium. Why Read the Raw Manga? Reading the latest chapters directly from Kodansha's K Manga Monthly Afternoon allows fans to: Stay Ahead
: Avoid spoilers and follow the intense tournament arcs as they release. Appreciate the Craft
: Experience the hand-drawn lettering and SFX (onomatopoeia) that are often lost or altered in translations. Support the Creator Highly recommended for anyone looking for a sports
: Accessing official Japanese digital storefronts or buying the Japanese tankōbon volumes is the most direct way to support the series' longevity.
is a must-read for anyone who loves high-tension sports narratives. Its ability to balance heartbreaking character growth with technical sports accuracy makes it one of the most compelling series in modern manga. or where to find official digital platforms to read it?
is widely considered a "modern masterpiece" of the sports genre, earning rare critical acclaim including the Next Manga Award and the Shogakukan Manga Award. It is a high-intensity seinen series that transcends typical "underdog" tropes through its stunning technical execution and emotional depth. The Story: More Than Just Skating
The narrative follows Inori Ageumi, an 11-year-old girl who has been told her whole life that she is "useless". When she meets Tsukasa Akeuraji—a coach who abandoned his own dreams after failing to go pro—their partnership becomes a desperate, beautiful attempt to prove the world wrong.
Emotional Weight: It isn't just about winning medals; it's about child autonomy and the heavy expectations parents and society place on young athletes.
Mentor-Student Bond: The relationship between Inori and Tsukasa is grounded and "quietly healing," focusing on mutual growth rather than just instruction. Art & Visual Impact Medalist Volume 1 Manga Review - Lemon8-app
Medalist is currently the gold standard for sports manga. If Haikyuu!! is the king of team sports, Medalist is the undisputed heavyweight champion of individual sports storytelling. Reading it in raw (Japanese) is a particular treat because the art transcends language barriers, conveying motion and emotion that words often struggle to capture.
It is a story not just about skating, but about the terrifying beauty of obsession and the different shapes that "talent" can take.
While the demand is understandable, searching for medalist raw manga on public aggregator sites is fraught with peril. Here is why you should avoid pirate raw sites:
