Full review in Booklist Magazine

I really enjoyed the first volume of this manga, and I fully intend to read more. This was a really sweet mentor/mentee story about a young girl getting into figure skating because she has the passion to do so, even though everyone around her says that she can't accomplish anything because she's starting too late in life. Her coach also feels like life is against him and wants to help his trainee live her dreams.

A cute story about a little girl who is passionate about skating. This story follows this girl as she learns and grows as a skater. We watch as her and her coach learn about themselves as they work together. The art is very cute, and the story is also very cute.

I really enjoyed the premise of this manga and the characters were fun. The art style was a little unsettling sometimes with the extreme emotions (anger, sad) but the author really conveyed the emotions well by doing this. I acutely felt the emotions the characters were feeling throughout the story and I want more!

This is such a cute underdog sports manga! Inori is not the typical skater, she hasn't had any formal lessons and is starting at a later age than most plus she struggles with socializing and school but she loves skating and is dedicated to it. I think she's a great character and shows that it's not always about having the best clothes, skates, formal lessons but mostly about having the drive and the heart for the sport. Tsukasa is the perfect coach for her and I love that they come together in a time where they're both feeling inadequate and give each other the opportunity to be stars essentially. Inori will be the first kid that Tsukasa coaches and Tsukasa will be Inori's first coach and experience with formal skating lessons. They're learning together and are both very driven to be the best, plus as someone who got into skating later than most Tsukasa definitely feels a kinship with Inori and wants to see her succeed. This manga is sweet and funny, with lots of skating talk: technique and rules, etc. but it's also about figuring out who you want to be and what you want to do at any age in life and going for it. Both main characters are building confidence and reaching for success. The art is cute, detailed, engaging and really shows the emotions of the characters. It depicts the action shots of skating really well. Medalist is a charming story about two underdogs and I think it would be a great fit for anyone who likes mangas/comics/graphic novels especially if they're also interested in sports.

Thank you Kodansha Comics for this eARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

— 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 definitely 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 NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I’m so glad I got to read this one!!! It’s a really good sports manga and so much more! The character development, the feelings it gave me, the humor, the heart,..

This is mainly about 2 people. A 26 year old retired ice skater called Tsukasa (a super nice guy!!) and a passionate 11 year old girl called Inori (she’s insecure and sweet) who needs his help! He becomes her coach and they really are a dream team! So funny how both off them showed their emotions (haha the drama).. And this ended on a cliffhanger butttttt we do get some amazing little extra stories (I loved them so much!!!) after the ending.

I kept my review pretty short although I had written down a lot because you just need to read and experience this great manga with amazing characters, without me spoiling too much :).

3.5 stars
I've always loved figure skating. It is terrible how early a career peaks and how early you have to get in to really be given a chance. There's a lot of toxicity in sports like this and this manga does a good job of showing some 0f those difficulties. While first and foremost this is a story of ice skating and everything it takes to move forward and into competitions, it is also one of learning to believe in yourself. It is about taking your fears and using them to make yourself stronger. Medalist is about how to to believe in yourself against all the odds.
Inori has some type of learning disability and the adults in her life have not been helpful to her. They berate her for her poor scores in school and even her mother doesn't actually think she can do anything with her life. It was sad to see her mother saying all those awful things about her daughter and the lack of belief that letting her skate and do something Inori loves was worth the time.
Artwork is good, but some of the panels get a little convoluted so its harder to understand the movements that are happening.

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.

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.

Thank u netgalley for an advanced ARC of this manga

This story is adorable as well about a dream u hold onto and want to accomplish no matter what. My favourite character was the child because her love and passion for figure skating is what made me keep reading, but the dream she had also helped in the dream the main character had as well.

I do not plan to continue the series but I did enjoy reading this book

I'm not usually a big fan of sports manga but this is something I'm definitely going to buy the physical for. I didn't think I would become so emotionally invested in this manga but here I am. This was such a funny but heartbreaking volume for both Inori and MMC. I loved how they explained figure skating and also showed the unfortunate financial burdens of such a sport.

Tsukasa and Inori share a dream to skate on the world stage, and while 20-something-year-old Tsukasa's dream was crushed, he is determined to coach late-comer 10-year-old Inori all the way to be the best not only on the ice, but to become someone to speak up for what she wants and to gain support from those around her.

This volume of Medalist contains the first three chapters of the manga and starts out with a lot of technical exposition, then goes on to focus on the characters and introduces the technical information as Inori is coached. There is a lot to learn behind the beauty of ice skating, but it looks like it's going to be a sweet story, with a good amount of blood, sweat, and tears.

Recommend for those who like figure skating and those who won't give up on their dreams.

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.

My favorite manga of 2021! At age 26, Tsukasa's ice skating career is nearing the expiration date, but he still loves the sport with a passion. A former colleague offers him a position as an assistant coach for young skaters. His work is uninspired until he meets Inori, a girl determined to get herself on the ice, despite refusals from her mom and the late starting age of 11. Tsukasa sees potential in her movements and focuses on making her skating dreams come true. Great art with interesting details about competitive skating. Highly recommended for fans of ice skating and sports manga.

Rating: 2.5-3 stars

I've rediscovered my love for figure skating, so I thought I'd give this a try.

Medalist follows Tsukasa, a down-on-his-luck former skater, looking for a way to keep skating and pay the bills. When he runs into a young skater named Inori who's determined to skate despite the different obstacles she faces, he volunteers to be her coach.

I'm probably not best person to review art styles, but it's an interesting mix of really detailed, pretty panels and sketch-y, shonen-style art. The illustrations are dynamic and captures the feel of skating on ice really well.

The story starts out a bit slow. As much as I like to nerd out over figure skating, the sheer amount of exposition--especially in the beginning before you can really connect with the characters or the story--is a little overwhelming. I started to get more invested in the story towards the end but wish it'd happened sooner. I love the fact that the story explores the challenges and harsher realities of the sport. We're just getting started, but Medalist seems like it'll be a realistic approach to a skater's journey and not just a story where the child prodigy magically skates by without putting in the work.

I love a good underdog story, and volume 1 of Medalist has set us up with an interesting cast of characters. I do wish it had more character development, but I love the relationship that's being developed between Tsukasa and Inori. Tsukasa's protective instincts and enthusiastic support for his skater is so endearing, and it'll be interesting to see how they'll mature over time. It seems like the series will focus a lot on character growth as Tsukasa and Inori grapple with their own insecurities. It looks like it's building up to a promising story, so I'm looking forward to reading more!

Passion For the Sport – Medalist Vol. 1 [Manga]

Author: TSURUMAIKADA
Publisher: Kodansha
Genres: Drama, Sports, Seinen
Published: May 2021

Everybody has a dream. It’s just that not all dreams are realized, especially if the dream is a highly competitive one. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s all over. There are times when the dreams are passed on to another person. This often happens in the sports setting where most coaches who failed to reach their old goals, let’s say nationals or olympics, do their best to help their athletes reach that. It’s an added bonus if the techniques or skills they teach are those they once planned to use to achieve their dreams.

Contains Spoilers

Discussion Time

Tsukasa was a promising figure skater who could have reached great heights if it wasn't due to financial constraints. Before he can truly shine, he falls short before making a name for himself. Although he and his partner did great, spectators believed that he simply basked in his partner’s glory. As he steps on the rink again as a coach, he meets young Inori. He sees burning passion in her eyes and wants to be her guiding light to her path towards the Olympics. The problem, however, is that Inori will start a bit too late compared to her peers. They’re short on time, and they will have to put a lot more extra effort if they want to truly shine.

Why You Should Read Medalist Vol. 1

1. Relatable Characters

Tsukasa, even though being really talented, fails to realize his dream. This is something most may be able to relate to. There can be something we’re really good at, but the competition is just too tough that we can’t shine amongst the crowd of geniuses. To some, that’s just what reality is. Disappointing as it may sound, it’s something that’s close to home. However, the same is true towards Inori’s passion. Despite knowing that there will be countless hurdles along the way, there are also people who don’t back down from the challenge. Whether it’s Tsukasa or Inori, both characters are very human and easy to empathize with.

2. Not-so-Smooth Sailing Journey

Those who actually tried to pursue sports or art as a career know that there are countless walls hindering their path. The sad reality is that it often starts even before they start making a name for themselves. Family and society often discourage pursuing such a career as only a minute portion actually makes a living out of it. Even when they do get some support, there are a lot of others aiming for their throats due to tough competition and Medalist does a great portrayal of that. As someone who comes from what we assume as a middle class household, Inori experiences the lack of familial support. Given that she also starts late and receives Tsukasa’s favor, she faces a lot of scrutiny from other parents, athletes, and even peers.

3. Realistic Hurdles

As we’ve already mentioned on our first two points, Medalist takes on a very realistic approach to its storytelling. Even though Inori is undoubtedly talented, she still goes through all the hardships of a beginner. It’s not a story wherein she miraculously becomes the best of the best after one or two lessons. In fact, Inori learns everything from the basics. Even after training daily, she barely manages to conquer her first wall, which is jumping. All of this happens as her character develops from a wimpy dependent kid to someone with grace and confidence.

Final Thoughts

We’re always up for a good seinen manga, and Medalist is definitely an exemplar of that. It tells the story of what we hope is a future Olympian in a very realistic manner. But because it is very realistic, the gratification of watching her succeed and slowly realizing her dream is also extra sweet. If you’re up to some good, serious read, give Medalist a try and join us as we bask in its glory.

By: Christian Markle

Who doesn’t wish they could ice skate as gracefully as the professionals. Growing up Ice Princess was my favorite movie and the ice skating my favorite sport in the olympics. So it came as no surprise that I loved this manga.

The story follows Tsukasa, a former professional ice skater and Inori a young budding talent. We follow their story as they try to succeed while overcoming the obstacles in their way.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the volumes and find out what happens.

Medalist is the story of a retired ice dancer Tsukasa who becomes a coach for a little girl named Inori. Both of the characters share the same background of having been called "too old" to start ice skating,
With the help of pretty art and an interesting cast of characters, the story is able to mesmerize and touch the reader. The scenes of Inori crying and talking her mind, were really emotional. It honestly made me jealous that there are people who have such a passion for something. But Tsukasa is also an interesting and relatable character. He portrays a person who wasn't able to chase his dream, but is now helping others to do so.
PS: that one dude with the dark hair that was there for like 4 panels was really hot.

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Medalist 1 by TSURUMAIKADA was an informative and touching sports(-ish) manga volume about an ice skate dancer and a young girl becoming friends when he sees her ice skating potential and offers to be her coach. It was real heartwarming and I'm hoping to try more volumes at some point.

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.