Unlike many sports manga that rely on "superpowers," Medalist is grounded in reality. It breaks down the scoring system (IJS), the difference between edges, and the brutal physical toll the sport takes on young athletes. Reading the raws gives you an unfiltered look at the diagrams and technical notes provided by the author, who clearly does extensive research. Where to Read
If you want, I can:
Serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon since 2020, Tsurumaikada’s Medalist tells the story of Inori Yuitsuka, a girl who starts figure skating late, and Tsukasa Akeuraji, her disillusioned coach. On the surface, it’s a sports underdog tale. But in its raw, ink-and-tone form, Medalist transcends the genre.
Written and illustrated by Tsurumaikada, Medalist began its serialization in Kodansha’s seinen magazine Monthly Afternoon in May 2020. The sports drama follows , an 11-year-old girl written off by society as "too old" to start figure skating, and her coach Tsukasa Akeuraji , a former ice dancer who missed his own shot at glory. Together, they navigate the grueling, highly technical, and emotionally taxing world of competitive figure skating, aiming for the world stage.
Medalist is serialized in Kodansha's prestigious seinen manga magazine, Monthly Afternoon , with the series premiering on May 25, 2020. The individual chapters are compiled into tankōbon volumes, with the first volume released in Japan on September 23, 2020. As of January 2025, there are twelve volumes released in Japan, with English print editions distributed by Kodansha USA.
This article does not endorse or provide links to unauthorized raw manga sites. Always read manga through official channels like K Manga, Kodansha, or Bookwalker to support the creators.
While the official translations are excellent, reading the —the original, unedited Japanese chapters—offers a completely different, deeply immersive experience for dedicated fans. Why Read the Medalist Raw Manga?
Don't pirate the raw. Buy the volume. Watch Inori soar.
Medalist raw manga typically possesses certain characteristics that set it apart from officially published manga. Some of these characteristics include:
The pursuit of raw manga is popular for several reasons. Some dedicated fans seek them to practice translation skills (later forming scanlation groups to produce unofficial English versions). Hardcore fans might want to see the original art without any overlaid text or to catch up with the latest chapter that is not yet available in English. For artists, raw manga provides the ultimate reference to study the creator's pure linework, toning, and paneling.
