Alternative TitlesSynonyms: The Climber Japanese: 孤高の人
Information
Type: Manga
Volumes: 17
Chapters: 170
Status: Finished
Published: 2007 to 2012
StatisticsScore: 8.321 (scored by 1333 users)
Ranked: #3172
Popularity: #795
Members: 3,317
Favorites: 103 1 indicates a weighted score
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SynopsisOn his first day of transferring to a new high school, a loner named Mori Buntarou, is cajoled by a classmate into climbing the school building. Despite knowing that one misstep could send him spiraling to his death, he moves forward, and upon finally reaching the top, Mori experiences a sense of fulfillment. That feeling, which seems to be telling him, " You're alive!" gives birth to an adrenaline for rock-climbing.
(Source: Stiletto Heels) |
Reviews
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Tayloroids
18 of 24 people found this review helpful
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135 of 170 chapters read
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| Overall |
10 |
| Story |
9 |
| Art |
10 |
| Character |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
The feeling of fulfillment comes in many forms. For young Buntarou Mori, rock climbing quickly became a passion and a reason to enjoy life, as well as a fulfilling sensation. Who would have thought that the sport of rock climbing could make such a deep and interesting story?
Story: 9/10
Shinichi Sakamoto did an absolutely wonderful job of mixing sports with drama and a hint of some psychological and romantic aspects. It's a more serious manga, yet you're presented with story full of moments where you want to cry happily for the characters fulfilling their accomplishments, smile at the seemingly rare "adorable" scenes, and laugh at some of the more comedic characters. The best thing about the drama is that it's not just melodrama that you can find in any old shounen series. There's no antagonist out to destroy the world and make life hard for Buntarou. Nope, this is just a simple tale of a boy who came to find something to live for...but it's so much more than that.
Art: 10/10
As with other seinen manga, art is really crisp looking and accurate. Buntarou isn't some big ol' macho guy full of testosterone, nor is he a girly looking dude with fabulous hair and a pretty face. He simply looks like an average man (okay, well maybe his hairdo is still kind of crazy, but this IS a manga after all). The girl characters aren't depicted as petite little things with D-cup breasts. Backgrounds and the like are wonderfully detailed but still keeps its realistic aspect about it, which is why I truly believe the art deserves a full 10/10 score. I have no complaints whatsoever regarding art.
Character: 9/10
It was kind of hard for me to rate this section, to be honest. The main character that I felt really was able to develop was Buntarou, but he's the only one. The supporting cast (Hajime, Masao, and Yumi) are all important but their characters never really undergo any huge developments. Then again, I can see why; after some certain events happen, they're not really necessary at all in the story anymore. Even though only Buntarou received development, I feel like Shinichi did what he felt was best for this manga considering the story DOES revolve almost solely around Buntarou.
Enjoyment: 10/10
I'm a sucker for seinen manga, but the idea of rock climbing as the main point of the story put me off a bit at first. I'm really glad I overlooked that and still decided to give it a try, because now Kokou no Hito places 3rd in my top 10 favorite manga. I really think that everything about this manga is phenomenal, therefore I read the 135 chapters in a short amount of time, enjoying every single one. I'm still greatly anticipating future chapters too!
Overall: 9.5/10 (rounded up to 10/10)
Give this a try; trust me when I say that it's worth it. Whether you're a fan of rock climbing or not, I believe you can come to enjoy this manga for the drama/psychological aspects as well. And if all else fails concerning the genres of Kokou no Hito, it still has some of the best character development I've seen in a long while. read more
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Bonyfreeq
24 of 36 people found this review helpful
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52 of 170 chapters read
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| Overall |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Art |
9 |
| Character |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
"You are alive!"
That's the feeling it's all about.
I picked this manga by pure coincidence. When I read the first chapter I was like: "Climbing? Gimme a break! Boring..."
This is also the reason why I decided to write this review. You don't have to like mountains to like this manga. Moreover, after reading it, chapter by chapter, you start to understand this passion (climbing) a little.
Story:
Kokou no Hito (The Climber) is an uncommon manga about Buntarou Mori, a high school transfer student, who discovers his passion for climbing mountains.
(Sounds odd, doesn't it? I thought so too, but I gave it a try and it sure was worth it.)
On first day in his new school, Mori is being cajoled by his classmate into climbing the school building. In one moment, while reaching the top, our hero experiences a completly new feeling - he feels that he is alive.
I dont want to write spoilers so saying anything more just wouldn't work.
Art:
The whole art was really good in my sense, especially the backgrounds. There are some great dynamic action panels and also a bunch of nature-exposing pages. I really liked the way that artist showed emotions and expressions too, they were really vivid.
Characters:
I will make myself clear. There aren't many characters in Kokou no Hito. In fact, they aren't really great too. The ones, whose are worth mentioning are the main protagonist and maybe some of people that appear in the late chapters.
Therefore I will say something only about Butarou Mori.
The main hero is an antisocial and gloomy type of person. He prefers doing all things alone, including climbing. At first you may not like him, but while reading on, you become used to his character and start seeing his reasons.
Enjoyment:
I couldn't stop myself of reading. In consequence, I read all 52 chapters in one day. Saying that, what more can I say about my enjoyment? It was really good and I'm sad it is still incomplete.
Overall:
On the whole, Kokou no Hito was like a fresh breeze in the sea of other mangas I read. It was something completly different from what I have seen so far. If you want to read something new too, I advise you to try this one.
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Make me feel similarly.
Vagabond - about great samurai.
Kokou no Hito - about great mountain climber.
Both are loosely based on real people/story.
Both arts are interesting and enjoyable. Though, Vagabond has more fine details (and is the best what I've seen in manga).
Don't let Koko no Hito to let you think that it is a typical shounen sport manga if you start reading the first couple of chapters.
It will become a real seinen story later.
Closer to the end of the story:
Both main characters are looking deep within themselves. They are trying to find why did they come to this almost perfection in what they do. Why were they doing what they were doing? And they still push themselves to go beyond what they are capable of.
This is what creates similarity between these 2 manga. The feeling they give you about struggle, even if you are at your best. Ask why were you pursuing it? But you do what you are. You became it what you do.
This is live of those who pushes themselves in area (way of a sword/climbing) they love.
In both mangas, the main protaganists are deeply connected to their passions, and are willing to abandon any distraction such as love and companionship that may hinder their progress towards their ultimate goals.
Both are seinen manga and art-wise are very similar. Characters are given a realistic look in design and background.
I am really enjoying both, so if you like one perhaps you may like the other.
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Both depict how social misfits (The Climber - an introvert who distances himself from others due to his own personality and unfortunate past; REAL - people who need to rediscover their place in society due to their disability) who find solace in the passion of sports, to escape from the crushing loneliness as a result of their respective circumstances. They both showcase incredible depth in storytelling and breathtaking artwork. The Climber and REAL are mature, soul-searching dramas that are certain to grip the reader in more ways than one.
The are both sports mangas that go way beyond that category, both have some of the best artwork that can be found in manga ( or make that anywhere ) and both are mature, intense and the characters have difficulties that they have to overcome emotionally and develop. These are both among the best mangas out there on a wide variety of levels. These are mangas that will definitely make you feel and think.
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