2020: Debut in Monthly Afternoon (May) │ 2021: Breakout Year ───► Ranked 16th at Next Manga Awards 2021 │ Tankōbon Volumes 2, 3, and 4 Released │ 2022: Global Acclaim ──► Won 1st Place at Next Manga Awards 2022 Key Arcs and Collected Volumes Released in 2021
Tsurumaikada gained recognition for refusing to create "villains." Instead, the 2021 arcs highlighted the tragic circumstances of competition, where every skater is working hard, but only one can win. Why "Raw" Medalist in 2021 Stood Out
: The manga is noted for its highly detailed explanations of skating techniques and the grueling physical demands of the sport, making it a favorite among both fans and professional skaters. medalist raw manga 2021
: In May 2021, Kodansha USA began the digital English publication of the series, making it accessible to a much broader global audience.
Before we dive deeper, it's important to clearly define what "raw manga" means in practice. In its simplest terms, a raw manga is the direct, unaltered reproduction of the manga as it was originally drawn by the artist and printed in Japan. It remains in its original Japanese language, complete with the original sound effects, cultural nuances, and untranslated dialogue. 2020: Debut in Monthly Afternoon (May) │ 2021:
The 2021 chapters focused heavily on the foundational growth of Tsukasa Akeuraji and his young prodigy, Inori Yodaka. The raw chapters of this era are highly sought after for several reasons:
In 2021, the manga accumulated significant industry praise, which dramatically increased its visibility: Before we dive deeper, it's important to clearly
The year 2021 was a breakout period for , a figure skating manga that quickly distinguished itself from typical sports series through its raw emotional intensity and technical precision. Written and illustrated by Tsurumaikada , the series garnered significant critical acclaim in 2021, ranking in the top tier of major Japanese manga lists like the Next Manga Awards and Da Vinci magazine's Book of the Year . The Core Narrative: A Duo of Broken Dreams
The Medalist page on the Comic Days website often allows for reading chapters, sometimes including the first few and the most recent for free, while older ones require purchasing the digital volume.
The raw 2021 chapters show the ink bleeding on the paper, the tiny kanji notes in the margins explaining skating rules, and the raw energy of a mangaka who was fighting for their series’ survival. You see the sweat, the erased pencil lines, and the physical texture of the paper.