Discover the Hidden Gem: The Climber Manga Before the Epic Dracula Adaptation!

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In more common terms, the word “peak” is often excessively utilized by anime and manga enthusiasts much like the Over 9000 meme, with fans employing it to comment on anything from exceptional series to the numerous mediocre isekai stories produced each season. If you’ve scrolled through any manga-related social media in recent months, you’ve likely encountered this term being applied to a seinen series about mountain climbing. However, ComicBook wants to clarify that, in this instance, the word “peak” has been accurately used. Shin-ichi Sakamoto (creator of the outstanding Dracula adaptation, #DRCL: Midnight Children) and Jirō Nitta’s sports seinen series, The Climber, truly lives up to this description.

The genre/demographic blend of Sports seinen is often overlooked yet rich in potential. In recent years, Sports anime have seen a significant surge in popularity, with titles like “Haikyuu!”, “Blue Lock”, and the classic “Hajime no Ippo” gaining international acclaim. However, manga creators in the Seinen demographic possess a wealth of talent for the sports genre. Series such as “Aoashi”, “Ping Pong”, and “Medalist” boast dedicated fanbases. What sets these stories apart is that they revolve around athletes competing against each other. But what about when the main character’s only competition is himself? In other words, what happens when a manga focuses on self-improvement and personal growth within the sports realm?

The Climber Is a Peak Sports Manga (Pun Intended)

The manga titled “The Climber,” penned by Shin-ichi Sakamoto and Yoshio Nabeda, was initially published in Weekly Young Jump in November 2007. It’s based on a novel of the same name by Jiro Natta. Though it received its first print English translation from VIZ Media in April 2025, fans have been enjoying it through online translations for quite some time now. A devoted group of fans, including myself, are encouraging others to read this captivating series.

I find myself observing a commonplace sports narrative unfold, centering around a new high school student named Buntaro Mori. He’s a solitary soul, often absent from class and shunning social interactions. However, all that changes when he’s challenged by the school bully, an ardent climber named Miyamoto Hajime, to ascend the school building. This daring act sparks within Buntaro a newfound passion for reaching great heights, leading him to attempt solo climbing a nearby mountain.

As Buntaro lacks any experience, gear, and companionship in this adventure, his dedicated teacher, Onishi Masao, who shares the same love for climbing, promises to ensure Buntaro’s safety in the sport. Interestingly, Buntaro seems more inclined to brave it alone, but little does he know that Onishi has other plans.

In simpler terms, the story initially appears typical for a sports series, but soon delves deeper, offering a more psychological exploration that’s fitting for mature audiences (seinen). Without revealing too much, the main character, Buntaro, carries emotional wounds from a past incident he feels responsible for, which drives him towards solitude.

The novel “The Climber” stands out due to its raw and authentic portrayal of the character Buntaro, revealing his reasons for solitude and true ambition to scale heights. Unlike Miyamoto, no one truly competes with him in this regard. Instead, climbing – being a solitary pursuit – sees Buntaro’s primary adversary as himself, both on the mountain and off it.

The Climber Author’s Story Is As Inspiring As Buntaro’s

Initially, “The Climber” manga was a collaboration between Sakamoto and Nabeda. However, Nabeda departed from the project following the 30th chapter. Prior to “The Climber,” Sakamoto had struggled with generic Shonen series, attempting to meet market demands instead of his personal interests as a writer. With Nabeda gone, Sakamoto transformed the manga from an ordinary sports story into the beloved series readers know today, doing so because he believed it would be his final work. This shift might not come as a shock to those who have followed Sakamoto’s recent works. For instance, “#DRCL: Midnight Children,” a reimagining of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” with enhanced horror and dark fantasy elements, also gained significant popularity. It appears that even with “The Climber” and “#DRCL,” Sakamoto has yet to reach the pinnacle of his career.

The art in ‘The Climber’ comic series is another compelling reason to give it a try. Right from the beginning, the artwork is stunning, notably the captivating mountain landscapes as Buntaro embarks on his climbs with his classmates. However, as the story progresses, Sakamoto shifts focus towards the psychological aspects and expresses these through more abstract art. ‘The Climber’ no longer emphasizes realistic depictions but rather portrays Buntaro’s troubled and guilt-ridden mindset, as he grapples with his thoughts while on the mountains. Although it may not inspire you to take up climbing in real life, ‘The Climber’ will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact.

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2025-05-23 00:02