The raw manga is a valuable artifact, but the story deserves your support. Read the raw to appreciate the art; buy the volume to keep the medalist skating forward.

The search for "raw manga" (the unedited, original Japanese magazine scans) peaked in 2021 for three distinct reasons:

The manga was first published in 2021 by Shueisha , a well-known Japanese publisher, in their magazine or online platform.

The raw chapters published in 2021 form the rock-solid foundation upon which the entire Medalist phenomenon is built. This is the "golden era" where the author established the core of the story, the relationship between the leads, and the breathtaking depiction of figure skating.

Just caught up with the raw of Medalist (2021) and wow — the ice never felt this intense. 💥⛸️

While earlier volumes focused on Inori learning to jump, the 2021 raw chapters focus on Inori learning to survive. We see her grappling with immense pressure, not just to win, but to prove her existence is valid. The narrative brilliance here lies in the parallel storytelling. While Inori skates, we see the internal monologues of her rivals—specifically Rioh, who acts as the "final boss" of this arc. The manga refuses to have villains; instead, it presents a tragedy of circumstances where only one can win, making every score announcement feel gut-wrenching.

: "Tenacity on the ice." It focuses on the technical and psychological grit required to compete at a world-class level, despite starting "too late." Serialized In Monthly Afternoon (Kodansha). English Digital Debut Kodansha USA began digital releases in May 2021. 📖 Volume Guide (2021 Releases)

: Tsukasa, a 26-year-old former ice dancer who felt his own career was a "failure," sees his own unfulfilled passion in Inori.