You might ask: Why read a raw manga if you can’t understand Japanese? Surprisingly, many dedicated Medalist fans do exactly that. The reason lies in Tsurumaikada’s artistic storytelling. Figure skating is a visual sport, and the manga’s panelling conveys motion, emotion, and failure without a single word.
In Chapter 49, there is a sequence where Inori practices a “Biellmann spin” across six silent panels. The raw version allows you to focus entirely on the anatomy, the tension in her back muscles, and the blur lines representing speed. By the time the official translation arrives, the visual impact is already absorbed.
Platform: WeLoveManga (Raw Scanlation)
Genre: Sports, Drama, Seinen
Art/Story: Tsurumaikada MEDALIST - RAW chap 49 Raw Manga - WeloveManga
Warning: This review discusses the raw (untranslated) chapter. Minor spoilers ahead.
Created by Tsurumaikada, Medalist is a manga series serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon magazine. The story follows Inori Yuitsuka, a young girl with a burning passion for figure skating, and Tsukasa Akeuraji, a former ice dancer who becomes her unorthodox coach. Unlike many sports manga that focus on innate talent, Medalist emphasizes grit, failure, and the brutal reality of competitive sports. You might ask: Why read a raw manga
The title itself is a double entendre: Inori dreams of standing on the podium as a medalist, but the journey is fraught with financial hardship, technical impossibilities, and psychological barriers. By Chapter 49, the series has already pushed its characters through regional novice competitions, intense training camps, and personal tragedies.
While we won’t spoil major plot twists, here is the context leading into Chapter 49. The previous arc concluded with the Novice A competition, where Inori faced off against her rival, Hikaru Kamisaki. The results were emotionally devastating yet inspiring. Chapter 48 ended on a cliffhanger involving Tsukasa’s hidden past—a past that directly threatens his coaching license. Created by Tsurumaikada, Medalist is a manga series
Chapter 49 is expected to focus on three key elements:
Chapter 49 continues the strong momentum of the series, focusing heavily on the psychological side of competitive skating. As a raw chapter, it relies heavily on the expressive artistry of Tsurumaikada to convey the emotions, and it delivers.
