I am a manga lover, and I always love to share the things that attract me, and today I want to talk about one of the deepest and most beautiful manga I have read: Kokou no Hito. This manga is not just a story about climbing, but a deep psychological journey that discusses isolation, ambition, and fear of failure, all through the character of "Bon Mori", whose entire life revolves around mountains.
The story at first seems simple, an introverted young man learns about climbing by chance and begins to develop his skills in it but with time you discover that the subject is bigger than just a sport. Climbing here is not just a hobby but a way to escape to search for meaning and to prove oneself in a world that does not always welcome those who are different. Every mountain one tries to climb is a new challenge, not only for the body, but for the mind and soul as well.
The manga is technically a visual masterpiece, the drawing is amazing, and the details in the scenes depicting mountains and nature really make you feel like you are standing in front of a real natural scene. At the same time, the characters' expressions convey emotions in a way that makes you feel every moment of fear, fatigue, or victory.
The thing I liked most about Kokou no Hito is that it is not a traditional sports manga, there are no traditional championships or competitions, the whole thing is about an internal struggle, about someone trying to find his place in the world even if that means being alone on top of a frozen mountain. The ending was very touching, and made me think about the meaning of isolation, ambition, and does true success mean being alone up there or finding someone to complete the journey with you?
If you like stories that take you on a deep psychological journey, and you like amazing realistic drawing, then Kokou no Hito is definitely a manga worth trying.
