Manga Spotlight Jan'25

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, The Summit of the Gods

📅 Last Updated: 19th January 2025

The Summit of the Gods

The Summit of the Gods is a masterful manga adaptation of Baku Yumemakura's novel, illustrated by Jiro Taniguchi. This five-volume series blends the thrill of mountaineering with a profound exploration of human ambition and obsession. The story follows Fukamachi Makoto, a photojournalist, who becomes entangled in a mystery involving George Mallory's lost camera, potentially holding answers to whether Mallory was the first to summit Everest. This leads Fukamachi to Habu Jôji, an enigmatic climber, whose personal journey is equally captivating and tragic.

Taniguchi's artwork is breathtaking, capturing the grandeur of the Himalayas as well as the glimpses of lifestyle in the valleys of it with meticulous detail. The characters are deeply fleshed out, their motivations and inner struggles are masterfully captured. Themes of pursuing the meaning, power of human spirit against nature's adversity, and the allure of unattainable make it resonate beyond its mountaineering focus.

It's a gripping read for the fans of adventure, drama, and philosophical storytelling, offering both edge-of-your-seat moments and profound introspection. If you're a fan of works like The Climber (Kokou no Hito) this manga is for you.

P.S. The manga was adapted into a Japanese live-action film (2016) and a French animated film (2021), the latter available on Netflix.

MAL, Anilist, Wikipedia, Official English

Credits: Dkay (MAL, Anilist, Twitter)

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun is an absolutely enchanting manga that will pull you into a world of mystery, magic, and heartwarming moments. The story follows Nene Yashiro, a high school student who is determined to find love no matter what. Her curiosity leads her to the "Seven Wonders" of her school, where she summons the infamous Hanako-kun, a supernatural being said to grant wishes. But when Nene meets him, she discovers that Hanako-kun is nothing like the scary legend she expected. He's playful, mischievous, and a bit of a troublemaker who has a hidden kindness that makes him irresistible.

As Nene’s wish for love turns into an unexpected adventure, she finds herself drawn into the mysterious world of spirits and school secrets. Along the way, she forms a deep bond with Hanako- kun, uncovering the truth behind the school’s supernatural happenings. Their relationship grows in such a heartfelt and dynamic way, making it impossible not to root for them.

The art is so soft and fluffy, with expressive characters and beautifully detailed scenes that create a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere. Every panel feels alive with energy, and the emotions come through so strongly, making the experience of reading this manga truly immersive. With each chapter, you'll find yourself more and more captivated, wanting to know what happens next. This manga is the perfect blend of sweetness, mystery, and a little bit of eerie charm, one of my favourite manga of all time.

MAL, Anilist, Wikipedia, Official English

Credits: medha/ᐠ.ꞈ.ᐟ\

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