The Summit of the Gods Review: Climbing Is the Only Religion That Matters
by Jiro Taniguchi / Baku Yumemakura
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Quick Take
- Jiro Taniguchi at his absolute peak — five volumes that contain a lifetime's worth of emotion.
- Based on Baku Yumemakura's acclaimed novel; both versions are essential.
- The question of whether Mallory reached Everest's summit in 1924 frames one of manga's great mysteries.
Who Is This Manga For?
- Fans of adventure manga fans who want stakes that feel genuinely life-and-death
- Readers who enjoy obsession narratives — characters who sacrifice everything for one impossible thing
- Anyone interested in the greatest manga art ever made — Taniguchi's backgrounds are in a class of their own
- People who like readers who have ever looked at a mountain and felt something unnameable pull at them
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: death, extreme cold, obsession themes
Safe for most readers.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★★★ |
| Art Style | ★★★★★ |
| Character Development | ★★★★★ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★★☆ |
Overall: 5/5 — Possibly the best five-volume manga ever made — Taniguchi at his absolute pinnacle.
Story Overview
Photojournalist Fukamachi discovers what might be Mallory's camera — proof that Mallory and Irvine reached Everest's summit in 1924, before Hillary's official first ascent. His search leads him to Jouji Habu, a legendary climber living as a recluse after a scandal, now obsessively planning a solo Everest ascent — without oxygen, without support, the way Mallory might have done it.
Characters
The cast of The Summit of the Gods is built around contrasting personalities that force each other to grow. The main character carries a mix of strength and vulnerability — enough to earn sympathy without feeling passive. Supporting characters each serve a distinct emotional function: some mirror the protagonist's flaws, others challenge their assumptions, and a few provide the warmth that makes the harder moments bearable.
Art Style
Jiro Taniguchi / Baku Yumemakura's visual style suits the story it tells. Emotional moments land because facial expressions are drawn with real attention to subtlety — you rarely need dialogue to understand what a character is feeling. Background detail varies by scene, pulling back in quiet moments and getting tight and detailed when the stakes rise.
Cultural Context
The Summit of the Gods comes from mountaineering culture in Japan and the concept of kodawari — obsessive commitment to a single thing pursued to the exclusion of everything else. English readers will find most of this translates naturally; a few cultural notes in good translations help bridge any remaining gaps.
What I Love About It
I had never thought seriously about mountaineering before reading this manga. By the end of volume 5, I understood why people die for a view from a summit. Not intellectually — in my chest. Taniguchi makes you feel the scale of the natural world. When Habu is alone on a vertical face in a storm at 8,000 meters, the page layout itself makes you feel small. The ending hit me like weather — suddenly, completely, overwhelmingly.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers who find this series often describe it as something they wish they'd found sooner. The emotional beats translate well; the universal themes of connection, loss, and growth resonate regardless of cultural background. Fans of similar series consistently recommend it as a must-read for genre newcomers and veterans alike.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
There is a moment — usually in the middle or final act — where the story does something unexpected with a character you thought you understood. The setup is careful and patient. The payoff is sudden and complete. Readers report rereading earlier chapters afterward, finding all the foreshadowing they missed the first time.
Similar Manga
If you enjoyed The Summit of the Gods, try:
- Vertical by Shinichi Ishizuka — more mountaineering manga with similar stakes
- A Distant Neighborhood by Jiro Taniguchi — his other masterwork
- Berserk — human struggle against forces that dwarf understanding
Reading Order / Where to Start
Start from volume 1. This series builds its world and characters carefully from the first chapter — jumping in anywhere else means losing the context that makes later moments land. Volume 1 is a very strong opening; if you're not hooked by the end of it, this series may not be for you.
Official English Translation Status
The Summit of the Gods has been fully published in English. All 5 volumes are available.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Complete story with no wait for new volumes
- Strong character work and genuine emotional investment
- Taniguchi's art is some of the most technically accomplished in manga history
Cons:
- Niche subject matter — mountaineering may not immediately appeal to all readers
- Literary pace — slower than action manga, this rewards patient reading
Format Comparison
| Format | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Best art reproduction | May require ordering online |
| Digital | Instant access, cheaper | Less collector value |
| Used | Very affordable | Condition and availability vary |
Where to Buy
Find The Summit of the Gods on Amazon:
👉 Search for The Summit of the Gods on Amazon
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*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.