Encouragement of Climb Review: A Girl Who Hates Heights Starts Climbing Mountains Anyway
by Shiro Amano
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Quick Take
- Mountain hiking manga with genuine outdoor content — the mountains depicted are real Japanese peaks, the equipment is accurately depicted, and the routes are actual hiking routes
- Aoi's development from someone who is afraid of heights to someone who has genuinely developed mountain skills is tracked carefully and realistically
- 18 volumes complete; the most thorough mountain hiking manga available in English
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who want slice of life with specific outdoor content rather than generic settings
- Anyone interested in Japanese mountains and hiking culture
- Fans of gentle character development where the activity itself is the growth mechanism
- Readers who want all-ages content with genuine depth about its subject
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: All Ages Content Warnings: Mild outdoor adventure — hiking in mountains involves some physical challenge; none of the standard content concerns
Appropriate for all readers.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★★☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★★ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★★☆ |
Story Overview
Aoi Yukimura is a high school girl who developed a fear of heights after a childhood incident. Hinata Kuraue, her childhood friend who has been away, reappears and is now an enthusiastic mountain climber. She suggests they climb mountains together.
The series follows Aoi's gradual development — from short, accessible hikes that challenge her fear while building her fitness, to more demanding peaks as her skills and confidence develop. The friendship between Aoi and Hinata, and the small community of other climbers they meet, provides the social context for the mountain content.
Characters
Aoi Yukimura — Her development is the series' primary subject — not just physical development but the specific confidence that comes from doing something that genuinely frightened her and finding she can do it. Her progress is realistic in pace.
Hinata Kuraue — Her natural ability and enthusiasm for mountains is the contrast to Aoi's gradual development. Her patience with Aoi's pace without condescension is the friendship's defining quality.
Art Style
Amano's art handles the mountain environments with the care they require — the scenery, the weather, and the physical experience of hiking are all depicted with specificity. The mountain vistas are genuinely beautiful. The character work conveys physical effort and accomplishment effectively.
Cultural Context
Encouragement of Climb participates in a Japanese outdoor culture tradition — Japan has a significant mountain hiking culture, with peaks ranging from accessible day hikes to serious mountaineering. The manga depicts specific Japanese peaks (including Mount Fuji) and real hiking routes, making it useful as a cultural introduction to this aspect of Japanese life.
What I Love About It
The chapters where Aoi reaches a summit she was not sure she could reach — and the specific quality of that experience, which is not triumph so much as surprised relief — are the series' most accurately observed content. The manga knows what reaching a difficult summit actually feels like.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers who hike describe Encouragement of Climb as one of the most accurate outdoor-activity manga available — the mountain content is specific and correct. Readers who don't hike describe it as the series that made them want to. Aoi's development is consistently cited as one of manga's better depictions of genuine confidence growth.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Aoi's first ascent of a serious peak — the preparation, the climb itself, and the summit experience — is the series' most complete statement of what it has been building. The relationship between her earlier fear and her current capability is fully realized here.
Similar Manga
- Yotsuiro Biyori — Food and quiet life slice of life with similar gentle energy
- Non Non Biyori — Rural quiet life slice of life
- Laid-Back Camp — Outdoor slice of life (camping rather than hiking)
- A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow — Quiet friendship development
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — Aoi and Hinata's reunion and their first mountain attempt.
Official English Translation Status
Kodansha Comics published all 18 volumes. Complete and available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The mountain content is accurate and specific
- Aoi's development is tracked with realistic pacing
- The scenery is genuinely beautiful
- 18 volumes; complete
Cons
- The gentle pace requires patience
- Limited narrative stakes beyond Aoi's development
- The mountain content is specific — readers with no interest in hiking may find less
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Kodansha Comics; complete |
| Digital | Available |
Where to Buy
Get Encouragement of Climb Vol. 1 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.