Kokou no Hito

Description

On his first day of transferring to a new high school, a loner named Mori Buntarou is cajoled by a classmate into climbing the school building. Despite knowing that one misstep could send him spiraling to his death, he moves forward, and upon finally reaching the top, Mori experiences a sense of fulfillment. That feeling, which seems to be telling him "You're alive!", gives birth to a passion for rock-climbing.

Note: Sakamoto Shinichi did both the story and the art from Volume 4 onwards.

Type

Manga

Related Series

N/A

Associated Names

Ascension

The Climber

आरोही

บุรุษทระนง(Thai)

孤高の人

Groups Scanlating

Easy Going Scans

Franky-Family Scanlations

helz0ne

Hi wa Mata Noboru

More...

Latest Release(s)

v.17 c.163-170 (end) by Hi wa Mata Noboru 11 months ago

v.16 c.153-162 by Hi wa Mata Noboru 11 months ago

v.15 c.143-152 by Hi wa Mata Noboru 11 months ago

Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin

17 Volumes (Complete)

Completely Scanlated?

Yes

Anime Start/End Chapter

N/A

User Reviews

N/A

Forum

2 topics, 6 posts

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User Rating

Average: 8.6 / 10.0 (774 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.52 / 10.0

32%

27%

22%

Last Updated

July 24th, 2025 3:20pm PDT - 4 months ago

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Genre

Drama Mature Psychological Seinen Sports
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Categories

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Recommendations

Author(s)

Artist(s)

Year

Original Publisher

Shueisha

Serialized In (magazine)

Shuukan Young Jump (Shueisha)

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

VIZ (2 Two-in-One Omnibus; Ongoing)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #562

(-64)

Monthly Pos #867

(-94)

3 Month Pos #1252

(-327)

6 Month Pos #1529

(-223)

Year Pos #1954

(-48)

List Stats

On 1405 reading lists

On 1415 wish lists

On 1449 completed lists

On 98 unfinished lists

On 499 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

The real Katou Buntaro's biography!

15 years ago

Lastest chapter discussion

15 years ago

User Comments [ Order by usefulness ]

A whole other level

by SunshineRomance
2 months ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

To compare this work with the other works I have rated feels so wrong. This manga is on a whole other level from everything else I've read.

From the gorgeous art to the incredible story, this manga is truly a 10/10 (post timeskip...)

Before the timeskip, honestly I thought the manga was pretty mid. Classic anime-style nonsense with completely ridiculous feats because Mori is 'built different' I guess. I honestly think the work stands better (and perfectly comprehensible) if you just... don't read the first two volumes (or however long it takes to get to the first timeskip).

The visual metaphors are amazing, and I love how the author uses SO much visual story telling; no words, no dialogue, just beautiful, incredible two page and whole page spreads. A real work of art.

Story-wise, I really liked the blend of climbing difficulty with social dificulties. Buntarou's struggles with socializing and 'being a normal person' that keeps getting in the way of his climbing passion was a really nice touch and keeps the work grounded in some reality.

Speaking of reality, there were many times where I thought the physical achievements of the climbing were a little ridiculous, but these get milder in the later chapters, and I can kind of forgive that a little (personally I think it's the main issue with the pre-timeskip part). But for people who are actually climbers, they might take more of an issue to this.

Overall, an insane read. Definitely think everyone should read it. I'm considering getting a physical copy just for the art.

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It's trying

by Sandwhale765
2 years ago

Rating: 6.0 / 10.0

Unlike most of the tripe that comes out these days, it's at least really trying to say something. But I didn't feel it.

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if you find the protagonist insufferable, consider sticking with it

by the_Cloudborne
3 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

or don't, it takes

almost 100 chapters before he starts to improve, which is a while.

that said, while i did dislike the protagonist for much of the work, i could not stop reading this incredibly compelling work. my other critique is that at times i found the author's view on humanity to be a bit too cynical. however, despite these two flaws, this is a masterful work with stunning art and an ultimately satisfying character arc.

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Like getting hit with a train.

by apsyda
5 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

Kokou no Hito is a great manga. Its hard to say more because there is so much to it.
The art is incredible, discounting what are obviously pasted photos most likely due to time constraints, there is so much force and expression to the art that it can take your breath away.
The spectacle is wonderful. Avalanches have so much weight to them that its a surprise that they can be held back on paper or a computer screen. The weather feels real and its depictions make you feel as though you are inside it. And the characters have dynamic motion and expression throughout. Sequences such as the manga's climactic climb are just amazing to experience and can leave you speechless for a long time afterward.
And the personality of the work is strong. It doesn't feel like some writer apeing other works for content or anything even close to the sort. Its deeply original. One can see where Sakamoto took over from the previous writer and the novel it was working from and spun the work in his own direction very clearly, and the gains from that are great.

But its not always a good manga. The change in writers is very apparent and can lead to certain jumps and shifts that are disorientating and result in a headshake to get over. The first few volumes are rather generic and hold the rest of the manga back in certain ways.
Sakamoto is nothing if not a cynic and characters can be brutal (in a non-violent way) and can live brutal lives with little feeling of earning it.
The main character's anti-social traits can become grating at times and feel over done as well. But this is a rarity and usually works to serve a greater purpose.

Still, I'd 100% recommend reading this manga. Its an experience over all else.
And when you are done and finishing the last page, you might just have to look around and realize that, yes, you are still at home or on the bus or in the library, and no, you are not in fact standing the mountains.
But maybe you should be.

... Last updated 5 years ago

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Disagreeable main char

by PZcolo
9 years ago

Rating: 3.0 / 10.0

A genius emo that acts like a lone wolf with a dead wish and treats everyone like sh*t yet gets all the attention of them... Couldn't get past volume 2, the main char just ruins whatever great manga this might be.

... Last updated 9 years ago

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Urgggh

by kiriee
11 years ago

Rating: 6.0 / 10.0

This is almost the worst manga I've ever read, if you put that magnificent art aside. It full of plot hole, the world itself filled with jerk its like 80% of character you meet is total douch, what's worst is the main character whiny little bitch, oh world gone into shit because I'm here, if you know that do something about it being quite and cool doesn't solve problem.

plot hole from chapter 1-40 :

Reporter report false news, suddenly a rumor start saying the girl is a bitch, even thou it was not even relevant, everyone believe because they are genuinely idiot or a douche, teacher want to save her by confronting reporter but because he is idiot and because reporter super smart he now believe that he can't do anything, even thou he can sue him for creating false news there's a witness for god sake how can he be so IDIOT. because everyone believe the rumor the girl lose collage recommendation now became prostitute sure If japan only have one collage that could totally happen.

Main character became more and more loner, if he really want to be alone he can always go to the mountain seeing he can survive only drinking water and eat piece of chocolate a day. Meet the prostitute girl, getting his cock sucked, now know there is so much more fun thing to do than climbing mountain or being quite all the time. it probably good if it end like that problem is 12 volume of soul crushing story to follow.

I probably will continue to read it(only because of the art), but take this as warning this manga is full of negativity the world literary fill with malice and evil.

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Exceptional

by EminaLoli
11 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Make things short --- believe all good reviews here. This is too good to bother with bad reviews (if there are some).

Don't get a second thought and read this, now.

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Great

by hkanz
11 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

I really enjoyed this one. I'm not a climber, but a solo long distance backpacker, so it was awesome to see appearances from Platy, Golite, Snickers and other familiar pieces of gear. Mori well embodies the love for nature and lust for isolation that form the core of my sport.

Personal bias aside, the art is gorgeous and the story is well-structured. The only genuine gripes I have with this manga are: 1) How everything is too easy for the MC in the first few volumes, and 2) Most of the characters being stereotypical (this improves later on)/exaggerated in personality and morality. You have a group of 'good guys', who are kind, honest and understanding, and then a group of 'bad guys', who are liars, bullies and thieves. About 80% of the cast is bad guys and they exist almost solely to make life difficult for the good guys. Naturally, they also cheat when climbing mountains.

How attractive would this story be to the average reader? Since it's so up my alley, I have no idea. But as others have said, I recommend reading at least up until the MC leaves school, since the story and characterization improve at that point.

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Wow

by RoxFlowz
12 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

This one really left a deep impression on me. I find myself thinking about it sometimes even now, when I've finished this quite some time ago. I'd put it on hold after the first volume cause I found it to be a bit too Shounen and the mc was difficult to relate to (and I'm an introvert myself).

All that changed after the story left the school setting behind. The author does an incredible job at depicting the mc's state of mind, the imagery he used sometimes even reminded me of myself. While the manga is of course about mountain climbing, it's even more about the mc's growth and the challenges someone, who's bad at expressing himself, has to overcome.

It really may be difficult for some people to relate to the mc, but don't give up after the first volume. It gets a lot better.

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Psychology with sports as battleground

by Mizura
12 years ago

Rating: N/A

This series has one of the best depictions of an introvert (albeit an extreme case, most aren't That extreme. Some are though) that I have yet read. I guess it will be hard for extroverts to relate to the main character, but that is really how many of us introverts are like:

To outsiders, introverts seem quiet and aloof, but in fact their mind is constantly filled with thoughts: past, future, possibilities and imagination all mix together and distract from the present. For those of you who are confused by the images that pop up while Mori is climbing, those are actually depictions of his inner thoughts and conflicts as he challenges the mountains. For extreme introverts, such images can be just as vivid and tangible as the present outside world.
Interactions with others drain their batteries like no tomorrow. Social interaction is a source of great anxiety. They don't know how to respond to them, they don't know how to deal with outside demands. Mori's interactions with that creepy girl and his teammates are all depicted in ways I can empathize with.
Despite being afraid of social interactions, introverts do seek intimacy, not the shallow, "scary" interactions with total strangers, but someone "safe" who understands them and will support them no matter what, and be a part of their small, inner universe. Introverts value such bonds dearly, though may often have trouble expressing their feelings.
All this and more was portrayed in this manga, in a way I feel is much more realistic and relatable (to other introverts at least) than well... most series.

Ultimately this series is not just about mountain climbing. The mountains become Mori's means of escaping the people and reality underneath, but they invariably catch up to him, and his climbs become a battleground of both nature and inner thoughts. Yet they force him to confront aspects of himself that ultimately leads him to slowly mature as an individual. He starts caring more about safety. He learns to speak up for himself. He learns responsibility. And ultimately, he learns that he doesn't want to be alone after all. With that, step by step, he gets a job then gets a family.

Ultimately you could argue that he didn't grow that much, but you'd be forgetting where he was coming from. Mori is still heading for the mountains, but now he has something just as important waiting for him at the ground. (there are differences with the real person that the character was inspired from, but this was never meant to be an autobiography anyway)

Some people have complained about the way the side characters are used, by the way. I didn't have any problem with it. Real life isn't like a Shounen manga, where characters magically show up and become lifetime rivals and where nature cuts everybody slack. Mori's friend in high school, for example, was in the end just a trouble-maker with big dreams, but lacked the courage to pursue his dreams, and became one of many drop-outs out there.

... Last updated 3 weeks ago

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