The interaction between the coaches in the sidelines provides much-needed context on the "politics" of figure skating. It’s not just about who skates best, but who manages the pressure of the spotlight. 📈 Why This Chapter Matters
For those new to the series, Medalist (Japanese: メダリスト) is the brainchild of author and illustrator Tsurumaikada. Serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon since May 2020, the story revolves around a seemingly unlikely duo: , a young man whose own figure skating dreams were crushed, and Inori Yuitsuka , an 11-year-old girl labeled as "too old" and overlooked by everyone.
Based on the typical 45-page length of Medalist chapters, the raw scans for Chapter 50 are likely to end on a "cliffhanger hook." Predictions from Japanese fan forums ( 2chan and Maa-kun ) suggest that the final page will show Inori staring at the national championship trophy, but her reflection in the silver shows a version of herself that looks like Hikaru—hinting at an identity crisis. MEDALIST - RAW chap 50 Raw Manga - WeloveManga
The chapter opens not with a scoreboard, but with Inori’s hands. Specifically, the way they tremble while untying her skates. There is a brutal two-page spread with no dialogue—just the ice reflecting the stadium lights, and Inori’s exhausted face half-hidden by her bangs. Her free skate (the "Blade" referenced in our working title) was technically near-flawless, but the raw panels emphasize something else: the micro-fractures of fatigue. Hachisuka (her coach) says nothing. He simply places a towel over her head. In a rare moment of internal monologue (rendered in jagged, handwritten text), Inori thinks: "I didn’t fall. So why does my chest feel like it’s splitting open?"
Art & Visuals
The series has resonated deeply with audiences, topping the LINE Manga 2025 rankings in the collected volumes category. It has also earned a staggering number of awards:
Technical Skating Depiction
Medalist Chapter 50, "Proof of Earnestness," marks a pivotal emotional turning point where Hikaru Kamisaki offers support to a struggling Inori Yuitsuka following a devastating performance. The chapter emphasizes the deepening bond between the rivals, with Hikaru promising to skate her free program for Inori. Read a detailed summary of Chapter 50 at Medalist Wiki .