Encouragement of Climbing: A moving anime that depicts the charm of mountain climbing and a story of friendship

"Encouragement of Climb": A story of mountain challenges and friendship

"Encouragement of Climb" is a TV anime series based on the original manga by Shiro, and was broadcast on TOKYO MX and AT-X from January 3rd to March 21st, 2013. Although it was a short series of 12 episodes, each episode only 5 minutes long, it captivated many fans with its deep emotions and beautiful landscapes. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal of "Encouragement of Climb," the background to its production, the appeal of its characters, and subsequent developments.

Overview

Encouragement of Climb tells the story of Aoi, a protagonist who enjoyed mountain climbing as an elementary school student, who takes up the challenge of mountain climbing again as a high school student. The story follows her as she grows up, challenging herself to scale various mountains together with her childhood friend Hinata. The original work is a manga by Shiro and published by Earth Star Entertainment. The anime was directed by Yamamoto Yusuke and produced by Eightbit.

Production background and concept

The production of "Encouragement of Climb" began in response to the popularity of the original manga. The original author, Shiro, wanted to convey the wonderfulness of people interacting with nature through mountain climbing. Therefore, the anime also valued that concept, aiming to visually express the beautiful natural scenery and the joy of mountain climbing. Also, despite being a short 5-minute film, it succeeded in depicting the growth of the characters and the depth of their friendship.

Character Introduction

Aoi

The main character, Aoi, enjoyed mountain climbing when she was in elementary school, but drifted away from it after she became a high school student. However, she is invited by her childhood friend Hinata to try mountain climbing again. Although she lacks confidence and is anxious at first, she challenges mountains with Hinata and her friends, and the story depicts her growing as a person. Aoi's character is written in a way that many viewers can empathize with, and viewers can experience the feeling that they are growing along with her as she grows.

Hinata

A childhood friend of Aoi's, Hinata is a girl who loves mountain climbing. With a bright and cheerful personality, she invites Aoi to climb mountains and supports her. Hinata has a lot of experience in mountain climbing, and she gives Aoi various advice while challenging the mountains together with her friends. Her character symbolizes the depth of friendship and the joy of taking on a challenge together.

Other characters

In addition to Aoi and Hinata, there are many other attractive characters in "Encouragement of Climb." For example, the cool and intelligent Kaede and the bright and lively Honoka, each with their own unique personality, support Aoi and Hinata on their mountain climbing. The story woven by these characters provides viewers with both emotion and laughter.

The appeal of anime

Beautiful landscape depiction

One of the great attractions of "Encouragement of Climb" is its beautiful depiction of scenery. The anime is modeled on real Japanese mountains, and their beauty is realistically reproduced. In particular, the view from the mountaintop and the scenery on the mountain trails make the viewer feel the beauty of nature. In addition, the scenery of each season is also depicted, allowing viewers to enjoy the beauty of each season, such as cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves.

Character Development

"Encouragement of Climb" places emphasis on depicting the growth of the characters. In particular, the main character Aoi is lacking in confidence and anxious at first, but by challenging the mountains with Hinata and other friends, she gradually gains confidence. This process of growth is inspiring to the viewers. Hinata and other characters also show their own growth, allowing the viewers to enjoy the story along with their growth.

The depth of friendship

"Encouragement of Climb" is also a work that depicts the depth of friendship. The friendship between Aoi and Hinata is at the heart of the story. They support each other as they take on the challenge of climbing the mountain, and in the process, their friendship deepens. The other characters also value friendship, and one can sense the joy of taking on a challenge together with their friends. The depth of this friendship touches the viewer's heart and enriches the story.

The production staff's commitment

The production staff of "Encouragement of Climb" respected the concept of the original work, but also pursued expression unique to anime. In particular, they were particular about depicting beautiful landscapes, and modeled their scenes after real mountains in Japan, recreating their beauty realistically. They also put a lot of thought into the story structure and direction in order to portray the growth of the characters and the depth of their friendships. These particularities are what make "Encouragement of Climb" such an appealing work.

Subsequent developments

Sequels to "Encouragement of Climb" were produced after the first season aired in 2013. "Encouragement of Climb: Second Season" aired in 2014, followed by "Encouragement of Climb: Third Season" in 2018. These sequels depicted Aoi and Hinata's growth and new challenges, providing even more excitement to viewers. In 2022, "Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit" was broadcast, further deepening the story. These sequels also add new appeal while respecting the concept of the original work.

Related products and media development

"Encouragement of Climb" has been expanded into various media beyond just anime. In addition to the original manga, the anime's Blu-ray and DVD, character song CDs, and official guidebooks have all been released. It has also been made into a game, allowing fans to enjoy the world of "Encouragement of Climb" in a variety of ways. These related products have gained popularity among fans and have played a role in further spreading the appeal of the work.

Fan Community and Events

"Encouragement of Climb" also has an active fan community. Fans share information with each other and discuss the appeal of the series on social media and fan sites. In addition, voice actors and staff members participate in regularly held events, providing an opportunity for direct interaction with fans. These fan communities and events serve to further deepen the appeal of the series.

Recognition and Awards

"Encouragement of Climb" has been highly praised by many viewers and has won various awards. It is especially loved by many fans for its beautiful landscapes, character growth, and deep friendships. It has also been highly praised in the anime industry, winning numerous awards. These acclaims and awards are proof of the high quality of the work.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Encouragement of Climb" is recommended not only for those who love mountain climbing and nature, but also for those who want to enjoy a story of friendship and growth. In particular, it is a must-watch for those who are looking for a work that depicts beautiful landscapes, character growth, and the depth of friendship. You can watch it on various video distribution services. Blu-ray and DVD are also available, so you can watch it in the way you like.

Conclusion

"Encouragement of Climb" is a fascinating work that depicts a story of mountain challenges and friendship. It has been praised for its beautiful landscapes, character growth, and deep friendships, and is loved by many fans. The appeal of the work is also expanding through sequels, related products, fan communities, and events. Please watch this wonderful work and feel its charm.