The Climber vol 2-8
I think I posted impressions about volume 1 when I read months ago, but in case I didn't, I liked it
The various posts about this series reminded me I had started the series and wanted to get the rest, but then forgot to buy more, so I remedied this month and got these yesterday.
I can't stand Buntaro too much. Compared to the other people, apart from Onishi (RIP), he's not the worst example of a human being, far from it, but I just can't stand his behaviour. His interpersonal skill levels are... well, 0 and the experiences in his life didn't help him to open up and sure, the stalker woman might have been stalkerish but you don't leave a person that just fell down the stairs like that (also, I don't feel like the stalker was too bad of a person, all things considered, when matched against the rest of the cast).
Obviously I realize that part of my problem with him is also in the way he's drawn. He's drawn with a face and expression that makes him look tough, it makes him look like someone that could stab you and not feel anything, while the truth is the exact opposite of that.
He's drawn in such a way that makes me expect him to act a way while he always does the opposite. The night on the alps, when he's shown taking a position after Kase died, had me think "oh, good, I almost can't believe he actually did it" only for it to turn into imagination a page later: he had imagined himself taking a stand but he didn't say or do anything, too shy, too scared, too indecisive.
In other words, I don't like Buntaro the man. I like instead Buntaro the climber. When he's climbing he's the best. It's like his real self finally comes out. Obviously, Buntaro the climber has his flaws too, as he tends to forget about everything else. I don't blame him for Onishi's death, but had he decided to turn around instead of being so immersed in the search for solitude, the tragedy could have been avoided.
I sort of like the dichotomy existence between him and the mountain. I feel like it's all in his head, personally, but the whole
the mountains accepts you because you're alone (like the mountain), so keep being alone to keep being accepted by the mountain... is somewhat crazy but also awesome.
So, after 8 volumes, I like this manga even more. The art isn't as cool as in Innocent in my opinion, though it's still good and I'm not too interested in Buntaro as a person (mostly because of his lack of growth as a person, though) but as a man against/together with nature, it's a great work. I just hope to see more climbing in the next volumes.