by August 11th is Mountain Day, a national holiday enacted in 2016. On this day, people can become familiar with mountains and be grateful for their blessings.
Many people think of mountains when it comes to summer leisure. There are many titles in which mountains are depicted in anime, and there is a wide variety, such as hiking in nearby mountains, attempting to climb cliffs, and being set in a village deep in the mountains rich in nature. So Anime! Anime! Conducted a reader survey titled “What is the best mountain anime?” following last year. During the survey period from August 5th to August 7th, we received responses from 55 people. The gender ratio was about 60 percent men, about 35 percent women, and about 5 percent did not answer, with more women. The age group was mainly young people, about 30 percent under 19 years old and about 15 percent in their 20s.
“Laid-back Camp△” is at the top! The third season will be aired this year. The first place is “Yuru Camp△”. With a support rate of about 27%, it has risen to the top from last year’s second place. “Yuru Camp△” is based on an outdoor manga currently being serialized in “COMIC FUZ.” It is a story that gently depicts the daily lives of high school students who love camping, set in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures.
The TV anime started broadcasting in 2018, and the third season was broadcast from April to June 2024. Many readers commented that the work makes them want to experience camping, saying, “The main focus is not mountain climbing, but camping. It looks fun to see them eating camping food with friends at the foot of the mountain” and “Watching Shima Rin and Nadeshiko enjoying camping in the great outdoors is also soothing.”
The way they enjoy touring and hot springs is also attractive. The second place is “Encouragement of Climb”. With a support rate of about 24%, it has dropped one place from last year’s top spot. The original work of “Encouragement of Climb” is currently being serialized in “Comic Earth Star.” Aoi Yukimura, who likes indoor activities, reunites with her childhood friend Hinata Kurakami in high school and learns about Hinata’s hobbies of mountain climbing and the outdoors.
Some readers commented that they started mountain climbing after watching this series, saying, “I like how Aoi, who didn’t have many friends, meets fellow outdoor enthusiasts and her world expands,” “The series conveys not only the fun but also the rigors of mountain climbing, and I think it’s an anime that loves mountains and is loved by mountains,” and “There is an episode where they challenge Mt. Fuji, but I’m glad that there are also easy mountains for beginners. I went to Tenranyama after watching the anime.” Third place: “Assassination Classroom,” “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” and “Yowamushi Pedal” were tied for third place.
“Assassination Classroom” received votes because the old school building of Kunugigaoka Junior High School, the series’ setting, is located in the mountains. One commented that they will never forget the year they spent in Class 3-E, saying, “It’s a school building on top of a mountain, which is everyone’s home ground, and it’s a place of memories where many things happened.” Regarding “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” he said, “The main character Tanjiro trained in the thin air of Mt. Sagiri, the final selection test for the Demon Slayer Corps took place at Mt. Fujikasane, and new developments occurred at Mt. Natagumo, where he went on a mission, so I think it’s a work that is close to mountains.” “Yowamushi Pedal” is a sports anime that depicts a high school cycling club.
“The main character’s name is Onoda Sakamichi, and his rival’s name is Manami Sangaku, both of which are names that evoke mountains, and the scene of them climbing up a hill during the race is memorable,” he said, unable to forget the fierce battles in the matches.
Here are some other comments! Regarding “Princess Mononoke,” he said, “The scene where the Tatarigami appears from the mountain was indescribably terrifying, and I felt like Otokoto no Nushi, Moro no Kimi, and Deidarabochi were lurking there.
Even as a child, I felt the depth of this work, as if nature and animals were angry at humans’ arrogance.” “Sound! For “Sound! Euphonium, “I was surprised at how innovative the plot was, with Kumiko being invited by Reina to climb a mountain while the town was in the midst of a festival.
