"Medalist" and "One Dance" appear on the cover of the manga magazine "Monthly Afternoon"

"Medalist," a popular figure skating manga by Tsurumai Ikada that has also been adapted into a TV anime, and "One Dance," a dance manga by Kohi that will be adapted into a TV anime starting in October, have collaborated on the cover of the September issue of the serialized magazine "Monthly Afternoon" (Kodansha), which goes on sale on July 25th.

The illustration is full of energy, with the main character of "Medalist", Yuzaku Inori, giving a high-five to the main character of "One Dance", Kotani Kaboku. The illustration is said to represent the "passing of the baton" from "Medalist", whose TV anime aired from January to March this year, to "One Dance", whose TV anime is about to air.

Tsuruma Ikada, the author of "Medalist," commented, "'Freedom' means not being restricted in expression.' The main character Kabo, who gains freedom through the special expression of dance, and the new manga expressions developed by "One Dance" continue to prove the power of this message."

"Medalist" has been serialized in "Monthly Afternoon" since 2020. The story is about a young man, Akiura Michiji, who is a failed skater, who meets Yuzuki Inori, a girl who dreams of becoming a figure skater, and aims to become a glorious medalist as a coach and athlete. The first season of the TV anime aired from January to March on TV Asahi's late-night anime slot "NUMAnimation." The production of the second season has also been announced.

"One Dance" has been serialized in "Monthly Afternoon" since 2019. It is a coming-of-age manga about a high school student, Kotani Hanaki, who has a stutter, who is fascinated by her classmate Wanita Hikari, who is absorbed in dancing without worrying about what others think, and challenges herself to a "freestyle" dance that does not require words. The TV anime will be broadcast on TV Asahi's anime slot "IMAnimation W" from October.