Overview: The Journey Up the Mountain#
Encouragement of Climb (also known as Yama no Susume) is a heartwarming series that follows the story of Aoi and Hinata. As children, the two shared a memory of seeing the sunrise from the apex of a mountain and promised to do it again. However, as time passed, Aoi developed a fear of heights (acrophobia). The series explores their journey as they attempt to overcome these hurdles to see the sunrise together once more.
If you are looking to dive into this series, you can watch the anime on Prime Video to start your ascent.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
Whether the anime provides a “satisfying conclusion” depends on how much of the story you want to experience. The anime has seen extensive development over the years, spanning several seasons and sequels, most recently with Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit in 2022.
However, it is important to remember that the anime is an adaptation of a manga that has been serialized in Comic Earth Star since 2011. Because the source material is the foundation of the story, those who want the most complete experience may find it necessary to buy the manga to see where the characters’ journeys lead beyond the animated episodes.
Audience and Appeal#
Encouragement of Climb is best suited for viewers who enjoy themes of friendship, personal growth, and the beauty of nature. Its primary appeal lies in the relatable struggle of overcoming fear—specifically Aoi’s acrophobia—and the gentle bond between friends. It is a relaxing yet inspirational watch for anyone who enjoys seeing characters push their limits in a supportive environment.
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Recommended Watch Order#
Navigating the various seasons and specials can be confusing. For the best experience, we recommend following the release order, which also serves as the chronological narrative flow. You can refer to the relationship tree provided on this page for a visual guide.
The Standard Watch Order#
For those who want the core story, follow this sequence:
- Encouragement of Climb (Original Series)
- Encouragement of Climb Second Season
- Encouragement of Climb: Gift of Memories
- Encouragement of Climb Season 3
- Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit
The Completionist’s Path#
If you are a true fan and want every piece of available media, you should integrate the following extras into your experience:
- Stage Play: A stage play adaptation was released in 2018.
- Gaming: For those who want to interact with the world, Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit received a console game release in 2022.
- Live-Action: In 2023, a live-action show titled Camera, Hajimete mo Ii Desu ka? was revealed.
While exploring these, you might also want to pick up some official merchandise to celebrate your fandom.
For Manga Readers#
If you do not mind mixing mediums, you can start with the anime and then transition to the manga to fill in any gaps or continue the story where the animation leaves off. Since the manga predates the anime (starting in 2011), it remains the definitive version of the story.
Useful Tidbits for Viewers#
- Streaming: For those in regions where it is available, Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit has been streamed via HIDIVE.
- Format: Next Summit features half-hour episodes, ensuring a substantial amount of content for fans of the series.
Encouragement of Climb • manga • 2011-08-12 (serialized in <i>Comic Earth Star</i>)
└─(adaptation)→ Encouragement of Climb • anime • 2013-01-02
└─(sequel)→ Encouragement of Climb Second Season • anime • 2014-07-09
└─(sequel)→ Encouragement of Climb: Gift of Memories • anime • 2017-10-28
└─(sequel)→ Encouragement of Climb Season 3 • anime • 2018-07-02
└─(sequel)→ Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit • anime • 2022-10-04
