Iwakakeru!: Sport Climbing Girls (Episode 7) – Failure of a Climber

Konomi has one more wall to climb and it’s the toughest of the bunch. Can she do it, and how will the others handle the walls? It’s almost time for Jun to try and she’s already got one eye on the finals!
What happened?
Konomi faces off against the final wall and as she starts to analyze her climb, things start going a little wrong for her for the first time. She’s confused as to what’s happening and pushes on, attempting her first climb. The spectators watch with bated breath in hopes that she will one-shot it and complete the set. However, Kikuko’s father, Juuzou has a bad feeling about this. He can tell from her stance that she’s running on empty and that’s going to make this an even tougher climb that the others.
Unable to complete the fourth wall, Konomi takes her seat in the gallery and watches the other climbers, but so far no one has been able to send a single wall. Konomi’s long time rival, Ooba gives up on the final wall and settles on reaching the zones. That’s not a bad tactic seeing how the others are fairing. Back in the waiting room, Iwamine is watching the others, aware of just how Konomi’s success will affect their focus.
It’s finally Jun’s turn to climb and she is ready to knock these walls off and progress to the final with Konomi, but the first wall doesn’t quite go as she planned. Then, second and the third. Jun has focused her everything into climbing and seeing Konomi succeed where she cannot is eating her up. She remembers her childhood and how she pushed others away to focus on climbing. On the fourth wall, she has one last attempt before the clock runs out, but she can’t move, her will has been broken!

What did you think?
This was brutal! I know I’m here for the climbing, the climbing girls, and an all-round good time, but this was a great episode all the same. I’ve constantly mentioned how I love that it is taking the climbing seriously, even if some of the characters are a little out there (I also love that too). So, to see them step it up once again and show us the effects of Konomi not taking care of herself between climbs, which they highlighted in the last episode when Jun reminded her to wipe off her sweat, was a great touch.
However, that was nothing compared to the damage Konomi’s success did to this tournament. It has gotten into everyone’s heads and they can’t seem to let go. This is exactly why when you’re watching the Olympics, and before the race, there is no interaction between the competitors, and they won’t even watch other heats. As soon as you let someone else into your head, you’ve lost.

What have you learnt?
This episode sets up the next one perfectly and it leaves us hanging on how Jun is going to react. I can fully understand her not wanting to talk to Konomi so soon after she failed. She’s raw with disappointment and there’s a chance that will strain their relationship. This feels like the moment for Sayo to step in as the team captain and drop some truths. Like any competition, she cannot worry about what others do because you can’t change that. All you can focus on is what you can change, and that’s how you perform and how you react to the results. Jun wasn’t beaten by the wall, she was beaten by herself.

Other reviews in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – Rocky Puzzle
- Episode 2 – Believe in Yourself
- Episode 3 – The Anti-Monkey Rock
- Episode 4 – Powerhouse Climbers
- Episode 5 – Hard Work and Talent
- Episode 6 – Unbelievable Ability
- Episode 7 – Failure of a Climber
- Episode 8 – Tears of Disappointment
- Episode 9 – The Princess of Climbing
- Episode 10 – Restart!
- Episode 11 – The 15 Second Wall
- Episode 12 – The Road to Best in Japan

Ah yes anime, the only place where you’ll find EVERYTHING and then some. From tennis to rock-climbing, there’s no topic or profession out of reach. Want a story about a cook? we got you. Want a story about card games? hell yeah we got you. Want a story about monsters eating humans like they’re chicken wings? Dude, your sick…BUT WE GOT YOU.
As for the anime, these girls trying to get ripped like Vegita in gravity training. They trying to get bulky like baki. I might give an episode a try and see what its like. Dive deeper into the depths of anime fellow Otaku Author.
That’s the wonder of anime. I’ve watched shows about things I never imagined possible and have loved them.
If you want girls trying to get ripped might I recommend How Heavy are the Dumbbells You Lift? That’s a lot of fun. In this one, it more about perfectly toned and fit bodies… so you can’t really go wrong. It’s also a lot of fun. Thanks for reading.
I’ll look at that as well. Been watchin peter grill . I was laughing my butt off with that one. Gotta appreciate Japanese story telling.
Yes! Peter Grill was hilarious. Completely nuts, but very funny.
What are some other anime you’d recommend? Been looking for some decent space operas.
Have you seen Vandread? And, of course, Cowboy Bebop, but I’m pretty sure I was the last person to see it so you’ve probably already watched it.
Yeah, I already know about cowboy bebop. Vandread eh? Gonna look that up. Meanwhile, I recommend Gal Force and the first Robotech. They are pretty retro but fantastic stories.
I’m aware of both but haven’t actually seen them. I’ll add them to the to-watch list. I love the retro stuff. I grew up watching all the retro shows. Thanks
You’re an author right? What have you written? I’m curious to see what an anime fan can write and guess where you got the inspiration from.
I’ve got a couple of shorts on this site – https://otakuauthor.com/category/fiction/, and had more published that were part of anthologies, but they’ve all been unpublished now.
I have a series of novellas on Amazon that I wrote a couple of years ago, but I’m planning on redoing them as a web-novel in the new year.
Sorry for the late response. I’ll give your work a look on your site and amazon.
No worries. I wasn’t expecting you dive straight in. Hope you enjoy what you find.
Ok I bought the series and will be giving them a look. I also saw your website and notice that you have a similar writing style as mine so I want to check it out. I’ll definatly review the books whenever I finish reading them.
If you want a decent space opera, you can’t go far wrong with Yamato 2199!
And if Lynn will forgive, there’s episode by episode by reviews on my blog… I’m currently reposting them.
https://apprenticemages.com/2020/11/17/yamato-2199-group-watch-eps-1-2-2/
How dare you… haha! Just kidding. I’d check it out but I’ve not seen it and have a fatal allergy to spoilers.
There’s no time like the present! And you’ve even got my (upcoming) weekly posts to serve as motivation!
I’ll give it some thought. I’ve got a pretty full schedule right now what with NaNoWriMo and stuff.