"Encouragement of Mountain" is a story about cute girls who become mountain girls and go mountain climbing. While mountain climbing is the main theme of "Encouragement of Mountain," the everyday interactions between the girls are also adorable, making it a popular anime. Here we introduce the main character of "Encouragement of Mountain," Yukimura Aoi.
[Encouragement of Climb] Yukimura Aoi's Basic Character
The main character has silver hair and green eyes
While most characters in "Encouragement of Climb" have black or brown hair and black or brown eyes, the protagonist, Aoi, has a somewhat unique appearance, with gray-ish silver hair and green eyes.
In the story, Aoi is described as cute by Hikari Onozuka, whom she met at her part-time job. Because she has an indoor side and likes feminine sensibilities, she is perceived as a cute girl by those around her.
Since many of the main characters, such as Hinata, Kaede, and Honoka, have dark hair or dark eyes, a character as unique as Aoi's is more eye-catching in this anime.
Her personality is unremarkable despite her appearance
Aoi has a somewhat striking appearance, but this is never specifically mentioned in the story. However, her childhood friend Hinata does criticize her dark personality and hobbies.
Aoi has become much more shy than she used to be, to the point that Hinata once told her, "If you don't socialize well, you won't make friends" and "You'll never get a boyfriend, you have dark hobbies." However, after she started mountain climbing, Aoi became more interested in the outdoors.
What are Aoi's dark hobbies?
Hinata said that Aoi has dark hobbies, but in reality, they're just slightly more mature girl hobbies like baking and reading. Aoi doesn't have any dangerous hobbies.
As a junior high school student, Aoi had few friends and enjoyed playing alone. She was excited about her high school life, promising herself, "Even in high school, I'll continue to have fun playing alone." However, her dreams were shattered by the arrival of her childhood friend, Hinata.
[Encouragement of Climb] Aoi and Hinata Reunite
Aoi Reunites with Her Childhood Friend After a Long Time
Aoi was muttering this famous line to herself: "Even in high school, I'm going to have fun playing alone." But her dreams were shattered when a loud voice called out, "Aoi! It's been a while! It's been since elementary school!"
"It's been a while since we last saw each other!" Aoi mutters to herself, "Who is this girl?" she says, but then quickly remembers it's her childhood friend, Hinata. And then Hinata forcefully invites Aoi to go mountain climbing.
Aoi and Hinata's Childhood Promise
Long ago, Aoi and Hinata were deeply moved by the sunrise they saw on a mountain somewhere, and Aoi invited Hinata to come back together someday. Aoi had completely forgotten about the promise, but Hinata remembered and excitedly approached her, saying, "We can finally go climbing!"
Aoi's fear of heights was caused by an accident.
However, Aoi later fell from a jungle gym and broke a bone. Since then, she developed a full-blown fear of heights and focused on indoor activities. Because of this, I was absolutely determined that "mountains are out of the question!", but I was swept up in Hinata's enthusiasm and the conversation ended up moving in the direction of going mountain climbing.
Hinata was surprisingly good at reading the mood, but Aoi...
Aoi was forcibly brought to Hinata's house, where she was forced to continue planning her mountain climbing trip. Aoi worried, "If this keeps up, we'll really end up climbing a mountain..." but Hinata realized that Aoi had completely forgotten about her and their promise.
Hinata, who was surprisingly good at reading other people's minds, gave up on her promise to Aoi, saying, "Thanks for going out of your way to go with me. I'll go to the mountains with Dad."
However, at that moment, Aoi clearly remembered her old promise with Hinata, and after reminiscing, she shed a tear. She responded positively to Hinata's suggestion, saying, "As long as it's not too high, maybe I can go mountain climbing," and from that day on, the two became friends again.
[Encouragement of Climbing] Aoi is a complete beginner at mountain climbing
Aoi is flustered on her first mountain climbing trip
Aoi and Hinata decided to start off by taking a quick hike up nearby Mount Tenran, 197 meters above sea level. However, Aoi, who had barely climbed a mountain before, didn't know what to bring.
Even though Mount Tenran is 197 meters above sea level, Aoi seriously wondered if she'd need a helmet or rope, and ended up putting a helmet on her head, which made her look foolish.
Aoi discovers the joys of mountain climbing on Mount Tenran
Mount Tenran is more of a landscaped hill than a mountain, and it's a bit of an exaggeration to call it a mountain climb. However, Aoi was impressed by the magnificent view from the summit and spotted a lizard along the way, and was able to discover a little bit of the joy of mountain climbing.
Mount Tenran was not dangerous at all, and even Aoi, who has a fear of heights, was able to climb it without any problems. Her initial anxiety completely disappeared, and she and Hinata had a great time, even having lunch at the summit.
Purchasing a Backpack Before Climbing Mount Takao
Aoi, who became friends with Saito Kaede, a senior mountain climber who was a year older than her, at an outdoor shop, asked Kaede for advice on what kind of mountain she should climb. After talking, they decided that Mount Takao might be a good choice, and Aoi became interested in the mountain, which is said to be a power spot, so they decided to climb it.
However, Aoi didn't have a backpack, so Hinata told her, "Shoes, rain gear, and a backpack are the three sacred treasures," forcing her to buy one. Aoi buys a backpack she likes for 5,250 yen and heads off to climb Mount Takao with Hinata.
Aoi Overexcited on Mount Takao
Aoi, who apparently loves power spots and spiritual matters, enthusiastically climbed Mount Takao, which is said to be home to many good luck charms. Hinata warned Aoi, "It's not good to rush," but as expected, Aoi, who has no stamina to begin with, became exhausted.
However, Aoi, following Hinata's advice and slowing down her pace, enjoyed the many good luck charms even while walking slowly. She reached the summit surprisingly quickly and enjoyed the view. Although it's not often mentioned, it's likely that this was the moment Aoi became captivated by the allure of mountain climbing.
Aoi, a mountain climbing beginner herself, is considerate of the younger girl.
While descending Mount Takao, Aoi and Hinata meet a cute girl two years younger than them, Aoba Kokona. Kokona was having trouble with the soles of her shoes peeling off, so Hinata, who had some wire, wrapped it around her shoes and fixed them.
After that, Aoi and Hinata became close friends with Kokona, and, even though her shoes had been repaired with wire, they were still difficult for her to walk in, so they walked down the mountain hand in hand. Aoi is shy, but it seems she doesn't get shy around younger girls, and she quickly became friends with Kokona.
[Encouragement of Climbing Mountain] Aoi has no talent for mountain climbing?!
Despite being the main character, she lacks stamina
Aoi is the protagonist of "Encouragement of Climb," but she has the least physical strength and mountaineering knowledge of the four main characters. As a result, she often struggles on intermediate or higher mountain climbs, and is often left behind by the others.
Mentally Weak
Aoi has a weak mentality, and when her body starts to tire, she becomes more aware of the pain than enjoying the climb, and she often complains. This leads to a vicious cycle that is difficult to break on her own.
Susceptible to altitude sickness
Aoi was so excited she couldn't sleep, but she also suffered from altitude sickness on Mount Fuji and couldn't reach the summit. Apparently, some people don't get altitude sickness at all, so Aoi's constitution may be innately unsuited to mountain climbing.
A fear of heights was fatal
Depending on the mountain, it's difficult to reach the summit without using a ropeway or chairlift, but Aoi's fear of heights meant she couldn't ride one.
However, it seems he overcame his severe fear of heights after just one climb of Mount Tanigawa, as he was able to ride the ropeway back from Mount Tsukuba in the third season without any problems.
[Encouragement of Climb] Aoi is a Growing Protagonist
Aoi's Rapid Growth
Aoi was an indoor person in middle school, so it's not surprising that she made a lot of mistakes when she suddenly started mountain climbing in high school.
After struggling to climb Mitsutoge Pass and Mount Fuji, Aoi gradually began to gain strength. At Tanigawadake, she was at her most energetic, even pursuing a girl she met, Kurosaki Honoka, alone and without a break.
Aoi seems to be the type who is cautious and learns through experience, so she could become a good mountain climber as she gains more experience. Also, she said she was working on her stamina in order to conquer Mount Fuji, so perhaps she was secretly working on her stamina.
I'd Overcome My Fear of Heights Before I Knew It
During the climb of Mount Tanigawa in the second half of the second season, Aoi was seriously afraid of the ropeway and chairlift. However, in the first episode of the third season, not long afterward, Aoi had overcome her fear of the ropeway.
Aoi had a physiological trauma about the ropeway, but seeing how she was able to ride it again soon after, it seems like Aoi's physical performance may change depending on her mental state.
Having climbed intermediate-level and higher mountains, including Mitsutoge, Mt. Fuji, and Mt. Tanigawadake, Aoi has gained experience and confidence. It seems likely that from Season 3 onward, she'll continue to enjoy climbing mountains at a good pace and have many successful experiences.
After Mt. Tanigawa, Aoi has conquered the mountains.
If successful mountain climbing is climbing while having fun, then it's safe to say that Aoi has conquered the mountains since Mt. Tanigawa. At Mitsutoge, my first serious mountain climbing trip, I was so exhausted and exhausted by the time I reached the summit that I still had a long way to go.
On Mount Fuji, I was fine until the fifth station, but by the time I reached the eighth station, I had altitude sickness and failed. However, Aoi was in such good spirits at Kirigamine that she surprised her mother, who was accompanying her, so perhaps after her failure on Mount Fuji, Aoi has begun to understand the tricks of mountain climbing.
And while she struggled with the ropeway and lift on Mount Tanigawa, the climb itself was the fastest, so perhaps by this time the earnest Aoi had mastered the art of walking and easy climbing techniques.
In the third season, Aoi climbed the mountain just as Hinata, who had been left behind until then, so it seems that her failure on Mount Fuji really helped her grow.
[Encouragement of Mountain Climbing] Aoi has a charm that draws people in.
Ever since they started mountain climbing, Aoi has become the center of attention, and even Hinata seems unsatisfied without her. At first glance, it may seem like Hinataka Kaede has leadership, but in reality, Aoi is always at the center of everyone.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Aoi is not the type to assert herself as she stands out, but she is not as shy as she thinks, and her balanced personality is her charm.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Among the members of Yamano Susume, who have a rather biased personality, Aoi is a relatively normal girl, so perhaps that's what makes her attractive and attracts everyone.
【Yama no Susume】 Yukimura Aoi's voice actor is Iguchi Yuka
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
The voice actor for Yukimura Aoi is Iguchi Yuka, who voiced "Index" in "A Certain Magical Index" and "Takayama Maria" in "I Have Few Friends."
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Iguchi is a voice actor who is good at voices of cute, energetic, and unique girls, but Aoi is a relatively normal, non-unique, quiet girl.
[Yama no Susume] Yukimura Aoi Summary
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Aoi didn't get much success until the second season of Yamano Susume because she lacked experience, but she gained a lot of experience in the third season, so we can expect to see her perform well.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Before you know it, Aoi has overcome her fear of heights and before you know it, she has also improved her physical strength, so it can be said that she is growing slightly high.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Aoi has become friends with the new character Honoka and has finally become acquainted with her classmates, so from the third season onwards, she will be able to see Aoi, who is cheerful, positive, and outdoors, just like she did when she was a child.
