Yayoi Ogawa - Knight of the Ice Manga

Knight of the Ice is a masterfully crafted sports romance manga series written and illustrated by Yayoi Ogawa, featuring expressive character designs and dynamic, fluid ice-skating artwork. Set in the high-stakes world of competitive skating, the story follows Chitose Kishimoto — a hard-working press registry employee whose ordinary life is completely turned upside down by her childhood friend, Kokoro Kitasato. Kokoro is a top-tier figure-skating champion who appears gallant and flawless on the ice, but he is secretly a massive, passionate otaku. Easily shaken and vulnerable under competitive pressure, Kokoro must find his courage and can only land his incredible quad jumps when Chitose recites a magical girl anime spell from his favorite show before he takes the ice.

What makes Knight of the Ice stand out as an enduring sports-romance favorite is its incredible blend of athletic intensity, deep themes of mutual support, and its endearing, multi-faceted protagonists. The narrative is deeply emotional and fiercely loyal, charting Kokoro's growth from a closeted geek into a powerful global competitor, carried by his sweet, secret romance with Chitose as they navigate the stresses of public media scrutiny. The 11-volume Kodansha Comics edition streamlines the classic narrative across several competitive seasons — from national showcases to the final, high-stakes battles on the World Championship stage. Each volume showcases Yayoi Ogawa's signature delicate line work, intricate fashion designs, and highly detailed insights into the technical execution and artistry of figure skating.

Originally premiering in the pages of Kiss magazine under the Japanese title Ginban Kishi, the series has since evolved into a highly celebrated sports romantic comedy. It has spawned a dedicated global print run and is a beloved staple among fans of lighthearted, athletic slice-of-life storytelling. Fans of Princess Jellyfish, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, or Yuri!!! on Ice will feel right at home — this is essential reading for anyone who loves foundational josei sports history and standard-setting workplace romance fiction.

Other Notable Works

Yayoi Ogawa: You're My Pet / Tramps Like Us (Award-Winning Cult Classic), Kiss & Never Cry (Ice Skating Shojo), Baron Comparable Peers: Princess Jellyfish (Otaku culture peer), Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (Secret geek romance peer)

Series Details

Japanese Name: 銀盤騎士 (Ginban Kishi)
English Title: Knight of the Ice
Original Story & Art: Yayoi Ogawa
Illustrations & Character Design: Yayoi Ogawa
Original Publisher: Kodansha (Kiss)
English Publisher: Kodansha Comics (Print & Digital)
Release Years: 2012–2017 (Japan) / 2020–2022 (English 11-Volume Edition)
Volumes: 11 (Complete main story run)
Age Rating: Teen (13+)
Genre: Sports, Romantic Comedy, Slice of Life

Manga are assumed VG+ or better unless otherwise noted. No broken spines, no writing, no stickers, and may have light shelf wear. Older volumes may have slight yellowing due to the age of the paper. All manga are assumed to be pre-owned.