Overview
- Medalist narrates the inspiring journey of an 11-year-old girl aspiring to be an Olympic figure skater after a chance meeting with a former ice dancer.
- This anime adaptation of the popular manga has garnered positive feedback, brilliantly delving into both the emotional and psychological facets of high-stakes competition.
- Those who enjoyed Yuri!!! on ICE will likely find Medalist appealing for its emphasis on the mentor-student relationship and the protagonist’s starting point in the realm of ice skating.
Table of Contents
- What Is Medalist About?
- Inori’s Path to Becoming a Figure Skating Superstar
- Why Fans of Yuri!!! on ICE Should Tune In
- Exploring More Than the Sport
The Winter 2025 anime season has kicked off, introducing a range of new shows, including Medalist, which focuses on ice skating. This series may just be the perfect companion for fans left yearning for content after the conclusion of the award-winning Yuri!!! on ICE, especially following the disappointing news regarding its anticipated film.
While Medalist adopts a distinctive narrative style and character development from its predecessor, it effectively captures poignant emotional moments. If it maintains its strong start, it could emerge as one of the standout anime titles of Winter 2025—highly recommended for fans of Yuri!!! on ICE.
What Is Medalist About?
Inori’s Path to Becoming a Figure Skating Superstar
Medalist centers around Inori Yuitsuka, an 11-year-old fifth grader whose dream is to become a world-renowned figure skater. Lacking formal training, she practices discreetly at a local rink, fearful of judgment from peers and adults who claim she is “too old”to begin serious training. Moreover, Inori must convince her mother to let her pursue figure skating, especially following her sister’s disappointing sports career.
A transformative moment occurs when Inori meets Tsukasa Akeuraji, a 26-year-old former ice dancer who recognizes his own old ambitions in her. Seeing Inori’s passion and potential, he agrees to coach her, guiding her on her path toward Olympic gold.
|
Medalist (Winter 2025) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Genre | Sports, Drama | ||
| Production Studio | ENGI | ||
| Director | Yasutaka Yamamoto | ||
| Episodes | 12 | ||
| Cast | Role | Japanese VA | English VA |
| Inori Yuitsuka | Natsumi Haruse | Madeline Dorroh | |
| Tsukasa Akeuraji | Takeo Otsuka | Jonathan Haigh | |
| Nozomi Yuitsuka | Ami Koshimizu | Erica Schroeder | |
| Hitomi Takamine | Emily Carter | Alejandra Reynoso | |
| Where to Watch | Hulu | Disney+ | |
Medalist is an adaptation of the manga by Tsurumaikada, serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon since May 2020, with eleven volumes published by August 2024. Kodansha USA handles the manga’s North American distribution. The series has been well-received, winning multiple awards, including the 2022 Next Manga Award and the 2023 Shogakukan Manga Award.
The anime is produced by the studio ENGI, with Yasutaka Yamamoto as the chief director and notable staff such as Jukki Hanada for series composition and Yuki Hayashi for music, both of whom are recognized for their previous successful works.
On the ice, even top athletes may falter, but true mastery comes from the ability to perform moves that astound spectators. The real essence of being a world-class figure skater lies in creating magical performances that transcend the sport itself.
– Medalist, episode 1
Why Fans of Yuri!!! on ICE Should Tune In
Exploring More Than the Sport
Both Yuri!!! on ICE and Medalist share a common foundation in the realm of ice skating, yet they diverge significantly in their narratives. Initially, it may seem puzzling to recommend Medalist to those drawn to Yuri!!! on ICE, which thrived on a romantic subplot between its protagonists. However, the core of both series lies in their examination of the psychological and emotional dimensions of competing at the highest levels in ice skating, a sport notorious for its competitive barriers.
Inori Yuitsuka and Yuri Katsuki are showcased as psychologically complex characters grappling with self-doubt and various personal challenges that propel their respective stories. For Yuri, it is his fear of success, resulting from past failures and a lack of self-confidence. In contrast, Inori’s struggles stem from factors including her inadequate performance in school and her mother’s apprehension about her commitment to figure skating.
Both characters flourish under the guidance of individuals who see and believe in their potential. An engaging aspect for fans of Yuri!!! on ICE will be the mentor relationship between Inori and Tsukasa, who becomes invested in her progress to fulfill a role he once wished he had in his own life—a supportive figure during his growth as a skater.
In this vein, the mentor-student dynamic of Medalist echoes Viktor Nikiforov’s role in Yuri!!! on ICE, where training between characters fosters mutual growth and development. With its engaging storyline and character arcs, Medalist presents an enriching experience for ice skating enthusiasts.
Medalist is now available to watch on Hulu and Disney+.
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