Medalist Anime Episode 17 Analysis: Inori's Triple Loop & Tsukasa's Underdog Strategy

Introduction: The Desire for Victory in "The Medalist" Episode 17, "The Underdog's Triumph"

Among the Winter 2026 anime season, the work that most excites sports fans is undoubtedly "The Medalist". As the second season's plot intensifies, Episode 17 (Season 2, Episode 4), titled "The Underdog's Triumph", delivers a breathtaking figure skating competition. In this episode, the protagonist Inori Yuitsuka faces a crucial moment at the Chubu Regional Championships, showcasing not only her technical growth but also the tactical wisdom of her coach, Tsukasa Akeuraji.

The biggest highlight is Inori's successful landing of the Triple Loop, and the astonishing strategy hidden behind the seemingly conservative program composition of this coach-student duo.

Inori Yuitsuka's Evolution: The Significance of Her First Triple Jump

Episode 17 opens with Inori Yuitsuka stepping onto the ice, her eyes showing less of her former timidity and more determination. When she flawlessly lands her first Triple Loop with fluid grace, cheers erupt not only from the audience in the show but also from us watching the screen.

The success of this jump represents not just an increase in Technical Element Score (TES), but also symbolizes that Inori now possesses the "entry ticket" to compete with top skaters her age. Notably:

• Meticulous Animation: From the take-off edge to the knee cushioning on landing, it perfectly recreates the physical beauty of figure skating.
• Significantly Improved Skating Flow: Even veteran coaches and judges rinkside are surprised by her progress in Skating Skills.
• Demonstration of Foundational Training Results: This is the concrete reward for Tsukasa Akeuraji's insistence on foundational training.

A "Safe" Composition? Tsukasa Akeuraji's True Intent

What puzzled the professionals on-site was Inori's overall program composition. At first glance, it seemed like a "safe bet"—no attempts at difficult quadruple jumps, no extreme combination jump layouts. This seemingly "risk-free" composition even led some rival coaches to mistakenly believe Coach Akeuraji had chosen a conservative strategy, merely aiming to complete the program.

But this is precisely Tsukasa Akeuraji's brilliance and the core of "The Underdog's Triumph".

This so-called "safety" was actually to maximize the Grade of Execution (GOE). Under figure skating rules, a perfectly executed basic triple jump often scores higher than a difficult jump that is barely landed or results in a fall. Akeuraji's secret strategy lies in:

Utilizing Inori's exceptionally high-quality basic skating and perfect jump execution to "overcome" opponents who challenge high difficulty but have a high error rate. This is not retreat, but a precisely calculated "formula for victory".

Reactions from Coaches and Rivals: Underestimated Strength

As the program progressed, Inori became more and more composed on the ice. Hitomi Takamine and other club coaches began to realize that the girl before them was no longer the beginner who only knew how to imitate. The depth of her skating and musical interpretation she displayed transformed the originally monotonous "safe composition" into a stage for showcasing Program Component Scores (PCS).

In particular, the expressions of those associated with rivals like Yuki Uyama and Mamoru Sekoma shifted from initial "contempt" to "astonishment", serving as the most satisfying footnote to "The Underdog's Triumph". Every spin, every step by Inori silently declared: She is not here to participate; she is here to win.

Conclusion: The Crucial Battle on the Path to the All-Japan Championships

"The Medalist" Episode 17 not only showcases Inori Yuitsuka's technical leap but also deeply portrays the importance of "strategy" in figure skating. Tsukasa Akeuraji proves with wisdom that the best offense is not necessarily blindly pursuing difficulty, but honing the weapons in hand to perfection.

This "underdog's triumph" battle has only just begun. Can Inori secure her ticket to the All-Japan Championships with this meticulously designed program? Let's await the developments in the next episode!