Medalist Review: A Healing Journey of Chasing Dreams on Ice
Medalist
Just finished watching this 2025 figure skating anime, and I was absolutely touched!
I initially thought it was just a typical hot-blooded sports anime, but I was completely captivated by its nuance. Adapted from an award-winning manga, the plot feels grounded rather than exaggerated. There are no protagonists with innate superpowers, only ordinary people giving it their all.
The male lead, Tsukasa Akeuraji, is a former figure skater trapped by past failures, filled with regrets after his glory days faded. The female lead, Inori Yuitsuka, is an 11-year-old girl with incredible hidden talent who has to practice in secret due to her family's opposition. The meeting of these two discouraged souls isn't just a one-way salvation, but a mutual journey of growth and support.
The 3D animation for the skating sequences is incredibly fluid. The texture of the blades cutting through the ice and the muscle definition during jumps show genuine care in every detail. When Kenshi Yonezu's theme song kicks in, paired with the scene of the heroine dancing fiercely on the ice, I got goosebumps all over!
There's no mindless gratification here, only realistic struggles: the heroine facing doubts about being 'too old,' family opposition, and training plateaus; the hero bound by the shadows of his past. Yet, they never give up on each other—this mentor-student bond is even more moving than romance.
The only minor gripe is that some of the everyday animation is a bit inconsistent, but it doesn't affect the viewing experience at all. What makes it truly special is that it doesn't treat the gold medal as the only goal, but instead teaches us that the meaning of chasing a dream lies in the growth and perseverance found along the way.
Is anyone else watching this? Which character is your favorite?
Just finished watching this 2025 figure skating anime, and I was absolutely touched!
I initially thought it was just a typical hot-blooded sports anime, but I was completely captivated by its nuance. Adapted from an award-winning manga, the plot feels grounded rather than exaggerated. There are no protagonists with innate superpowers, only ordinary people giving it their all.
The male lead, Tsukasa Akeuraji, is a former figure skater trapped by past failures, filled with regrets after his glory days faded. The female lead, Inori Yuitsuka, is an 11-year-old girl with incredible hidden talent who has to practice in secret due to her family's opposition. The meeting of these two discouraged souls isn't just a one-way salvation, but a mutual journey of growth and support.
The 3D animation for the skating sequences is incredibly fluid. The texture of the blades cutting through the ice and the muscle definition during jumps show genuine care in every detail. When Kenshi Yonezu's theme song kicks in, paired with the scene of the heroine dancing fiercely on the ice, I got goosebumps all over!
There's no mindless gratification here, only realistic struggles: the heroine facing doubts about being 'too old,' family opposition, and training plateaus; the hero bound by the shadows of his past. Yet, they never give up on each other—this mentor-student bond is even more moving than romance.
The only minor gripe is that some of the everyday animation is a bit inconsistent, but it doesn't affect the viewing experience at all. What makes it truly special is that it doesn't treat the gold medal as the only goal, but instead teaches us that the meaning of chasing a dream lies in the growth and perseverance found along the way.
Is anyone else watching this? Which character is your favorite?
