Introduction
Yuri!!! on Ice is one of the few sports anime centered on figure skating. It quickly became a global sensation, captivating audiences worldwide and dominating discussions within the professional skating community. Its widespread acclaim and undeniable popularity made it one of the standout anime of 2016, resonating with fans from all walks of life.
Directed by Sayo Yamamoto and co-created by Mitsurou Kubo, this original series follows the journey of Yuri Katsuki, a Japanese figure skater who dreams of competing on the same ice as his idol, the legendary Russian skater Victor Nikiforov. However, after a devastating loss at the Grand Prix Final in Sochi, Yuri's confidence is shattered, and he contemplates giving up on his dream altogether. That is until Victor himself appears in Yuri's hometown, offering to coach him and reignite his passion for skating.
Yuri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov, finally performing together on the ice.
The series garnered widespread acclaim for its representation of LGBT themes, its realistic portrayal of the figure skating world, and its beautifully choreographed skating sequences. Fans eagerly awaited the announcement of a movie adaptation, which was officially greenlit and titled Yuri!!! on Ice the Movie: Ice Adolescence.
However, despite the initial excitement surrounding the movie, its production was marred by a series of setbacks and controversies, ultimately leading to its cancellation. So, what exactly went wrong behind the scenes?
Initially announced to great fanfare, the movie was slated for release in 2019, promising to delve deeper into the world of figure skating and the beloved characters introduced in the series. Fans eagerly anticipated the continuation of Yuri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov's journey, expecting another emotional rollercoaster filled with drama, realism, and breathtaking performances on the ice.
Victor and Yuri’s first official interaction.
However, as time passed, delays plagued the production, and on April 19, 2024, MAPPA, the studio behind the project, made the devastating announcement: Ice Adolescence was officially canceled. The reasons behind this decision are as complex as they are disheartening, shedding light on the challenges creators face in an industry fraught with politics and commercial interests.
Censorship Issues and the Geopolitical Climate
Victor and Yuri exchange promise rings.
According to speculation on X (formerly Twitter), distribution issues were a major contributing factor to the film's cancellation, particularly in China and Russia. LGBT inclusion surfaced as a critical issue from the start, with distribution companies afraid of potential backlash in countries regulated by strict censorship laws.
Rumors suggest that as early as 2017, efforts to address these challenges were met with resistance. There were speculations of a ban on LGBT discourse at promotional events, causing conflicts between the creators and distributors. This censorship not only impeded the creators' artistic vision but also strained their relationship with both the studio and the distributors. Despite these obstacles, the creators reluctantly agreed to substantial alterations to the movie's script, resulting in a pivot to focus solely on a prequel narrative devoid of present-day content.
The decision to make the movie a prequel was driven by a desire to expand the Yuri!!! on Ice brand into a franchise, with plans for a second series to follow the movie's release. However, these plans have yet to materialize, leading to disappointment among fans and further exacerbating tensions between the creators and the studio.
Young Victor as a champion figure skater.
Another contributing factor to the movie's cancellation was the challenging geopolitical climate, particularly with Russia. With the country facing bans from international sports events and ongoing tensions with Ukraine, the portrayal of Russian characters in the movie became a sensitive issue. The risk of offending Russian audiences, combined with concerns about the portrayal of LGBT themes, made things even more complicated.
Studio-related Troubles
The series’ fluid animation in the series made MAPPA a household name.
Behind the scenes, allegations of mismanagement and financial missteps further complicated matters. Reports indicate that despite the widespread success of Yuri!!! on Ice, MAPPA struggled to fully capitalize on its profitability, leading to internal discord and disillusionment among staff. At the time of the series' release, MAPPA was still a relatively small studio and reportedly received a minimal share of the profits. The CEO of MAPPA even stated that the series generated "very little money" for them. However, contrary to these assertions, it is believed that MAPPA utilized the earnings from Yuri!!! on Ice to fund their other projects. This alleged diversion of funds only served to heighten tensions and diminish trust among stakeholders.
Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters, with resources being redirected to other projects to keep the studio afloat during uncertain times. The closure of theaters and disruptions to production schedules meant that the movie's release was indefinitely postponed, further straining the already fraught relationship between the creators and the studio. As MAPPA juggled multiple high-profile projects, including Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan Final, the prospect of reviving Ice Adolescence grew increasingly remote, relegating it to the back burner indefinitely.
Yuri Plisetsky, Yuri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov, the main characters of Yuri!!! On Ice.
Conlusion & Where To Get Merch
Ultimately, Yuri!!! on Ice the Movie: Ice Adolescence became a casualty of its own ambitions, caught in a web of geopolitical tensions, distribution challenges, and studio politics. Despite the passion and dedication of its creators and fans, the movie's fate was sealed by a combination of external factors and internal conflicts.
As fans mourn the loss of what could have been, the legacy of Yuri!!! on Ice lives on, reminding us of the power of love, perseverance, and the indomitable spirit of the human heart. While the movie may never see the light of day, its impact on the anime and the figure skating community will endure for years to come.
Despite Ice Adolescence’s cancellation, we always have the anime to rewatch whenever we want to see more of Victor and Yuri, whose merchandise you can buy here at ZenPlus, shipped to you straight from Japan!
TVアニメ『ユーリ!!! on ICE』オープニングムービー │「History Maker」DEAN FUJIOKA
【特報】ユーリ!!! on ICE 劇場版 : ICE ADOLESCENCE（アイス アドレセンス）
What do you think?
Why was Ice Adolescence cancelled?
Do you believe that internalized homophobia and censorship led to Ice Adolescence’s cancellation despite the existing BL market overseas?
Will Ice Adolescence solely focus on Victor?
Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on social media: X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook! We’d love to hear from you!
ZenPlus is your one-stop shop for all things Japanese. Check out our marketplace for manga volumes, cosplay, figures, and other merch from Yuri!!! On Ice franchise!
You can watch Yuri!!! On Ice on Crunchyroll and Prime Video.
About The Writer
Cristy is a freelance artist and writer who has been obsessed with anime and manga since childhood. Her love for these imaginative worlds fuels her creative endeavors, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
