In a season filled with flashy action series and high-stakes fantasy, Medalist stands out as a raw and emotional sports anime that proves it’s never too late to chase your dreams. This isn’t just a story about figure skating—it’s about perseverance, defying expectations, and proving your worth even when the world tells you otherwise.
And if that’s not enough to convince you, even Yuzuru Hanyu, the legendary figure skater himself, is watching the anime. If Medalist has caught the attention of one of the greatest skaters of all time, you know it’s something special.
A Story About Second Chances
Tsukasa and Inori, as seen in the manga.
At the center of Medalist is Tsukasa Akeuraji, a former figure skater whose career never even had the chance to take off. Unlike most skaters who start at a young age, Tsukasa had no proper training or resources. He practiced on his own at 14 but could only take the sport seriously at 20, when he finally got access to proper coaching. But by then, it was already too late for him to make it as a competitive singles skater, so he turned to ice dancing. Even then, he never truly made a name for himself.
Now in his late 20s, Tsukasa moves from one ice dancing job to another, unsure of where he belongs. Outwardly, he’s loud, cheerful, and full of energy, but deep down, he’s hard on himself and lacks confidence. Despite having an uncanny ability to break down skating techniques just by watching them, he constantly second-guesses himself, always seeking validation from other coaches. He knows he’s talented—he can instantly analyze a program, pinpoint mistakes, and suggest fixes—but he still feels ashamed that he never accomplished anything in his own career.
Tsukasa with Hitomi Takamine, his ice dance partner, during the national championships. Hitomi later recruits Tsukasa to become a coach at Lux Higashiyama Figure Skating Club.
Tsukasa expresses awe at Inori’s ice skating skills despite her having no proper training.
Everything changes when he happens to be at a skating club and witnesses a pivotal moment. Inori Yuitsuka, an 11-year-old girl, arrives with her mother, eager to join the club. But instead of supporting her, her mother discourages her outright. She argues that it’s too late—every other skater, including Inori’s older sister, started when they were about five years old. There’s no way Inori could catch up. She wanted the coaches to confirm this, hoping to dissuade Inori from trying.
But Inori refuses to back down. She insists that she wants to skate. And that’s when something clicks for Tsukasa. He sees himself in her—not in her potential to be great, but in her desperation to fight against the odds. He remembers what it felt like to be told it was too late, to be dismissed before he even had a chance. So instead of standing by, he steps in.
Rather than telling Inori to quit, he does the exact opposite—he volunteers to be her coach.
The People Who Shape Their Journey
Whenever Tsukasa skates, the aura around him changes as well.
As Tsukasa interacts with other coaches, he slowly realizes something shocking—he might have the same level of talent as Jun Yodaka, an Olympic gold medalist. He has a rare ability to memorize an entire skating program just by watching it once. But that talent was wasted in his own career—he never had the opportunity to use it.
Now, he has a new goal. If he couldn’t succeed as a skater, he’d use his talent to build Inori’s career instead.
The main cast of Medalist.
A relationship chart created by a fan to further understand the dynamics among the four.
One of the most intriguing figures in Medalist is Jun Yodaka himself. Officially, he’s retired from figure skating after winning at the Olympics, but in reality, he secretly coaches Hikaru Kamisaki, a rising star whom he scouted and trained to become the next version of himself. While Hikaru is officially coached by Shinichiro Sonidori at Meikoh Wind Figure Skating Club, Jun is the one who shaped her into an elite skater.
Meeting Hikaru ignited the fire that Inori has towards figure skating–she now wants to become so good, that she’ll be able to compete in the Olympics.
On the other hand, Hikaru and Inori’s dynamic is fascinating—not your typical rivalry. Hikaru doesn’t look down on Inori, but she recognizes her potential. Their contrast is striking—Hikaru was trained by the best from a young age, while Inori is still raw, just beginning her journey. But rather than treating her as an underdog, Hikaru acknowledges her as a real competitor, making their relationship one of the most compelling aspects of the story.
The Challenge of Bringing Skating to Life
While it’s obvious that CGI has been used, it still looks pretty smooth and good.
Figure skating is notoriously difficult to animate, requiring seamless motion, weight distribution, and precise choreography. When ENGI was announced as the studio behind Medalist, many fans were doubtful. The studio wasn’t known for high-quality animation, and given how easily awkward movement can break immersion in a skating anime, expectations were mixed.
Surprisingly, Medalist turned out better than expected. While its CGI is obvious and doesn’t blend into 2D, it looks smoother and more polished compared to the stiff, unnatural CGI seen in many anime. The choreography flows well, and episode 5 stands out as a highlight, where the movement and music come together beautifully to create an emotionally charged performance.
Despite not being a big-budget production, Medalist showcases a real respect for figure skating. The way skaters shift their weight, push off the ice, and land their jumps feels grounded and believable. Against the odds, ENGI delivered an ice-skating anime that, while not perfect, captures the essence of the sport far better than expected.
More Than Just a Sports Anime
Inori’s mother finally supports Inori’s dream of becoming an Olympic-level figure skater.
What makes Medalist truly stand out isn’t just the skating—it’s the emotional weight behind the story.
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the series is Inori’s relationship with her mother. She’s not a typical villain—she genuinely believes she’s protecting Inori by discouraging her. She thinks she’s sparing her daughter from inevitable failure, but instead of supporting her, she actively tries to crush her dreams. This leads to some of the anime’s most devastating moments, especially in episode 4, where the full weight of her rejection hits hard.
Then there’s Tsukasa. He’s not a perfect mentor—he’s figuring things out as he goes. But that’s what makes his journey so compelling. He’s not just coaching Inori; he’s trying to prove to himself that he still has value, that his past failures don’t define him. His growth as a coach mirrors Inori’s growth as a skater, making their partnership the emotional core of the series.
Why Medalist Is Worth Watching
If you enjoyed Yuri on Ice or Run with the Wind, Medalist should be on your watchlist. But even if you’re not into sports anime, this series is real. It captures the struggles, doubts, and triumphs of people fighting against the odds, making it an emotionally powerful experience.
One of the most exciting surprises surrounding Medalist is the involvement of Kenshi Yonezu, one of Japan’s most acclaimed musicians. Yonezu is no stranger to anime collaborations, but this time, he personally pushed for it. A huge fan of the Medalist manga, Yonezu insisted to the production team that he wanted to create the opening theme, “Bow and Arrow.” His passion didn’t stop there—he even drew fan art of Inori, which was featured on the cover of his single.
Kenshi Yonezu’s art for his single, Bow and Arrow.
And if that wasn’t enough, even Yuzuru Hanyu is watching Medalist. The fact that one of the greatest figure skaters of all time is following the anime is a testament to how well it portrays the sport.
With the Medalist manga still ongoing, the anime’s future remains uncertain. Will it take its time developing Inori’s journey, or will it be rushed? If handled well, Medalist has the potential to be one of the best sports anime in years.
Medalist is one of the most underrated anime of the season, and it deserves way more attention. It’s inspiring, emotional, and packed with unforgettable moments.
If you haven’t started watching Medalist yet, now’s the perfect time. With its gripping story, heartfelt characters, and rare endorsements from Kenshi Yonezu and Yuzuru Hanyu, this hidden gem might just be the best anime you watch this season.
TVアニメ『メダリスト』PV第2弾｜2025年1月より放送開始！
TVアニメ『メダリスト』メインPV｜OP主題歌：米津玄師「BOW AND ARROW」
What do you think?
Why did Tsukasa only take figure skating seriously when he was 20?
Will Inori be able to catch up with Hikaru’s level?
Will it be made public that Jun Yodaka is Hikaru’s real coach and not Shinichiro Sonidori?
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!
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You can watch Medalist on Disney and Hulu.
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.
