As someone who’s used to watching sports anime with a teen cast, I didn’t know the fascination that comes from following child athletes. That they’ll stir my emotions even more as I watch them grow, struggle, and live among adults while their life slowly unfolds. But Medalist amazingly introduced me to this feeling, and I honestly want more of it.

I heard of Medalist sometime this year, but I only remembered to watch it in November. I really hoped I started it sooner because of its exquisite storytelling and elegance, which reminded me of Yuzuru Hanyu, the face of Japanese figure skating himself. It’s also relatable and friendly to both fans and non-fans of figure skating, and full of lessons that both children and adults can learn.

This review is spoiler-free.

Where passion burns on the frozen stage

Medalist begins on a local ice skating rink, where former ice dancer Tsukasa Akeuraji crosses paths with 11-year-old Inori Yuitsuka, who secretly skates her way into the world of figure skating. Although they’re years apart, their passion for the sport brings them closer and even further to their once unfulfilled dreams. It’s not just about the art and difficulty of figure skating, but it’s also a story of growth and self-acceptance told from multiple perspectives.

I’m not heavily into the sport, but I personally connected a lot with Inori, who treats figure skating as the only thing she can call her own because she’s not good at anything else. At 11, she’s already self-aware and willing to change. She’s the central lead, but I liked how the spotlight was also given to her rivals to show what else athletes deal with, including self-reliance and dejection. As vulnerable children, their character arcs were affecting and believable.

However, Medalist isn’t only for young athletes who aim to become great despite starting a little late. It’s also for the frustrated adults who once walked the same path and are still figuring out their dreams years later, just like Tsukasa, who’s also the protagonist. His upbringing is quite a new take, and his dynamic with Inori as his student is surprisingly delightful. They’re similar and different at the same time, but they bring out the best in each other and are both equally engaging, too.

Other adults are also involved in the story, with unexpectedly pleasing character development. This direction strikes a balance between two stages of life where children behave like children, and adults act like real adults, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. It has drama that tugged at my heartstrings, but it’s also filled with lighthearted and funny moments that are right up my alley.

Stunning visuals and sounds of ice

From costumes to actual performances, figure skating is one of the most elegant sports out there — and studio ENGI greatly delivered this aspect. The sequences are intense and beautiful to watch, paired with equally touching ice skating music. But what I like the most are the character eye designs. They look sparkling and brilliant, which resembles the Medalist manga covers, and are different from what I’m used to looking at.

Medalist has also mastered the art of balance with its opening and ending themes. Each episode starts strongly with Kenshi Yonezu’s BOW AND ARROW, which depicts a medalist’s fate and competitive path. At the same time, it ends with Neguse.’s Atashi no Dress, which is a chill and playful song about reaching one’s goals despite fear. The latter is my personal favorite, and I really like its quirkiness because of Inori’s unusual little buddy.

Final thoughts

I totally get the hype of this anime among Japanese fans. I really enjoyed it from beginning to the end, and I find myself relating to more than one character. I’ll also not forget how Inori totally captured the meaning of self-love with her unforgettable monologue in the end, and how Tsukasa became such a good parental figure for her. It’s simply wholesome.

The sequel is coming this January, and I honestly can’t wait to root for Inori and learn more about Tsukasa and my favorite characters. From the story, animation, and to my personal enjoyment, I rate the first season of Medalist a solid 10 out of 10.