Medalist Episode 1 Review: Yuri!! On Ice Fans Would Love This!

This episode of Medalist started off on a pretty good promising note. Let’s see how this episode turned out.

Medalist Episode 1 Overview

Medalist (メダリスト / Medarisuto) is a critically acclaimed Japanese manga series created by Tsurumaikada. Since its debut in May 2020, the series has been serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon, a popular seinen manga magazine. By August 2024, the story has been compiled into eleven tankōbon volumes, captivating readers with its compelling narrative and artistry. For English-speaking audiences, the manga is available through Kodansha USA, expanding its reach globally.

The series’ impact goes beyond its readership, garnering significant recognition in the manga industry. Medalist earned the Next Manga Award in the print category in 2022 and was honoured with the esteemed 68th Shogakukan Manga Award in the general category the following year. In 2024, it achieved another milestone by winning the 48th Kodansha Manga Award, solidifying its status as a standout work in sports manga.

Fans have even more to look forward to with its anime adaptation, produced by ENGI, which premiered in January 2025. The anime marks a new chapter for the series, introducing its rich storytelling to a broader audience. With its accolades and expanding media presence, Medalist is sure to become one of the best sports anime of 2025.

Medalist Episode 1 Review And Recap

There are not many sports anime centred on ice skating, let alone on a female protagonist, and I have a feeling that this one is going to be a good representation of that. The plot revolves around Inori, who dreams of being a figure skater but is too cowardly to express her interests in front of her mother. Thus, the only way she manages to skate while hiding from her parents is by sneaking into an ice skating rink. One day, her attempts get busted by the potential deutragonist of this series, Tsukasa, who has his own set of problems.

Tsukasa, like Inori, dreamed of becoming a world-class figure skater, but sadly, he was too old when he started. Usually, one should start by the age of 10, but he waited until he was 14 and hence could not make a name for himself on the international stage. He is, however, a talented figure skater who paired with other talented skaters and competed in national competitions.

We see him now looking for a permanent job, favourably in the skating field, so that he can continue his dreams while sustaining himself. Inori and Tsukasa’s first meeting was less than optimistic and more accident-prone, but their shared interest in skating made Tsukasa give Inori some much-needed advice. From him, she gets the information that if she waits any longer, she might not make it as a professional and might have to give up her dream. And this is where these two come together to form a formidable pair.

 Figure skating-related anime is nothing new, but a more sports-oriented show was something that we lacked. The anime seems pretty fresh, and the story starts off on a positive note. It also becomes clear that the bond and trust between a coach and their skater will be the highlight of this show, portraying how Inori overcomes her weaknesses with the help of Tsukasa.

Verdict

I like this anime very much as it touches upon a side of us that once wanted to become something. We all had dreams, but only a few were able to step out of the mundane routine and do something they really liked.

Those who can actually follow their passion and become something are admirable, and we will see the journey of one such girl who will do exactly that.

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