Medalist Episode 13 Review: Shining Like A Star

This episode of Medalist was a treat for all skating fans. Let’s see how this episode turned out.

Medalist Episode 12 Recap

Tsukasa is the first to step onto the ice, with his movements fluid and confident, yet Rioh remains unconvinced. He doubts whether Tsukasa can truly complete the routine with the skill required. However, the moment Tsukasa begins his performance, Rioh’s skepticism vanishes. The elegance of Tsukasa’s skating captivates him, as his every motion oozes a natural grace. His long limbs and poised figure complement his technique, making every glide effortless.

What surprises Rioh the most, though, is not just the beauty of Tsukasa’s skating but the emotion in his movements. There is an artistry in how he carries himself. As he watches, he gradually recognizes that Tsukasa’s style bears a striking resemblance to Jun’s. Though it is still slightly different, with fewer jumps. Yet, despite this distinction, Rioh finds himself wondering if Tsukasa’s overall skating ability is better than Jun’s. As the session continues, Rioh begins to reflect on his previous doubts and misconceptions. Slowly, he realizes how much he has underestimated Tsukasa’s talent. Accepting this, Rioh decides to put aside his pride and truly commit to learning. He takes a significant step by filling out the training form.

However, the lesson does not end there. Tsukasa has one more surprise in store for the young skaters. To help them understand the importance of posture and body awareness, he has arranged for a special instructor. It is a professional ballet performer, someone who brings an entirely new perspective to their training.

At first, Mike is indifferent to the idea of ballet. She struggles to see its relevance to skating and does not take much interest in the lesson. However, as she observes more, her perspective begins to change. Gradually, she becomes fascinated by the intricacies of ballet and starts to appreciate its influence on her skating technique.

Medalist Episode 13 Review And Recap

This episode starts with a powerful sequence of Inori dreaming about finding worms. It finally gets revealed that she always wanted to find worms because that was the only way Inori managed to skate, even at the cost of being mocked by others. But she’s actually having these nightmares because it is a big day for her. Inori’s much-awaited skate exam is finally here, and she must do her best to pass the level 6 test.

If she passes, then she can compete in a skate competition called the All-Japan Novice. This level is extremely important for Inori because that way, she can finally stand against Hikaru. However, the battle is not limited to just Inori, as Tsukasa will also be going against Jun as a mentor. Needless to say, the pressure from this competition is immense on both of them.

In the same venue, Rioh also prepares for his test, and it is apparent that he is definitely liking Tsukasa way more than before. The exam starts, and Inori seamlessly lands a double axle, something she previously struggled with. In the 3rd and final competition, at first, she feels anxious, but she overcomes her fears. After that, the performance that she comes up with becomes one of the best of her career.

Verdict

Today’s episode was really good, as it ended on a positive and hopeful note. From this anime, we really learned a lot about skating and got to know some really likable characters. The bond between Inori and Tsukasa is one of the purest ever, and it explores the sacred connection of a student and their teacher very nicely.

Also Read: Medalist Episode 12 Review: Tsukasa Is A Beautiful Skater