Medalist
Medalist
Now Showing

Medalist

8.2
Yr 2025
Rt 23m
Status Ended
Animation Drama
Your Verdict

Rate this show to unlock picks like it. Create a free account.

Back
Series Brief

Overview

Tsukasa Akeuraji, a frustrated skater, meets Inori Yuitsuka, a girl who yearns to be a figure skater. Motivated by Inori's obsession on the rink, Tsukasa begins coaching Inori. Inori's talent blossoms, and Tsukasa becomes a brilliant mentor. Together they aim to make her a glorious medalist!

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 86 /100

Medalist was warmly received by critics, emerging as a standout favorite among new anime debuts in early 2025. Reviewers praised the series for its emotionally powerful storytelling, uplifting tone, and well-paced character growth, particularly highlighting the charming dynamic between young skater Inori and her mentor Tsukasa.

Multiple outlets noted that the show transcends typical sports anime conventions. Rather than focusing strictly on competition outcomes, critics found that the narrative excels by prioritizing personal development, drama, and comedic moments alongside the figure skating journey.

While some reviewers pointed out minor visual variations or broad aesthetic choices across episodes, the overall consensus remains highly positive, celebrating the anime's emotional depth, charm, and heart.

“Medalist proved to defy its sports anime genre, with its focus on character development and drama making the scoreboard feel like the least interesting part”

“With its emotionally powerful storytelling and striking animation, it captured the hearts of many anime fans.”

“an ice-skating anime that's really about improving yourself and your relationships by working towards a big dream”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Hulu
US
Disney Plus
CA • UK
Why fans love it

Medalist anchors its drama in the grind of figure skating. While the target is Olympic gold, the narrative focuses on the technical and emotional evolution required to reach that level. It frames the relationship between mentor and student as a singular unit, mapping out the precise discipline needed to transform raw talent into mastery. The animation leans heavily into the kinetic energy of the rink, capturing the weight and momentum of skating as a physical craft.

The series avoids easy victories for its newcomer, Inori Yuitsuka. Instead, it highlights the internal struggle of an underdog navigating the rigid structure of competitive winter sports. By rooting the coming of age story in the technical demands of the ice, the show maintains a grounded perspective on what it takes for a prodigy to survive the pressure of a national stage.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 5
Longest run 22 eps
Natsumi Haruse
Natsumi Haruse
as Inori Yuitsuka (voice)
22 episodes
Takeo Otsuka
Takeo Otsuka
as Tsukasa Akeuraji (voice)
22 episodes
Kana Ichinose
Kana Ichinose
as Hikaru Kamisaka (voice)
7 episodes
Yuma Uchida
Yuma Uchida
as Jun Yodaka (voice)
11 episodes
Makoto Koichi
Makoto Koichi
as Rioh Sonidori (voice)
13 episodes
Taito Ban
Taito Ban
as Shinichiro Sonidori (voice)
10 episodes
Hina Kino
Hina Kino
as Ryoka Miketa (voice)
5 episodes
Megumi Toda
Megumi Toda
as Mario Nachi (voice)
4 episodes
Show 67 more
Kotori Koiwai as Ema Yamato (voice) 4 episodes Takahiro Miyake as Yudai Jakuzure (voice) 4 episodes Ayasa Ito as Suzu Kamoto (voice) 3 episodes Emiri Kato as Hitomi Takamine (voice) 17 episodes Ami Koshimizu as Nozomi Yuitsuka (voice) 10 episodes Azumi Waki as Mika Yuitsuka (voice) 5 episodes Kensuke Nishi as Hironobu Yuitsuka (voice) 3 episodes Manabu Muraji as Mamoru Sekoma (voice) 10 episodes Takanori Hoshino as Koichi Kago (voice) 6 episodes Aya Endo as Meiko Kago (voice) 3 episodes Honoka Inoue as Yo Kago (voice) 7 episodes Ayaka Fukuhara as Sota Inukai (voice) 9 episodes Teiko Nanahara as Yuki Uyama (voice) 7 episodes Miho Okasaki as Seira Shishido (voice) 3 episodes Kaede Yuasa as Miihi Kurosawa (voice) 3 episodes Azusa Sato as Ritsuki Koguma (voice) 3 episodes Daiki Kobayashi as Ritsuki's Brother (voice) 1 episode Momoko Miyashiro as Kanna Kitora (voice) 1 episode Wakana Kowaka as Miho Kanayumi (voice) 1 episode Kenji Yamauchi as Chokaku Kamegaya (voice) 2 episodes Yoshihisa Kawahara as Yutaka Kyoboku (voice) 2 episodes Tomohiro Yamaguchi as Kohaku Shirone (voice) 1 episode Saki Yoshida as Student (voice) 1 episode Kenta Zaima as Badge Test Examiner (voice) 1 episode Yasuhiro Kikuchi as Badge Test Examiner (voice) 1 episode Miyuu Ayase as Child (voice) 2 episodes Hayato Kimura as Front Desk Attendant (voice) 3 episodes Miyuu Takatsuki as Student (voice) 4 episodes Azusa Aoi as Student (voice) 4 episodes Aiko Kuramochi as Parent (voice) 1 episode Juri Nagatsuma as Tournament Official (voice) 2 episodes Kurumi Haruki as Child (voice) 3 episodes Natsuki Aikawa as Announcer (voice) 2 episodes Ageha Harusaka as Child (voice) 1 episode Azusa Tachibana as Kindergartener (voice) 1 episode Seina Kato as Kindergartener (voice) 1 episode Rie Kawamura as Kindergarten Teacher (voice) 1 episode Shuri Miyumi as Boy (voice) 3 episodes Naoko Komatsu as Spectator (voice) 4 episodes Toshiyuki Morikawa as Tsukasa's Coach (voice) 2 episodes Meiko Kawasaki as Announcer (voice) 2 episodes Eriko Kadokura as Child (voice) 2 episodes Natsuko Abe as Yuna Yagi (voice) 6 episodes Mao Ito as Rinna Sarukawa (voice) 6 episodes Maria Naganawa as Manaka Roba (voice) 5 episodes Yu Sasahara as Main Kobuta (voice) 3 episodes Minami Tanaka as Yotsuha Ushikawa (voice) 4 episodes Hikaru Tono as Kurumi Risu (voice) 2 episodes Hibiku Yamamura as Iruka Okazaki (voice) 3 episodes Kotomi Aihara as Riina Kojoh (voice) 2 episodes Ko Bonkobara as Leonid Sorokin (voice) 2 episodes Akira Yamamoto as Reporter (voice) 2 episodes Yuko Natsuyoshi as Sana Niwatori (voice) 3 episodes Youhei Hamada as Shoya Kijita (voice) 3 episodes Chikahiro Kobayashi as Seiji Gori (voice) 5 episodes Ryo Akiyama as Rintaro Chiwa (voice) 3 episodes Yuki Inoue as Arata Hakubi (voice) 2 episodes Aya Gomazuru as Announcer (voice) 3 episodes Ichika Haruuchi as Girl (voice) 2 episodes Natsuki Hanae as Kakeru Uobuchi (voice) 4 episodes Mariko Higashiuchi as Student (voice) 2 episodes Yuki Ono as Juna Shiratori (voice) 2 episodes Konomi Inagaki as Miku Ahiru (voice) 2 episodes Shoya Ishige as Kohei Kamogawa (voice) 2 episodes Hana Inami as Ryota (voice) 2 episodes Reina Aoyama as Kazuki (voice) 2 episodes Mana Nakatomi as Child (voice) 2 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Medalist overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

competition olympic games training sports figure skating based on manga ice skating seinen anime winter sport underdog coming of age child prodigy prodigy
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
January 05, 2025
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
23 minutes
Origin
JP
TMDB Votes
58