Medalist
Summary: Tsukasa Akeuraji always dreamed of becoming a competitive solo figure skater, but starting too late in life meant his ambitions never got off the ground. Now barely scraping by, he takes on an assistant coach job, resigned to a future far from the one he once imagined.
Before his first day, Tsukasa meets Inori Yuitsuka, a shy fifth grader sneaking into the rink to practice. Captivated by figure skating, but held back by her mother's overprotectiveness and her own self-doubt, Inori has never been encouraged to pursue her passion until she encounters Tsukasa. Beneath her personality lies great potential, waiting to be unlocked with the right guidance.
Moved by Inori's determination to change and reminded of his own struggles, Tsukasa offers to coach and help her chase the dream she has been too afraid to voice. While the road ahead is long and filled with unfamiliar challenges and rival skaters, Inori dedicates herself to the art and strives to one day reach the Olympics and become a medalist.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Tsukasa Akeuraji always dreamed of becoming a competitive solo figure skater, but starting too late in life meant his ambitions never got off the ground. Now barely scraping by, he takes on an assistant coach job, resigned to a future far from the one he once imagined.
Before his first day, Tsukasa meets Inori Yuitsuka, a shy fifth grader sneaking into the rink to practice. Captivated by figure skating, but held back by her mother's overprotectiveness and her own self-doubt, Inori has never been encouraged to pursue her passion until she encounters Tsukasa. Beneath her personality lies great potential, waiting to be unlocked with the right guidance.
Moved by Inori's determination to change and reminded of his own struggles, Tsukasa offers to coach and help her chase the dream she has been too afraid to voice. While the road ahead is long and filled with unfamiliar challenges and rival skaters, Inori dedicates herself to the art and strives to one day reach the Olympics and become a medalist.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
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Medalist Trailers
Medalist Pictures
Medalist Review
Medalist — Tsukasa Akeuraji always dreamed of becoming a competitive solo figure skater, but starting too late in life meant his ambitions never got off the ground. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Drama, Sports conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.37). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Medalist offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Drama, Sports, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Akeuraji, Tsukasa
Main
Ootsuka, Takeo
Japanese
Akeuraji, Tsukasa
Main
Ha, Jonathon
English
Akeuraji, Tsukasa
Main
Figueira, Daniel
Portuguese (BR)
Akeuraji, Tsukasa
Main
Ruiz Padilla, Ditter
Spanish
Akeuraji, Tsukasa
Main
Le Bec, Pierre
French
Yuitsuka, Inori
Main
Haruse, Natsumi
Japanese
Yuitsuka, Inori
Main
Dorroh, Madeline
English
Yuitsuka, Inori
Main
Paulita, Agatha
Portuguese (BR)
Yuitsuka, Inori
Main
Infante, Elizabeth
Spanish
Yuitsuka, Inori
Main
du Bled, Marie
French
Examiner
Supporting
Miyumi, Shuri
Japanese
Inukai, Souta
Supporting
Fukuhara, Ayaka
Japanese
Inukai, Souta
Supporting
McGuire, Kristen
English
Inukai, Souta
Supporting
Amorim, Luiz Henrique
Portuguese (BR)
Jakuzure, Yuudai
Supporting
Miyake, Takahiro
Japanese
Jakuzure, Yuudai
Supporting
Deporter, Kylen
English
Jakuzure, Yuudai
Supporting
Porto, Bruno
Portuguese (BR)
Kago, You
Supporting
Inoue, Honoka
Japanese
Kago, You
Supporting
Mafra, Marina
Portuguese (BR)
Kago, You
Supporting
Angelle, Felecia
English
Staff
Iwata, Kouki
Producer
Kanbe, Kouki
Producer
Sawada, Airi
Producer
Yamashita, Shinpei
Producer
Yamato, Masae
Producer
Mihara, Maki
Assistant Producer
Yoshikawa, Masako
Assistant Producer
Yamamoto, Yasutaka
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Imaizumi, Yuuichi
Sound Director
Shiba, Akinori
Sound Director
Abe, Motohiro
Episode Director, Storyboard
Fukumoto, Shinichi
Episode Director
Hashimoto, Mitsuo
Episode Director
Hirata, Takahiro
Episode Director, Storyboard
Kanazawa, Yuki
Episode Director
Kurihara, Manabu
Episode Director, Chief Animation Director
Li, Yuanli
Episode Director
Ooba, Hideaki
Episode Director
Hanada, Jukki
Script, Series Composition
Iida, Shigehisa
Storyboard