Summary
Sports anime have always been popular, butYuri!!! on Iceis a special case. The series, which was a Studio Mappa original written and directed by Sayo Yamamoto, marked a distinct change in the anime industry. It is a combination of a warming story of personal development, a blooming romance, sportsmanship, and remarkable animation on top of that.
The recentofficial announcement ofIce Adolescence’s cancelation, a feature film that would serve as a continuation of the story, became a major internet and pop culture phenomenon.
Both fans and people who maybe knew little to nothing about the series experienced the wave of sad, angry, and disappointed posts – and memes – that overflowed after the upsetting public statement. However,despite its massive impact, it seems as though the series is rarely spoken about among new anime fans.
Yuri on Ice!!!: 10 Questions Fans Still Need Answers To
Originally airing in 2016, it’s been a long five years for fans of Yuri!!! on Ice, but they are still mulling over unanswered questions.
Yuri!!! On Ice Is Much More Than Your Regular Sports Anime
Produced by Studio Mappa
While most otherpopular sports anime, likeHaikyuu!!andBlue Lock, balance the attention and screen time between a large chunk of the characters,Yuri!!! On Icehas a clear protagonist: Yuri Katsuki. Viktor and Yuri Plisetsky also get their fair share of attention, but it’s clear that the audience is meant to live the story through Yuri’s skin. That is actually one of the strongest elements that madeYuri!!! On Iceso popular to begin with.The supporting characters are fun to watch, too, but the titular Yuri is by far the character with the most depth.
An episode in the series that explores Yuri’s depression has been deemed as very realistic and relatable. It’s not uncommon for a protagonist to go through a low point with their confidence, but the way Yuri struggles is unique: he’s not traumatized or pessimistic, he feels defeated and has lost his motivation to continue. The way he struggles to get back on his feet is portrayed sensibly. Another important factor is that it is made clear that Yuri was already a successful skater, so it is not a “getting there” story, it’s more of a “re-igniting the passion” one.
Another distinctive trait of this sports anime is that there’s virtually no antagonist.There’s no “rival team” or someone to overcome.Yuri’s biggest obstacle was himself – he needed to surpass his own mental barriers and expectations. There were other skaters competing, too, but none of them ever developed an antagonistic persona. They’re all just living their own stories as well.
Salchow, Axel, Toe Loop, & The Other Ice-Skating Terms That Gave Mappa Their Reputation
Yuri!!! on Ice Swept The First Ever Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2016
One of the most notable aspects ofYuri!!! On Iceis its animation. It was Studio Mappa’s first notable work, before it took massive projects likeAttack on Titan: The Final Season,Jujutsu Kaisen, orChainsaw Man, and it practically set the standard that beautiful animation could be in every episode, and not just in specific moments. Thebeautifully animated ice skating choreographieswere created andperformed by real-life athlete Kenji Miyamoto.Yuri!!! On Icepractically put Studio Mappa in the public eye, a fact that onlyfueled the disappointment when the movie was canceled.
SinceYuri!!! on Iceis an anime original, meaning there is no source material like a manga or a light novel, the audience had to wait for every episode to be released each week to know how the story continued. Its popularity grew so fast that they managed tocrash Crunchyroll’s servers just before the final episode was released in December 2016. Other anime series have managed to do this, but Yuri!!! On Ice’s final episode was among the first to ever ‘achieve’ that.
Yuri And Viktor’s Relationship Transcended Industry Norms
The romantic relationship between the show’s main characters changed everything for how same-sex romance is explored in anime
Usually, the main topic of conversation revolvingYuri!!! on IceisViktor and Yuri’s relationship. There had been anime in the past that introduced same-sex relationships, but they were either a background component, or awkwardly pointed at. Viktor and Yuri’s relationship is very prominent throughout the series, but it’s not a plot device or used as a key personality trait for either of them. It just exists – and it’s sweet, tender, and progresses naturally. Queer relationships are now more normalized, as is the fact that both straight and gay relationships don’t need to be pointed at to be noticed.
Though it is technically not a BL,Yuri!!! On Ice is still referenced as one of the anime series with the best LGBTQ+ representation, just because of how wholesome Viktor and Yuri’s relationship is. It’s in some measure thanks to them that the series became so popular, and not in spite of it. Though there’s still room for improvement in terms of representation, it’s undeniable thatYuri!!! On Icehas set a solid foundation for this. Among the stories influenced byYuri!!! On IceisSK8 the Infinity, which has a very similar feel.
Ever sinceIce Adolescence’s cancelation, fans started a petition for the project to be rescued, either by another studio, or even by Netflix. So far, the petition has gathered over 16,000 signatures. As of the date of writing, there is no statement or rumors about anything of the sort happening, but it would seem likeYuri!!! on Icehad a major cultural impact on letting the story end the way it did. It was, after all,born to make history.
Yuri on Ice
Cast
Yuri on Ice is a Japanese anime series focused on the competitive world of figure skating. The storyline follows Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki, who grapples with his career and personal challenges while being mentored by his idol, Russian champion Viktor Nikiforov. The series delves into the intricate dynamics of competition, mentorship, and personal growth within the context of a high-stakes sport.
