Yuuri Katsuki, formerly Japan’s most promising figure skater, returns to his family home after suffering a shattering loss at the Grand Prix Finale to consider his alternatives.
Yuuri’s window of opportunity to succeed in skating is fast closing at the age of 23, and his fondness for pork cutlets and propensity for putting on weight isn’t helping either.
However, Yuuri unexpectedly finds himself in the public eye after a video of him repeating a performance that five-time world champion Victor Nikiforov had previously performed goes viral. Victor even unexpectedly shows up at Yuuri’s residence and offers to be his mentor.
Yuuri joyfully accepts as one of his strongest supporters, beginning his quest to return to the international scene. The Russian rising sensation Yuri Plisetsky, however, is adamantly motivated to overcome Yuuri and reclaim Victor’s mentorship, thus the rivalry is heated.
What is Yuri on Ice?
Yuri on Ice is a skating figure anime television series from Japan. MAPPA produced the series, which was directed and written by Sayo Yamamoto with original screenplays by Mitsur Kubo under the supervision of Jun Shishido.
Tadashi Hiramatsu created the character designs, and Taro Umebayashi and Taku Matsushiba penned the soundtrack. Kenji Miyamoto choreographed figure skating and performed routines that were recorded and used as skating sound effects. The 12-episode series premiered on October 6, 2016, and concluded on December 22, 2016. Ice Adolescence, a Yuri on Ice feature film, was initially scheduled for release in 2019 but has been pushed back.
The series follows the interactions between Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki, his pinnacle, Russian figure skating champion Victor Nikiforov, and up-and-coming Russian skater Yuri Plisetsky as they compete in the Figure Skating Grand Prix, with Victor functioning as Yuri K’s coach.
Is Yuri on Ice a good Anime?
Yes!
Since Yuri on Ice is an original TV Anime, it doesn’t have problems with adaptation. Sayo Yamamoto, famed for her work on Michiko to Hatchin, Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, and Space Dandy, is the film’s director. Her skill is seen as carrying great expectations.
This was actually one of the season’s most anticipated shows for me. It’s also a breath of new air because we don’t frequently see a show about ice skating.
The truth is that the western audience’s first title for Yuri on Ice was misleading. But don’t be fooled; Yuri on Ice is a production that goes above and beyond what you may expect to see on an ice rink.
Our primary heroes are initially introduced in the first few episodes. The 23-year-old main male protagonist, Yuri Katsuki, has been skating since he was a little child.
Yuri has a charming personality, but he is not considered a genius. He is prone to making mistakes under pressure and is notorious for doing so at critical times. We can sense this right away since Yuri has self-doubt about his own physique.
Yuri is essentially a kind man with who most of us can identify and who has a lot of potential that is just waiting to be realized. Victor is now involved, who is essential for turning Yuri into the next great thing.
There will be fierce rivalry in the world of figure skating. It comes from all around the world, not only from Japan or Russia.
A young Russian guy named Yuri Plisetsky—more often referred to as Yurio in Japan—is Yuri’s most significant adversary. Yurio, as opposed to Yuri, has already been acclaimed as a prodigy for his accomplishments, which include three straight victories in the Junior World Championships.
His character is also more of the opposite of Yuri’s since he is more conceited and confident in his skills. We may also draw a link between him and Yuri throughout his time on the program.
Both want to become well-known figures in the world of figure skating. Each skater aspires to go beyond their own personal boundaries and refine their skating technique. The ways in which they each approach this, however, really set them apart from one another.
Although there are instances when they behave more like casual buddies, the program mostly focuses on their position as rivals.
Victor is presented as a playboy coach in the meantime. His method of instructing Yuri is passionate. Actually, Yuri’s skating concept and technique are all about love. There is an undeniable sexual connection between the two that goes beyond a business arrangement.
It’s open to interpretation, but there is no denying that they are more than just students and instructors. We can watch their friendship develop inside and outside of the ice rink as the tale progresses. There are even concrete examples that illustrate how close they actually become later on in the narrative.
Should I watch Yuri on Ice?
Yes, you should! It is worth watching.
The program features a competitive sporting environment, yet the audience may occasionally observe character interactions.
It is extremely human and occasionally furious. The focus will mostly be on Yuri and Victor. Even at times, the performance cranks up the BL tones.
However, since Yuri on Ice is about so much more than just male butts and fan service, this shouldn’t deter anyone from enjoying the program.
It is worth every minute because of how it makes use of the competition, characters, visual dynamics, themes, and direction.
Even the pace is effective since it gets right to the subject quickly. Comedy is also simple, and despite the fact that it can occasionally become uncomfortable, it nevertheless efficiently conveys through character chemistry and facial expressions. In hindsight, it is a program that exists to amuse.
Yuri on Ice, which was adapted by studio MAPPA, is based on imagination and reality. There are numerous ways to look at this, but the direction is by far the most obvious factor in creating this aesthetically amazing presentation.
If you watch the show attentively, you will notice that the human body motions are really vigorous.
We can see how the camera angles perfectly catch each skater’s every motion as they enter the rink and perform. Each skater has a distinctive style that expresses their individuality via their or performances.
The show’s production quality is superb throughout, including the dancing, scenery, and character designs.
If the quality of the program wasn’t already exceptional, Yuri on Ice also has fantastic music. Dean Fujioka’s song “History Maker” is artistically produced and has a catchy masculine tone.
Additionally, the song addresses another subject of the program, which is about creating memories on the ice. Each performance’s audio and OST also know how to wow the crowd with the character motions that complement their look.
The show’s characters’ vocal characteristics are very recognizable. The music, voice work, and theme songs, however, are what really matter since they bring this show’s greatest qualities to life on a genuine level.
Despite the fact that they are professional skaters, it is clear that they are just as human as any other individual.
Is Yuri on Ice inappropriate?
The show is appropriate for ages above 16 and might be alright for ages above 13 under parental guidance.
A hot spring serves as one of the show’s main backdrops, and in various instances, brief glimpses of nude buttocks are shown.
One of the key characters appears to strip off after becoming wasted. Later, a different character uploads a picture of him without a shirt while pressing another person against a wall in an effort to kiss him.
Men are spotted taking communal baths in a traditional Japanese hot spring. Photos of a man drinking and becoming wasted at a party are captured and uploaded on social media.
At dinner, one of the key characters imbibes. While intoxicated, he takes part of his clothes off.
Was Victor in Yuri on Ice genuinely pining for Yuri?
Victor has been aching for Yuuri since the banquet scene.
The closing titles also depict the banquet scene, and you can see Katsuki Yuuri, who experienced a crushing defeat while competing on the ice and hopes to one day achieve Victor. His coach brings him into the banquet – attempts to cheer him up, but he just ends up looking dismal and miserable.
Katsuki Yuuri ends up in the corner drinking a lot of champagne. Nobody could handle that many flutes in a single party event.
Suddenly he takes off his blue tie and marches into the banquet hall, challenging Yuri plisetsky (the ice tiger) to a dancing competition, which Yuuri had won.
Then we witness the iconic scene of Victor’s eyes dilating, indicating that he is in love, Victor Nikiforov, the five-time champion gold medalist, in love with the cinnamon roll Katsuki Yuuri.
Conclusion
- Yuri on Ice is an original TV Anime, it doesn’t have problems with adaptation. It is a production that goes above and beyond what you may expect to see on an ice rink.
- The program features a competitive sporting environment, yet the audience may occasionally observe character interactions. It is extremely human and occasionally furious.
- The show is appropriate for ages above 16 and might be alright for ages above 13 under parental guidance.