’Medalist’ premiere review: “A Genius on the Ice”

Written and illustrated by Tsurumaikada, Medalist is the best manga you aren’t reading. With gorgeous, intricate artwork that captures the magnetism of its characters and the strength and agility that goes into figure skating, the series, more often than not, stuns. While intensive artistry is undoubtedly a focal point, the story truly excels due to its writing, which arms with instantly lovable characters and relatable stories about trying to either achieve our dreams or reconfigure said dreams when life gets in the way. There’s magic in the pages of Tsurumaikada’s work, managing to combine broad comedy with subtle, vital, emotional character work that culminates in easy-to-consume material. 

All of which is a long way to say that the anime adaptation of Medalist, produced by ENGI, had a lot of pressure on it, at least from this viewer. It’s not the most hotly anticipated series of the year, and no major studio attached. But those in the know understand how extraordinary this story is and how worthy it is of Jujutsu Kaisen level animation quality. It needed its own Science Saru to envelop it to produce something that speaks to the spark and light of its protagonists, 11-year-old Inori and her coach, Tsukasa. 

Alas, it does not. This makes Episode 1, “A Genius on the Ice,” all the more surprising. 

What is Medalist about?

Medalist follows Inori Yuitsuka (Natsumi Haruse), an 11-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a world-class figure skater. One day, former ice dancer Tsukasa Akeuraji (Takeo Ōtsuka) notices her as she’s trying to sneak onto a local ice rink to practice. This unlikely meeting strikes up a partnership where Inori becomes Tsukasa’s first student and him her coach. 

Tsukasa understands Inori’s plight on a deep, personal level. She’s at the age where she’s nearing being “too old” to consider serious training. Tsukasa is on the verge of quitting competitive skating. He too harbors own insecurity at starting skating so late and how that formed his trajectory on the ice. As Tsukasa and those around them begin to realize Inori’s true, natural talent, he begins to see another future for himself where he can mold Inori into a gold medalist. 

Initial thoughts. 

Some elements don’t achieve the high standard the manga sets. The animation and character designs are simplified, lacking depth and shadows. There’s a slick and CG aesthetic in the opening moments as Inori watches another figure skater glide across the ice. Care and consideration are evident in the movements, with skating routines choreographed by figure skater retirees Akiko Suzuki and Yuhana Yokoi. But the animation style is almost jarring due to how sleek it is. 

But beyond the overall effect, which comes close to being stilted, Medalist Episode 1 achieves its source material’s necessary charm and warmth. The most crucial element the series needed to perfect was its characters, mainly Inori and Tsukasa. And they do. Their dynamic is instantly winsome, blending heartfelt compassion with genuine, laugh-out-loud humor. 

Their first interaction, in which Tsukasa chases her only to have to make a last-minute save as she scales the side of a building, is fantastic in its chaos. Inori is such a charismatic protagonist because she wears her emotions on her sleeve. Her dejection, excitement, and embarrassment all ring clear with elastic facial expressions that make each pitfall and triumph evident. As is the case in the manga, her desperately showing Tsukasa her contraband bag of worms remains a highlight. 

The writing and the character rendering make for instant delight, and the pacing flies by. And while the animation doesn’t strike with the same grace as better sports-oriented anime, it’s hardly the worst we’ve seen, refusing slide-show style animation or obvious cut corners. 

Continue or quit. 

There’s no doubt we’ll be tuning in for more episodes, and likely the entire season, unless things get dire. Medalist might lack the sparkle and shine of other contemporaries, but the only reason that stings is the herculean quality of the manga itself. The bar was already set impossibly high. But the premiere at least put some concerns to bed with better animation than expected. 

But again, it’s the characters who will keep us coming back. While Inori is fully formed by the end of Episode 1, Tsukasa takes a few more chapters to understand where he’s coming from fully. Inori is the main character, but Tsukasa is the subtle heart of the series. The more we come to know them, the more we watch them interact and grow, and the more we fall in love with the series. Medalist might have an uphill battle to maintain interest amongst other releases, especially as it streams on Hulu, but it absolutely nails the character introduction. 

Medalist Episode 1 is out now on Hulu. 

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Images courtesy of ENGI and Disney.