Yuri!!! On Ice by Sayo Yamamoto
Review by Merrin K-K., Youth Reviewer
World renowned Japanese figure skater, Katsuki Yuri, is in a slump. After an embarrassing loss at the Grand Prix Finals, he returns home to reflect upon his career. But instead of quietly settling down, he ends up accidentally catching the eye of his idol - the legendary figure skater Victor Nikiforov. One thing leads to another and Yuri somehow ends up in a skating competition against a young Russian upstart. The prize for winning? Personal coaching from Victor.
Covering the genres of sports anime, comedy, and BL (queer romance or “boys’ love”), “Yuri!!! on Ice” will quickly suck you into its playful world. Many describe it as the “gay figure skating anime.” While this is true, such a limited description overshadows the artistic intent that went into each frame. The flawless animation is an obvious result of all the research and hard work that went into creating it, evident from just the opening theme (which still gives me chills).
The creators prove they can be both straightforward and subtle when building up Victor and Yuri’s relationship. Several watchthroughs of the show will open your eyes to new details each time. While the series is ultimately a dramatization of figure skating, I ended up learning a lot more about the sport than I knew in the first place.
If you need a break from all the craziness going on in the world, let yourself be sucked into the lives of Victor and Yuri. The fast-paced and funny plot will be sure to sweep you off your feet while keeping you on the edge of your seat. Who doesn’t need a little bit of gay, pork cutlet bowl-loving figure skaters in their lives?