Medalist Season 2

Marinate1016★ 10

The greatest sports animanga of all time has finally graced our screens again and it’s better than ever. While it doesn’t have as much official skating competition as season 1, Medalist season 2 is honestly the most important part of the story thus far. For all the battling on the ice, Inori’s biggest struggle has always been internal. This season sees her confront a lot of insecurities and grow both as a skater and a person, surpassing her limits in both regards to become more confident on and off the ice. Of course that journey doesn’t happen without the best mentor in anime, Tsukasa. Thisseason is as much his as Inori’s and they both grew so much by the end. I’m so proud of my babies. I just hate that it was only 9 episodes long, but I am beyond ready for the film! Despite only having the 1 competition this season, Medalist season 2 was as engaging as ever from beginning to end. This story has never just been about skating. Keep in mind, skating became Inori’s escape from the bullying she faced at school and the emotional turmoil with her sister’s injury. This series has always been about her developing as a human being and becoming more confident in herself. I can truly say the inori we see at the end of this season is a night and day difference from the start of season 1. She still has many of the same quirks and is that loveable little girl, but she’s not afraid anymore. She has the best coach in the world and she’s proven she can compete with the best of them. That’s character development and that’s what this author does so well. Every single episode we see inori evolve, little by little she takes steps forward even when she’s afraid. It’s a nice parallel to Tsukasa’s own personal journey. Even though he’s the adult, he doesn’t have everything figured out and he leans on Inori just as much as she leans on him, learning from her as she does from him. Again what impresses me the most about his character is that he never forces anything on Inori and always respects her autonomy to make her own decisions. He refuses to try and live through her after his own skating career went south, recognizes this is her story and is committed to supporting her in whatever capacity is best. He’s truly the best support system anyone could ask for. This season we finally got to get some intimate moments with them off the ice as well which never failed to put a smile on my face. The two of them are each other’s biggest fans and it’s so cute. Moreover, the way Inori looks up to and thinks the world of Tsukasa, telling him what he needs to hear the most when he needs to hear it is so sweet. They were destined to be teacher and student and met each other at the perfect time. We got a few new characters in this season, the Chubu block girls were all very fierce and talented. They pushed Inori to the limit and helped her become a better skater. I look forward to more of them because that sort of competition is needed for greatness. Yea, Hikaru is Inori’s ultimate aspiration, but don’t write these girls off either. For me personally, I really loved our new onee-san, Iruka though. She comes off like an asshole, but you can tell she’s got a heart of gold and respects Inori and her sister. Beautiful design, unique skating style focusing on her core strength and a little bit of a tomboyish personality, give me more of her. Inori’s new jump coach was also a nice addition to the cast and helped Inori grow tremendously. I like how much more into the weeds this season got as it relates to training methodology. I’m brand new to figure skating, so I really appreciate seeing all the behind the scenes stuff and learning how much work goes into preparing programs, milking every last point out of a competition, improving your mechanics, etc. This is basically a training arc season, but it still feels thrilling because you’re on the edge of your seat hoping Inori can implement new techniques into her repertoire and build on her existing bag. They really do a good job of making you feel like a proud parent watching your own child grow! Inori is my daughter, forreal. Medalist continues to have the best 3DCGI I’ve ever seen. The way they blend the CGI with 2D drawings is just ridiculously good. Every motion is so fluid and graceful, they distinguish between the various skating styles too. So, for example, Inori feels like an elegant swan, Iruka feels more powerful and aggressive. I love how weighty all the movements seem and generally feels like they used mo-cap for all the skating scenes because of how realistic it is. It’s the gold standard in the medium. What a job from ENGI. Inori’s performance at the Chubu block finals will stay with me forever. Only downside to this season for me is there’s barely any Hikaru. I need my yuri yearning with she and Inori.. but by all accounts, the movie should deliver that. I can’t wait. Other than that, this is the best medalist has been so far. I’m so proud of how far my daughter Inori has come, she still has a long way to go, but I know no matter how many times she falls down, she’ll get back up because of the commitment she has both to herself, and to Tsukasa. Medalist season 2 gets 10, out of 10.

OmegaTizona★ 8

Unlike the first season, that is structured like a show, this one felt like watching a first act for a film. They are setting up the chess board to let the match unfold in the 2027 movie. It doesn't feel like a real, actual season, as in, it doesn't to have an actual finale. Considering how great the animators were in season 1 and this one, I bet they'll throw all of their artistic skills into that, which will try to pay off all of that set up of having the Hikaru girl as the main and mysterious antagonist. Finally, you'll get the confrontation. Everything islooking out nicely for how they structured the story for the animated format. Looking forward to the movie.