Yuri on Ice is something of a debate on what it is. Some say it’s a solid sports anime, others say it’s a compelling romance anime about people of the same sex while others say it’s an anime that has some confusing direction on what it wanted to be. For me, I choose the former and I see it as solid sports anime that has some spicy side dishes.
Let’s explore what Yuri on Ice is all about. And along the way, you might have an idea if this anime is for you or not?
Plot/Story/Setting (7/10) (Good but I think it could be Better) (Spoiler Free)
This might be the longest section in my review. I have three topics to discuss in this Section.
Story, Setting & Theme, and Overall Plot Direction.
(Story)
It mainly focuses on the underdog story perspective of Yuuri Katsuki's struggles on the hardship of professional skating. The show starts with a very melodramatic atmosphere instead of inspiring the audience about the fun and excitement of the sport which I find interesting. You expect this is gonna be a slow underdog story but it isn’t. A lot of things are happening within a few minutes of the show. The story progress fasts each episode which I don’t mind.
But one thing that I see annoying with the style of its quick pace exposition is that it often summarizes critical information in a comical and anticlimactic way. Starting each episode on quick spoon-feed information. It feels like the show is skipping some critical exposition in favor of showing the audience the climax scene of skating right away. Not saying it destroy the experience I had in the show but for me, they could do it better but if they do. They need to extend the show duration to properly flesh out the narrative.
(Theme & Setting)
Yuri on Ice is definitely a modern theme anime that a lot of people can be attracted to. That phrase might sound weird since Ices skating is not the defacto sport for everyone but let me explain.
Yuri On Ice's theme defines the current lifestyle of people during this time, and that is the rampant speed of information. More specifically how social media affects every person who has access to it. The story takes advantage of this narrative in forwarding the plot. Nothing beats how fast the internet process and shares information in all parts of the world. People are more connected more than ever before. This opens to live global competition to be even possible.
Yuri on Ice Setting is not limited to one setting or country. Competitions extend to other countries around the world on a global scale that added a flavor of tension to the competition. And that’s what your ordinary audiences want to see. Different countries battling to become the top. This is why a lot of people cared for the Olympics even though they aren’t fanning of the sport itself. If they know their country is participating, they have a sense of they are part of the team competing in the sport.
Yuri On Ice can potentially hook a lot of people and it impacts more if their country is representing as a competitor in the anime. Sadly, I won’t be seeing any Pilipino Ice Skater representing the Philippines soon.
(Overall Direction)
Base on what I see the anime present. It's genuinely a sports anime at its score. It explores the anxiety and doubts of athletes in high stake competitions. Winning is everything at the professional level. People are participating to win, bring honor to their country and make a name for themselves. This weight of tension is presented throughout many parts of the story. It's no longer your low stake petty high school or college-level sports competition. And the frustration of losing in this level of competition is borderline destructive for the weak-hearted.
This makes Yuuri's “Little Piggy becoming a Prince” a more satisfying sight in the underdog story. And that’s what this anime is purely aiming at the beginning. The Beauty and Hardship of Competitive Skating.
Aside from the spoon-feed information at the start of each episode. The focus is on “More Show than Tell”. Yuri on Ice is not too overly detailed in explaining the terminologies and mechanics of the sport. It’s not only a sport but an extension of explaining the character's struggles and back story. Giving the audience an idea on who they are. Without resolving to the full-on word of mouth long explanation.
Fast Pace, skipping any long episode of training arc and go straight to the tournament arc and didn’t overstay its welcome.
Characters Role/Development/Exposition (6/10 Above Average, Yuri, and Victor is not enough) (With some Minor Spoilers/Skippable Section)
I think the characters section might be the weakest aspect of the show. Sure, we got to know Yuuri Katsuki as a person but the problem is that majority of the characters didn’t get the same treatment as him.
It would be fun to know more about Victor's past, and more details about the other contestant. Sadly the backstory and exposition were still too thin for me considered memorable. Yes, there is still a backstory and it was narrated in a good manner, but few minutes or few seconds of exposition is not enough for the supporting cast to be considered solid. Matches are on a personal level so you better have an option on which characters to cheer on aside from Yuuri Katsuki himself. Yuri on Ice has a big character roster to explore. There isn’t much dedication invested in them that makes the matches truly a competition. I dislike when a new competitor is introduced later in the show got shoved aside. They cut their skating scene, indicating, his or she is irrelevant in the long run.
My point is if they manage to flesh out and develop Yuri Katsuki. I don’t see any hardship in doing it on a few more characters but then again that will extend the duration of the story which may either damage or benefit the show.
(Music/Audio Effects/ Soundtracks/OP & ED)
(Art Style/ Animation/ Cinematic Style/ Setting Design)
(Both Department is Very Solid Good an 8/10) (Spoiler Free)
Possibly the ‘’Opening’’ alone can give enough positive impression and idea on what the show is all about. It gives an essence to the beauty of ice skating and what kind of animation the audience will see. The opening doesn’t betray and might be one of the biggest strengths of the show.
Both OP and ED are very solid on their purposes. While OP is captivating to do ice skating. The ending has a very modernly relaxing vibe on it. I really like the ED more than OP song.
Aside from the 2 good musical pieces. The show also has a good variety of Music Choreography inserted on each skating match. I still remember the agape and eros theme totally gives the skating vibes at its max potential. I like almost all characters have their own special themes that are uniquely different from one another which is another bonus point for me.
(Personal Bias/ Enjoyment) (7/10 A Short but Fun and Enjoyable Time Passer)
(Minor Spoiler/ Can Skip to Final Thought)
On a personal level. I see Yuri on Ice just run-of-a-mill popcorn entertainment. I don’t watch it for the deep themes of the so-called romance that I don’t find any solid putting aside from a curious afterthought. Simply I see the romance as a side dish rather than the full course meal of the show because it isn’t the focus. Sure, it motivated Yuuri to be a better person but we see more skating matches than the relationship. Thought Yuri on Ice romance might turn off some people but I think it's fine and tamed. Unlike other shows that are aggressively offensive on the homo romance.
Watching the Ice Skating alone already entertains me since we don’t get sports anime like this every season.
(Final Thoughts) (Final Score 6.9/10 Good, Recommend to a Few)
To Summarize, the show did a good job in the direction it wanted it to be. Introducing and promoting ice skating as a fun, intense, and entertaining sport. An event where people gather around the world to compete and have a good time. Where contestant challenges their limits. Some will Win and Some will Fall. But that’s the nature of the most competitive sport.
When it comes to the characters, they are all alright, the issue is that the supporting cast deserves more exposition than the main protagonist to make it far more memorable.
Animation and Sound Design are the show's biggest strengths that make the experience all the better. MAPPA outdid itself on this and truly deserves the praise.
If you are looking for an ice skating anime and don’t mind the extremely mild and tame romance of the same sex. Then I highly recommend you try the anime out.
Also, good watching with a group of friends since the anime is short, a duration of 4 hours or 2 movies length at best.
