Are you ready to dive into the world of figure skating and coaching? The upcoming anime ‘Medalist’ promises to deliver an inspiring story filled with ambition, challenges, and the pursuit of excellence. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about this exciting new series, from its plot and characters to its broadcast details. Don’t miss out on the chance to learn about this captivating anime!

Introduction to ‘Medalist’

The TV anime ‘Medalist’ is based on the manga of the same name by Tsuru Mai Kada. The story follows Tsukasa Akeura, a young man whose dreams of becoming a figure skater are shattered. He becomes a coach and teams up with Inori Yuitsuka, a girl who aspires to excel in the world of skating. Together, they aim to become medalists in their sport.

What is ‘Medalist’ About?

Tsukasa Akeura, who has a background in ice dancing and has competed in the All Japan Championships, was aiming to become a professional skater. However, he faced continuous rejections in auditions for ice shows. After being approached to become a club coach, he hesitated but was inspired by Inori Yuitsuka, a girl interested in figure skating, to take on the coaching role. Under Tsukasa’s guidance, Inori begins to unlock her potential in skating.

Broadcast Information

‘Medalist’ is set to premiere in January 2025. As of November 2024, the exact date for the first episode has not been announced. The anime will air on the TV Asahi network as part of the ‘NUMAnimation’ programming block, which is dedicated to anime that captivates viewers. The show is expected to air every Saturday at 25:30 (1:30 AM).

Streaming Availability

As of November 2024, there is no official information regarding streaming availability for ‘Medalist’. However, it is common for recent anime to be available on various streaming platforms. Typically, announcements about streaming services occur 1 month to 2 weeks before the broadcast. If ‘Medalist’ is made available for streaming, it could potentially be on platforms like ABEMA, Netflix, or Prime Video.

How to Watch for Free

While it is still unclear if ‘Medalist’ will be available for streaming, many platforms offer the latest episodes of new anime for free. For instance, ABEMA often allows viewers to watch new titles in real-time for free, with the latest episodes available for catch-up viewing for a week.

Episode Count and Adaptation

As of November 2024, the total number of episodes for ‘Medalist’ has not been disclosed. Based on previous shows in the ‘NUMAnimation’ block, it is likely that ‘Medalist’ will be a 1-cour series, typically consisting of 11 to 13 episodes. The original manga has 11 volumes published, suggesting that a 2-cour adaptation could also be feasible.

Main Cast and Characters

The role of Inori Yuitsuka will be voiced by Natsumi Haruse, known for her role as Kaoru Ryuzaki in ‘The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls’. Tsukasa Akeura will be voiced by Takeo Otsuka, recognized for his roles in ‘Oshi no Ko’ and ‘Kusuriya no Hitorigoto’. Other main cast members include:

• Inori Yuitsuka: Natsumi Haruse
• Tsukasa Akeura: Takeo Otsuka
• Hikari Okuzaki: Kana Ichinose
• Jun Yotaka: Yuma Uchida
• Rio Oritori: Makoto Koichi
• Ryouka Mikada: Hina Kino
• Mariko Nachi: Megumi Toda
• Emma Yamato: Kotori Koiwai
• Yuudai Jabukuzumi: Takahiro Miyake

Production Team

The anime is produced by ENGI, a company backed by KADOKAWA and Sammy Corporation. ENGI has previously worked on titles such as ‘Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!’ and ‘The Detective is Already Dead’. The director of ‘Medalist’ is Yasutaka Yamamoto, known for his work on ‘Valkyria Chronicles’ and ‘Hinomaruzumou’. The character design is handled by Chinatsu Kameyama, while the series composition and script are by Jukki Hanada.

Conclusion

‘Medalist’ is set to air in January 2025, with the first episode’s date yet to be confirmed. It will be broadcast on the TV Asahi network’s ‘NUMAnimation’ block, likely at 25:30 on Saturdays. Keep an eye out for updates regarding streaming options and episode details.