The essential episodes of Medalist
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Medalist — each pick states its reason.
- 01
When former figure skater Tsukasa Akeuraji meets a self-taught skater, Inori Yuitsuka, he tries to persuade her to join a formal ice skating club. Unfortunately, Inori's mother wants her clumsy daughter to give up skating altogether.
- 02
Tsukasa decides to enter Inori into the Meikoh Cup to build up her record of success. When Inori feels shy dancing in front of others, Tsukasa gets her to dance in his shadow to conquer her nerves. During skating practice, Inori also meets a girl named Miké at the rink.
- 03
Meikoh Cup, Junior Women's Prelim Free Skating (1)
Inori's first competition, the Meikoh cup, begins. Inori's future is at stake, and while she gets off to a rocky start, her mother and sister are there to support her from the sidelines.
- 04
Meikoh Cup, Junior Women's Prelim Free Skating (2)
Inori came in top in the first round of the Prelims, whereas Miké was the last one to secure a spot. Determined to turn things around, Miké decides to try and pull off a double rotation combination that no one at the Prelims has done before.
- 05
Inori faces the level one badge test, setting her next step of competing in a championship. A successful double jump will be essential for a high score.
- 06
On the way to a competition, Inori leaves her skates on a train by accident. Tsukasa goes on a mad hunt for the skates ten stations away.
- 07
After a smooth start, Inori decides to take each jump carefully, one by one. She controls her center of gravity and maintains a high speed, and Tsukasa cannot hide his excitement as she continues with her flawless performance.
- 08
The Lux Higashiyama FSC summer training camp begins, and Inori plans to perfect her double Axel. Meanwhile, Tsukasa offers to help Rioh, but Rioh turns him down.
- 09
Tsukasa learns of the anguish Rioh has been carrying, and dances Rioh's program on the rink. Rioh is surprised to see that Tsukasa's skating is much more skillful than he expected.
- 10
The day of the Level Six Badge Test has finally arrived. The venue is the memorable place where Inori first met Hikaru. When Hikaru suddenly appears, she promises to meet Inori again at the All-Japans.
- 11
A game of musical chairs for the top five spots at the All-Japans begins. With one of the most talented skaters of their generation absent from the competition, everyone now has a real chance at winning.
- 12
The second group, including Inori, take their turn at the championship. With only three skaters to go, Yuna Yagi steps onto the ice. Despite promising her coach she will stick to their planned program, she finds herself hesitating mid-performance.
- 13
A training session with jump specialist Kakeru Uobuchi brings remarkable results, and Tsukasa is so impressed he decides to invest in his own harness equipment. He brings it to the ice rink intending to help Inori master jumps.
- 14
Inori and Tsukasa arrive at Niigata skating rink in the early morning, seeking Coach Uobuchi's guidance. After observing Inori's skating, Uobuchi presents them with an unexpected proposition.
- 15
At the Niigata rink, Inori and Tsukasa cross paths with Miku Ahiru, a formidable competitor, along with her coach Kohei Kamogawa and choreographer Juna Shiratori, both former clubmates of Tsukasa's. When Inori speaks with Miku, she discovers something unexpected about her rival's future in skating. Meanwhile, Tsukasa finds himself confronting uncomfortable truths about his abilities as a coach. With the competition approaching, both Inori and Tsukasa face questions that could reshape their path forward.
