The essential episodes of Yuri!!! on Ice

Watch these 12 in order and you've got Yuri!!! on Ice — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · October 6, 2016 · 23m

   Easy as Pirozhki!! The Grand Prix Final of Tears6.5

   Katsuki Yuuri is at a crossroads after suffering a miserable defeat at the Grand Prix Finals. Uncertain whether to retire or to continue, Yuuri holes up in his family home. However, a chance circumstance causes him to catch the eye of five-time world champion Victor Nikiforov...

2. 02

   S01E02 · Top rated · October 13, 2016 · 23m

   Two Yuris?! Drama at Yu-topia6.8

   Out of nowhere, five-time world champion Victor Nikiforov declares himself Yuuri's coach. When world junior champion Yuri Plisetsky follows Victor to Hasetsu so that he can bring Victor back to Russia, the chaos only deepens...

3. 03

   S01E03 · Top rated · October 20, 2016 · 23m

   I Am Eros, and Eros is Me?! Face-Off! Hot Springs on Ice6.8

   The two Yuris are to face off in Hot Springs on Ice. where they will each debut a short program choreographed by Victor—one to Eros, and one to Agape. Victor claims he will do whatever the winner wants, but...

4. 04

   S01E04 · Top rated · October 27, 2016 · 23m

   Love Yourself...Achieved!! The Free Program7.0

   The two Yuris begin to choreograph their free skate programs at their respective rinks. In Japan, Yuuri feels hesitant to pursue what it means to be uniquely him, but he begins to untangle his past by talking to Victor.

5. 05

   S01E05 · Top rated · November 3, 2016 · 23m

   Face Beet-Red!! It's the First Competition! The Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu Championship6.8

   It is time for Yuuri's first competition of the season, but Victor's the center of attention as his first competition as a coach. Already anxious, Yuri's nerves don't get a break when Minami Kenjirou, the skater who beat Yuri at last year's nationals, confronts him...

6. 06

   S01E06 · Top rated · November 10, 2016 · 23m

   China's On! The Grand Prix Series Opening Event!! The Cup of China Short Program6.9

   The Cup of China, a Grand Prix Series event, is here! Realizing that he is the man who took Victor from the world, Yuuri gets worked up before his performance. Victor is concerned to see Yuuri this way for the first time...

7. 07

   S01E07 · Top rated · November 17, 2016 · 23m

   China's On! The Grand Prix Series Opening Event!! The Cup of China Free Skate7.0

   Having finished the short program in first place—a first-time feat—Yuuri falters under the massive pressure. Can his fragile heart withstand Victor's roughshod intervention?

8. 08

   S01E08 · Top rated · November 24, 2016 · 23m

   Yuri vs Yuri! The Horror!! Rostelecom Cup, Short Program7.0

   Yuuri is determined to show his love to all of Russia in the Rostelecom Cup, the final event of the Grand Prix Series. In contrast, Yurio feels bogged down by his ties to Moscow, and tries to shrug them off. Before them, however, rises JJ, a rising star from North America...

9. 09

   S01E09 · Top rated · December 1, 2016 · 23m

   Yuri vs Yuri! The Horror!! Rostelecom Cup, Free Skate7.1

   Katsuki Yuuri has already obtained "love." With Victor's fading warmth in his heart, Yuri goes out to the rink for his free skate that will determine whether he'll qualify for the Grand Prix Final. Yurio firms his own resolve after eating special pirozhki, the epitome of love in Moscow.

10. 10

    S01E10 · Top rated · December 8, 2016 · 23m

    Gotta Supercharge it! Pre-Grand Prix Final Special!6.9

    Barcelona is where the fated final battle will take place. Sightseeing during their free time, Victor is oblivious to Yuuri's resolve. Then, a chance remark reveals a nightmarish event at the banquet last year for Yuuri...

11. 11

    S01E11 · Top rated · December 15, 2016 · 23m

    Gotta Super-Supercharge It!! Grand Prix Final Short Program7.0

    Now armed with the light of love on his finger along with Victor, Yuuri goes for the gold in the Grand Prix Final as the chosen six competitors clash in the short program.

12. 12

    S01E12 · Series finale · December 22, 2016 · 23m

    Gotta Super-Supercharge It!! Grand Prix Final Free Skate7.4

    "Let's end this." Yuri's words trigger a debate that results in Yuri appearing at the free skate event in his worst condition ever. Can Yuri succeed in skating a program with the highest technical difficulty at their last event together to show the world the love he shares with Victor? What will each conclude once the program is over and it is time to decide their paths after the Grand Prix Final?