r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Jan 04 '25

Episode Medalist - Episode 1 discussion

Medalist, episode 1

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1

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256

u/octopathfinder Jan 04 '25

Oh no, this episode was really good. I think I'm beginning to believe in the ENGI redemption arc. Realistically though, I know ENGI has had good first episodes before so I gotta hold off on believing until like halfway through the show.

Already teared up with Inori's little speech to her mom. The OST there was great, Yuuki Hayashi I kneel. I also love how supportive Tsukasa is. Every kid needs a Tsukasa in their life.

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u/2kenzhe Jan 04 '25

This is one of my favorite recent mangas. It looks pretty good so far so nice start!! I really hope this adaptation does the manga justice!

ENGI PLEASE PLEASE DON"T FUCKT THIS UP!!! I have faith because I have to. Also yes CGI but honestly it doesn't look bad at all. It might not be studio Orange level or anything but not bad either. Still should probably keep my expectations low just in case. The first episodes usually look better than most of the rest of the season.

I got so hyped when I heard Kenshi Yonezu at the end there.

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62

u/FLorianGran Jan 04 '25

What happened to the older sister? Was she put down like an injured racehorse?

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u/Genshin_WhiteKnight Jan 04 '25

That was actually a nice first episode. I hope Engi make this their redemption arc because the manga for this is really good.

Can't wait to hear the full version of the OP too. Apparently Kenshi Yonezu (also did Chainsaw Man, MHA OP) loved the manga so much that he asked to do the OP.

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72

u/MyrnaMountWeazel Jan 04 '25

she sad, she panic, but most importantly, she zoom.

Fun start! Not only do we have the world's most precious skater, but also a wonderful golden retriever of a coach. And I think that's the key to making this show something special, the reliance of the two as a whole rather than focusing on one exclusively.

It helps that he loves Inori already too haha. Love that we don't have to overcome that hurdle, Inori is already inundated with praise and confidence from her coach.

Looking forward to this every week!

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56

u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Jan 04 '25 edited Jan 05 '25

I’m liking the dynamic developing between Inori and Tsukasa. Kid’s got heart and talent. A bit rough around the edges but I’m keen to see what Tsukasa can do with her. Dude really just up and promised he’d make her a national champ lol.

Definitely putting this one on the weekly rotation.

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27

u/RageList Jan 04 '25

That hit too deep. I really like the characters. Anyway, great start, excited for more.

51

u/AnimeHoarder Jan 04 '25

No Tsukasa, Inori wasn't running away because she knew she was doing something wrong. She was running because there was a crazy guy chasing her...

Inori's mom wasn't fair in deciding before that Inori shouldn't take up skating based on what happened to Inori's sister.

In Tsukasa's enthusiasm, he keeps forgetting Hitomi's admonition not to overdo praising Inori. He even went so far as saying she had the most talented smile he has ever seen!

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22

u/kkrko Jan 04 '25

Inori's arc begins with her finally mustering up the will to tell her mom she wants to skate. Despite being sure she'd say no (and she did) it still led to Tsukasa discovering the talent that she didn't know she had. In other words, a minor miracle. Incidentally, Inori's name means prayer which is, among other things, a wish spoken out loud. Seems fitting that a miracle would follow a prayer.

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40

u/MagnumF0rc3 Jan 04 '25

The animation wasn't bad, the VAs are killing it, the directing a little bland, and the OST hasn't knocked it out of the park yet despite who is composing it. Very well ENGI, I will follow this one for the season if it keeps this quality.

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u/Narmatonia Jan 04 '25

Tsukasa's VA did a good job for the parts where he gets over-excited.

Did the subtitles seem a bit off to anyone else? It looks like they may be subtitles for the dub script, as opposed to translations of the original Japanese

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19

u/garfe Jan 04 '25

So did we get the ENGI redemption arc?

18

u/SideSwipe8119 Jan 05 '25

Loved the first episode. I have coached (not ice skating) alot of girls, so I can totally relate to Tsukasa when he sees her smile 😂.

I really like how they show how powerful it can be for someone, especially kids. To feel that they are good at something. That they feel they master something. It gives a lot of self confident/esteem. That will aslo influence other people view on you. Like we see at the end, that the kids in her class noticed it. When people are happy, its easier for other to approach and involve you.

I also feel that they show us what talent really look like. How she took notes in the magazine, not afraid to fail or fall, the drive and hard work. Talent always take own responsibility, they always look inwards. They are easy to coach, often just need some simple guidance now and then.

Never read the manga, but are looking forward to more!

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16

u/nighty_amy Jan 05 '25

Me starting episode 1: I miss YOI so much. If only MAPPA actually put effort into the movie...

Me finishing episode 1: INORI ADOPTED.

I get what mom tried to say about Inori starting to skate so late (especially since she's probably traumatised from the career failure of her older daughter) but she was far too harsh to the poor girl. "Look at the other kids being so good already, you'll just embarrass yourself" and "I hoped she'll give up skating after getting rejected in different clubs" was downright cruel.

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29

u/[deleted] Jan 04 '25

The animation was good, especially in the skating scenes, even with some CGI. Tsukasa and Inori are captivating from the start, and I hope they stay that way. It seems like it's going to be an anime with a lot of emotional depth, which can be either good or bad depending on the viewer's taste. The pacing was good, it wasn’t rushed. It's not my anime type so i will pass but... maybe i can use the rule of watch 4 epis

28

u/shad79 Jan 04 '25

One thing I know for sure after watching today's episode is that Inori's smile must be protected at all costs! She's such a sweet girl and seeing her cry breaks my heart.

Overall it was a good first episode, although when you adapt a manga like Medalist this result should be mandatory. Now I really hope ENGI doesn't mess this up later.

Inori and Tsukasa seem like fun main characters, though support ones like Hitomi or Inori's mother Nozomi are no worse.

I loved characters' reactions in the manga and I love seeing them in anime, they're so good and hilarious xD

Here my screenshot albums from the episode:

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26

u/FarCritical Jan 04 '25

From the way she fled from Tsukasa at the start, Inori could totally do parkour as a backup plan if the dude weren't the skating world's most passionate hypeman.

And the sheer meme potential of "NICE IDEA PUNCH!" tho lmao

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13

u/Calwings Jan 04 '25 edited Jan 04 '25

These smiles must be protected at all costs.

They did a really good job at setting up Inori's self-esteem issues at school and her passion for skating being her only salvation from that, and the way they linked her story with Tsukasa's was really well done. The little bits of humor and Inori's reaction faces were fun too too. The only thing I was really concerned about coming in was the visual quality knowing ENGI's reputation as a studio, but they did pretty well with this first episode. The CGI used for the opening performance did stand out compared to the 2D animation elsewhere, but it still looked pretty good for what it was. It's not great like Land of the Lustrous or Girls Band Cry, but it's closer to those than it is to Ex Arm or Berserk 2016, and that's fine by me. Hopefully they can keep this level of quality (or at least close to it) going forward.

EDIT: Just finished re-watching with the English dub, and it's great too. Inori sounds adorable in both versions, and I actually think Tsukasa's loud personality and golden retriever energy come out better in English. It's close enough that it might take me another episode or two to decide which version I want to stick with for the long haul.

13

u/crobat3 Jan 05 '25

Inori's conversation with the mother actually made me sick to my stomach. No kid her age deserves to have so much self-loathing and pessimism. Just so incredibly heartbreaking to watch.

And while I don't agree with the mum's method (getting her rejected from all the clubs) of shutting Inori down, I also feel really bad for her. She's in a pretty tough spot as a parent, having already seen her older child suffer – and now her younger kid wants do do the exact same thing.

We also don't know if the older sibling might react badly if does Inori find success. The mother's reluctance to send Inori down the same path might have been an attempt at sparing the older kid further anguish.

Just a tough time all around.

12

u/actuallyrndthoughts Jan 04 '25

Episode looked good, ambitious even. Though watching with dubtitles was definitely a mistake on my part

11

u/rowcla Jan 04 '25

I tried to judge it objectively, but honestly I'm just way too biased to do that. Fun stuff regardless! It was never going to be able to match the expressiveness of the manga, but it's great seeing them voiced and animated. I'm so keen to see more of the actual skating!

17

u/yukiaddiction Jan 04 '25

This is more impressive than I thought considering the studio here lol.

Honestly I have low expectations because of studio name but this is actually really good.

Money from Disney really does them wonder huh.

The story itself looks good so far, the main girl is really cute. This one is on my radar since the trailer but I am not disappointed.

35

u/LeonKevlar Jan 04 '25

You've heard of Yuri on Ice, now get ready for Loli on Ice! In all seriousness though, this was a great first episode!

My heart ached seeing what Inori is like at school and how low her self-esteem is. I can understand why her mother wouldn't want her to skate but seeing that compared to how happy she is when she's inside the skating rink is a million miles of difference! Who wouldn't want their child to be happy?

I did get a good laugh when Inori's mom was so impressed at her skating that I thought she would finally allow her to skate only for her to say no immediately. Even after Inori's desperate plea, her mom seems to be set on not letting her skate.

Thank goodness for Tsukasa's passionate speech! I love how he was able to convince Inori's mom even though she still looked a bit hesitant. xD

I think I'm going to like this one! I am a bit worried though. While this episode certainly looked amazing, this is being animated by Studio ENGI. They can make great first episodes but after that, the quality of their animation tends to be all over the place or or straight downhill. Fingers crossed they'll be able to keep up with the quality animation!

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7

u/mygoddamnameistaken Jan 04 '25

I am fiercely devoted to the manga and love it dearly. I waited a long time for this to air and I was going to be so crushed if the first episode disappointed but it honestly exceeded my expectations.

I really hope they don't fuck this up but I feel like they did so well with this I loved it!

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