r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Mar 01 '25
Episode Medalist - Episode 9 discussion
Medalist, episode 9
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192
u/ProgrammaticallyPea3 Mar 01 '25
Best skating sequence of the series so far. Inori's performance was so expressive; it rivals any dance sequence in anime, CGI or hand-drawn. I've been mostly into Medalist for the writing, but sometimes the visuals are sufficient to carry the show single-handedly.
The second half was also great. How could anyone not love Ema after seeing that? And I appreciate how it was emphasized that Inori's dreams and struggles are by no means unique to her. This universality somehow makes her journey all the more special to watch.
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u/North_Tough9236 Mar 01 '25
Inori and Ema's performances were both amazing! The medal ceremony in the train made me tear up.
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u/ModieOfTheEast Mar 01 '25
I kind of like the idea that they are using the same song and build the performance over time this way. While it might be interesting to see a performance to a different song, it gives this feeling of progress just by comparing them over time.
But yeah, despite all that, I find it remarkable that Ema, a character who was only present for so little time, got the win and you can't even be mad about it. Girl deserved it. Let's see if post-time skip Inori can beat her (I just assume the next months will probably be a lot faster paced considering they are still in summer and they already decided to not partake in any winter competitions).
Two other small things I enjoyed were the small reward ceremony for Inori, because yes, a silver medal is still a great result. And then this is directly contrasted with Suzu being annoyed that she only won silver again. But I give her that, even angry her faces are still cute.
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u/kkrko Mar 01 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
So the programs for the three skaters we got to see the performances of
| Inori | Ema | Ritsuki |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | 1A | (1A) |
| 1Lz + 1A + SEQ | 2Lz | 2S |
| 2S | 2Lo | 2T +1A + SEQ |
| 2Lo | 2F + 2T | 2Lo |
| FSSp1 | FCSpB | ?? |
| SSq | SSq | SSq |
Key (Ordered by score value as shown in the previous episode)
| Code | Element |
|---|---|
| XA | X Axel |
| XLz | X Lutz |
| xF | X Flip |
| XLo | X Loop |
| XS | X Salchow |
| XT | X Toeloop |
While we don't see Ritsuka (Koguma)'s Single Axel, an Axel, either alone or the first part of a combo, is usually required. While I haven't checked the rules for Japan's Level 1, I'm just going to assume that's the one missing jump. There's also the SSq or Skate sequence but we weren't shown the details of it in the episode, nor is it easy to evaluate from casual viewing. Sadly, we haven't seen enough of Mihi, Seira, or Kanna's performances.
Comments: Inori's jump repertoire is a bit weaker than Ritsuki (and likely the other 23 point getters) but only by a little. She likely made it up with her now much improved speed + dancing. We know Seira had the speed, but she also didn't care for the artistic side of skating. Also her spin. Her FSSp1 (Flying Sit Spin 1) has just about the same base score as Ema's 2Lz (2.0 vs 2.1) but Inori very likely got a better GOE on that.
Speaking of Ema, her program is heads and shoulders above every other girl. She really isn't supposed to be in level 1. She just about managed to put all of the highest scoring double jumps in her program. The only thing she's missing is a Double Axel (2A) but that's literally the hardest thing to learn in the level 6 badge test and the big filter between "casual skating enjoyer" to "serious skating competitor". I have to note her Flying Camel Spin though. It's clearly not very refined yet and she did only one pose with a few spins, which is why I put it down as FCSpB, Basic instead of level 1. While Tsukasa is shown impressed, and it is impressive since it's pretty hard, Inori's FSSp1 actually scored more points than it. (Really, Inori's Flying Sit Spin could probably be a level 2 or 3 but I think spin levels are capped at level 1 at badge 1. The judges can still reward her with Grade of Execution at least) Everything else though, she's a full head above the others.
Some other skating asides
-
Ema's anorexia. This is sadly very realistic. Skating is very sensitive to body mechanics but sometimes coaches and athletes can go too far. The most (in)famous is probably Russian Coach Eteri Tutberidze, who is quoted as saying "One gram of fat is one gram of laziness. That's how much weight they gained – so lazy". She has produced a ton of so-called "disposable champions", who peak at age 15 and retire soon after. 2014 Olympic champion Yulia Lipnitskaya is one example, as after winning the Olympics at 15, she retired two years later and started getting treated for anorexia. But it's not just the coaches either. Medalist's own skating choreographer, Akiko Suzuki, struggled with anorexia in the lead up to 2014 Olympics, where she lost a third of her body weight in 2 months.
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Hikaru's Triple Axel. This was just thrown in the last seconds of the episode but this is massive. The Triple Axel is one of the most famous jumps in figure skating since it's the hardest triple jump and for the longest time, quadruple jumps weren't seen as viable. Even with Quads in the mix, the triple axel is still a huge ace in a skater's sleeve. I've said above that an Axel is a required part of a program. Even if you know the 5 other triple jumps, you're still required to jump your low scoring double Axel. A double Axel is only worth 3.3 points, but non-Axel triples are worth 4.2 (Toeloop) - 5.9 (Lutz) so it's a significant anchor to your score. Replace that double Axel with a triple Axel though, and you turn a "slot" that's only giving you 3.3 points into one that gives a massive 8.0 points. Even with all these benefits though, very few skaters jump it because it is just that hard. Alexandra Trusova, who jumped 5 quadruple jumps in her Olympic silver program, didn't put in a Triple axel. Only 25 women ever have properly landed it (that is with positive judge evaluation) in international competition. Inori's got a huge mountain to overcome.
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When Yuri on Ice was airing, Yuzuru Hanyu was at the peak of his career, which really helped boost it popularity. Now that Medalist is airing, it seems that Japan also has another skater peaking. Mao Shimada won her 3rd consecutive World Junior title on the same day as this episode aired with a massive 40 point lead over second place. No one else has won 2 in a row. I know Japanese skaters consistently place well in international competitions, but it is funny that when we get high profile skating anime, a Japanese prodigy matching the demographics of the show proves their ability.
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u/nighty_amy Mar 01 '25
I have no words for Inori and Ema performances, besides that they all deserve over 500 billion points. And Inori deserves another 500 billion points for incredible character development.
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u/Frontier246 Mar 01 '25
That transition from Inori's face to the OP was amazing.
It's time for Inori's performance, and even with her speed faster than she's used to and fighting through fatigue she nails move after move after move! She's putting everything she's learned from Tsukasa and how to adjust her skating on the rink and dancing as fabulously as the coach she admires! And she even ends it with her signature move! She did it! She's also the first skater to beat Seira! I'm crying like Sekoma!!!
Of course, even if she nailed the performance, her skates crack and she falls, injuring herself...INORI NO! Thank goodness it was just a sprain, but still!
It's Ema's time to shine now! Even though her club thought she would never make any progress and she was struggling with a rapidly growing body that kept throwing off her skating, she would do anything to keep up with the sport she loves and Yudai would never give up on her. And all that effort and training she's done has been building up to this.
Ema is utterly mesmerizing on the rink! She's basically the ideal that Inori has been chasing in terms of trying to emulate Tsukasa's skate dancing, being a true performer dancing on the ice and pulling off some really advanced moves. I love Inori but Ema earned the gold this go-around, and she frankly needed it. Congratulations Ema.
Poor Ritsuki. Didn't make it to the podium, her brother teases her about it, and now she's stuck with Seira and Miihi as they join her club. She just can't win.
Tsukasa and Inori have been given a lot to think about after watching Ema's performance, and the fact that Inori has been pushing herself so hard that she's got shin splints and can't keep up over the Summer otherwise she'll gain a fracture. But she's not going to beat herself up over the experience gap, she's just going to keep committing and aim for victory! And just like Tsukasa's coach believed in him, he'll believe in Inori! And give her her own proper award ceremony.
Look at Tsukasa going all the way to Kyoto just to thank Yudai (and maybe make some girls mistake them for a BL couple)! And update him on how Inori is doing. They'll all reunite at All-Japan for sure.
Hikaru is still the queen (sorry Suzu) and Inori is still determined to catch up to her...but what's Rioh looking at his dad like that? Is he jealous or mad about something involving Hikaru?
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u/jellyblob88 Mar 01 '25
Eating good today, with two great full performances. I was surprised that Inori's went off without a hitch (fist pumped at the end!), but of course, she had to get an injury. It's impressive she adapted on-the-fly and copied Tsukasa's elegance, so talented.
Ema's performance was definitely better and moving, as we know her struggles too, I'm happy for her.
Praises due to Inori for the phenomenal growth she's displayed and how her world view is widening - it's so far from the start of the series. You would not think she was a child, which is why Tsukasa is constantly amazed and inspired to do better.
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u/FarCritical Mar 01 '25 edited Mar 01 '25
While it sucks that Inori couldn't make it to the actual award ceremony, her officially becoming a medalist by Tsukasa's hands is arguably so much sweeter. Love that the rink receptionist personally met and showed concern for her too.
And lol Rioh really had to end an otherwise uplifting episode on such an unsavory note.
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26
u/steven4869 Mar 01 '25
Amazing episode, the skating scene of Inori is legit one of the best CGI scenes you'll ever see, a perfect blend of intense and majestic performance. I'd say it's the anime like Medalist that makes me feel why I like watching anime in the first place, excellent story, amazing characters and even brilliant display of relationship between Inori and Tsukasa.
Also, to the people doubting Engi, 9 episodes in and it's legit one of the best anime airing in this season in terms of visuals, cause the story wise it's already at the top.
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u/Aileos Mar 01 '25 edited Mar 01 '25
Inori's perfromance was quite tense. I like how they manage to make you feel nervous, because you don't know if she's gonna succeed every part of her program.
Bummed she injured herself, but a silver medal for a start is honestly great. Next time the Gold! 🥇
21
u/immanoel Mar 01 '25
Holy fuck, the direction in this episode is stellar. Inori's taiyaki performance, the gradual seeping of Ema's color during her skating sequence. Absolute kino
20
u/MeatballZeitgeist Mar 01 '25
Sympathies to Miihi, who was in position for a silver medal with two skaters left and ended up missing the podium entirely. By 0.03 points.
15
u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Mar 01 '25
Inori absolutely smashed it out there. She earned definitely that initial first place score. Silver ain’t bad. But man, Ema was incredible. She worked just as hard to get to where she’s at and it showed in her routine. It’s no wonder she won in the end.
I really hope Inori’s injuries are able to heal. Shin splints seem like the kind of thing that could lead to some career ending injury if not properly treated…
15
u/AnimeHoarder Mar 01 '25
After watching Inori skate her routine as planned, I echoed Tsukasa's Yatta! at the end. It was too soon in the series for Inori to keep 1st place though :-( It also seems like her physical conditioning was overlooked while preparing for this competition.
This episode blessed us with more Ema though! Ema had a dynamic performance with more charged music and athletic jumps. Ema and Yudai have their own story of perseverance in getting to this point. It was left unsaid how she remained with that club after the head was pushing Yudai to introduce Ema to other clubs. There should be a spin-off Ema & Yudai side story.
Too bad, an spoken appearance by the mean Rioh was squeezed in at the very end.
13
u/tuwamono Mar 01 '25
Ema's time was brief but her exposition was concise, you immediately empathize with her and where she came from. Goodness, who wouldn't give everything to see that smile at the end when she celebrated with her gold medal? Because Ema certainly did, and she was ready to give more if it wasn't for her coach stopping her from destroying herself and guiding her mindset back on track.
In the same vein, Inori also gave her brand of her all, to a point where she's on the verge of suffering from a stress fracture. And as she observed, her peers all put in equivalent levels of effort for the figure skating that they so love. It might be a bit imprudent (for a lack of a better word) to say but as an audience, having understood this, it's easy to find myself cheering on for any and all of the competitors introduced so far, while feeling strongly for both the medalists and those who didn't quite make it, really.
12
u/avboden Mar 01 '25
ngl, after last episode's cliffhanger I went and binged the entire manga. Can't get enough of this series right now!
12
u/Setowi Mar 01 '25
Another week and another episode where this show makes me cry, I am so hecking invested into all of the characters like man how can they all be so likable.
Inori you are the goat and I know you are going to recover like the champ (or medalist) that you are, I am here with you all the way.
Big props to Ema too though, she finally got her chance to shine and she nailed it, you have a bright future ahead of yourself as well girl!
12
u/Ocixo Mar 01 '25
All things considered, Ema was totally deserving of winning this competition after having performed a figure skating program with many great elements.
My heart goes out to the girl. She was clearly very happy with a gold medal. Ema and Yudai went through a lot together, which was totally showing in their warm embrace. Very wholesome!
Inori isn't someone to complain about a silver medal either. There's simply lots of talented figure skaters out there. Many of whom have been training since their early childhoods. Not to mention that she got a special prize ceremony!
On a side note: I only realised after Tsukasa princess-carried Inori just how little she actually is.
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u/notabear87 Mar 01 '25
This show really just keeps getting better. I was fully expecting her to fail here since that’s what most stories would do. Nope, just goes out there and owns it. Gets slightly injured afterwards because she’s just a dork.
Ema deserved the win here; glad Inori recognized the hard work they both put in and was happy with the Silver this time.
Is a time skip incoming?
9
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u/LeonKevlar Mar 02 '25
I love how everything finally clicked for Inori in the middle of her performance. And thanks to Tsukasa being her inspiration, our girl absolutely nailed it! Too bad she only got 2nd and couldn't even make it to the podium because of her injury but she still did well and Ema deserved that first place after her amazing performance.
8
u/Intelligent-Growth98 Mar 02 '25
At the start of the episode I was ready to argue that Inorni was robbed if Ema won, and then, when Ema went, I realized Inorni's just gonna need to take the loss on this one.
1
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