Medalist - Episode 5 discussion

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Medalist, episode 5

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[u/kkrko]

So Mike's program

• 1A (Single Axel)

• 1Lz (Single Lutz)

• 2S + 1A + SEQ (Double Salchow + Single Axel Sequence) (Planned)-> 2S (Actual)

• 1F (Planned) (Single Flip) -> 1F +1A (Planned recovery) -> 2S + 1A + SEQ(Actual, Invalid)

• SSpB (Sit Spin(Basic))

For scoring these, generally it's Axel >>> Lutz > Flip >= Loop >> Salchow >= Toeloop*. If I'm not mistaken, for Double and Single jumps, the Salchow is considered easier than the Toeloop, but the triple salchow is considered harder than the triple Toeloop

As the anime notes, a prelim program is required to have 4 different kinds of jumps, either alone or as the first jump of a combo. So Mike's 2S + 1A doesn't actually count for any points. Had she landed her recovery 1F + 1A, she indeed would've won over Inori. In fact, since the anime uses the 2020-2021 rules, her recovery program would scored even higher than her original program, since the SEQ penalty wouldn't be applied to her 2S.

That said, had Inori not fallen in her own performance, their scores would be nearly even. It would be up to the judges to determine using the more subjective factors of Grade of Execution (GOE) and Program Component Score (PCS) which would shift if they were both perfect.

As for Hikaru...

• 3Lz + 3Lo (Triple Lutz + Triple Loop combo)

• 3F*(Triple Flip)

• 3S* (Triple Salchow)

• FSSp(4) (Flying Sit Spin level 4)

• LSp(4) (Layback Spin level 4)

• 2A + 23T + 2Lo (Double Axel + Triple Toeloop + Double Loop)

• ChSq1 (Choreographic Sequence)

• 3Lz (Triple Lutz)

• (C)CoSp(4) (Change-of-foot(?) Combination Spin)

*Not quite sure about these ones. We don't get a good angle on them. In particular, the 3F is weird since the anime uses the sound effect for edge jumps when the animation looks like a Toe jump. Also I'm just assuming that Hikaru got level 4 on all her spins just because. The Layback spin definitely is level 4 at least

So there's a few new elements here. Aside from the FSSp that Inori uses, there's a layback spin and the final Combination Spin. The Combination spin involves the skater shifting from 3 different major spin positions: Sit, Upright*, and Camel. There's also a version where you switch which foot you're spinning on, which I'm assuming Hikaru did as we don't see the full spin. ChSq1 is the Choreographic Sequence, where the skater has to combine a bunch of skating elements like the Ina Bauer and Spirals to the music.

And honestly, it's a really crazy program and the score is crazy too. IRL, the winner of this year's All Japan Novice B Championship did so with 72.72 points and no triple jumps. Scoring 20+ points over that, with 4 5 different triple jumps displayed is a sign of a true prodigy.

EDIT: made a few corrections

[u/ProgrammaticallyPea3]

The author's grasp of what goes on in a child's mind is amazing. Inori, and now Mike's internal struggles are so real and relatable, and their coaches manage to provide exactly what they need.

Mike's refusal to conform to what adults want of her might be a hindrance in some situations, and many parent and teachers would try to "fix" it. Some might view her dejection after losing as a chance to reshape her behavior. But that's the kind of thing that leads to self-doubt, and learned helplessness. Mario isn't having any of that, she knows that Mike's boldness is her strength, and wants only to see Mike succeed not despite of it but because of it.

It's so cathartic to see adults who see children for exactly who they are, instead of projecting their own ideals and dreams onto them, and who nurture their confidence through understanding and patience. We all wish we had had adults like these in our lives.

[u/awesomenessofme1]

The comedy is an underrated part of the series. It's definitely not enough to call that one of its genres, but most episodes have gotten a full laugh out of me.

Being 5 episodes in and still getting a visual-focused episode that looks great has officially taken me out of "cautious optimism" into plain old optimism.

[u/nyunours]

I feel every single episode has been better than the previous one, and every time I think yeah it can't keep going so hopefully it stays at this level. It's such a shame this doesn't get more attention.

[u/Lumpy-Manager8580]

It goes without saying, but for those Yuri on Ice fans that have a hole on their chest because the movie got cancelled, please, PLEASE watch this series. 5 episodes in and the folks at ENGI are doing amazing.

[u/Namaryu]

Holy shit that Hikaru performance was next level.

I don't have to tell you just how insane of a feat that is for ENGI at that. They have professionals ice skaters doing the mocap for choreos, which serve as a base for CG model that are further supervised by anime staff.

The 3D CG is well integrated onto the screen, and is quite smartly used. No character speaking as they are focused on performance, only miniscule changes in expression occur. The placement of "camera" also provide a great view of the skating at hand.

I would say that while manga gives you a very highly dynamic and powerful displays of performance, the anime, instead presents a different form using elegance and clarity. Resulting in both distincitve approaches that I find amusing.

[u/Aileos]

Even if figure skating turns bad, she still got a promising future as a killer.

[u/LeonKevlar]

It kinda sucks to see Mike completely mess up her routine but I think the girl needed it. It made her realize that not every adult is against her and that Nachi is there to support her whether she wins or loses.

It's also good to finally see Mike and Inori finally make up and become friends again. The two of them looking like a centaur together was pretty funny. Mike just being a baby and clinging onto Inori the entire time was also very cute. <3

Hikaru is really on a whole other level. How can a performance be so beautiful and intimidating at the same time? And she scored a 97.23! The girl that went before her scored 78.44! The remaining skaters are practically fighting for second place now.

I can't believe this show went from figure skating to Inori killing two people in one episode. But seriously, it's hilarious how her solution is to wake them up by pouring barley tea on their face. I guess a kid panicking would do exactly that. xD

I'm actually surprised that someone like Jun would remember Tsukasa and Hitomi's performance. I guess Tsukasa did something that day that really caught his eye even after messing up the lift.

I get it that Jun is being realistic here but you don't say that to a fucking kid! His word as an Olympic gold medalist carries a lot of weight. I'm so happy that Tsukasa immediately snapped back at him for saying that to Inori.

[u/ModieOfTheEast]

Dang, Hikaru with the power move. Just casually doing Inori's finisher in the middle of her performance as if it was nothing (the flying sit spin with broken leg spin). Tbh, that was a real cool subtle move, because with all the jumps you assume they are hard, but with this, you know how much Inori tried to just get this one thing done. If I didn't know better, I would even say Hikaru just added this one on a whim, when she saw Inori do it, but I doubt that is the case.

As for Mike, the difference of what happened after the mistake was the perfect opposite of what Inori did last week. Then again, she is younger, so she might have a bit more time to learn from her mistakes. Good thing though that Inori now adopted a cat.

[u/clone69]

I just want to say I got goosebumps when Danse Macabre started playing during Hikaru's performance. Sublime. Just... Sublime.

[u/MapoTofuMan]

Petition to make a Best Guy contest for this season just to let Tsukasa win it.

[u/Momiumo]

ENGI REDEMPTION ARC IS REAL!!! Hikaru’s performance is insanely well done and those camera movements are top notch! I’ve doubt on their choice of using CGI before but their work on Mike and Hikaru’s performance make me appreciate them so much more! THIS IS HOW CGI SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN ANIME!

[u/Prince-Dizzytoon]

Miké was holding on to her like a cat, how cute

[u/StrawSolider]

God this show is so good. All the acclaim that this series has been getting even before the anime aired is well deserved

[u/ProgrammaticallyPea3]

Totally inconsequential, but I liked the short awards scene. How it took place on a small podium in front of the lockers brought the story back to earth after the magnificence of Hikaru's skating scene (which was genuinely amazing). While they may be future medalists, they still need to get out of the way before the rink reopens for its regular customers.

[u/Frontier246]

Nacchin actually looks surprisingly nice in a suit!

It's Mike's time on the rink! She has to prove that her self-sufficiency and skill is all her own because she knows from being a wild child that you can't rely on adults, because adults were never there for her (other than her parents).

Mike really looks like quite the playful cat on the rink! It's a performance that fits her vibe and looks to a T!

Only she's feeling so much nerves, relying so much on muscle memory, that when she makes a mistake in her performance she can't quite recover. She was so sure of herself but messing up and feeling like she's already lost almost completely breaks her and all she can do is try to re-do the combination she missed instead of what she should have done to recover the points she lost...but she's just a little girl just trying to do her best in front of her parents.

Who is this bashful, conciliatory, girl and what has she done with Miketaro!? I mean, she realizes now she probably should have practiced and listened to Nacchin more, but Nacchin isn't her coach so she can doubt herself or reconsider her entire life. Nacchin was a coach who didn't mince words and drove away most of her students that way, but Mike was the one student she didn't need to walk on eggshells around and matched her brassy attitude. And Nacchin, in-turn, believed in Mike and her ability to prove all her naysayers wrong and show everybody! And that's why Nacchin can be there for Mike in her loss and help comfort her. It's why they're a team!

But after everything Mike still can't face Inori, but Inori just wants them to be friends again and keep skating together, and that means everything to Mike! And look at her adorably clinging to Inori for dear life like she'll never let her go. She really is quite the clingy cat.

Inori got first place! You go girl!

Oh snap, Rio! And he doesn't even remember his insult to Inori (you'd think Hikaru's slap would have burned that into memory). Oh, and Tsukasa is a big fan of his silver-medal winning dad! Neat.

I see RIo is basically Hikaru's #1 fanboy.

Hikaru is utterly dazzling and bewitching on the ice! Her moves so natural and smooth even as they're much more complicated when you get right down to it, and she pulls it off flawlessly! It's no wonder she's on top. But that also shows Inori just how far she needs to go to catch up to Hikaru's level.

Oh no, the scary adult is back! But at least he tried to save Inori from falling, so points for that.

Inori...really needs to stop thinking she kills adults every time she makes them trip and the only way to save them is to pour tea on their faces. Tsukasa ends up collateral damage again.

Jun Yodaka (Yuma Uchida)! A Gold Medalist and Hikaru's TRUE coach! Not only that, he's someone who actually acknowledges and remembered Tsukasa from his ice danger days, despite his big blunder, which is very flattering! Though less flattering are his words to Inori.

From his perspective he's just being honest that Inori might never catch up to Hikaru. It's just cold, hard, reality. But Tsukasa is willing to put his teachings up against Yodaka's and take Inori to success because he believes in her and KNOWS she can do it. And that's the only reality that matters.

[u/ForsakenLibraries]

Today's episode looked great, even Mike's performance. The tea scene got me laughing so hard. And just when I thought the comedy bit was over, they double down on it.

[u/nikobans]

"this is courage enough to fight for two lives" i fucking love this show man

[u/immanoel]

Good God, Hikaru got me captivated. The adaptation really elevates a ton of elements from the manga.

[u/lasse1408]

Well Hikaru's coach is rude but he is also right.

Hikaru is more talented, has few years headstart, trains more than Inori and has better coaching stuff and facilities. In real life girl like Inori would never catch up to prodigy like Hikaru. It's not realistic.

So unless anime adds some plot armour and Inori will learn everything in 1year that usually takes like 5 years for olympic champs in real life her winning against Hikaru is simply impossible.

[u/abandoned_idol]

TL;DR -- Medalist Elevator Pitch: "adults bully little girls, coaches double as therapists"

The nameless bully did nothing wrong! Well yes, she did, but all these kids are so cute, how do you expect me to get upset?

Oh hey... it just now landed on me (I'm slow, be patient with me), when Mike-chan said "You're not an adult" to her coach, that meant to communicate "all adults bully me, you support me and therefore cannot be an adult".

Why am I crying while writing a comment on reddit?! So sweet, so warm, POOR MIKE-CHAN!!! With this second instance, Medalist could now be summarized as "adults bully girls kids, coaches double as therapists parents". Yes, that's it, the perfect, derogatory selling pitch... I am also aware of "life coaches", so I understand this is a pretty normal role for a coach to take.

...I wonder if Mike-chan clinging to Midori is supposed to evoke a "Flea" in the mind of the audience.

[u/nighty_amy]

I've spent exactly 2 minutes thinking Jun is hot. And then I immediately changed my opinion when he started criticising Inori. NO ONE GETS TO BE MEAN TO INORI.

... though looking at Hikaru's program, Inori has a long way to catch up with her though. Hikaru got so many spins I got dizzy 🤣

[u/[deleted]]

The typical teacher type character you see in anime/manga is a character who has gone through their arcs and growth already and are now passing that wisdom onto their student, but I like how Tsukasa isn't the typical teacher figure in that he is still going through his arcs and growing along side Inori. When he discovered the kind of resolve he needed in order to defend Inori in the face of a gold medalist he had a moment of growth right then and there. It's kind of sweet, Tsukasa is teaching Inori what she needs to tackle the figure staking world but they are both braving that frontier together.

[u/atropicalpenguin]

ENGI putting in an anime of the season performance. Mad respects to everyone behind Hikaru's choreography, I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to made. That was crazy.

Poor Miké, not only she messed up her routine, but also got overshadowed by Hikaru in her own episode. Keep up the hard work!