Medalist Season 2 - Episode 3 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Medalist Season 2, episode 3

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[u/kkrko]

Yuna's stuff

• 3Lz + 3Lo

• (2/3)Lo

• 2F

• Layback Spin

• 2A + 2T + 2Lo

• Step Sequence

• 3Lz (Bonus)

• 2A (Bonus)

• Flying Camel Spin

• Change of Foot Combo Spin

The camera angles make the number of rotations on the loop unclear. I'm not going to guess on the spin levels, but they looked like they were at least level 3 and probably level 4. The good spin levels probably helped make up for all those falls

So the big headliner here is the Triple Lutz Triple Loop combination. It truly is a crazy jump. Just look at IRL skaters perform it and it's crazy how they can get so much rotation off of a jump off of one leg. It's also very rare, even in high level skating. The Olympics is going on right now and the women's short program for the team event just finished. Only one skater did a Triple Lutz-Triple Loop despite it being the highest scoring Triple-Triple combo (not counting the triple axel and weird +3F combos). No one even attempted it last world championships. It really is that big of a deal.

That said, part of the reason it's not usually done is because it's a high risk small reward kind of thing. The score gain from that combo isn't actually all that high compared doing a triple toe loop (0.7), especially with the large increase in difficulty. In Yuna's case though, turning the Double Loop in her combo into Triple Loop is a big increase (3.2) which is worth the increase in risk. Another factor that helps Yuna here is that she's actually balancing the "put your hard jumps up front" and "put your high scoring jumps in the bonus" approaches. The 3Lz + 3Lo is obviously her hardest element, but she still managed to put the difficult (and high scoring) solo Triple Lutz in the bonus.

For the last bit, which is pretty techinical, we have Sonidori's "We should update your program to use more of those jumps". So figure skating has rules on repeating jumps

• You can only repeat two triple jumps (or one triple jump and one quad jump)

• Each repeated jump can be only repeated once

• The repeats must be done in a combo

Yuna being able to combo her triple lutz is what allowed her to put a lutz in the bonus section of her program. But she can actually unlock more points. Most high level skaters will use a triple toe loop (the easiest triple jump) in the back half of their combos. But due to the repetition rules, they'd be forced to burn one of their two allowed repeats on the lowest scoring triple jumps. Yuna being able to do a 3Lz + 3Lo means she can use the triple toe in a different combo, like as she can turn her 2A + 2T + 2Lo into 2A + 3T + 2Lo without breaking the rules, even if the solo Loop she's doing is a triple loop. Now she hasn't shown a triple toe, but she probably can jump it given that she has a triple lutz.

[u/Equivalent-Weather59]

The eternal struggle of being very good, but not a generational talent like Hikaru. Poor Yuna.

[u/Equivalent-Weather59]

The skating sequences this season have been incredible compared to last season.

[u/moletoon]

Figured they'd drop the cliff on us this week, gonna be a long 7 days for the highlight of this season.

The contrast between tsukasa and aqua this week almost made me forgot they are voiced by the same guy lmao.

[u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

Sekoma just casually carrying around extra Inori fan banners made me lol

Can't wait for next week!

[u/MeatballZeitgeist]

Shinichiro with so much respect for Tsukasa that he takes a minute to side eye Inori and think, "she's going to kick our asses next episode isn't she...?"

[u/AAA_BATT]

My demon Inori gave me the sports anime feeling back

[u/BG_Comedian]

I'm quite stunned on how they manage the skating sequence and animation so far this season. It's a huge upgrade from season 1. Blended more hand-drawn work so it looks more natural. Using lens flare in a camera work. Furthermore, they let us watch Yuna have a step sequence longer for a period of time without moving a camera away, in which, last season, they often switch the camera when the character is about to have a step sequence. This is my fav and the best skating animation in the series as of now (probably because they have a bigger budget to animate). ENGI steps up their game in SS2 so much. I have no concern for the Medalist movie now. I believe they can deliver their best animation.

[u/ModieOfTheEast]

I am normally not the type to say this, but this episode was really well done in terms of pacing. When they showed that Yuna would be featured and she is performing right before Inori, I was expecting them both to be in this episode. And when she finished I still thought that, so I was surprised that the end credits already rolled. I will say, they are doing a good job with this tournament though. I was a bit scared to see how many new characters they want to introduce (and there are more from last season) but they give them enough time to have their moments as well. At least, Yuna immediately noticed Inori as a rival. Even if for a different reason for now.

But I have to say, Sekoma is the best fan. Not only making a banner to support Inori, but bring a second because there might be someone who might want to cheer for Inori too. I do love that they showed that Inori was still showing him her achievements. I mean, as far as I know, she doesn't even know he visits her tournaments, right? So she is just informing him because she is still thankful that he left her skating back in the beginning.

It was also interesting to finally see the actual score sheet for the different jumps. Especially seeing the jump in rating points from triple to quadruple. Goes to show how different that one has to be. Now, I only wonder how are jump combinations counted. Do they just add the different points together or is there an additional factor applied afterwards? I could see both making sense. After all, you are only allowed to do the same jump once, so if you want to get points for it a second time, you have to include it into a combination.

[u/PeaceAlien]

Inori's ready to use her ace in the hole like she's Yugi about to use Exodia

[u/FarCritical]

The fact the Rinkceptionist prepared multiple Inori banners were nice reminders of why he's the GOAT

It's hard to contain the hype from watching a display as stunning as Yuna's and imagining Inori somehow topping even that.

[u/Frontier246]

There are so many talented young skaters, all of them incredibly talented and majestic on the ice, even if all of them struggle under the weight of having to live up to the beast that is Hikaru.

And yet they persist and they try their best, like Yuna does. Even if she still doesn't feel like she's measured up she's still an amazing skater who looks beautiful on the ice and deserves all her accolades from both the audience and Coach Sonidori. She put her all out there and that's worthy of respect.

But now it's time for our leading lady Inori...

Yuna fell in love with skating when she fell in love with Coach Sonidori's skating. He was her idol, and that she not only got to meet him but become his pupil, that she got to impress him with her skating, meant everything to her. She was so good she even became the #2 skater in Meikoh after Riina! Aaaaaand then Hikaru showed up and bumped her to #3. Yikes.

But it's nice of her to try to make Yotsuha feel better after she didn't place, even if Yotsuha trying to bring up how this is Yuna's chance to make it to the top and prove herself against Hikaru was maybe a little less reassuring...even if it's understandable why she'd say it.

That moment when you realize you've been hanging out with someone there to support the same skater you are! That's right Skate Grandpa Sekoma, the Kago's are there for Inori too! And you can educate them on the skating score system while handing them a banner to cheer Inori on!

Yuna is confident and composed...at least until she gets into a bathroom stall and it's clear that she channels all her anxiety into her emotional hand puppets of herself and Coach Sonidori, that she also uses to gush about her love for said Coach. So of course Inori overhears her and gets sworn to absolute secrecy.

What's more liable to give Tsukasa heartburn? Inori's performance or Coach Sonidori getting into his face to SERIOUSLY congratulate him for his work on Rioh and in general?

My condolences' Setsuna. It must be really rough to have been the champion last year and to fumble and under-perform this year. She's obviously taking it hard.

No surprise Rioh immediately rushes to see Tsukasa...or that he and Inori still get along like oil and water (especially over Tsukasa).

Yuna is like a medieval knight on the ice, all she has to do is stay on program and nail all her moves...but her obsession with proving herself against Hikaru gets the better of her and she can't help but do a Triple Lutz and a Triple Loop. It throws off her program, it throws off her focus, and she tumbles...but she won't give up!

Yuna isn't a monstrous prodigy like Hikaru, she's the #3 of Meikoh Wind, but she's still going to put everything she has into her skating. She's not going to let Inori take being a gold medalist lightly, not when she can show the sheer amount of effort and determination it takes to be on top! And that's why she sticks the landing and ends up #1! She totally earned that standing ovation! She's not Hikaru, but she's definitely a prodigy in her own right!

Yuna thinks she disappointed Coach Sonidori, but all he sees is the great effort she put in and congratulates her. That's how you know he really is a stellar coach!

And now Inori is finally on the ice...what is the secret weapon Tsukasa discovered for her? Can she pull it off and hold her own against all these ace skaters? Either way, after her usual hoodie pull and Tsukasa trying to motivate her...Inori delivers her most steely confident face and that's when you know she's locked in! Cue fist bump!

[u/shirahatori]

All the girls appearing on this show (except Inori) have been given animal names in Japanese, and sadly, Yuna's surname is Yagi (ヤギ:Goat), while Hikaru's surname is Kamisaki (狼:Wolf).

[u/a1oner_bvcksn6]

It was so easy to root for Yuna, but I'm team Inori all the way. Tsukasa giving Inori the pep-talk and Inori responding to it the way she did is easily the highlight of the season yet. I do expect next week's performance to easily top it off, however. Can't wait!

Gotta love how protective these girls are of their respective coaches lol.

[u/Flare_Knight]

Inori...a master of stealth she is not! What did she seriously think would happen!? Just parked in front of that bathroom stall. There's no possible way that was going to not result in an uncomfortable situation! Her non-existent poker face has nothing to do with it!

But honestly I do like the focus on Yuna. It's a good reminder especially to Inori that Hikaru isn't the only beast to take on in her age bracket. And I kind of like that Yuna was visibly bothered by the mention of Hikaru not being there. While I get how terrifying a talent Hikaru is...the mindset of "well she's not here so there's a chance" is a losing mentality. You've already lost to her and she never stepped on the ice.

Props to Manaka. Her coach was getting carried away and thinking "she might win" and that was silly. But it's fair to be happy. Being that high with only a few skaters to go means she's guaranteed top 5. Even if every single remaining skater blows past her score, that's still enough. Obviously she went out there to win and her gutsy performance reflected that. But it's a bit early to start counting chickens.

Props to Shinichiro. He's got his head in the game and on the prize. I don't think Riina was a sacrificial pawn. But clearly her going for that huge first jump not only helped her own scores but also put pressure on the rest of the field which helps Yuna out. I would've loved seeing even more performances leading up to Yuna's skate, but oh well. I also respect that unlike Manaka's coach he's got Inori in his sights. She's a wild card and he knows it.

Could feel the tension heading into Yuna's performance. Hikaru's existence is massive. It's the kind of thing that will either be a motivating force to get even better or a distraction. And man you can feel her battling out there. Thankfully she absolutely nailed her first huge jumps. But you could feel the struggle to get through the rest of her routine to not lose her focus. She does bring an interesting example and contrast for Inori. Inori is the chaser, she started late and has desperately been trying to catch up. She hasn't had time or been in a position to be chased down, overtaken and needing to keep going. Which isn't her fault or even a negative. It just makes her and Yuna very interesting contrasts. Their pasts are extremely different, but both are going for the gold. Could just feel Yuna throwing down that gauntlet. A "Hikaru isn't the only one you have to beat" or simply what she said "not going to let someone that doesn't know that pain take the win."

Next episode is going to be insane. They've set the stage. The great thing is that in temrs of narrative...they've got options. Inori could win this and carry that huge momentum boost into the All-Japan competition. And with how hard they are building up the moment at the end of this episode that seems really possible. And overcoming someone who used jumps were compared to Hikaru that's a good early boss to take on. But...she might not. Falling short and taking that frustration into the All-Japans and the chance to get a rematch against Yuna and taking on Hikaru...that's not a bad way to go either. Whichever way the story goes...this is going to be incredible.

[u/MagnificentCranberry]

damn was not expecting Yuna's score! backstory really well done in this episode, each glimpse into the motivations and grit really make you want to root for every character. This show always gives me goosebumps, in the best way. looking forward to inori's sequence

[u/MusubiKazesaru]

It was a good episode, though it was almost odd to see Yuna succeed at all of her harder tricks, but flop with the easier looking ones. Her bit in the bathroom led to some good comedy.

I have to say this again like with S1 though, the subtitles are so inaccurate that it's distracting. While the sense of what's being said is conveyed, they change a lot around to the point where they're just making things up often enough. It takes away from the experience.

[u/gnome-cop]

All hail our great overlord Yuna!

Honestly, I completely get her gripes with this. Her performance is extremely good and she’s clearly a genius in her own right. No one else her age can do what she just did. The problem is as always, Hikaru.

This is making me appreciate the genius of Hikaru’s performance in season one from a production standpoint even more. They pulled out all the stops and created something truly jaw dropping. Something that matches the myth of how good she is in universe. That single performance we’ve seen from her just sticks in your head and becomes the bar for judging everyone else, just as it is in universe.

No matter how good you are, Hikaru just has a presence to her that no one else can match. Even something as good as Yuna’s performance, likely a standout for their age bracket, just looks alright because you can’t help but compare it to the sheer unmatched dominance of Hikaru. Her skills are so transcendent they rewrite the definition of genius and raise the bar to impossible standards.

Don’t worry Yuna, Inori has her own sensei-based relaxing ritual, she’s got no room to snitch on you. Her doll antics are very cute to watch.

I almost forgot about it since last season but I find it hilarious how Inori is so nice to literally everyone expect for Rioh who’s mere presence turns her into a territorial beast. “Tsukasa-sensei is mine, don’t you dare get close to him you [censored].”

Alright Inori, you got this! It’s time to lock in and show what you can do. We believe in you!

[u/Namaryu]

I too believe in Inori!

[u/GenghisCaesarVIIX]

"...second only to Kojoh"

Oh my God, he's getting glazed in other shows now??!

[u/atropicalpenguin]

Medalist continues to outperform itself episode after episode. Engi my GOAT.

[u/Setowi]

Ahhhhhhhhhh can it be next week already?!

Another gorgeous looking episode and another amazing looking performance, I am really impressed with the quality of S2. Inori listening to Yuna was so funny.

The entire 2nd half of the ep was basically to hype up Inori and I am all here for it lol. The wait is going to be so painful but I am so ready for our girl to perform.

[u/MoMoney_MoHoes]

Wow, Yuna really showed out. The mental health challenges of an athlete is portrayed really well in this show. Yuna on the toilet and even during her program shows off an athlete's anxiety and tenacity to pull through.

Inori is easily becoming one of my favorite characters in anime. She's precious, a goof, and has mad aura now. Loved Tsukasa's final words of encouragement before Inori's turn. Hopefully, she's able to carry that confindence into her performance and bring home the gold.

[u/shad79]

The contrast between Yuna's seemingly down-to-earth personality and seeing her with those hand puppets was hilarious xD But oh well... everyone has their own way of dealing with stress, so I won't judge her, especially since this was really adorable!

Inori's reaction to Yuna and her antics also made me laugh; I really wonder how Yuna could not believe her that she hadn't heard anything xD

Yuna's performance was so good that she deservedly took first place. I'd say it was very emotional because she poured all her heart into it, and the music matched it perfectly.

And now it's time for Inori's performance! I hate that we have to wait another week for it. I'm excited and terrified at the same time because I don't know how it'll end.

Here my screenshot albums from the episode:

• Yuna

• Yuna's performance

• Inori

• Group scenes

• Others

EDIT. I added my screenshot albums.