by The TV anime “Medalist,” based on the original work by Tsurumai Ikada, will start broadcasting on the “NUMAnimation” slot on January 4, 2025. The fourth “pair visual” information on the ending theme song and the third PV has been released.
“Medalist” is a story about a young man, Akira Michiji, who has failed as a skater and meets a girl, Yuzuki Inori, who admires the world of figure skating, and the two of them aim to become glorious “medalists.” The fourth pair visual captures Yamato Ema and Jakuzure Yudai. The anime’s official X is holding a playlist campaign until November 15 at 11:59 pm, where three people will win a poster using the same visual.
The ending theme song will be “Atashi no Dress,” Neguse sings. The third PV shows the characters skating to the song “Atashi no Dress.” It has been decided that two advance screenings with stage greetings for the first episode of “Medalist” will be held at Marunouchi Piccadilly in Tokyo on December 14. Natsumi Haruse, who plays Inori; Takeo Otsuka, who plays Tsukasa; Kana Ichinose, who plays Okamizaki Mitsuru; and Yuuma Uchida, who plays Yotaka Jun, will be attending the stage greetings. Attendees will receive a “Sparkling Pair Visual Card” as a bonus.
The film will also be broadcast live at all theaters nationwide, except for some theaters. Ticket Pia will start a pre-sale lottery on November 16 at 11:00. General sales will begin on December 7 at 10:00. Please check the anime’s official website for details. In addition, it has been revealed that former Japanese Olympic representative Suzuki Akiko, former figure skater Yokoi Yuhana, and professional skater Isobe Hinano will be participating in the choreography of the figure skating depicted in the anime.
Comments have been received from Neguse, Suzuki, Yokoi, and Isobe in conjunction with this announcement. Neguse. Comments: Congratulations on the anime adaptation of “Medalist”! And I am thrilled to be involved in such an excellent work as the ending theme. This is the first anime that Neguse. We will be in charge of the music, so it will be a song that will be enormously memorable in our lives as artists.
The appeal of this song is the powerful and exciting sound, the uplifting melody, and the lyrics that contain a strong message to those who are aiming for their dreams. IThissong will reach Medalist fans all over the world. Akiko Suzuki (Figure Skating Choreography) CommentsThe moment I first picked up “Medalist,” my heart beat faster with each turn of the page, and I was moved by the depth of the sport of figure skating, and tears flowed in my eyes.
The realistic depiction gave me the feeling that I was on the rink. It is a great honor for me to be in charge of the choreography for this beautiful work to be animated. Using motion capture, I imagined the various skaters as I skated. “I wonder what kind of expression this skater will have, what kind of feelings will they have while skating?” I put my heart into each choreography. Through this anime, more people will be able to experience the charm of figure skating and have an experience that resonates deep in their hearts.
Comment from Yuhana Yokoi (Figure Skating Choreography Support): I cooperated in the motion capture shooting of the programs and jumps of various skaters who appear in the work, and it was enjoyable to dance to the music again after a long time! Inori’s straightforward feelings about skating are directly conveyed to us, and it is a beautiful work that draws you into the world of “Medalist,” so I hope many people will watch it!
Comment from Hinano Isobe (Figure Skating Choreography Support): This time, I shot jumps and spins with motion capture. I am honored to have animated this beautiful work, “Medalist.” I empathize with the Nagoya rink, where I have practiced since childhood and Inori’s feelings about figure skating.
I was also really looking forward to seeing the delicate movements of figure skating in an anime. I hope that through the work “Medalist,” many people will become interested in figure skating, which I love. TV Anime “Medalist” Broadcast Information TV Asahi affiliated 24 stations nationwide “NUMAnimation” slot: Every Saturday from 25:30 from Saturday, January 4, 2025, BS Asahi: Every Monday from 23:24 from Monday, January 6, 2025
Staff Original work: Tsurumai Ikada (serialized in Kodansha’s “Afternoon”) Director: Yamamoto Yasutaka Series composition and script: Hanada Jukki Character design: Kameyama Chinatsu Chief animation director: Kameyama Chinatsu, Ito Yosuke Figure skating choreography: Suzuki Akiko Figure skating director and 3DCG director: Kouji 3DCG visual director: Toda Takayuki 3DCG animation supervisor: Hori Shotaro 3DCG producer: Iijima Satoshi Color design: Yamagami Aiko Art director: Nakao Yoko Art setting: Hiruma Takashi, Onodera Rie Director of photography: Yoneya Shinichi Editor: Nagasaka Tomoki Music: Hayashi Yuki Sound director: Imaizumi Yuichi Sound effects: Koyama Kenji Animation production: ENGI Cast: Inori Yuzuru: Natsumi Haruse, Michiji Akiura: Takeo Otsuka, Mitsuru Oosaki: Kana Ichinose, Jun Yotaka: Yuuma Uchida, Riou Otori: Makoto Koichi, Ryoka Mikata: Hinana Kino, Mario Toda: Megumi Toda, Ema Yamato: Kotori Koiwai, Yudai Jakuzure: Takahiro Miyake (c) Tsurumai Ikada, Kodansha / Medalist Production Committee
