The Medalist: The Surprising Anime Taking the Winter 2025 Season by Storm!

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Summary

  • “The Medalist” unexpectedly emerges as a hit in the Winter 2025 anime season.
  • Manga sales suggest “The Medalist” is performing well and outpacing other series like “Sakamoto Days.”
  • The appeal of “The Medalist” lies in its ice skating theme, CGI choreography, and appeal to “Yuri on Ice” fans.

In the Winter 2025 Anime Season, there are several powerful shows drawing attention, yet a few weeks back, it was unforeseen that this particular anime would become one of the season’s top performers.

Among the various series unveiled this season, I found myself eagerly awaiting the continuations of “Solo Leveling” and “The Apothecary Diaries.” However, the unexpected standout was the freshman entry, “Sakamoto Days,” which left a lasting impression on many viewers. Despite some fans expressing mixed feelings about it, there’s another new anime that has undeniably proven itself as one of this season’s breakout sensations.

This show, titled “The Medalist,” is now available for global streaming on Disney platforms at the same time as its Japanese television broadcast. Notably, it appears to be garnering more interest than initially anticipated, given that it’s based on a manga series penned by Tsurumaikada.

Oricon Charts Suggest Potential Growth

According to the recent Oricon report on manga sales, it appears that “The Medalist” is performing exceptionally well in Japan. Approximately one-quarter of its 12 volumes made it onto the list of the top 50 best-selling manga volumes last week in Japan.

Last week’s sales drop by 1% might seem insignificant, but it essentially means no change in the overall figure. Moreover, this series is outperforming “Sakamoto Days” and achieving something remarkable: surpassing a highly anticipated “Shonen Jump” title that was marketed as the next big anime sensation. Such an accomplishment is particularly noteworthy for a niche series like this one.

It appears that the anime “Sakamoto Days” likely received a larger financial backing than “The Medalist,” which means that even though both maintain similar sales figures from the previous week, the success of the former in Japan suggests it’s on its way to becoming a popular series there.

The show has recently been ranked as the most popular anime on Niconico’s Winter 2025 poll, which suggests that its performance might be surpassing expectations.

What Is The Appeal of The Medalist?

The show, titled “The Medalist,” revolves around a young girl with aspirations to excel as a top-tier figure skater. Her journey appears dismal until a retired skater extends a hand to guide her.

Although employing CGI for dance scenes, the animation has garnered acclaim from viewers for its high quality. Generally, sports anime receive positive feedback from the public. Truly, who wouldn’t be captivated by following a charming character’s struggle to conquer obstacles and rise as one of the top ice skaters globally?

However, it’s worth noting that The Medalist has a special appeal to the dedicated fanbase of Yuri on Ice, who are still mourning the cancellation of the film. In fact, many have pointed out that this anime shares a resemblance with Yuri on Ice. Although it is a distinct series with its own narrative, fans may find familiar feelings.

The Medalist is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

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2025-02-14 02:24