First Reaction: Yuri on Ice!

Yuuri Katsuki

Do you want the short version or the long one, because if you want the short one, go watch the show. It has amazing animation, (actually absolutely gorgeous) funny and interesting characters, a cast of completely wonderful characters, and it's only been 3 episodes. Not to mention (praying for it) the budding romantic relationship between Victor and Yuuri. 

So in short, go watch the show.

If you feel like humoring me, then you can go ahead and read the rest of this.

Yuri on Ice!!! is the much anticipated 2016 fall anime season show about famous ice skaters competing against each other and frankly, is better off being called Yaoi on Ice!!!. The show begins with one of our main characters failing the national Grand Prix Finals - Senior Competition or something. He fails miserably, and his name is Yuuri Katsuki. Depressed, he goes home. A year later he performs his idols routine, Victor Nikiforov, for a friend and accidentally goes viral. Unbelievably to Yuuri, he inspired his idol to come be his coach. This leads to another Yuri, Yuri Plistesky, to come and chance after Victor who made him a promise. 

That's the general information for the first episode-ish. Currently there are 3 episodes aired and it's already got licensed by FUNimation. And even more for the surprise, just like Kotesujo, it's an original anime with no source material written by Mitsuro Kubo and Sayo Yamamoto. I find that to be quite amazing since we did get the beautifully animated and sounding show Kotesujo only 2 seasons ago. 

Besides that though, this show has been nothing but entertaining and gorgeous. At first I was a bit worried with the animation seeing as it's a figure skating anime, the animation would either need to be really good, they use CGI or they just don't add in enough figure skating scenes. (*Cough**Cough*  K-ON!) This fear was quelled very early on in the first episode. The animation is absolutely gorgeous. I mean look at this!!

And this is just a taste!! This isn't even close to the best they have to offer!

The art is crisp and it movements are so fluid in everything. The hair is flowing, the body movements are so natural, even when they're not skating is so smooth and realistic. The only thing that could be lack luster compared to this level of animation is the background, and that's only in certain scenes. But enough of my gushing.... okay not yet.

Goodness you can see the amazing animation in just this one head tilt!!
Look at the hair!! The face!! The everything!!!

But enough, enough, enough about animation. You'll just have to see it for yourself, and boy do I suggest sticking around for episode 3. Ooooo goodness. You won't regret it. I almost cried during Agape. 

Speaking of episode 3, back to the story. It's riveting. Well, it's not drop dead amazing, but it's very well thought out. I can't compare it to any other sports anime other than the first 8 episodes of Kuroko, but from what I can see it's different from the usual. In simple terms, the story is about a really good Japanese skater finding the confidence and motivation to make it back to the finals and win this time for his coach. I feel as if the characters will change from this course of action as the show continues though. They keep mentioning about how young these characters are, and what they'll do after they retire from skating. Not to mention the characters improving as people with the help of experimenting and improving their ice skating skills.

Yuri Plisetsky

Even from right now I can tell the show is going to be very character driven. So far that's plenty. The main three characters are interesting and sexually confusing. The only other characters that have gotten some screen time other than these three are the childhood friend that owns the skating rink, her three ice skating obsessed triplet daughters, and Yuri's old ballet instructor. There are very apparent background characters that I doubt will get any serious time, but only time will tell. Not to mention there are plenty more characters to come. Not to mention in 3 episodes I've already become emotionally attached to these adorable characters.

The opening is sung in a fairly understandable English with a pretty opening sequence of Yuri, Yuri and Victor skating together. Background scenes are in the background with splashes of paint that represents the colors of the characters. It fits the show really well in my opinion, exemplifying the characters drives to make a mark on their audience and on the world. The ending utilizes modern times with a scrolling tweets and pictures. Yuri, Yuri and Victor are playing with fireworks too, and the ending theme is more playful and showcases their relationship with each other more than anything.

Victor Nikiforov

Since this isn't long enough and I just have to mention, the engrish in this anime is pretty much non-existant. The seiyuus stepped up for this show and even have Russian thrown in along with the very well acted characters.

So if you bothered to read all of this, then you have to go watch it now. And also hi! I'm back!! 

(And adding this in, really hoping for a gay relationship that isn't full blown Junjou or Love Stage! and more like No. 6 with a bit better plot)