The TV anime ‘Medalist’ (airing Saturdays at 1:30 AM JST on TV Asahi’s NUMAnimation block), adapted from the award-winning manga (Next Manga Award 2022 - 1st place in the Comics Category), hosted a special event on February 16, 2025 at Tokyo Skytree Town’s ICE SKATING PARK 2025.

Appearing at the event were lead voice actors Natsumi Haruse & Takeo Ōtsuka, along with professional figure skater Akiko Suzuki, who also choreographed the anime’s skating scenes. The event report was published on February 17, 2025.

Akiko Suzuki’s Ice Skating Performance Wows the Audience

🎶 Set to ‘BOW AND ARROW’ by Kenshi Yonezu (Anime’s OP Theme)
When Akiko Suzuki took the ice to perform a special original skating routine choreographed to ‘BOW AND ARROW’, the opening theme by Kenshi Yonezu, the audience erupted in applause.

As a former Olympic representative for Japan, Suzuki’s live performance was a rare and unforgettable experience, with attendees enthusiastically cheering her on.

Haruse & Ōtsuka Share Their Emotional Reactions

🎤 Haruse (Inori’s VA): “I was so moved that I cried. I could feel her love for skating in every movement.”
🎤 Ōtsuka (Tsukasa’s VA): “Watching Suzuki-san’s skating up close was incredible. I wish we could see this performance again!”

Suzuki reflected on the experience, admitting she was nervous, but she also shared a special moment:
💬 “When I lifted my hand for the final pose, I could see the very top of Tokyo Skytree. It felt like I was embodying Inori’s determination to reach her dreams.”

Choreography Insights & Animation Process

The discussion shifted to the anime’s skating scenes, which were created using motion capture technology, with Suzuki performing movements for the characters.

🗨️ Suzuki shared that she immersed herself in the emotions of each character while skating. When asked about the most challenging character, she noted:
Riō Tōritori (Leo) – Since he is a male skater, she focused on expressing his power and elegance.
She also encouraged viewers to pay attention to how each character takes their starting position before competitions, as these moments reflect their unique personalities.

Live Demonstration of Signature Skating Moves

Suzuki recreated some of the most memorable figure skating moments from the anime, including:

Hikaru’s pose in Episode 1
Ryoka Miekata’s starting stance in Episode 3
Inori’s Flying Sit Spin into Broken Leg from Episode 4

‘Medalist’ Inspires New Figure Skating Fans

Haruse shared that working on the anime inspired her to start learning figure skating herself. Meanwhile, Suzuki revealed that she had already encountered new skaters at her former skating club who started because of Medalist:
💬 “I would be deeply moved if more people come to the rink wanting to skate like Inori and Hikaru.”

What’s Next for ‘Medalist’? Upcoming Story Highlights

The cast shared insights on what’s ahead in the anime, including developments from the recently aired Episode 7:

💬 Haruse: “Watch for Inori’s growth as she continues to train with Tsukasa. Many new rivals will appear, and their stories and programs will be highlights!”

💬 Ōtsuka: “From here on, Inori and Tsukasa must confront the harsh reality of pursuing figure skating. Their journey—and the breathtaking skating sequences—will only get more intense.”

💬 Suzuki: “This story’s strength lies in its dialogue. Inori and Tsukasa’s words resonate beyond sports—they serve as inspiration for life itself. I hope everyone continues to follow their journey.”

Source : ORICON NEWS