Anime Review: Yuri!!! on ICE

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐

Characters: ⭐⭐⭐ | Writing: ⭐⭐⭐ | World Building: ⭐⭐ | Story: ⭐⭐ | Fan Service: 😰

Content Watched: S1

Summary:

Review:

Yuri!!! on Ice has delightful characters and a compelling setting. Overall, it’s hard not to enjoy the story when you inevitably binge it. There are surprising plot twists and a lovely storyline about finding love for yourself and with those around you.

My primary issue is that everything about this show is rushed. The plot spans multiple global figure skating competitions in one season. The main character bounces back and forth with their motivation. Numerous characters are introduced rapidly. You don’t get to know them well, which for a singles figure skating competition is a missed opportunity. When there are recurring characters, their character development is rushed through either training montages or backstory vignettes. The result is that the stakes don’t feel that high. You can’t get too attached. I hope in follow-on seasons, they slow down the narrative and let the characters breathe.

The only real complaints about the show that I have are with the fan service (completely unnecessary and awkwardly done) and the overdone homo-erotic interactions. I adore gay romance and tension, but each interaction feels inauthentic and not written by a queer person.

A good watch if you are in between animes with so much potential!