Yuri Katsuki makes his way to the Grand Prix ice skating competition as Japans top representative with his eyes on the prize. However instead of celebrating Yuri walks away defeated and ready to retire for good. But a runin with champion Viktor Nikiforov and rising star Yuri Plisetsky ignites a new fire within him. With the two of them close by his side Yuri will take to the ice once more. As Yuri begins regaining confidence in his skating and in himself his relationship with Victor slowly evolves into something more intimate. Yes yes I know Im usually several years behind on the popular series but its actually kinda fun to watch something after the furor has died down? YOI was everywhere online after it debuted in late 2016 and one of the series songs was even used by one figure skating pair during the 2018 Winter Olympics. And now several years later I dont have to worry about seeing spoilers or remembering what spoilers I saw just that people liked it a lot. A good starting position. First of all the opening is fantastic. Gorgeous shots of the three most prominent characters skating in fluid stylized animation with lovely English lyrics set to a tune you wont be able to stop humming. The show begins with an end: specifically the end of Yuri Katsukis career. Discouraged after the latest in a string of middling for a pro finishes the 23yearold decides its time to retire moves from his Detroit training rink back home to Japan and spends some time moping and enjoying pork cutlet bowls while he figures out his next move. On a lark while skating alone he recreates his idol Viktors famous routineand goes viral after being secretly recorded by friends children. Intrigued Viktor just up and decides to visit him. In Japan. Unannounced. And decides hes going to coach Yuri for the next season. Soon after hes followed by upandcoming Yuri Plisetsky a hotheaded 15yearold who took an instant dislike to Yuri Ks willingness to give up and cant stand to see him get special treatment from his idol the worldranked skater. Needless to say Yuri K hasa hard time with all this. And for the same of reducing confusion Yuri Plisetsky will hereafter be referred to as Yurio just like the characters decide to do in the show. This was just a very fun show. At 12 episodes its not long but it allowed ample time not just for Yuri and co. to train but to attend several events. And the events dont skimp on the other competitorsusually a competition will last for a couple episodes and the main story Yuri/Viktor/Yurio talking freaking out arguing making decisions whatever happens in between full scenes of others skating routines. Thai skater Phichit for example is introduced as Yuris competitor/friend/Detroit training partner but shows up multiple times and appears in his own routines with his own music and backstory as do multiple others. And that was great to watch a show about a sport and to see the full sport not just doing what I expected and showing us slivers of the nonprotagonists routines. Also the Canadian competitor had a routine to a song about how great he is and its a total bop. Thats not the entire show of course. At the core is Yuri and his relationship with Viktor. Yuri wants to win but hes prone to secondguessing and his motivations arent always obvious even to himself. Compare him to Yurio whos motivated by wanting to be the best to impress his family to stand at the same levelor higheras his countryman and idol Viktor. Viktor understands Yurio easily Yuri takes more figuring out. Their relationship develops through the season through the year that the show covers. There are many genuinely sweet moments and many laughoutloud funny ones which the show balances extremely well. Verdict English Dub? Yes and so good. I loved them all. Viktors English voice is the perfect balance between his natural confidence and assurance and the mischievous teasing tone he takes with Yuri. Yuris voice is also perfection capturing his natural nervousness the spikes of anxiety and calm while sounding completely natural. Visuals: Very nice. I enjoyed the skating scenes and you can tell that the crew worked with/referenced actual figure skaters. Like a lot of people I enjoy watching pro figure skating and this seemed very close to what Id see when turning on my TV. As a side note I also liked that when animating Yurios routines they seemed to give him a more flowy animation style a tiny bit more stylized than other characters that emphasized his graceful movements. Worth Watching? Yes. Its a very fun sweet and often humorous series even if youre not here just to ship Yuri/Viktor which is also a valid reason for watching.