620https://i.ur.com/9HXcrQM.jpg Teaching an old dog new tricks NIche sports series have always been some of the most enjoyable Ive read from sumo wrestlinghttps://anilist.co/manga/85612/HinomaruSumo/ to competitive dancinghttps://anilist.co/manga/86490/StraightenUpWelcometoShikaHighsCompetitiveDanceClub/ which always seems to share the joint characteristic of the novelty of an unorthodox sport and exhilarating character development. Medalists harness on iceskating isnt so much eyecatching as is how distinct its writing is from traditional sports genre. Rather than complying with a middle or highschool setting the series pivots around the 11 yearold Inori and 28 yearold Tsukasa duo. The competitiveness of iceskating allocates an especially demanding career timeframe requiring many to start early as 5 years old to pull ahead of their peers in the future. Medalist harps on the repercussions of the sports rigidity on the tender psyches of especially young athletes. This juxtaposition of elementaryschool children and the maturity of their mental and emotional issues that even 28 yearold Tsukasa presently empathizes with is the narratives driving force hooking you in from the getgo. Although the massive agegap between the two protagonists could pose an awkward rift in both narrative and theme Tsukasa and Inoris parallel in their lack of confidence in their abilities due to starting the sport late are established without a hitch. Given Tsukasas blazing optimistic nature and Inoris mature pessimistic rationale theres a middleground to be met in lieu of their ages. Although projecting his distraught and regret from his career onto Inori who still has time to make up for starting off late Tsukasas genuine goodwill rekindles Inoris motivation and passion who responds in turn making for a heartwarming dynamic. 520https://i.ur.com/9a61sNM.jpg 520https://i.ur.com/84bnO5d.jpg 520https://i.ur.com/weWubdF.jpg Times ticking Although Medalist is certainly not as psychological as I may have worded it. Theres very much a large sports factor at work which again is somewhat unorthodox in the sports genre. Knockout/roundrobin style tournaments have always been a staple working in as easy introductions to many important characters to serve as the protagonists rivals/obstacles ultimately an efficient character device while maintaining electrifying sport matches. While Medalist writes in many small regional tournaments they have a slightly different nuance as a character device. Thus far these tournaments are badge/rank tests similar to boxing class matches that measure an individuals abilities in solidarity in how they perform certain skill sets as opposed to relative to other athletes in the form of matches and points. While point systems trophy places and potential rivals appear progressively the core of the tests are what both Inori and Tsukasa narrow in on. Although other athletes Inoris befriended serve as solid motivation and camaraderie its her own progress that she learns to measure herself by rather than continuing by others as both she and Tsukasa have for years. Thematic and character writing aside these badge tests display the kinetic energy of both iceskating and Ikada Tsurumahttps://anilist.co/staff/169333/IkadaTsurumas art. Comical and silly as the frequent chibi sketches are Ikadas sense of anatomy is striking and flamboyant in depicting a plethora of different iceskating poses and jumps. Although the paneling flow may be a bit ambitious at times the flow of motion coincides with the poses which appeals with interesting details instead of grandiose movements. Ikada often makes great use of screentones and gradience to accentuate certain movements or build up to the climaxing pose in addition to easytofollow vector arcs. Just to reiterate myself once more by God the poses are fantastic. If this series ever sees the light of an anime adaptation I pray that the key animators do them justice. 520https://i.ur.com/XqL0HFC.jpg 520https://i.ur.com/WO2XCS4.jpg 520https://i.ur.com/2PEnusd.jpg Conclusion Although still newborn in plot development Medalist gleams with tremendous potential. The dichotomy between its extremely young cast of characters and their strikingly mature internal conflicts quickly sets the narratives foundation and continues to develop. Reminiscent of March comes in like a Lionhttps://anilist.co/manga/31224/MarchComesinLikeaLion/ and Blue Periodhttps://anilist.co/manga/107237/BluePeriod/ the series is primarily an exploration of fragile psyche bared against the sports trials and tribulations. Just as the art frequently flipflops between sloppily endearing chibi art and despairingly grim visage the series is an accumulation of crestfallen anguish lifted up by heartwarming encouragement. Inori and Tsukasas dynamic establishes itself on their shared agonies in the sport but rather than licking their own wounds they foster hope and change in one another against the orthodox of iceskating. Time is never at standstill but its for the individual to do something with the remaining time.
80 /100
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