From its humble beginnings as a promising ice-skating anime to becoming a global sensation, Yuri!!! on Ice has left an indelible mark on fans worldwide. Over the course of seven years, this beloved series has experienced a tumultuous journey, culminating in a bittersweet reflection of its past glory.
A passionate YouTuber by the name of masky (@maskyarts on Twitter) dedicated their latest video essay, titled "Yuri!!! on Ice: A Legacy on Thin Ice," to exploring the captivating history behind this remarkable anime. In a concise yet comprehensive 20-minute video, masky delved into the origins of Yuri!!! on Ice, drawing attention to director and writer Sayo Yamamoto's earlier work, the 2015 short film "Endless Night," which shared similarities with the anime that would later captivate audiences around the world.
As masky recounted the explosive boom that accompanied the airing of Yuri!!! on Ice, they emphasized the profound impact the series had on the anime industry as a whole. The remarkable storytelling, stunning animation, and genuine representation of same-sex relationships struck a chord with fans, elevating the anime to critical acclaim.
However, despite the fervor surrounding Yuri!!! on Ice during its heyday, masky also highlighted the disheartening silence that has shrouded the series in recent years. Fans have eagerly awaited news of a potential sequel, movie, or any continuation of the story, but thus far, their hopes have been met with disappointment. The question that lingers on the lips of the entire fandom remains: what has happened to Yuri!!! on Ice?
ICYMI: I made a video about Yuri on Ice where I talk about it’s history, it’s record-breaking success, and of course it’s impact on LGBT+ anime. So…. what happened to Yuri on Ice?
— masky🌻 (@maskyarts) June 16, 2023
It would make me happy if you gave it a watch! 🤗 Link below~ pic.twitter.com/owirHay4Bt
The experience of watching Yuri!!! on Ice during its original airing was a groundbreaking one for fans, as the anime fearlessly depicted the relationship between two male leads. Masky, in their video essay, emphasized that Yuri!!! on Ice "served as a catalyst for more authentic and explicit gay representation in anime, setting it apart from many of its predecessors."
The success of Yuri!!! on Ice and the possibility of a sequel largely depended on the sales of its Blu-rays, DVDs, and merchandise. The anime's immense popularity was evident when the first volume alone sold a staggering 50,878 copies, subsequently dominating the Oricon charts with each subsequent volume. A year after its initial premiere, the announcement of an original movie titled Ice Adolescence created a buzz among fans, with a slated release date of 2019. However, disappointingly, the movie has been indefinitely delayed as the staff aims to "further enrich the film." Despite the anime's considerable commercial success, no new merchandise has been released apart from a collaboration with Mizuno in November 2021. This lack of new releases, coupled with the silence from the staff and official accounts, has left fans yearning for answers.
The fan delved into the background of Studio MAPPA, the studio behind Yuri!!! on Ice, highlighting its tumultuous history of overworking its staff due to tight production schedules. Masky also shed light on MAPPA's subsequent adaptations of major IPs such as Attack on Titan Final Season, Chainsaw Man, and Jujutsu Kaisen. Interestingly, the founder of MAPPA, Masao Maruyama, had originally left Madhouse because he believed it was stifling creativity and becoming overly focused on capitalism. It was ironic to note that MAPPA, in its own trajectory, seemed to have fallen into a similar pattern.
Yuri!!! on Ice premiered in October 2016, comprising 12 episodes. The story revolves around the Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki, who decides to take a break from his competitive career after a disappointing performance at the Grand Prix Final and the news of his dog's passing. However, his respite is short-lived when the renowned Russian figure skater, Victor Nikiforov, unexpectedly appears at his family's onsen and declares himself as Yuri's coach. As the series progresses, Yuri and Victor's relationship evolves into a beautiful romance, as they discover life and love in each other's presence. Despite Yuri!!! on Ice not being included in MAPPA's panel at Anime Expo, the passionate fandom encouraged attendees to proudly wear merchandise and cosplay to demonstrate their unwavering love for the anime.
For those interested, the entire single season of Yuri!!! on Ice is available for streaming on Crunchyroll, allowing fans to relive the captivating journey of Yuri and Victor's heartfelt connection.
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