A Cool Elementary Schooler Shines with a Radiant Smile! Final Episode of Anime "Medalist" Features Rio's Transformed Skating, Eliciting "What a Great Expression"

The final episode of the anime "Medalist," based on the popular figure skating manga that has swept numerous manga awards, began airing sequentially from March 29. In this episode, Rio Sonidori (voiced by Makoto Koichi) is freed from her struggles and skates gracefully on the ice. His performance moved viewers, who commented, "What a great expression she's wearing!" and "Rio's smile brings tears to my eyes."

Rio, a fifth grader, is a thoroughbred with a former Olympic silver medalist father. Despite her privileged environment, she has many worries and harbors a complex inner world. She initially treated those she didn't trust coldly, even being sharp-tongued with her coach, Tsukasa Akeuraji (voiced by Takeo Otsuka). However, as she learned about Tsukasa's past, her feelings gradually began to change.

In the 13th and final episode, "The Morning Comes," Rio challenged the 6th-grade badge test. Although she often had a stern expression before, this time she skated with a radiant smile, successfully landing jumps one after another, exclaiming, "Just like my coach, I too...!"

Viewers were ecstatic at the perceived growth in Rio's skating, commenting, "Rio, you've really grown up," "What a great expression!" and "I can't stop crying at Rio's smile." On top of that, the announcement of the production of the second season of the anime caused a huge stir on the internet, with comments like "I knew it!!!!!" and "I'm so happy I could cry."