The TV anime "Medalist" follows figure skater Inori Yuitsuka, who dreams of becoming a "medalist," and her coach Tsukasa Akaneuraji, who guides her. Its first season aired in 2025, and a second season began airing in January 2026 on TV Asahi's "NUMAnimation" programming block and other networks. The original manga by Ikada Tsuruma is serialized in Kodansha's Afternoon magazine and has won numerous honors, including first place in the comics category of the 2022 "Next Manga Award" and recognition in the general category of the 48th Kodansha Manga Award.
Additional announcements: 'Medalist' at the Aomori Nebuta Festival
"Medalist" will take part in the Aomori Nebuta Festival, held in central Aomori City from Sunday, August 2 through Friday, August 7, 2026. Nebuta floats featuring Inori Yuitsuka and Tsukasa Akaneuraji will appear on August 2 (Sun), 3 (Mon), 5 (Wed), and 6 (Thu), on display near the nebuta storage huts. Merchandise featuring newly drawn illustrations of Inori and Tsukasa created for the event will also be sold. A "KADOKAWA Good Shop" pop-up will run concurrently from Saturday, August 1 through Friday, August 7 at the machicotoba event space on the 2nd floor of Aomori's ASPAM tourism center.
General ticket sales announced for "Medalist Special Exhibition 2026"
General ticket sales have been announced for the event "Anime 'Medalist' Special Exhibition 2026," taking place on Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Belle Salle Takadanobaba in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Eplus advance (lottery) applications open at 12:00 PM on Friday, July 10 and run through 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 26. Performers include Natsumi Haruse, Goo Otsuka, Kana Ichinose, Natsuko Abe, Taito Ban, and Emiri Kato. The event will have two performances, a matinee (doors 12:00 PM / start 1:00 PM) and an evening show (doors 4:15 PM / start 5:00 PM). Tickets are priced at 11,400 yen (tax excluded) for seats with merchandise, and 9,900 yen (tax excluded) for regular seats. Full details are available on the official anime site.
About the Anime
Original story: Ikada Tsuruma (serialized in Kodansha's Afternoon)
Director: Yasutaka Yamamoto
Series composition & screenplay: Jukki Hanada
Character design & chief animation director: Chinatsu Kameyama
Music: Yuki Hayashi
Animation production: ENGI
Cast (partial)
Inori Yuitsuka: Natsumi Haruse
Tsukasa Akaneuraji: Goo Otsuka
Hikaru Ookami-saki: Kana Ichinose
Jun Yotaka: Yuma Uchida
The TV anime's season 2 opening theme, "Cold Night" by HANA, and ending theme, "Rookies" by Conton Candy, are available now.
Official anime site: https://medalist-pr.com/
Official anime X: https://x.com/medalist_PR
"Medalist" theatrical film ultra teaser PV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8uDLOYMM5s
"Special Exhibition 2026" ticket sales site: https://eplus.jp/medalist2/
(c) Ikada Tsuruma, Kodansha/Medalist Production Committee
