12 Reasons to Watch, Re-Watch, and Love Yuri on Ice

Still from Yuri on Ice. Image via production company MAPPA; licensed by Funimation in the US and aired on Crunchyroll.

1. Yuri Katsuki

A show doesn’t necessarily need an interesting protagonist in order to work. Yuri on Ice does not suffer from this problem.

Yuri Katsuki idolizes Victor, downplays his own accomplishments (even though he comes in last in the Grand Prix Final to open the series, just making the final is huge), and can’t figure out how to portray eros for his free skate until he realizes that he can be a sexy pork cutlet bowl, because he loves them but can’t eat them all the time lest they ruin his weight.

It makes sense, right?

By the way, the above still comes from one of his performances of “On Love: Eros.” Eventually, he does move past his pork cutlet bowl strategy, but it’s a good start and adds another dimension to his character.

Additionally, Yuri actually deals with issues of anxiety throughout the series. As I’ve previously mentioned, even getting together with Victor and improving throughout the season doesn’t immediately help him improve mentally. He still has challenges, and not even a Russian with a penchant for being extra at the best of times can solve them all for him.

However, when he does pull out some great performances, he absolutely rocks the arena, and we get to see what Victor sees in him.

Next: Riverdale and Female Friendships

Yuri on Ice has just 12 episodes, which means that you could get through your first watch in a couple days or one if you’re particularly committed. Besides, since it’s Valentine’s Day, it seems like a perfect romantic rewatch.

So…shall we skate?