Published Mar 21, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT
Merlyn De Souza is a freelance writer and anime enthusiast based in Goa, India, with a Bachelor's in English Literature. When she isn't writing, she can be found exploring various realms of entertainment, including, but not limited to, K-dramas, novels, and even the occasional manhwa. She also enjoys all things creative, like sewing and makeup.
While Hulu has had some exciting anime releases in 2026 so far,undoubtedly, the biggest release to grace the platform this Winter was Season 2 of Medalist. After a successful first season in 2025, Medalist was quickly touted as a Yuri on Ice successor and a must-watch for any fan of figure skating.
However, since then, the series has evolved into much more. Its popularity speaks for itself, and it may be right to consider Medalist one of the best, yet criminally underrated new sports anime out there right now. And, excitingly enough, this popularity could reach all-new heights with Medalist's next installment, which is eyeing the big screen.
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Medalist Will Be Coming to Theaters in 2027
Following the release of Episode 9, the final episode of Season 2, Medalist was quick to follow the season finale with the announcement of a new film set for 2027. The announcement was made via Medalist's official X account among other social media handles and was accompanied by a poster for the film featuring Inori and Hikaru.
In addition to this, a video teaser for the upcoming film has also been released, featuring notable moments from Season 2. The trailer also sees Inori and Hikaru meet once again, with the latter remarking on how she has been waiting for Inori. This sets the stage perfectly for the upcoming film, which will serve as the continuation of Season 2 and will adapt the All-Japan Novice Championship.
For now, little else has been revealed about the movie, and it is yet to be confirmed whether it will be released globally. That said, the series will likely lock down a release window in due time, along with confirmation of whether fans can expect the film to make its way to theaters in North America.
Medalist Is Quickly Becoming One of the Best New-Gen Sports Anime
At first glance, it may be hard for many to see the appeal in a figure skating anime that largely follows teenage girls, with the fact that Medalist is a seinen series only adding to the confusion. However, two seasons in, Medalist has sufficiently proved its worth and anyone who isn't keeping up with the series is sorely missing out.
In following a young amateur who starts late, Medalist explores themes of regret and failure far more deeply than its peers such as Yuri on Ice, which instead follows seasoned professionals with very different struggles. This premise also allows the series to lay out the technicalities of the sport in great detail, which is proof of it being a sports anime at the end of the day.
As for the film itself, it's sure to be an exciting affair as Hikaru and Inori will finally be sharing the same rink and competing on equal footing. Both Inori and Tsukasa have come a long, perilous way, and the upcoming Medalist movie may just be the big, make-or-break moment of the story and their respective character journeys.
Medalist
Release Date January 5, 2025
Network tv asahi, ABC TV, Nagoya TV, HTB, Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting, NCC, Niigata Television Network 21, khb, KFB, HOME, KSB, Kagoshima Broadcasting, Oita Asahi Broadcasting, Asahi Broadcasting Aomori, Iwate Asahi TV, Akita Asahi Broadcasting, Yamagata Television System, Shizuoka Asahi TV, Asahi Broadcasting Nagano, Hokuriku Asahi Broadcasting, Ehime Asahi TV, Yamaguchi Asahi Broadcasting, Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting, Ryu-Q Asahi Broadcasting
Directors Takahiro Hirata
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Natsumi Haruse
Inori Yuitsuka (voice)
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Takeo Otsuka
Tsukasa Akeuraji (voice)
English (US) ·