By Shanel Kamra

The countdown to the end of the first cour of Yuri on Ice!! officially begins. Over the past several weeks, nearly every episode of the series to air has received predominantly positive attention. The original anime has created quite a stir among audiences, quickly gaining a massive fan base especially among the female demographic. Currently, I am on the fence as to whether I am glad or sad to see the end of this show - even if it is only temporary. I recently read a review on the show and could not help thinking that it was a shame that some people have come to perceive this show in a particular light. Although, admittedly the reason why so many people view this show that way is probably because that was the response Sayo Yamamoto was aiming for when she developed the plot along with the characters.

There is no question that Yuri on Ice!! is very distinct from other sport themed anime shows, but I am beginning to doubt whether that difference is a good thing. I wish that this series promoted homosociality - same-sex relationships that are devoid of a romantic or sexual nature, such as friendship or mentorship. This show appealed to me initially because I assumed that it would wholly be a show centered on the notion of a platonic love- the love shared between family members or friends. All this other talk is putting me off from watching the rest of the series and distorting my previous thoughts on the show. I know that I should not allow what I read to affect my views, but it is hard. Why does a relationship have to have sexual undertones in order to be interesting or profound?

The more I mull over it, the more annoyed I become. One attribute that all sports themed anime shows share is that the majority of the characters belong to the same sex, but what about sports where members from both sex participate, such as a ballroom. I do not understand why no one has created a show that deals with the relationship between a male coach and a female athlete or vice versa.

Score: 4/5

Yuri on Ice!! E.10