Medalist episode 1: Inori's ice-skating career begins

Modified Jan 04, 2025 21:30 GMT

Medalist episode 1: Inori's ice-skating career begins (Image via ENGI)

Medalist episode 1 was released on January 4, 2025. The premiere episode commenced with Tsukasa doing casual skating in a local ice rink. He soon noticed Inori, who was grabbing rental shoes without paying. So, he confronted her and this soon turned into a chase run. However, Inori was extremely athletic and Tsukasa soon caught her.

After catching her, the misunderstanding was cleared and Inori shared her dream with Tsukasa. The next day, Inori visited the same place that offered Tsukasa a job as a coach. Looking at the opportunity, Tsukasa tried his best to convince Inori's mother to let the girl start her career as an ice skater. Ultimately, Tsukasa volunteered to become Inori's coach and kickstarted her career as an ice skater.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from Medalist episode 1.

Medalist episode 1: Tsukasa becomes Inori's coach and kickstarts her ice skating career

Inori as seen in the anime (Image via ENGI)

Medalist episode 1, Genius on Ice, commenced with a focus on Inori, watching professional ice skaters on her television and dreaming of becoming one. The episode shifted to Tsukasa, who was killing time inside a local ice rink. He had traveled from Yokohama Prefecture because a former acquaintance called him for a job opportunity. So, he was waiting for a call from her.

As he was skating, numerous kids crashed into him, which made Tsukasa realize that ice skating season might be booming. As he sat somewhere to take a breather, Medalist episode 1 saw Tsukasa witness a girl take rental skating shoes from a drawer. So, he decided to confront her. During their encounter, the girl panicked and ran away.

As Tsukasa chased her, he realized the little girl had an athletic build. While chasing her, Tsukasa reached a back alley where the girl had claimed a building. As she fell, Tsukasa caught her but passed out. When he woke up, Medalist episode 1 saw Inori waking her while spilling her oolong tea on Tsukasa's face.

These two then sat and the girl, Inori, cleared the misunderstanding that she was skating at the rink every day in exchange for giving her owner worms (for feeding the birds). She also shared her dream and how her mother was reluctant about Inori pursuing a career as an ice skater. Tsukasa then gave Inori a salary list for ice skaters, hoping this might convince her mother.

The next day, Tsukasa was sitting with his former colleague who offered him a job as an ice skating coach. As these two were discussing their terms, Medalist episode 1 saw a woman walk in. This was mother was Inori's mother. This made Tsukasa happy that Inori mustered up the courage to call her mother. However, as they started talking, Tsukasa learned about Inori's sister.

Inori's elder sister was a professional ice skater who started her ice skating journey at a very early age. However, she soon got an injury that ended her journey and this was why Inori's mother was reluctant about her other son pursuing the same career. Tsukasa was adamant about letting Inori pursue her dreams and requested her mother to at least let the girl do a trial run.

Inori had lost all hope down in the dumps, but Tsukasa was adamant. As they entered the ice rink, Medalist episode 1 saw Inori flawlessly do the basic ice skating tricks, which had Tsukasa title her a 'genius.' The mother thought that Tsukasa was lying. So, Tsukasa taught her a trick at the spot which Inori learned immediately.

However, Inori's mother was adamant that her daughter would not start her career as an ice skater because it was too late to start. Tsukasa claimed that young children don't have the motivation for regular practices.

Ultimately, in the last stretch, Tsukasa volunteered to become Inori's coach and help her reach the Olympics. Without any probable cause, Inori's mother accepted Tsukasa's offer. This made Inori happy as Medalist episode 1 marked the start of her career as an ice skater at 11 years old.

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Edited by Bharath S