Medalist Anime Season 2 Set to Premiere in January 2026

Great news for anime fans! Medalist (Medarisuto) is officially coming back for a second season in January 2026. The first season won over many hearts with its emotional story and beautifully animated skating moments. Now it’s time for Inori Yuitsuka and coach Tsukasa Akeuraji to step into the deep end at the Chūbu Block Tournament, where the competition is icy, intense, and full of surprises. Whether you loved Season 1 for its characters, its skating, or its underdog spirit - Season 2 is looking ready to deliver more of all that, and then some.

Season 1 Set the Ice Perfectly

Let’s take a quick look back. Season 1 introduced us to Inori: a quiet fifth grader who dared to dream of figure skating even though she started later than most. And then there’s Tsukasa: once a competitive skater, now coaching because his own dreams fell apart. Their journey together was equal parts awkward, inspiring, and genuine.

Over 13 episodes, the show didn’t just focus on wins - it focused on what it means to fall, get up, and try again. Inori’s journey - from passing her badge test to her stellar performance at the West Japan Junior Championship - was both athletic and emotional. Meanwhile, Tsukasa faced his past head-on, especially in one standout moment in Episode 12 where his skate back felt like a personal victory, not a podium finish.

By the end, we didn’t get a perfect victory. We got something better: hope, progress, and the promise that the next challenge would be even tougher. And that's what Season 2 is leaning into.

What Season 2 Has in Store

Season 2 is going to be a big leap. Inori has entered the Novice Class, so the opponents, the pressure, and the expectations are all cranked up. Here's what we can look forward to:

1. Inori is going up against skaters who’ve been training in this world since they were little kids - so the skill level is going through the roof.
2. Tsukasa’s role grows heavier: crafting smarter routines, handling bigger stakes, and proving himself as a coach as much as Inori proves herself as a skater.
3. The underdog story slowly becomes less hidden. Eyes are on them now, which means more pressure, more scrutiny, and more opportunities to shine - or stumble.
4. A fresh batch of rivals enters the stage, each with personality, history, and new ways of skating that push Inori out of her comfort zone.
5. And through it all, Inori’s inner battle matters just as much as her jumps: Can she keep belief in herself when everyone else already expects her to catch up?

If you follow the manga, you’ll know this is the arc right after Volume 4 - so it’s ripe territory for storytelling that’s emotional, high-stakes, and visually stunning.

Familiar Faces Behind the Scenes

One of the things to be most excited about is that the same talented people behind Season 1 are returning. Yasutaka Yamamoto is directing again, Jukki Hanada handles the series composition, Chinatsu Kameyama continues as character designer, and Yuki Hayashi is back on the soundtrack. That means the tone we fell in love with isn’t going anywhere.

They’re also adding a few upgrades: Hazuki Nakamura becomes art director and Kentaro Kashiwagi takes on compositing director of photography. Essentially: expect the animation and visual effects to feel smoother, more integrated, and more polished (especially the blend between 2D and 3D skating scenes). As a reminder of how much craft goes into these moments, director Yasutaka Yamamoto noted that:

“Rioh’s entire performance was drawn by a single female animator” - Yasutaka Yamamoto (Director)

A glimpse of the care the team brings back for the sequel.

For the skating choreography, the team is staying real: Akiko Suzuki (an Olympic skater) is still in charge, along with Yuhana Yokoi and Hinano Isobe. Suzuki described her approach this way.

“I imagined how each skater would look and feel on the ice and put my heart into every piece of choreography.” - Akiko Suzuki

That attention to detail is exactly what gives this anime its emotional weight on screen.

Voices You Know (And Love)

We’re getting all the same voice actors returning, which is great news:

1. Natsumi Haruse as Inori
2. Takeo Otsuka as Tsukasa
3. Kana Ichinose as Hikaru
4. Yuma Uchida as Jun
5. And others like Makoto Koichi, Hina Kino, Megumi Toda, Kotori Koiwai, Takahiro Miyake

Their performances in Season 1 gave life to moments of fear, joy, disappointment - and triumph. Having them back means those emotional layers are going to hit just as hard (if not harder).

A Glimpse of What’s Coming in Season 2

Already, a teaser trailer for Season 2 is out, and you can feel the shift. New rivals flash on screen. Inori’s skating looks sharper. The tagline - “I’ll shine brighter than anyone.” - sets the tone: this isn’t comfort zone anymore. Check out the teaser trailer for Season 2 down below:

It’s exciting, sure. But it’s also scary. Because when you hold yourself up to that kind of promise, the risk of falling grows too. And that’s where the storytelling gets juicy.

Winter 2026 Is Going to Be Busy

Mark your calendars: Season 2 will air on TV Asahi’s NUMAnimation block in January 2026, and it’ll stream on Hulu and Disney+. It’s in great company - shows like Tune In to the Midnight Heart and You and I Are Polar Opposites are also hitting around the same time - but Medalist is carving a different lane. It’s not about fantasy or big wars. It’s about quiet guts, personal growth, passion, and the relentless pursuit of something that feels worth it.

Final Thoughts

If you loved Season 1 - or even if you missed it - Season 2 is a great reason to jump back in. Inori’s story is far from over. In fact, it’s just getting started.

The ice is colder, the jump heights are higher, the lights are brighter - and maybe, she’ll shine harder than anyone.