BODY: Fans of competitive figure skating anime have a new date circled on the calendar. At the Medalist Special Exhibition 2026 on Sunday, organizers glided out a wave of announcements for the upcoming Medalist sequel film — including new staff, a second teaser visual, and a full special trailer.
The anime movie, a continuation of the story adapted from Tsurumaikada's acclaimed Medalist manga, is set to premiere in Japanese theaters on February 19, 2027. The reveal builds on the momentum of the franchise, which follows the emotionally charged partnership between a young skater chasing an Olympic dream and the coach who refuses to give up on her.
The newly announced creative team brings serious pedigree. Yasutaka Yamamoto (Noblesse) takes the director's chair, while Jukki Hanada — known for the delicately observed The Dangers in My Heart (Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu) — handles the screenplay. Chinatsu Kameyama (In Another World with My Smartphone 2) serves as character designer and chief animation director, tasked with translating the manga's expressive linework into fluid on-ice motion.
The second teaser visual, unveiled alongside the trailer, leans into the series' signature blend of vulnerability and competitive fire — a fitting note for a story built on the razor's edge between triumph and heartbreak that defines elite skating.
The insider take
From Tokyo, the timing feels deliberate. A mid-February 2027 release lands squarely in the emotional afterglow of the winter competitive season, when figure skating dominates Japanese living rooms and skaters like the country's world champions are household names. Medalist has resonated here precisely because it treats a niche, punishing sport with genuine reverence — and Hanada's involvement signals the film will prioritize the quiet, character-driven moments that made the manga a critical darling over pure spectacle. Expect strong domestic box office and a passionate international rollout to follow.
Originally reported by News - MyAnimeList (English).