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Yuri on Ice

Yuri on Ice is a Japanese sports anime television series about competitive figure skating.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Yuri on Ice is a Japanese sports anime television series about competitive figure skating. It was produced by MAPPA and aired in 2016, following skaters Yuri Katsuki, Victor Nikiforov, and Yuri Plisetsky. The series became widely discussed for its animation, skating themes, and portrayal of relationships between its central characters.

Premise

Yuri on Ice follows Yuri Katsuki after a disappointing skating result, when Victor Nikiforov becomes his coach. The series tracks Yuri’s return to competition alongside Victor and Yuri Plisetsky.

Production

The anime was produced by MAPPA and directed and written by Sayo Yamamoto, with original scripts by Mitsurō Kubo. Jun Shishido served as chief episode director.

Broadcast and format

The television series ran for 12 episodes from October to December 2016. It was released as a sports anime focused on figure skating competition.

Reception and legacy

The series drew significant attention for its animation and its depiction of same-sex romance and relationships, which became a major point of discussion among viewers and critics.

Key facts

  • The series centres on figure skating and competitive performance.
  • It premiered on October 6, 2016, and concluded on December 22, 2016.
  • The story follows Japanese skater Yuri Katsuki, Russian champion Victor Nikiforov, and Russian skater Yuri Plisetsky.
  • MAPPA produced the anime, with Sayo Yamamoto as director.
  • A planned feature film, Ice Adolescence, was later cancelled as of April 2024.
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Canadian context

The series is available to Canadian anime audiences through international streaming and home-video markets, and it has been part of broader Canadian fan interest in sports anime and LGBTQ-themed animation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Yuri on Ice?
A Japanese anime television series about competitive figure skating.
When did Yuri on Ice first air?
It premiered on October 6, 2016.
How many episodes does Yuri on Ice have?
The series has 12 episodes.
Who produced Yuri on Ice?
MAPPA produced the series.
Who are the main characters?
The central characters are Yuri Katsuki, Victor Nikiforov, and Yuri Plisetsky.
Was there a Yuri on Ice film?
A feature film titled Ice Adolescence was planned but was cancelled as of April 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_on_Ice
    Supports: Title, premise, production, original run, episode count, and cancellation note for Ice Adolescence
  2. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=18191
    Supports: Alternative title, genre, themes, and plot summary
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Yuri_on_Ice_characters
    Supports: Main characters and their roles in the series
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/yuri-on-ice
    Supports: Overview of story focus, romance themes, and TV rating