Natsumi Haruse appears in "Medalist" event

The first ever "Medalist Exhibition" of Tsurumai Kada's figure skating manga "Medalist," which was recently selected as the top comic in the Next Manga Awards 2022, will be held at the Matsuya Ginza 8th floor Event Square (Chuo Ward, Tokyo) from August 13th. A press conference was held on the same day, where voice actors Haruse Natsumi, who plays Yuzuki Inori, and Takeo Otsuka, appeared. Haruse said, "I was originally a figure skating otaku," and shared an episode in which that experience came in handy during the filming of the anime, saying, "I'm glad I've been an otaku for about 15 years."

During the recording, Otsuka said that Haruse often teaches him about figure skating, and Haruse said, "I'm originally a skating geek, so I never thought it would be useful here. The things I've researched and absorbed because I love it have come in handy in many ways, everyone has relied on me, and I've been taught things like, 'I never knew there was a different perspective.' The recordings are always full of discoveries and happy feelings."

Haruse said that she actually started learning figure skating in preparation for her role in the anime. "I think figure skating is really difficult, but at the same time, I'm recording this scene while thinking about where my weight is. The smell and coldness of the rink are things that only skating can provide. I act while keeping that feeling in mind," she revealed about what went on behind the scenes during the recording.

The exhibition will feature new illustrations drawn by Tsuruma specifically for the exhibition, as well as moving scenes from famous TV anime, figure skating costumes, and more, making it an exhibition where you can experience the charm of "Medalist" and the fun of figure skating. Original goods featuring the newly drawn illustrations will also be on sale. The exhibition will run until September 2nd, and is scheduled to tour the country.

"Medalist" is a manga that has been serialized in the manga magazine "Monthly Afternoon" (Kodansha) since 2020. The story follows Akiura Michiji, a young man who has failed as a skater, who meets Yuzuki Inori, a girl who dreams of becoming a figure skater, and aims to become a glorious medalist as both a coach and athlete.

The first season of the TV anime aired from January to March on TV Asahi's late-night anime slot "NUMAnimation." There is also talk that the second season will air in the same slot from January 2026.