The voice actors for the new characters appearing in the second season of the TV anime "Medalist," based on the popular figure skating manga, have been announced, with Hanae Natsuki, Inagaki Yoshimi, Ishige Shoya, and Ono Yuki joining the cast. Hanae will play Uobuchi Sho, a temporary coach specializing in jump instruction; Inagaki will play Ahiru Miku, a gold medalist in the Hokkaido/Tohoku block who belongs to Lake FSC in Tonan Town, Niigata Prefecture; Ishige will play Kamogawa Kohei, the head coach at Lake FSC in Tonan Town and a former clubmate of Tsukasa; and Ono will play Shiratori Tamana, the club's choreographer and a successful entertainer.
Hanae commented, "I was very encouraged when I read the original work, so I was happy when I was chosen to appear in the role. I feel that the passion of this work is the very essence of each individual's life. Uobuchi is a teacher who teaches jumps impartially to anyone struggling to pursue their dreams in the passionate and sometimes lonely world of figure skating. He is somewhat elusive and his age is unknown, but he gives off a sense of both depth of experience and humanity, and I get the sense that he exudes absolute confidence and security, and above all, that he truly loves this job. So in acting, I am cherishing the "spirit of enjoyment" of my students' growth and the "clarity" that allows me to properly communicate as a teacher. I hope that together with Uobuchi, I can deliver encouragement to all those who take on challenges to your hearts. Thank you for your support!"
Inagaki said, "I love 'Medalist,' and I'm always moved and inspired by the way everyone single-mindedly pursues their dreams. When I met Miku, I knew I absolutely wanted to play her! I remember being very nervous during the audition. But when I heard I'd been chosen for the role of Miku, it felt like a dream, and I was really happy. I will do my best to portray her, cherishing her strong, dignified core and her fragility. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on TV! Thank you very much!"
Ishige said, "I never thought I would be able to live in the world of medalists, so I am both surprised and happy. I am nervous about appearing in the second season and being in charge of the voice, but I will do my best to portray Kouhei in a way that brings out his charm, so I hope you will support me."
Ono commented, "I originally read the original work, and I was captivated by the power of the work and the author's dramatic, delicate, and powerful brushwork. I'm also a big fan. When I met the author for the first time on set, I was so rude that I said to him, 'You're really good at drawing...' I'm honored to be able to take part in 'Medalist.' I hope you will keep an eye on how the story develops, and look forward to Juna's appearance."
"Medalist" is a manga by Tsurumai Ikada 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 on TV Asahi's late-night anime slot "NUMAnimation" from January to March 2025. The second season is currently airing on "NUMAnimation." A theatrical anime film depicting the story following the second season will be released in 2027.
