Yuri!!! on Ice

Episode 6

Halfway through its run, Yuri!!! on Ice continues to progress at a blistering pace. We're now at the Cup of China competition, the first of two events Yuuri needs to qualify for the Grand Prix. This episode covers the first half of the two-part competition, introducing four new skaters over the course of a staggering six (yep, count 'em – six) skating sequences. Given these circumstances, I'm not surprised that the animation can't quite keep up. Some of these performances are powerful and immediately purposeful, but others feel more superfluous. In spite of some minor speed bumps concerning the amount of attention that should be paid to minor characters, Yuri!!! on Ice continues to be one of the season's defining animated experiences.

Of course, this episode continues to develop the central relationship between Yuuri and Victor. This week, it's grown into something more possessive on Yuuri's part, sped along by a gentle (ass) pat from Swiss skater Christophe Giacometti. Upon arriving in China, Christophe – one of Victor's fiercest rivals – plants the idea in Yuuri's head that people resent him for taking Victor out of the competition. He intended to psyche Yuuri out, but the plan backfires when it just makes Yuuri really hot and bothered. This ensuing possessive high leads to Yuuri topping himself yet again with a technically flawless rendition of his “On Love: Eros” routine. He takes first place in the Short Program for his efforts – a first time occurrence for our hero. He also becomes more physically forceful with Victor. Their body language has now become absolutely indicative of “two people in a relationship,” performing every act of public intimacy short of kissing. At the same time, this victory seems like it's setting Yuuri up for a fall. His unofficial loss to Chris (in expressive sexuality, not in score) will probably result in some confidence issues for our protagonist. The possibility of Victor leaving Yuuri also continues to loom over the show, conveyed via a pair of skaters – Georgi and Leo – who represent the extremes of Yuuri's potential reactions to his future. There's also the fact that Yuuri isn't accustomed to being on top. He's set a high standard for himself now, and the following pressure is likely to affect him adversely. While this episode ends on a triumphant Yuuri, he still seems to be far from the peak of his emotional and professional growth.

Georgi Popovich is an older skater and the new Russian superstar following Yuuri's retirement. His routine is fueled by his anger towards his ex-girlfriend, a fellow professional skater who dumped him for another man. He channels that into a wonderful, emotionally charged routine that earns him second place in the Short Program. This is one possible future for Yuuri should Victor spurn him – he ends up angry and bitter, and those emotions come to define his art. Then there's Leo de la Iglesia, an American skater who does it all for love of the art. He's the happiest competitor in the end, even though he “only” wins third place. This foreshadows a Yuuri who grows from the experience and becomes a confident artist without letting Victor define him. The possibility of Victor leaving Yuuri has been broached so many times (the playboy narrative of Yuuri's own routine, Georgi's "lover scorned" performance) that I'd be surprised if the show doesn't address it at some point.

Then there are Phichit and the new Chinese skater, Guang-Hong Ji. At first glance, their routines are the most superfluous. This is surprising, considering that Phichit was built up as a potential rival to Yuri in the last episode. While I suspect that this will be brought up again later, at the moment I think I know what they're going for with these two – there are some indications that Guang-Hong has a crush on Phichit, and that this dynamic could be used as a foil to Victor and Yuuri's relationship later on. The age difference between the pairs is the same (three years), and there are some similarities to their dynamics; Phichit is confident and sociable, while Guang-Hong is shy and self-conscious. Otherwise, I'm not sure what the show's going for by spending so much time on these two. In Phichit's case, I hope that at least some focus returns to Yuuri's old coach, Celestino. There's a lot of dramatic potential in his relationship with Yuuri, and this episode didn't return to the challenge he issued his former student.

Then at last, there's Christophe Giacometti. This guy has a shamelessly slutty stage persona, which he exploits to maximum effect in the episode's closing sequence. While Chris normally aims to one-up Victor, Yuuri's stellar performance (itself a response to his jabs) leads to him declaring Yuuri his new rival, issuing a challenge specifically to our hero's inexperienced sex appeal. Sure, Yuuri's attractive, but he's also stiff, virginal, and can't get down with his bad self half as well as the obviously experienced Christophe. While Yuuri is getting better at expressing himself sexually and artistically, he still has quite a way to go before he's fully mature in that regard. Chris places low, but remarks that he's a slow starter (most of what he says is a double entendre) who aims to intensify his performance as the competition progresses. Either way, he won the crowd, which will be more important in next episode's free skate competition.

It's also worth mentioning that the show is still a blast from week to week. All of this thematic content goes on while the characters are dressed in glittering bodysuits and shoving their butts into the camera. Between Georgi, who looks like the lovechild of Zoolander and Maleficent, and Chris, whose perfectly sculpted butt lends new meaning to “the heavenly music of the spheres,” it's tough to pick a standout performer. The chibi-based comedy remains funny and cute – I particularly like it whenever Victor's mouth forms a heart shape.

The downside is that the animation remains quite rough. At the same time, I'm amazed by the gall the creators have to cram six animation-intensive skating sequences into a single episode of this already struggling production. Yuri!!! on Ice is not at all compromising in its ambition, even when it maybe should be. Still, it remains enthralling in spite of some visual deficiencies. Since it's paced like this, I'm actually surprised that it still felt like there was chaff in this episode – setting aside my speculation as to their purpose, the Phichit and Guang-Hong sections felt superfluous. It's because of that I'm grading this episode a little lower than usual. Otherwise, Yuri!!! on Ice is skating confidently past its midpoint. Here's hoping that it takes a lesson from Cristophe and turns out to be a grower, not a shower.

Grade: B+

Yuri!!! on Ice is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Gabriella Ekens studies film and literature at a US university. Follow her on twitter.