One of the most intriguing ongoing anime in the sports drama genre, Medalist, has captured audiences’ attention since its debut. The series’ focus on showcasing the beauty of figure skating is its main selling point. However, despite its praise, it has sparked controversy among international fans.
The issue arose following the release of Episode 5 in Japan last week. A standout sequence from the episode, featuring the character Hikaru Kamisaki delivering a breathtaking skating performance, quickly went viral online.
While many fans applauded the choreography and CG work, calling it a masterpiece of beauty, grace, and fluidity, the reaction in South Korea was far less favorable. Korean fans criticized the episode, accusing it of plagiarism.
A heated debate erupted on Korean forums, where users claimed Medalist had copied the choreography of renowned South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim. They pointed out striking similarities between the anime’s sequence and Kim’s 2009 “Dance of Death” performance.
Direct comparisons between Hikaru Kamisaki’s performance and Kim’s routine reveal noticeable similarities, leading to accusations that the anime copied not just the choreography but also elements like the music and character design.
Some Korean netizens argued that Medalist was attempting to undermine Kim’s legacy, with one user even claiming that, since Japanese skaters could never defeat Yuna Kim in competitions, they “turned her into the villain of an anime to finally defeat her.”
The controversy has divided opinions. While some fans insist Medalist plagiarized Yuna Kim’s music, outfit, and choreography, others argue that such elements are common in figure skating and do not necessarily indicate direct copying.
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