Winter 2021 Anime: Skate-Leading☆Stars

Synopsis

Years ago, Kensei Maeshima chose to quit figure skating after losing to Reo Shinozaki. Shinozaki is a talented figure skater who is dubbed a “prodigy” by people. For Maeshima, it’s clear that Shinozaki is the best skater in his generation, and there’s no way he can beat him.

Fast forward to high school, Maeshima lives a carefree life. However, it is clear he still harbors an interest in the skating world. That’s when he meets Hayato Sasugai, a mysterious guy who also wants to beat Shinozaki. Will he come back to the skating world?

Comments

Perhaps many people would compare Skate-Leading☆Stars with another figure skating anime Yuri!!! On Ice. However, I feel that Skate-Leading☆Stars is more hot-blooded. I mean, the characters just openly challenge other characters, breaking competition rules just to show off, or neglecting their school just to train. Even the music is also more rocking and upbeat, giving the feel of adrenaline-rush more than elegance.

Furthermore, Skate-Leading☆Stars is more focused on the rivalry aspect compared to Yuri!!! On Ice. While Yuri!!! On Ice also have rivalry between Russian Yuri and Japanese Yuri, it is not the main focus compared to the mentor-student relationship between Yuri and Victor. But in Skate-Leading☆Stars, the rivalry is more central; it is what gives the characters their motivations. The rivalry between Maeshima and Shinozaki, the rivalry between Sasugi and Shinozaki, the rivalry between Maeshima and the school’s skate club, all of the conflict arguably come from the sense of rivalry between characters.

But Skate-Leading☆Stars is also not just about the competition; it is also about revenge and recognition. Maeshima clearly has talent when it comes to skating, but Maeshima himself never feels enough if Shinozaki doesn’t acknowledge him. And while Maeshima’s friends acknowledge his ability, they also don’t accept him to be part of the skating club because of his lousy conduct. Each character has their own personal values about life and skating that make the conflict personal to the characters.

So I feel that Skate-Leading☆Stars feel is more like Haikyuu!! to me. The emphasis on rivalry and personal conflicts makes watching this anime feels like watching a shounen sports anime.  If a hot-blooded take on the sport of figure skating interests you, you should check Skate-Leading☆Stars out.

This anime is available on Ani-One youtube channel.

Facts and Figures

Screenshots and Trailer

The Indonesian Anime Times