Medalist Season 2 has officially reached Episode 9, and honestly, this ending sounds less like a proper season finale and more like a runway straight into the upcoming movie.
Based on the latest review reaction, the episode spends most of its time setting up what comes next instead of giving TV fans a real sense of closure. For a series that already moved at a slower pace through much of the season, that choice makes the final stretch feel even more incomplete.
There are still a few bright spots in the episode. The first half introduces Tsukasa's old skating club friends, Kohei and Junna, with Junna bringing some fun energy and exaggerated celebrity-style antics. Their appearance does not fully dig into Tsukasa's backstory as much as some fans might have hoped, but they do serve an important purpose. Through their different views on adding a quadruple jump to Inori's next program, Tsukasa is reminded that reaching the top will take risk, not just safe routines.
That part at least gives the episode something meaningful to hold onto.
Another new face, Miku, is introduced as an older-sister type figure at her skating club. The problem is timing. Her situation, where she may have to stop skating if the club cannot bring in new members, feels like it is being planted mainly for the upcoming All-Japan competition rather than fully explored here. Since this is already the end of the season, it is harder for that subplot to land with full emotional weight.
After that, the episode apparently shifts into check-in mode, revisiting different skaters before All-Japan begins. Ema returns briefly, but only long enough for viewers to learn that she did not make the cut. That does help show how intense the competition will be, but it is not exactly a rewarding comeback for a character who has been absent for most of the season. Other familiar faces get even shorter appearances, which adds to the feeling that the episode is more interested in teasing the future than finishing the present.
There is also a new skating coach who looks like a fox girl, but the episode gives almost no real information beyond that visual introduction. Again, it comes off like another wink toward the movie instead of a payoff for the season itself.
The biggest moment only arrives right at the end, when Inori and Hikaru finally exchange a friendly greeting before the competition starts. In theory, that should build hype for their rivalry. Instead, it raises questions, especially after Hikaru's earlier silence toward Inori during training. Rather than ending the season on a powerful emotional note, the scene seems to make the character dynamic feel a bit stranger.
Why does this matter for Malaysia and the rest of SEA? Simple, bro: anime movies are not always guaranteed smooth access outside Japan, even for fans who have followed the TV series legally. The concern here is not just that Medalist Season 2 feels unfinished. It is that viewers may now need a movie to get the next major arc, and there is still uncertainty around international release plans. That is especially relevant in our region, where fans often depend on Disney+ rollout timing, cinema pickup, and whether licensors actually treat an anime title like a priority.
The source review points out that Disney does not have much of a proven track record when it comes to handling anime franchise films from its licensed series, and that its handling of the second season has not exactly boosted visibility either. If the movie ends up being hard to watch outside Japan, then the decision to cut the TV season short will sting even more for overseas fans.
So while Medalist Season 2 still had strong moments, Episode 9 sounds like a frustrating finish for anyone hoping for a self-contained ending. Instead of closing with a clean landing, the series seems to stop mid-glide and ask fans to wait for the next big thing.
For viewers in Malaysia and across SEA, that is the real issue. A cliffhanger is one thing. A cliffhanger tied to uncertain movie access is another story entirely.
Source: Anime News Network