The series really did a lot for BL anime.
The cancellation of the Ice Adolescence movie left the Yuri on Ice fandom in shambles. No matter how much time passed since the announcement of the anime, there was still a sliver of hope that the movie would see the light of day.
The news was heartbreaking indeed, but this is not another sad piece filled with sorrow and regrets. Now is the best time to remember how good Yuri on Ice was and discuss why it is so special.
1. Remarkably Popular BL
Yuri on Ice was a huge phenomenon back in the day. It was truly surprising how big and popular the series got. And the fact that it had BL themes was the most surprising of them all.
It’s not the first BL anime ever made, but it’s definitely one of the most famous, and BL fans cannot even explain how much it really meant to them that a series about two male figure skaters in love could become this well-known.
2. It Got People Into Anime
Since the series became so popular, it was basically impossible to never have heard about it. Victor and Yuri were everywhere, on all social media, permeating tons of shipping conversations.
Yuri on Ice caught the interest of other BL fans, those who had never been into anime before. It made them give this type of medium a try, and they didn’t regret it. They realized that following a couple of animated characters might be just as entertaining as watching a live-action series.
3. BL Isn’t the Focus of the Series
You might think that this is a disadvantage of Yuri on Ice actually, but it’s not entirely true. BL fans want queer media to be treated the same way straight series are. It doesn’t always have to be about “gay” things, it can focus on other themes and have a BL romance somewhere in the middle.
And this is exactly what makes Yuri on Ice so special. This is an anime about figure skating and not a BL romance, the series has other things to offer and doesn’t treat a romance between two men as something extraordinary.
4. No Gay Drama
And this leads us to our final point. Since Yuri on Ice doesn’t treat a BL couple as a weird one or a special one, there isn’t any drama that follows every other BL series.
You won’t find countless “Oh my god, am I gay?” mental torments. No, Yuri and Victor just feel something for each other and act on that. It’s just like any other straight romance where the characters don’t make a big deal out of the situation.