Don’t let the Ice Adolescence news make you depressed. Watch these series instead.
Everyone has been talking about the Yuri on Ice movie cancellation for the past couple of weeks. The news is really devastating, but it’s not the end of the world, since there are so many wonderful series out there. And we’d like to talk about some of them.
- SK8 the Infinity (2021)
There’s hardly anything more beautiful than figure skating, but SK8 might make you fall in love with skateboarding, too.
Reki’s love for skateboarding is immense, but an unfortunate loss in a race leaves him with a destroyed skateboard and a broken arm. Reki is not about to give up, though. He runs into his new classmate, Langa, and they are both forced into a bet that requires skating in a race.
MyAnimeList score: 8.02
- Free! (2013)
We know that you love Yuri on Ice not only because of the sports elements, but also because of the BL themes. While Free is not a BL anime, you’ll definitely find something to work with in the series shipping-wise.
Four team members went their separate ways after an elementary school swimming competition. Years later, they reunite as high school students, but one of them doesn’t seem to be interested in the reunion, so the rest of the boys have to form a new team.
MyAnimeList score: 7.33
- Banana Fish (2018)
It might feel weird to suggest Banana Fish to a Yuri on Ice fan, but hear us out. It’s not a lighthearted anime, that’s for sure, but you’ll love the male leads just as much as you love Victor and Yuuri, we promise. It’s also made by MAPPA, by the way, so you’ll see some similarities in style.
17-year-old Ash is the boss of a gang who investigates the mysterious "Banana Fish." Meanwhile, a couple of Japanese photographers come to the US to report on American street gangs. Eiji is one of them, and when he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, Ash is the one who has to rescue him.
MyAnimeList score: 8.47
- Given (2019)
Replace figure skating with music, and you’ll get Given.
Satou was taking a nap at his school when his fellow student saw him and berated him for the state of his guitar. Impressed by his classmate’s knowledge, Satou begs him to fix the instrument and teach him how to play.
Instead, he is invited to sit in on a jam session with the band, where his outstanding voice is noticed.
MyAnimeList score: 8.32
- Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! (2024)
Although this series is far from a sports anime, it will make you fangirl just as much as Yuri on Ice.
At the age of 30, Kiyoshi discovers a new ability: to read people’s minds. The only catch is that he has to touch a person to learn their thoughts. One day at work, he accidentally touches his colleague in a crowded elevator, and to his surprise, finds out the colleague has a huge crush on him.
MyAnimeList score: 7.65