Its Positive Tone Is Perfect
As Courtney Milan mentioned on Smart Podcast Trashy Books, Yuri!!! On Ice is a special example of storytelling without a betrayal between characters or a bleak moment of hurt at the climax of the story.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the show is devoid of conflict. Yuri’s relatable anxiety definitely amps up the stakes before each competition. And, of course, at the end of the day each skater is doing his best to be the best, so there’s plenty of drama and emotion.
However, the show’s writers give a sort of inherent human dignity to each featured character. An up-and-coming Japanese skater who’s obsessed with Yuri could be portrayed as annoying. Instead, he’s used as a sort of lens through which Yuri’s able to see his own growth and his impact on the future of skating. When a cocky Canadian skater stumbles, it could be an excuse for the audience to root for his failure. Instead, his hard work is respected by his fellow skaters and he’s cheered on by his fans and family.
Yuri!!! On Ice reminds me of one of my other favorite pop-culture staples: Mike Schur comedies. Mike Schur’s shows like Parks and Recreation and The Good Place share an underlying value that all people—even the most frustrating ones—are worthy of kindness, love, and support. It was such a treat to see this same value system portrayed in an anime about ice skating!