Each of these twenty-four-ish minute episodes keep feeling like they are only five minutes long! Pacing myself, especially with the feels taking off, is turning into quite a feat, let me tell you.

Episode seven was fantastic. I think it is quite possibly my favourite episode of the series thus far. The idea that strong, talented athletes are infallible to feelings of inferiority gets totally burned and blown to the wind. Yūri definitely has fears that stem from disappointments in his past. However, he’s been kicking some serious arse with his development as a skater. The episode shows us that this progress never goes to his head. If anything it heightens the pressure and the intensity to preform at your absolute best. His anxiety and high levels of stress were so amazing to watch, mostly because I could feel my own heart tighten whenever I witnessed his unease. It was so evocative.

Other things that I liked include the evolution of Yūri’s and Victor’s relationship. It’s always been filled with innuendo, but episode seven is the first time that you see blatant euphemisms typically used for comic relief shift in tone towards the elegant and provocative. It was lovely and rather moving. Honestly, this is a beautiful depiction of what the natural growth of honest love is like, and it’s probably one of the most real romances, particularly male/male romances, I’ve seen in anime.

Episode eight takes us to the Cup of Russia as the Cup of China was concluded in the prior episode. I really hoped that we would get to see more of Yurio. He makes an appearance here but not quite on the level I anticipated. The cup is far from over, so maybe in the next two episodes I can get the Yurio focus I am craving.

We do see more contrasts and parallels between the two Yuris in this episode. It’s just not as heavy as the previous times it’s come up. I find the change, the switch essentially, between their mentalities to be very fascinating, and it has me pondering if Yurio will become the Yūri from the previous season.

Since Yūri has been kicking arse quite marvellously, I had a feeling that a conflict would arise to help maintain the momentum of suspense that the show is built upon. However, I was not expecting it to be that. I will say this off the bat. I do not handle deaths of this specific nature well at all, and I would go so far as to say it’s quite triggering for me. So… if the death that is impending does come to pass, I may have to put my watching of the series on hold. I know that I will be emotionally too distraught to continue.

If you have seen the show and understand what I’m talking about, please let me know in the comments if the death occurs. Just say “Yes death” or “No death,” so I can at least brace myself for whatever is to come. I’d appreciate it.

Previous Episodes:

Episodes #1-2 – First Impressions
Episodes #3-4 – The Eros Pork Cutlet Bowl & Looking Within
Episode #5-6: The Competitive Season Begins

Thank you so much for visiting me today. I appreciate the support! Until next time, keep reading and keep otakuing. 🖤

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