The first film adaptation of the Medalist manga, titled Medalist, will open in theaters across Japan on February 19, 2027. The announcement came with a teaser trailer and a new teaser visual, both highlighting the determination of protagonist Ketsu Inori and her coach Myouji Tsukasa as they head into the All Japan Novice Competition.
Medalist is a figure skating manga by Tsuruma Ikada, serialized in Afternoon magazine since 2020. The series has earned widespread acclaim, taking first place in the comics category of the Next Manga Award 2022, as well as winning the 68th Shogakukan Manga Award and the 48th Kodansha Manga Award. After two seasons of a TV anime that aired on the TV Asahi network across 24 stations starting in 2025, the story now makes its big-screen debut.
The film centers on the All Japan Novice Competition, where Inori and Tsukasa face off against the so-called “genius girl” Kamisaki Hikaru and her coach, gold medalist Yodaka Jun. The rivalry between these two pairs will be brought to life on the ice with spectacular scale and visual beauty.
The newly released teaser trailer captures the moment Inori and Tsukasa prepare for the competition that has been their goal all along. Amid the tense atmosphere of the venue and the pressure from powerful rivals like Hikaru, Inori recalls Tsukasa’s words—”You have the power to change fate”—and declares with conviction, “I will definitely succeed.” The trailer also shows Inori gripping the strings of Tsukasa’s hoodie to calm her nerves, a familiar gesture from the TV anime, and the two sharing a fist bump, underscoring the bond that drives them toward the top.
The teaser visual depicts Inori in a vivid red skating costume, her expression full of resolve as she heads toward the rink, while Tsukasa watches her from behind the boards with a strong gaze. The artwork conveys the absolute trust between the pair and the tension of stepping onto the big stage of the All Japan Novice Competition.
Advance tickets are also now available. The Movie Ticket Card: Newly Drawn Illustration Ver. features original artwork of Inori and Tsukasa, with two different designs sold separately. When both cards are placed side by side, they form a fist bump. The tickets will go on sale at participating theaters on September 4, 2026, priced at 1,700 yen (tax included).
Additionally, a special set is being offered: the “Medalist Movie Original・Tsuruma Ikada Special Color Version Reproduction Art (Framed) with Advance Ticket (Movie Ticket).” This set includes a framed reproduction of an illustration colored by Tsuruma Ikada based on artwork from the original manga’s 9th volume, along with one advance ticket. The set is priced at 7,750 yen (tax included) and can be reserved at Kadostore until September 29, 2026, at 23:59.
With Inori and Hikaru finally facing off in the All Japan Novice Competition, fans are eagerly awaiting how this intense battle will be portrayed on the big screen.
(C) Tsuruma Ikada・Kodansha / Medalist Production Committee
