The Medalist franchise gathered fans and stellar voice talent at Bersall Takadanobaba in Tokyo for the Anime Medalist Special Exhibition 2026. The day-and-night event brought together key cast members including Natsumi Haruse (Inori Tsukasaki), Takeo Otsuka (Tsukasa Akeuraji), Kana Ichinose (Hikaru Wolf), Natsuko Abe (Yuna Yagi), Taito Ban (Shinichiro Gado), and Eriko Kato (瞳 Kohomare), celebrating the emotional depths of the figure skating narrative through live script readings, cast retrospectives, and unmissable announcements.
The Theatrical Horizon
The standout moment of the afternoon performance arrived during the event's closing segments, where producers dropped the official release date for the upcoming Medalist theatrical film. Scheduled to hit Japanese cinemas on February 19, 2027, the movie promises to push the animation boundaries established by studio ENGI. Alongside the date, staff revealed a striking teaser visual depicting Inori and Tsukasa sharing a resolute fist bump right before stepping onto the ice, cementing the intense competitive spirit of the upcoming arc.
Lead voice actress Natsumi Haruse shared that recording for the film has already concluded, noting that she poured her absolute soul into capturing Inori's unrelenting drive. With television series re-broadcasts also confirmed to air ahead of the premiere, fans have ample opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the rigorous world of competitive novice skating before the big screen adaptation arrives.
Cast Reflections and Live Performances
Earlier in the program, the cast hosted the "Shine! Medalist Awards," a corner dedicated to breaking down standout sequences from the second season. Cast members, staff, and even legendary figure skater Kaori Sakamoto selected their favorite dramatic beats, treating the live audience to impromptu live-action voice acting. The emotional weight of Tsukasa's coaching and Inori's fierce competitive breakthroughs filled the hall, underscored by the profound dedication of the entire production team.
The event concluded with warm messages from the cast, emphasizing how the deep bonds forged through recording sessions have mirrored the mutual growth of the characters on screen. As the countdown to February 2027 begins, the Medalist community stands more united than ever in anticipation of Inori's next monumental leap.
