Something different that occurred this episode was that, in episode 10, we have Victor as the narrator, instead of Yuuri. He introduces himself the way Yuuri introduced himself in the first few episodes, which solidifies the perspective of the narrator for the corresponding episode. Some important things to note is that he speaks in past tense just like Yuuri does when he narrates, and breaks the fourth wall with the line
ăăăŚă芹ăŻćťăŁăŚăăăă
(sate, hanashi wa modotteâŚ)
âNow then, back to the storyâŚâ
Both of these facts heavily imply that Victor is recalling and retelling his and Yuuriâs story of how they met to someone, whether it be us, the audience, or a niece or nephew in the future. Whenever we get a narration line from either Yuuri or Victor in any of the episodes, itâs said in a very wistful and playful tone, which is further evidence pointing towards how theyâre remembering the beginning of their love story, as both wistful and playful tones can both be related back to nostalgia.
I hear you ask. Well it means that long, long after the plot of Yuri!!! On Ice ends, Victor and Yuuri are still happily together. It means that both Yuuri and Victor are willing to accept the other with all their faults, and that theyâve worked hard to build something stable and long-lasting together.
You know what else is just great from this episode? The fact that we can see that Victor is improving the way in which he supports Yuuri.
Back during the China Tournament, we witnessed the game changing parking lot scene, where Yuuri cried his eyes out, and, pushed to the brink, where he shouted at Victor the following
ăĺăĺă¤ăŁăŚĺăă俥ăăŚăăéťăŁăŚăŚăăăăăé˘ăăăŤăă°ăŤăăŚăďźă
(boku ga katsutte boku yori shinjite yo. Damattete ii kara, hanarezu ni soba ni ite yo)
âHave more faith in me, believe that I will win. Itâs okay to not say anything, so just stay by my side!â
What Yuuri asks of Victor during the carpark scene is actually subtly reflected in episode 10, when theyâre both walking through the Christmas stalls. During this scene, Victorâs narration goes
ăăăăăçăăć˘ăăŚăćăéťăŁăŚăŚăçŽăăăŠăăŠă¨čźăăŚăăăďźďźďźă芹ăăăăăŤăăŁă¨ăăăăăŤăăăă
(yuuri ga kotae wo sagashiteru toki, damattetemo me ga kirakira to kagayaiteru. â hanashikakezuni sotto yousou niyou)
âWhen Yuuri searches for an answer, even without talking, his eyes sparkle and glitter. â Iâll just quietly stay near without talking.â
No questions asked, Victor just accepts that Yuuri is looking for something, in other words, heâs believing in him, and quietly accompanies him throughout his search, while appreciating how his eyes light up. The use of the verb ăéťăă(damaru)Â âto shut upâ in both of these dialogues further relates the two scenes. Heâs learning how to support Yuuri because of the advice Yuuri gave him previously, and is proving to us that he is getting better at it.
Interestingly enough, Victorâs thoughts here actually mirror the lyrics to the ending song somewhat, especially the lyrics
ăčźăăŞăăĺăćăăŚăăăă
(kagayakinagara kimi ga oshietekureta)
âYou shine radiantly as you taught me/showed me (the way)â
Which, in this context, would have the âshine radiantlyâ describe Yuuriâs eyes as they shine and glitter, and the âteachingâ section refer to how Yuuriâs outburst in the carpark actually helped Victor in his Yuuri coaching endeavours, how Yuuri taught him how to support him passively. (I actually did a whole general analysis of the ending song here, so go check it out if you like procrastinating and crying over anime ending songs)
There are just so many things in this episode that point towards Yuuri and Victorâs healthy, balanced relationship, how theyâre both working and compromising for each other, and how this relationship will last long into the future after the events of Yuri!!! on Ice. And it is honestly the most wonderfully delicate, detailed, and natural piece of storytelling Iâve ever witnessed in anime.