Jun Yodaka, Inori Yuitsuka and Medalist as a "Darker" Sportsmanga Part 1
After finally finishing the second Season of Medalist, I feel the need to talk more about Jun Yodaka. Jun Yodaka is figuratively and literally the pinnacle of Figure Skating within the narrative of Medalist. He is the strongest, an unapproachable living Legend. Even more so than Shinichro Sonidori. Someone over on Reddit called Hikaru Kamisaki the in-Universe Equivalent of Ilia Malinin. Always named in a conversation, always influencing competitions despite not being present. But the same can be said about Jun Yodaka, especially on a meta-narrative level. Jun Yodaka was so good he caused an in-universe rule change regarding the age for participation in the Olympics. Which in turn allowed Riley Fox to win Gold at the Olympics, when she was just 17 years old. He also forced Shinichiro Sonidori out of Retirement after Rio was born. Seeing Jun Yodaka on TV during Middle School inspired Tsukasa to try becoming a figure skater. While the fact that Jun Yodaka stepped into Hikaru's life, caused her to become a figure skater. A lot of smaller Events prior to the plot came to be because of Jun Yodaka. He is by no means an "Aizen Level" Plot Mover, but certain characters went onto their paths because of his importance as a figure Skater within the World of Medalist. Which in turn lead them were they are at the beginning of the Story. Even if some of them, like Riley Fox and Tsukasa, (probably) never met him in person prior to the events of Medalist. And even if Jun Yodaka's influence on their life can be considered a one time occurence, it's by no means negligible. Riley Fox aside, considering she might have won her Olympic Gold at a later date in her life. But without Jun Yodaka Tsukasa might have never met Inori. The same goes for Hikaru. I may be exaggerating here but once you start thinking about the narrative of Medalist, it becomes almost impossible to not mention or at least avoid taking him into account one way or another. His relationships and role make him a rather interesting subject, no matter how you view him personally. Which is why he is kind of the Ilia Malinin of Medalist like Hikaru Kamisaki. But unlike her because there is no fitting way to describe his influence and importance to the narrative. Personally I think Jun Yodaka is a very complicated character, mainly due never giving him the attention he deserves. Meaning everytime i've mentioned Jun Yodaka in my previous posts even just off-handed, my observations regarding him might have been inaccurate to a certain degree. At the end of a previous post i've mentioned that Medalist started to loose it's cheerful "innocence" somewhere around Score 30. Back then i linked my observation to Hikaru Kamisaki's Isolation due to the "negative"/"antagonistic" depiction of her strenght and particularly Inori running away from her. However if that is the point where the narrative starts to shift it's tone, it was the introduction of Jun Yodaka in Score 2 and his subsequent appearances until Score 30 which paved the way for it. It is in retroperspective, the Sport itself aside, one of the earliest signs that Medalist wouldn't stay a cheerfully "innocent" Sportsmanga about figure Skating. Which becomes all the more prevalent upon rereading the manga starting at Score 1. So let's start with Jun Yodaka's first appearance in Score 2 and compare it to the Introduction of Tsukasa and Hikaru respectively. However before that I need to emphasize, that my Analysis and all relating Interpretations are mainly applicable to the Manga, due to taking Tsurumakaida's Artstyle into account. Meaning there is only so much that can be applied to the Anime considering it is a different Medium. Below the first appearance of Jun Yodaka, including a panel showing Inori full of doubts.
Both are cast in shadow, something that becomes a trademark of Jun Yodaka's appearances. This "darkness" also extends to the way he is designed, mainly wearing black clothes. With the bright spots in his design being the lit cigarrete and occasional light reflections. The habit of smoking implies a lack of care for his own health. Said lack of care also applies to his surroundings. As evidenced by the trashcan his foot is positioned on. Which he is implied to have kicked. And extends to his own belongings as shown by the way he treats his smartphone on the next page (seen below).Which as I want to point out is a device for communicating (read: connecting) with people. Considering he throws his smartphone in reaction to it buzzing due a call or message, this is another sign of his willing isolation, along with an implied lack of care for other people, including Shinichiro Sonidori btw. Something i will come back later. Anyways back to the topic at hand what's important here is how small Inori looks in the panel she shares with him (seen on the panel above). Signifying the literal distance between them. The look on her face is something i can only describe as scared confusion (3rd Panel below) as she continues to stare for around one more page.
Tsurumakaida concludes Jun Yodaka's first appearance with a close up of his face (seen below), which feels like it's deliberately drawn to look forein terms of Artstyle. His face seems to ask"What are you staring at?". Interestingly he is the only character to get that type of reaction out of Inori. Which is especially poignant compared to how Inori first meets Tsukasa during the previous Chapter, as well as how she goes on to meet Hikaru a bit later during this chapter.
The important bit regarding Inori's first interaction with Tsukasa and then Hikaru compared to the already discussed moment with Jun Yodaka is that both reach out to her. While Tsukasa definitely scares Inori as seen on the page below (taken from score 1). He approaches her with normal interest.
At no point is it his intent to scare her, yet she runs away. The short ensuing chase allows Tsukasa to see her agility, while following discussion between them. creates the groundwork for their later relationship. As After Tsukasa catches Inori and she presumes him dead and pours tea over his face, she explains the situation, how she brings Mr. Sekoma earthworms as a means to be let in. Leading Tsukasa to explain Inori how it's not right to do this. Tsukasa is depicted as a outgoing, competent and morally upright Adult. Interestingly Inori's second interaction with Jun Yodaka, which happens during Score 6, mirrors this one in two points, alongside some narrative importance. Which i will return to. Back to the discussion between between Inori and Tsukasa in score 1. Which leads to her showing Tsukasa her Book full with notes on figure skating. Inori opens up to Tsukasa, a complete stranger mind you, about her wish to do figure skating. Who in turn immediately tries to help her by handing her a list of Ice Skating Clubs. Showing both kindness and approachability. Something which is implied to be a rarity in her daily life. Given that Inori is treated as a social outcast incapable of doing anything by both her teacher and her peers. As seen on the pages below. As shown by her experiences the next day, when Tsukasa's words still resonate with as the Interaction or more accurately his reaction, caused Inori to question her own weakness.
Now compared to the visual depiction of her Interaction with Tsukasa, the above pages show that Inori's daily life is plagued by insecurity and anxiety. With her almost invisible teacher treating the fact that she forgot her textbook as a daily occurence. The above pages show Inori isolated and her surroundings cast in grey. Enhancing the impression of a cold and unfriendly environment. Visually most of the interaction between Inori and Tsukasa, following their chase happens without much distance or the use of perspective. If anything during the six to seven pages of their interaction after he caught her, Tsukasa is almost never shown in fullbody instead he either sits or we only see his upper body. With one exception, but there Inori is drawn bigger than him as he approaches. Regardless Inori on the other hand is shown twice standing (ignoring the exception previously mentioned), first on page 21(digital release, english) and then on page 25. Inori and Tsukasa spend the entire discussion sitting at a reasonably close distance. Not only that but he shows empathy upon hearing her full story. Barring his criticism about the worms, he only shows encouragement for Inori's dream. As due to his nature as a stranger (and his own "failed" dream) all he sees is a girl in a similiar position to him back when he was young. His behaviour causes Inori to look at him with less of her (usual) insecure grimace which is close to tears and allows their talk to end with her looking straight into his eyes (third picture below). The Look on her face and the question she asks feel like a first spark of courage in her heart.
It's important to mention that Inori's insecurities might've been even more so and earlier than Jun Yodaka signs of how Medalist would loose its cheerfull innocence and imply it as a darker Sportsmanga. Especially the panel below, however Tsukasa's interaction with Inori and the start of their cooperation make the implication alone an afterthought. As the narrative focusses on Inori becoming stronger.
I need to cut my analysis here as Tumblr only allows ten Pictures per post. So next up: The first Interaction between Inori and Hikaru, Jun Yodaka's second Interaction with Inori, as well as his later appearances and hopefully a conclusion.
