Their interactions and dialogue in scenes, for example, when Victor hugs Yuri as they watch another skater compete, depict a more realistic relationship to the overly-romanticised couples in Yaoi and Boys' Love. It’s refreshing to see a series that doesn’t tease this potential romance and leave its audience confused. Their relationship is clearly part of the plot and referenced both playfully and dramatically. What’s so wonderful about this representation is that it’s the first mainstream show that’s not only confirmed a same-sex relationship but made it an integral theme Yuri and Victor aren’t in the background.
It’s a powerful message that Victor is giving up his established reputation to be part of Yuri’s life - a conflict that I’m curious to see MAPPA explore when Victor returns to competing next season. Victor giving up his professional ice-skating career to start a new life as Yuri’s coach isn’t purely a case of admiring Yuri’s talents. Victor and Yuri's romance is a subtle one that underlines their professional relationship during the show’s finale but is beautifully streamlined into the early stages of the narrative.
