Yuri on Iceis one of the most uplifting, popular, and beautiful anime ever made, and despite it being yet another hit in the early years of MAPPA, it never got a proper follow-up. In addition to April’s news of the feature film prequelIce Adolescence’scancelation, Japanese sports equipment companyMizunoissued a statement on X,effectively extinguishing any hope for a new series. While it is an exceedingly disappointing update, it’s not a wholly surprising one forYuri on Ice, despite it winning Crunchyroll’s first Anime of the Year award for 2016.
The love forYuri on Iceis persistent into the present for its beautifully animated figure skating routines and the charming characterization of its main and supporting cast. It also features one of mainstream anime’s best same-sex romantic plots, establishing itself as a brilliant gateway to Boys' Love (BL) stories for new viewers. But with Mizuno’s statement,hopes for aYuri on Icevictory lap, especially forIce Adolescence, are now buriedas MAPPA focuses instead onupcoming projects likeLazarusand popular manga adaptations.
Mizuno’s Statement Quietly Confirms Yuri on Ice’s Bleak Future
The Beloved Anime May Never Get a Follow-Up
Mizuno collaborated as a cross-promotion with theYuri on Iceanime, recreating outfits worn by skaters from the series available for sale.
Yuri on Ice’sstrong reception warranted a follow-up, with July 2018 seeing the confirmation ofIce Adolescence,following the iconic Victor Nikiforov in his younger days at the Winter Olympics. Much of the original anime showcased his exceptional figure skating abilities and coveted role as coach to the protagonist, Yuri Katsuki, makingIce Adolescencea highly anticipated premise.After being inundated with delays beyond its expected 2019 release,Ice Adolescencewas canceled via an announcement on August 14, 2025,breaking the hearts of manyYuri on Icefans.
MAPPA Ditches Yuri on Ice for Other Anime Projects
No Official Reason Given
WithYuri on Iceproducer Fuko Noda’s departure from MAPPA a week beforeIce Adolescence’scancellation, as reported byComicBook, the writing was on the wall in 2024 for the prequel film. However, no official statement was given; fans can reasonably guess that MAPPA is pursuing adaptations of big pre-existing manga properties, such as the entire Shonen Dark Trio.
While evenChainsaw Man’sBlu-ray sales paled in comparisontoYuri on Ice’s,there’ll never be an official reason, leaving fans cruelly deprived of future content from one of sports anime’s brightest gems.
Yuri on Ice
Cast
Yuri on Ice is a Japanese anime series focused on the competitive world of figure skating. The storyline follows Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki, who grapples with his career and personal challenges while being mentored by his idol, Russian champion Viktor Nikiforov. The series delves into the intricate dynamics of competition, mentorship, and personal growth within the context of a high-stakes sport.
