1. Your mom said what?Copy !req
2. She told me after the Badge Test that
I could only skate till middle school.Copy !req
3. But that's next year.Copy !req
4. If that's the case, how 'bout
we get you into a competition?Copy !req
5. Whoa. Really?Copy !req
6. What do ya think?Copy !req
7. Inori? Hello?Copy !req
8. Anyone home?Copy !req
9. Wow. Thank you.Copy !req
10. Mmm.Copy !req
11. - How do ya like it?
- It's so yummy.Copy !req
12. Well, good. Now, let's talk some more
about the competition.Copy !req
13. You'll be entering the Meikoh Cup.Copy !req
14. It's a pretty famous competition
that's held in Nagoya every midsummer.Copy !req
15. Unlike a big competition where you have to
have a certain badge to even enter,Copy !req
16. this one has categories for every level,
all the way down to Prelim.Copy !req
17. And first through third place will be
awarded in each separate category.Copy !req
18. Really?Copy !req
19. Really.Copy !req
20. So let's kick this competition's buttCopy !req
21. and show your mom
that you're worth investing in.Copy !req
22. - Um...
- Huh?Copy !req
23. Do you think Hikaru will be
competing there?Copy !req
24. Hikaru... You mean...Copy !req
25. Kamisaki, the winner of
the Novice B Contest last year?Copy !req
26. Yeah, her.Copy !req
27. I would assume so, but she'll
probably skate in Novice B again. Maybe A.Copy !req
28. So I can't compete with her yet.Copy !req
29. She's so far ahead.Copy !req
30. Does Inori see
the Novice queen as her rival?Copy !req
31. That is so epic!Copy !req
32. If kids my age are competing
five whole levels above me...Copy !req
33. - then fine!
- Huh?Copy !req
34. I'll just have to win first place
in the Prelim level of this competition!Copy !req
35. Okay, attention, everyone!Copy !req
36. This is Inori Yuitsuka, and she'll be
skating with us starting today.Copy !req
37. Let's give her a big welcome!Copy !req
38. - Huh?
- Nice to meet you!Copy !req
39. What grade are you in at school?Copy !req
40. Do you like anime?Copy !req
41. We'll start with
Prelim routines as always.Copy !req
42. This is your first time
skating to music, right, Inori?Copy !req
43. This is gonna rock.
Not only has she learned her program,Copy !req
44. but she's already doing sit spins
and Salchows.Copy !req
45. No one will believe
this is her first routine!Copy !req
46. She'll blow their minds!Copy !req
47. Uh, should I restart the music for you?Copy !req
48. Oh. Okay, yes, please. That sounds good.Copy !req
49. And... she's a robot now.Copy !req
50. Not a terrible start, though.Copy !req
51. And here's her first jump.Copy !req
52. A single Salchow!Copy !req
53. I landed it just like I practiced!Copy !req
54. All right! Nice!Copy !req
55. Now crank it up a... notch?Copy !req
56. Inori? Are you okay?Copy !req
57. Did you pull something?Copy !req
58. Or is it...Copy !req
59. she just forgot the choreography?Copy !req
60. What? What do you mean
"too embarrassed to practice"?Copy !req
61. I don't mind practicing spins
or jumps in front of people,Copy !req
62. but when I dance, it always feels like...Copy !req
63. people are laughing at how bad I am.Copy !req
64. I see.Copy !req
65. Well, how about we skate together?Copy !req
66. Huh?Copy !req
67. What do you mean?Copy !req
68. We'll do the routine together, and you
can skate like you're hiding in my shadow.Copy !req
69. Once you get in the groove, it'll be so
fun you'll forget about being embarrassed!Copy !req
70. All right. You ready?Copy !req
71. He really stands out.Copy !req
72. This doesn't feel like I'm in the shadows.Copy !req
73. It feels like I'm in the spotlight
even more.Copy !req
74. And here's the music.Copy !req
75. Oh, wow.Copy !req
76. It's like he's making a really big disc,
spinning around.Copy !req
77. I thought he'd be the same when he danced
as he is in real life,Copy !req
78. but he's like someone else now.Copy !req
79. Every move is so deliberate.Copy !req
80. He's even dancing with his fingertips!Copy !req
81. His form is so beautiful.Copy !req
82. That coach is good!Copy !req
83. My coach is so amazing.Copy !req
84. He can wow people who don't skate at all.Copy !req
85. I want to be like that one day.Copy !req
86. Captivating.Copy !req
87. And have people talk about
how beautiful I am, too.Copy !req
88. 40 DAYS UNTIL THE COMPETITIONCopy !req
89. I wanna zoom off in one big,
smooth motion like Coach Tsukasa,Copy !req
90. but every time I try to imitate him,
I fall.Copy !req
91. I want to keep moving
even when I lean really far.Copy !req
92. I want to be able to
swing my arms out wide.Copy !req
93. I want to get good!Copy !req
94. I want to be amazing!Copy !req
95. Now that's the stuff.Copy !req
96. Our tin girl
finally got some oil in her joints.Copy !req
97. And she looks like she's
having the time of her life out there.Copy !req
98. - That was great. You really—
- I'm not doing it like that!Copy !req
99. You're gonna do it
the way I tell you to do it!Copy !req
100. If you can't handle that,
then we're not doing jumps anymore!Copy !req
101. Now, for the last time, it goes like this!Copy !req
102. But you're going like... bleh!Copy !req
103. Hey! I don't look like that!Copy !req
104. Aw, someone's "angy"! Too bad!Copy !req
105. You're never gonna catch me
unless you learn how to use your edges!Copy !req
106. Scrawny little pip-squeak!Copy !req
107. You crusty old hag!Copy !req
108. - "Pip-squeak"?
- "Hag"?Copy !req
109. I don't think you're
supposed to speak to your...Copy !req
110. - ... coach like that.
- ... student like that.Copy !req
111. Maybe you wouldn't be so pissy
if you tried skating better!Copy !req
112. You ever think of that?Copy !req
113. Go on, bend your knees!Copy !req
114. I am literally
the sorriest I have ever been.Copy !req
115. Is there some way I can make it up to you?Copy !req
116. It's really not a big deal. I'm all good!Copy !req
117. - Hey, wrecking ball, apologize to him!
- Why?Copy !req
118. I shouldn't have to say anything to him.Copy !req
119. It's your fault you were acting
so dumb, Nacchin. I'm innocent.Copy !req
120. Miketaro!Copy !req
121. I told you not to call me that.
It's Mittens!Copy !req
122. Besides, these slowpokes
shoulda gotten out of my way faster!Copy !req
123. Ta-da! Just a little something special.Copy !req
124. Shortcake? It's not even my birthday.Copy !req
125. Anyway, isn't Nacchin super annoying?Copy !req
126. Huh? Um, who?Copy !req
127. Her long-suffering coach.Copy !req
128. I'm Mario Nachi, or "Nacchin."
Good to meet ya.Copy !req
129. And I call Ryoka here "Miketaro."Copy !req
130. And I hate it, so stop!Copy !req
131. Well, my name is Inori.
I'm in fifth grade.Copy !req
132. Fifth?Copy !req
133. Then you're two whole grades above me.Copy !req
134. You're so tiny
I thought you were in my grade.Copy !req
135. You better be drinking tons of milk.Copy !req
136. I've been drinking it since I was five,
'cause I'm going to the Olympics.Copy !req
137. So she's been
working towards the OlympicsCopy !req
138. - ever since she started.
- That's hot.Copy !req
139. You said your name is Inori?Copy !req
140. It's pretty rare for Ryoka
to make a new friend.Copy !req
141. Another friend!Copy !req
142. You two play nice, now.Copy !req
143. Oh, uh, I will!Copy !req
144. 23 DAYS UNTIL THE COMPETITIONCopy !req
145. Inori!Copy !req
146. - Hi, Mittens.
- Come here!Copy !req
147. Inori!Copy !req
148. She reminds me of one of those
hard-core baseball fansCopy !req
149. who drag their rival team's mascot around.Copy !req
150. Hey. There you are.Copy !req
151. Mittens, can you let go?
My coach wants to talk to me!Copy !req
152. So what?Copy !req
153. "So what?" Huh?Copy !req
154. The coaches are all grown-ups.
Are you gonna put them before your friend?Copy !req
155. No! You're my friend
and that's really important, but...Copy !req
156. it's different!Copy !req
157. Don't you know?Copy !req
158. If you only listen to grown-ups
all the time, it'll make you stupid.Copy !req
159. Stupid?Copy !req
160. When I decided to start skating,
I did it by myself.Copy !req
161. I practiced and got good
without Nacchin or anyone.Copy !req
162. If you just do what you're told
all the time,Copy !req
163. you're never gonna be good
in your whole life.Copy !req
164. But hey,Copy !req
165. you still have a chance
to turn out all right, you know?Copy !req
166. 'Cause I wouldn't have picked you
as a friend if you didn't.Copy !req
167. Anyway, I can't decide if I want
my costume to be pink or orange.Copy !req
168. Mom thinks red would be cute too, but...Copy !req
169. Huh?Copy !req
170. I'm sorry, but I really do have to go.Copy !req
171. What? But why?Copy !req
172. I think it's really cool
that you've been skating for so longCopy !req
173. and that you're not scared of adults.Copy !req
174. But I don't think I can learn
like you did.Copy !req
175. I tried and I failed.Copy !req
176. I can't go back to doing things on my own.Copy !req
177. But I'm not mad at you or anything.Copy !req
178. - And I can still come talk to you after—
- I don't care.Copy !req
179. You sound exactly like everyone else
around here who I can't stand.Copy !req
180. You're afraid of the grown-ups
not liking you.Copy !req
181. And honestly,
I don't think you're cut out for this.Copy !req
182. You can't do anything by yourself.Copy !req
183. I saw you doing your homework here.
You had to get your mom to help you.Copy !req
184. Yeah, but—Copy !req
185. And you can't even
practice dancing in front of people.Copy !req
186. They're not gonna let you skate
next to your coach during competition.Copy !req
187. You know that, right?Copy !req
188. I heard you're gonna be at Meikoh Cup.Copy !req
189. Well, I'll be competing
in the Prelims too.Copy !req
190. And I'm gonna win no matter what.Copy !req
191. And all those adults you rely on
won't make a difference.Copy !req
192. I'll never lose to the likes of you!Copy !req
193. A double Salchow.Copy !req
194. That young lady can jump so high.Copy !req
195. I know. And she's so cute.Copy !req
196. - She's one of Nacchin's?
- Yep.Copy !req
197. No surprise. Mario Nachi
can jump really high too.Copy !req
198. She was getting all that attention
in World Juniors.Copy !req
199. We might be looking at
the next Hikaru Kamisaki.Copy !req
200. Watching the kids who started
early never makes me want to work harder.Copy !req
201. It just makes me feel like
no matter what I doCopy !req
202. I'm never gonna be like that.Copy !req
203. I thought you'd be here.Copy !req
204. A skater landing double jumps
in Prelims, huh?Copy !req
205. So in this cup, even though
they could compete at higher levels,Copy !req
206. some skaters will enter into lower onesCopy !req
207. just to maximize their shot
at first place.Copy !req
208. Oh, so that's why.Copy !req
209. What do you think? Wanna try it?Copy !req
210. Huh? What? Try a double jump?Copy !req
211. We have three weeks until the competition.Copy !req
212. The way I see it,Copy !req
213. we have two options we can go with
to get you a winning program.Copy !req
214. What are they?Copy !req
215. The strawberry shortcake method
and the taiyaki method.Copy !req
216. Huh?Copy !req
217. It's gonna be up to you to decide
which one we're gonna go with.Copy !req
218. Sh-shortcake? Taiyaki?Copy !req
219. I'll break it down.Copy !req
220. What ingredient is the star
of a strawberry shortcake?Copy !req
221. The strawberry!Copy !req
222. So, let's compare the value of
a double jump to a strawberry.Copy !req
223. Now we could devote the next three weeks
of practice to all jumps all the time.Copy !req
224. If you can land a Double Salchow,
it's possible you can winCopy !req
225. even if all your other elements
are a little rough.Copy !req
226. - However...
- Oh, what?Copy !req
227. If you're not able to
nail it down in time,Copy !req
228. your program will be
much weaker without it.Copy !req
229. Like a strawberry shortcake
without a strawberry.Copy !req
230. Okay, so what's
the strawberry taiyaki method?Copy !req
231. Slow and steady.
We polish and perfect the basics.Copy !req
232. Then, if we have time after that,
we can work on the jump.Copy !req
233. That strawberry would be
like an extra-special bonus.Copy !req
234. But if it doesn't happen,
you still have a regular taiyaki.Copy !req
235. And that's just as delicious.Copy !req
236. Both ways have pros and cons.Copy !req
237. But we need to make a decision.Copy !req
238. Ugh. Now I'm too hungry to think.Copy !req
239. Which one would you prefer?Copy !req
240. I mean, what do you think I should do?Copy !req
241. You don't need to worry about
what I think.Copy !req
242. I have an opinion, of course,Copy !req
243. but you need to get used to making
these kinds of decisions for yourself.Copy !req
244. You'll have to make choices
like this all throughout your career.Copy !req
245. You'll have to decide what to take in
and what to throw away.Copy !req
246. And every little choice
can have big ramifications.Copy !req
247. But that process is what's going to
make you a one-of-a-kind figure skater.Copy !req
248. As you get better,Copy !req
249. grown-ups will start coming out
of the woodwork with their dumb opinions.Copy !req
250. Don't let them make decisions for you.Copy !req
251. I want you to be the kind of skater
who can choose her own path.Copy !req
252. After all, you're staking your entire life
on this big dream of yours.Copy !req
253. Oh.Copy !req
254. Well, I know Coach won't be mad at me
if I pick the wrong thing or mess up.Copy !req
255. But what if I don't pick the option
that he thinks I should do,Copy !req
256. and because of that I wind up losing?Copy !req
257. Don't stress too hard.Copy !req
258. Just pick the one you like.Copy !req
259. I promise I'll lead you
to victory either way.Copy !req
260. Which one would give me
more dancing practice?Copy !req
261. The taiyaki method.Copy !req
262. Okay, then. I really want to win
this competition if I can.Copy !req
263. But I want to be a good dancer
just as bad. I want to be beautiful.Copy !req
264. So I'll forget about learning
the double jump for now,Copy !req
265. and I'll do my best to make sure I perform
with a really solid foundation.Copy !req
266. 17 DAYS UNTIL THE COMPETITIONCopy !req
267. In! Out! In! Out!Copy !req
268. That's kinda weird.Copy !req
269. I thought she wanted to be able to jump,
but she's only been practicing skating.Copy !req
270. 10 DAYS UNTIL THE COMPETITIONCopy !req
271. She's fast as heck.Copy !req
272. Most Prelim girls with no experience
are too scared to zip around like that.Copy !req
273. Is she fearless or just crazy?Copy !req
274. This Inori girl is so good at
a back scratch spin!Copy !req
275. Is she trying for a double jump?Copy !req
276. Skaters drill that spin
to build their centerCopy !req
277. and improve their rotations in the air.Copy !req
278. How long do I
have to stay in the Prelims?Copy !req
279. - I want to compete at level one!
- I keep telling you,Copy !req
280. competing in Prelim is the only way
you can win first place!Copy !req
281. That's the only way
I've been able to pacify her.Copy !req
282. If Inori lands a double jump
and Mittens doesn't, we're in trouble.Copy !req
283. She could really beat us.Copy !req
284. We gotta do something about this.Copy !req
285. Wow, she can spin so fast!Copy !req
286. Her balance was good at to begin with,
but she's really refined it lately.Copy !req
287. Her program is very polished overall.Copy !req
288. Not too much skating,
not too much jumping.Copy !req
289. It's well-balanced and really beautiful.Copy !req
290. At her level, jumping
and spinning to music is hard enough,Copy !req
291. but it looks like she's got
a really clear picture ofCopy !req
292. what kind of skater she wants to be.Copy !req
293. Next up: a double Salchow!Copy !req
294. She did it!Copy !req
295. Double Salchow into a single Axel
nine times out of ten!Copy !req
296. We got this in the bag!Copy !req
297. - Miketaro!
- Huh?Copy !req
298. You've really been pushing yourself.Copy !req
299. You're blowing my mind,
you little furball.Copy !req
300. You're definitely going to win.Copy !req
301. I know nobody else cares about Prelims,Copy !req
302. but I do and I'm so
freaking proud of you, girlie.Copy !req
303. Ms. Miketa!
Thank you so much for all your...Copy !req
304. Leave her alone, Nacchin.Copy !req
305. She's a-sleepin'.Copy !req
306. She was up really late last night
putting sequins on my costume.Copy !req
307. And it's literally four in the morning.Copy !req
308. Yeah. This was the only time
they had available to book.Copy !req
309. Is it okay if I go one more time?Copy !req
310. Holy moly, you're on fire!
Is your rebellious phase over?Copy !req
311. No, shut up.Copy !req
312. I just can't lose to that girl.Copy !req
313. It was just too much to expect a beginner
to learn a double jumpCopy !req
314. in under two months.Copy !req
315. She's so close to a double Salchow.
She's almost there.Copy !req
316. Yeah, well "almost" isn't good enough
to have it in her program.Copy !req
317. If she falls, she'll only get half of what
that jump is worth and take a penalty.Copy !req
318. I know all that,
but we've already come this far.Copy !req
319. A competition isn't
all about winning first.Copy !req
320. Inori's has a beautiful, clean programCopy !req
321. and she's got a great chance to podium,
even if she's not on top.Copy !req
322. Personally, I think she should
stick with her single jump.Copy !req
323. If we'd only had one more week,
we could have added the strawberry.Copy !req
324. The what?Copy !req
325. I should've recommended
the shortcake method,Copy !req
326. but she chose taiyaki
and I wanted to respect that.Copy !req
327. Oh, you're just losing it.Copy !req
328. Where are you going?Copy !req
329. Library. I need to do so some research.Copy !req
330. Inori does have a great foundation,Copy !req
331. but her choices will start to determine
what she can and can't do.Copy !req
332. And the path forward really
only stays open for the skaters who can.Copy !req
333. Which is exactly why
I want her to win now!Copy !req
334. I want to give her that boost
of confidence that comes with victory.Copy !req
335. Show her that she can and will improve.Copy !req
336. That as long as she doesn't give up,
she'll overcome all sorts of chall—Copy !req
337. A doggo?Copy !req
338. Huh?Copy !req
339. A lost doggo.Copy !req
340. I won't be able to pull off a double.Copy !req
341. Inori!Copy !req
342. I have something
I want you to try right now!Copy !req
343. Hold it!
Get that doggo out of here!Copy !req
344. NO PETS ALLOWED!Copy !req
345. Where have you been?
I was so worried about you.Copy !req
346. Instead of trying to jump,Copy !req
347. imagine you're folding
your skating leg up.Copy !req
348. - Make sense?
- Yeah. I'll give it a shot.Copy !req
349. She's airborne!Copy !req
350. And she's still spinning.Copy !req
351. With no traveling?Copy !req
352. That was unbelievable.Copy !req
353. She chose the right dessert!Copy !req
354. She executed a flying sit spin?Copy !req
355. Her spins were near perfect,
so I had her give it a goCopy !req
356. and she nailed it on the very first try!Copy !req
357. And check this out.
I did some calculations.Copy !req
358. The Prelim level only requires you to do
a regular standing or sit spin,Copy !req
359. so if we change that to the harder,
flying sit spin,Copy !req
360. the base score for her program becomes...Copy !req
361. 5.18.Copy !req
362. Yep! The base value for a program
with a double jump is 4.78.Copy !req
363. I mean, who needs a double Salchow now?Copy !req
364. So what you want is a flip
and an Axel in sequenceCopy !req
365. with a flying sit spin to finish.Copy !req
366. Her success rate
on the flying sit spin is well over 90%.Copy !req
367. And she'll probably get
extra points for quality.Copy !req
368. Wow. This just might work.Copy !req
369. It will work.Copy !req
370. If I have anything to say about it,
she's going to win!Copy !req