Victor Nikiforov (left) is Yuki Katsuki's (right) coach in "Yuri!!! on ICE." (Photo : YouTube/Ventus Cantabile)
One of 2016's breakout anime series - "Yuri!!! on ICE" has grown to become one of the most watched anime series on the web during its two-month run. Due to the reception it got from anime pundits and faithfuls alike, the series has recently been hailed Anime of the Year by an anime streaming site.
Among the eight nominees, the ice skating-themed anime series was favored by more anime lovers as Crunchyroll's website held a voting period that ran from Jan. 3 until Jan. 9. The given timeframe has garnered approximately 1.8 million votes as the event has 13 more categories to vote for.
Last Jan. 28, the website held its first ever Anime Awards where the winners from different categories were announced. The streaming site revealed, as cited by Yahoo! News, that "Yuri!!!" toppled the rest of the competition with 44 percent.
Furthermore, the anime was also awarded six more distinctions which are Best Animation, Best Opening, Best Ending, Best Couple for Yuri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov, Best Boy for Yuri, and Most Heartwarming Scene for the aforementioned couple's kiss. Such depiction of affection became widely discussed among its fandom and anime viewers in general.
Aside from the kiss, the anime' s 10th episode where it featured the two exchanging rings, was considered by many as the first time that an anime tackled such relationship. Anime critics even deemed it as the best scene in the series.
Meanwhile, fans are now clamoring for "Yuri!!!'s" sophomore season. As of late, its home studio - MAPPA, has remained mum about such. However, the show's fanbase is still holding on to what is being hinted on its final episode that reads "See you NEXT LEVEL."
Watch a couple of videos about "Yuri!!!" showcasing the controversial kiss and some of its highlights:
