So episode 9 happened. Yes. I passed out from sugar overdose!
Thereās been something about Yuri!!! On Ice that Iāve noticed here and there but never really thought to make a proper post about, but two instances in the end of ep 9 made me decide āheck, why not point it out in case others havenāt noticed!ā.Ā
So, the āsomethingā I really enjoy seeing in YOI is how much focus the creators put into the charactersā placements. Naturally, it is an anime about figure skating and the bodyās movement speaks a lot, but off the ice, simple positioning says so much. Obvious stuff like hugs and sitting close together sure, but the more subtle stuff is really lovely when noticed as well.
I feel like they pay attention to foot placement for example.
Here much earlier on in the eps, this shot was looked at as somewhat provocative. Viktor had one leg closely placed in between both of Yuuriās. But if you look at it another way, it reeks of power imbalance. Viktorās only got one foot in (like hello metaphorically one foot inā not certain yetātesting the waters), while Yuuriās got both of his. Yuuriās feet are also just placed there without purpose while Viktorās is directing and somehow commanding. Can you see it? And itās quite clearly Viktor (ās foot) trying to get closer to Yuuri, it doesnāt even matter context wise who moved, they hold this shot still for a bit and you can see it.Ā
Then we have this shot from episode 9, and itās a whole other ball game. Both Yuuri and Viktor have both their feet in, and neither is overwhelming the other in terms of positioning. The feet are placed closely together, but very evenly. Yuuri has one of Viktorās legs gently placed between both of his, and Viktor also has one of Yuuriās between both of his. No power imbalance here, no one person walking ahead of the other, no uncertainty. I also feel like pointing that when compared to the other shot (and many more in the show) specifically, their feet arenāt donned in skates. This is a purely off the ice interaction, as people instead of skaters. Seriously, I got all emotional looking at damn shoes when this scene popped up.
Another biggie that jumped at me quite simply were how the characters themselves are placed in terms of the space around them.Ā
Please look at this shot back from ep 1. There is a very obvious blue barrier rope running along and so clearly dividing Yuuri and Viktor. They are on opposite sides, not even facing each other (heck Yuuriās walking awayāthough at least Viktor is looking at him) and on top of that, there are a ton of other people around. On Viktorās side, on Yuuriās side, the creators have made the effort to include other people in their divided world. And a decent amount of them are looking, as though viewing some spectacle. Not private at all.Ā
Now this shot. This shot. I repeat THIS SHOT.Ā Itās a beaut.
Blue barrier ropes are there once more, but now Yuuri and Viktor are on the same side. Not just on the same side, but on the inside. They are between two sets of safety rails, completely blocking the outside world from their space. Where theyāre standing in quite literally says Ā āno entryā. No one is walking there, or is going to walk there, that space is all their own. Those that you can see in the airport are out of focus and have their backs to Yuuri and Viktor; itās intimate and private. Guys, theyāre literally in their own world. Itās just them and Makkachin. Makkachin who isnāt pawing at Viktor, and heās not pawing at Yuuri, no, heās in a place where heās reaching for both of them at once. And of course compared to the parallel scene in ep 1, theyāre facing each other, theyāre hugging, their feet are all power-balanced and all that jazz too, but seriously, the spatial detail of their positioning..Ā
This stuff actually pops up a lot I feel in YOI, gdi I love this show. Every week, it gets better and better gdi.
