[Esoterith]

I only heard about this show recently on an article by somebody who was shocked YOI didn't win anime of 2016 (it was beaten by Re;Zero, which I love). I wonder if the reason is that it's about ice skating which may appeal to some and not others. It had a weirdly huge fanbase outside of westernised countries strangely enough.

I don't think its within the ice skating itself more for the characters is the appeal.

I mean more that a lot of people may be put off by the ice-skating. I can think of 3 people who've said they didn't want to watch it based on that just because it's in the title, pictures from it and in the synopsis. The show may be more about character development, but first impressions when looking up a show can mean everything.

Thats why I think they could've done a better trailer / first episode