Yuri on Ice is finally coming to Hulu: here's why it still matters

Yuri on Ice is an iconic anime that once took the anime world by storm. It is now almost eight years since it first debuted on Crunchyroll, and now it is arriving on Hulu on June 3, 2025. This critically acclaimed anime is a Boys’ Love (BL) figure skating anime which was first aired on 2016. Now that it is also being added on Hulu, it has become more accessible to fans.

But many fans have been wondering why this matters. The return of Yuri on Ice in 2025 is more than just a catalog update. It is for the first time that this series is being aired on a different platform than Crunchyroll. It means that this series would have the potential to reach a larger audience.

Now that it is going to be available on Hulu, fans will be able to watch all 12 episodes of the series in both English subtitles and the English dub, starring Jerry Jewell as Victor and Jessie James Grelle as Yuri.

Initially, Yuri on Ice was supposed to be a sports anime. But it shattered the expectations and redefined the usual format. After a humiliating loss at the Grand Prix Final, Yuri returns home to re-evaluate his future, only to be surprised when his idol, Russian figure skating champion Victor Nikiforov, arrives to coach him. What begins as a sports comeback story gradually evolves into a deeply moving romance between Yuri and Victor.

Notably, the combination of a sports anime have a romantic angle has stood out. Especially in just 12 episodes, the series established itself as a landmark in LGBTQ+ storytelling in animation.

Therefore, its release on Hulu is a reminder of the series’ enduring legacy and the appetite for stories that authentically represent marginalized identities. For many fans, this anime was their lifeline.

Especially during the times when LGBTQ+ representation in anime was rare. To see the series resurface now, nearly a decade later, is a poignant full-circle moment that speaks to the show’s lasting impact.

How Yuri on Ice changed the game

Before Yuri on Ice was released, the Boy Love genre, also known as yaoi, had a niche audience and usually had problematic tropes and lacked depth. This series did something unthinkable: it never explicitly labeled Yuri and Victor's relationship.

The anime treated their connection with dignity and respect. This was a wholesome romance story, and the creators made sure that even if it was not over the top, no one could deny the romantic angle. Interestingly, the success of the anime opened the door for other series like Given, Sasaki and Miyano, and My Love Mix-Up!

The series also redefined how animation and music could work together to enhance storytelling. Each character's skating routine wasn't just a performance, it was a mirror of their personal journey. The music, paired with realistic choreography animated under the guidance of professional skaters, made each episode feel like an emotional spectacle.

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To sum it up, Yuri on Ice being available on a different streaming platform allows other users to gain access to it on a legal streaming service. This anime has dared to tell a queer love story in a global spotlight. Moreover, it is seen as a celebration as this anime has redefined the genre of BL anime.

Although fans would love to see a new season, they are more than happy about the fact that it can not be watched by many. On June 3, 2025, viewers can get access to this series on Hulu. Finally, with easier access, a new generation of viewers can engage with its characters, aesthetics, and messages.

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