Yuuri Katsuki

### Nickname

Debu/Fatso (by young Takeshi Nishigori) Katsudon/Pork Cutlet Bowl, Buta/Pig/Fat Pig (by Yuri Plisetsky)
Kobuta-chan/Piglet/Little Piggy (by Victor Nikiforov)

## General Information

### Family

Hiroko Katsuki (Mother)
Toshiya Katsuki (Father)
Mari Katsuki (Older Sister)
Viktor Nikiforov (Fiance)

### Coach

Victor Nikiforov (Current)
Celestino Cialdini (Former)

## Character Voice

### English

Jessie James Grelle

**Yuuri Katsuki** (Japanese: 勝生 勇利, *Katsuki Yūri*) is a competitive figure skater and is the protagonist of *Yuri!!! on Ice*, volunteering to train under Victor Nikiforov.

## Appearance

Yuuri has short, messy black hair and brown eyes. Yuuri wears half-rimmed blue glasses, but while he is skating, he removes them. He combs his hair backward when performing his programs before a crowd.

Yuuri wore layers of clothing to hide his weight gain from binge eating. His warm-up outfit is usually a jacket and black pants with a stripe down the side. He wears gloves while skating and uses skates with standard blades.

Yuuri gains weight easily, but when he is in top form, he also has slight muscle due to his exercise and ice skating. Nonetheless, his body, especially his face, maintains a soft appearance, regardless of physical form.

Following Yuuri's presumed engagement to Victor Nikiforov while in Spain, he wears a gold ring on the ring finger of his right hand. Victor has a matching ring worn on the same hand and the same finger.

### Short Program

During his short program, Yuuri wears a black outfit decorated with crystal-like embellishments on his shoulder and waist and a swath of fabric on one hip.

### Free Skate

During his free skate, Yuuri wears a dark blue suit-like outfit that is fastened by a gray belt and is decorated with shimmering embellishments.

## Personality

Yuuri is known to be "the figure skater with the world's biggest glass heart." He is soft-hearted and easily devastated in the face of failure; so much so that he can slip into a depression for months at a time. He is a kind, quiet, and easily embarrassed boy, but he is also shown to be stubborn and extremely competitive.

After being taken under Victor Nikiforov's wing as a student, Yuuri begins to steadily develop more confidence in himself. He becomes determined to chase his dreams, and even brushes off most of Yuri Plisetsky's attempts to insult or humiliate him.However, he still becomes easily discouraged and anxious and doesn't know how to deal with being the person to beat.

During competitions, he tends to be a bit colder and more self-centered due to his anxiety and competitive nature but is learning to pay more attention to those around him thanks to Victor.

## Background

   Yuuri was born in Hasetsu, Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, where his family owns and operates the last remaining bathhouse inn in the town.

Yuuri began figure skating as a child at Ice Castle with his childhood friends, Yuuko Nishigori and Takeshi Nishigori. His ballet teacher, Minako Okukawa, was the one who had recommended him to learn figure skating.

Currently, Yuuri is a top figure skater certified by JSF (Japan Skating Federation).

When he was 18, Yuuri moved to Detroit to train under Coach Celestino Cialdini and ended up staying there for five years. While he was there, he became friends with his roommate, Phichit Chulanont.

## Skills

### Step Sequence/Spins

Yuuri has a very well-developed, unique step technique that has been fine-tuned due to the amount of time he spends on the ice. He is also known for his spin sequence more than his jumps, which both Minako and he himself acknowledge. It was only his performance in Skate China where his technical score eclipsed that of his presentation score.

### Jumps

Initially, Yuuri was only able to land a quad toe-loop in competitions. Under the tutelage of Victor, he has become a more well-rounded skater. Yuuri's repertoire of quads eventually increases, first learning to successfully land a quad Salchow thanks to Yuri Plisetsky’s brief stay in Japan, and was eventually able to land a quad Flip, which is Victor's signature move.

### Stamina

Yuuri has a lot of stamina, which is especially useful for the free skate, and for planning jumps in the second half of the program, and netting the 1.1x point bonus that comes with them.

### Dance

Yuuri has been taking ballet lessons for even longer than he's been a figure skater. In addition, he has also been shown to be skilled in other dance disciplines, like break-dancing, interpretive and ballroom dance, and pole dancing, although it is unknown where he had learned them.

## Relationships

### Victor Nikiforov

Yuuri was a huge fan of Victor's ever since he was a child, and it has greatly inspired him to skate. An early wish of Yuuri's was to be able to meet Victor on the ice at a similar level and to one day surpass the Russian. Yuuri's admiration of Victor led him to get a poodle, similar to the one Victor owned and named it after him as well.

Victor walks into Yuuri's life after watching Yuuri perfectly replicate his free skate, 'Stay Close to Me'. As a coach, Victor initially only trained Yuuri physically, but after noticing that his emotion tended to affect Yuuri's skating, Victor made an effort to get to know him on a more personal level. Yuuri was first rather afraid and distant from Victor, but as the days went on, he became closer to the Russian. Yuuri's free skate, and eventually, the short program as well, is dedicated to Victor.

    Yuuri grows close to Victor to the point where he becomes afraid that his actions would have consequences on Victor. He also becomes afraid that Victor would leave him, begging Victor to always remain by his side. Yuuri also spontaneously changes the final jump of his free skate into Victor's signature jump in a bid to surprise Victor. In response, Victor knocks Yuuri onto the ice with a kiss after the program was over, saying it was the only way Victor could surprise Yuuri more.
In Barcelona, before the Grand Prix Final, Yuuri presents Victor with a gold ring as a birthday/Christmas present for the Russian. Victor also places a gold ring on Yuuri's finger, and later says the pair of rings to be engagement rings (although it is unknown whether he meant it seriously or just as a suggestion), stating that they would get married when Yuuri won gold at the GPF.

It was revealed that Victor's first true personal encounter of Yuuri was during the previous year's GPF, where they had danced together. Yuuri had also begged Victor to come to the family hot spring and to be his coach. Yuuri, having been drunk at the time, has no memory of this first encounter.

After the Barcelona Grand Prix Final, Yuuri moves to Saint Petersburg, Russia, to be with Victor.

### Yuri Plisetsky

     Yuuri Katsuki is aware of Yuri Plisetsky’s reputation as the infamous "Russian Punk" and, despite Yuri Plisetsky being younger, Yuuri Katsuki is still intimidated by him. Yuuri Katsuki’s first known meeting of Yuri Plisetsky is during the closing ceremony of the Grand Prix Final, where Yuri Plisetsky tries to threaten him into retiring. Yuuri Katsuki admires Yuri Plisetsky for being so talented at a young age and for his jumping technique. He sees Yuri Plisetsky as much more confident than he is and is jealous of how comfortable he is in his ability, as well as how relaxed he is around Victor. Nonetheless, Yuuri Katsuki sees Yuri Plisetsky as a friend, watching out for his well-being and cheering for him during competitions, never once having ill-wishes towards the younger skater.

### Minako Okukawa

Minako is Yuuri's ballet teacher and one of his biggest supporters. Yuuri greatly admires and appreciates Minako's support but does admit she likes to meddle from time to time. He often seeks her support when he needs help figuring out movements for his routines or getting in shape.

### Yuuko Nishigori

     Yuuko is Yuuri's childhood friend. She was the first to introduce him to Victor's skating and the two of them practiced moves together. Yuuri sees her as one of the people he can turn to for support since she knows him so well.

### Takeshi Nishigori

Takeshi is one of Yuuri's closest friends and the one who keeps him linked to his hometown even after he pursues an international career. Although Takeshi often picked on him when he was younger, the two have a close friendship and often spend time together.

### Phichit Chulanont

     Yuuri and Phichit were roommates and rink-mates during their time together in Detroit under Celestino's coaching. They became close/best friends while in Detroit and know each other very well. As Phichit appeared to be one of few friends Yuuri had before Victor entered his life, he would communicate most with the Thai skater.

### Celestino Cialdini

Celestino was Yuuri's former coach. Celestino always tried to encourage Yuuri to have more confidence in himself, but it almost never seemed to be effective. Yuuri is slightly afraid of Celestino, especially after having left Celestino's coaching, but Celestino does not have any ill-feelings towards Yuuri, and still hopes Yuuri would do well in competitions.

### Yakov Feltsman

Yakov and Yuuri barely interacted until the Rostelecom Cup free skate, where Victor had to leave for Japan to watch over Makkachin's operation. Yuuri is rather afraid of Yakov and does not talk to the coach during practice for the free skate. However, after Yuuri finishes his performance, Yakov starts lecturing Yuuri at the kiss and cry, which Yuuri notes are very similar to Victor's behavior. After the scores are announced, Yuuri hugs Yakov and thanks to him in Russian.

## Programs

### Short - In Regards to Love: Eros

     The song is one of two different arrangements, written to encompass two different aspects of love. *Eros* is defined as romantic and/or sexual love.

The program itself is completely backloaded and consists of a step sequence in the first half, and three jumps (as per ISU regulation) in the second half. The first jump is a Triple Axel from a spread eagle, the second is a Quad Salchow, and the last is a Quad Toe-Triple Toe combination.

### Free - Yuri on ICE

     Yuri on ICE is an original composition written by Ketty Abelashvili, a friend of Yuuri's from his days in Detroit. It was originally written to represent his career in figure skating but has since been redone to not only encompass that but also Yuuri's journey in realizing what love means to him.

The program itself features twelve jumps in all, with seven of them being in combination (thus not violating the eight jump element rule). The first half of the program features a Quad Toe-Double Toe combination, a quad Salchow, a Triple Loop, a Triple Axel, and a Triple Flip. There's a brief intermission period with additional figure skating elements, starting with a lunge, then a spread eagle, and then an Ina Bauer. The second half consists of a Triple Axel-Single Loop-Triple Salchow combination, then a Triple Lutz-Triple Toe combination, then the step sequence. The last jump is a Quad Toe Loop

During the Cup of China, Yuuri spontaneously changes his last jump to a Quad Flip. He reverts to the Quad Toe Loop for the Rostelecom Cup. During the Grand Prix Final, Yuuri spontaneously changes his Triple Loop into a Triple Flip, and his Triple Flip into a Quad Toe Loop, in order to increase the difficulty of his free program. He also makes his final jump a Quad Flip, as previously performed in the Cup of China.

### Exhibition - Duet: Stay Close to Me

Yuuri skates his own exhibition skate but not in solo. He does it alongside Victor as a pairs dance.

## Quotes

* "*He never fails to surprise me. Ever since I first saw his skating, it's been a never-ending chain of surprises.*" (About Victor)

* "*I was a fool for thinking I could finally meet my idol on the same playing field...*" (About Victor)

* "*But I got bored of feeling depressed, so I got to thinking... I wanted to get my love for skating back.*" (To Yuuko)

* "*I want to eat Katsudon with you, Victor.*" (To Victor)

* "*No! I want you to stay who you are, Victor! I've always looked up to you. I ignored you because I didn't want you to see my shortcomings. I'll make it all up to you through my skating!*" (To Victor)

* "*When I open up, he meets me where I am. I shouldn't be afraid to open up more!*" (To himself about Victor)

* "*I don't know how long Victor will stick around or how long my body will hold up. So please God...give me Victor's time, even if only just for now.*" (To himself)

* "*Victor is the first person I've ever wanted to hold on to. I don't really have a name for that emotion, but I have decided to call it love.*" (In an interview)

* "*I want to be hated as the man who took Victor from the world!*" (To himself)

* "*They can laugh at me all they want. They can say that it's not like me. But everyone really wants to know the new me, don't they?*" (CoC SP Monologue)

* "*I'm the only one who can satisfy Victor. I'm the only one in the world who knows Victor's love. I'll prove that now.*" (CoC SP Monologue)

* "*Why would you say something like that, like you're trying to test me?*" (To Victor)

* "*You don't have to say anything. Just stay by my side!*" (To Victor)

* "*Don't suddenly start trying to sound like a coach now.*" (To Victor)

* "*No tale is more compelling than one that never ends."" (To himself)*

* "*There's a place you just can't reach unless you have a dream too large to bear alone. We call everything on the ice "love."*" (Ending Monologue)

## Etymology

* The name **Yuuri** (in this instance most likely) means "brave/bravery, courage" (勇) (**yu**) and "benefit, advantage, profit" (利) (**ri**).
	+ It can also mean "Courage to win" (勇利).
		- The *toshi* (利) in Toshiya (利也) is also the *ri* in Yuuri (勇利) and Mari (真利).

* Yuuri's surname **Katsuki** means "victory" (勝) (**katsu**) and "living, life" (生) (**ki**).

## Trivia

* Yuuri's favorite dish is a 900 kcal breaded pork cutlet bowl.
	+ Yuuri gains weight very easily because of his anxious and depressive mood swings, binge eating and love for Katsudon (pork cutlet bowl), so he has to be especially vigilant concerning his weight.

* Yuuri owns a MacBook Air.

* Yuuri is shown throughout the episodes to have multiple mental issues; his most acknowledged one being anxiety. Along with anxiety, he is also shown to have depression and some form of binge eating disorder (BED). Though it has not been confirmed, it’s fairly obvious.

* Victor Nikiforov's love for poodles greatly rubbed off onto Yuuri.
	+ Yuuri's phone case features poodles and his lock screen as well as his phone profile picture is a picture of Vicchan. Yuuri owns a poodle soft toy that looks like Makkachin , and sometimes poodle soft toys are thrown for him during competitions.

* Mitsurou Kubo confirmed that Yuuri and Victor cannot live without each other and had to revise their initial plans. <spantitle="This claim needs references to reliable sources" style="white-space: nowrap;">[*citation needed*]

* Yuuri became the ambassador of the Japanese city of Karatsu on the 29th of November 2017 as a birthday gift for bringing more than 40,000 overseas tourists to the town.

* In Episode 5, Yuuri's jacket is shown to have a temporary misspelling of his country Japan as Jaran, which was an accident.[c*itation for ep 5*]

* "**Yuri**" is the romanized spelling that Yuuri himself uses to spell his name, but his name is often spelled with two U’s to distinguish him and Yuri (Yurio) Plisetsky. Yuuri with two U’s is also a romanized version of the name "Yūri" and some choose to use this version of the name due to personal preference.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 10
2. ↑ *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 3
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 6 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep6" defined multiple times with different content
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 7 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep7" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep7" defined multiple times with different content
5. ↑ *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 2
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep1" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep1" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep1" defined multiple times with different content
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 12 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep12" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep12" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep12" defined multiple times with different content
8. ↑  *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 2
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3  *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 4 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Ep4" defined multiple times with different content
10. ↑  *Yuri!!! on Ice* Episode 5
11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2017-11-30/yuri-katsuki-gets-his-birthday-wish-as-official-karatsu-ambassador/.124677`