Yuri!!! on Ice fans have been awaiting a sequel since 2016, but Heated Rivalry has emerged as an unexpected spiritual successor. Based on the critically acclaimed book of the same title by Rachel Reid, Heated Rivalry follows the complicated journeys of Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) as they navigate high-octane professional hockey and a clandestine love affair.
Heated Rivalry’s success on HBO Max has made it a breakout hit, with Rachel Reid’s two novels centered on Shane and Ilya — the second being 2022’s The Long Game — even selling out on Amazon. There are many idiosyncrasies that set Heated Rivalry apart from the crowd, but some major traits echo a beloved sports anime from 2016: Yuri!!! on Ice.
Heated Rivalry And Yuri!!! On Ice Both Follow A Competitive Ice Sport
The Main Characters Have Similar Passions Driving Them
While its central convoluted love story is arguably the show’s biggest selling point, Heated Rivalry is based on a hockey romance book that follows Shane and Ilya’s careers on the Montreal Metros and Boston Raiders, respectively. The first episode delves into their competitive rookie season, while the second entry follows the pair to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Similarly, Yuri!!! on Ice is widely regarded as one of the best sports anime of all time thanks to its unique focus on competitive figure skating. The anime’s main character is a down-on-his-luck figure skater named Yuri Katsuki who, after floundering during the figure skating Grand Prix Finals, considers quitting the sport altogether — much to the chagrin of Victor Nikiforov.
Nikiforov, who built a legacy as an all-time great with countless medals under his belt, puts his own skating career on an indefinite hiatus to become Yuri’s coach. Together, the pair works to restore Yuri’s love of figure skating and advance to the World Championships. Ironically, Shane has an Olympic figure skater friend briefly mentioned in Heated Rivalry episode 2.
Yuri & Victor Bear A Striking Resemblance To Shane & Ilya
Both Pairs Have Heartwarming Love Stories
Immediately after Heated Rivalry’s book-to-screen adaptation was announced, prospective viewers began to connect the hockey romance to Yuri!!! on Ice, thanks to the eerie similarities between the main pairings. While Yuri Katsuki is Japan’s premier figure skater, Shane Hollander is a Japanese Canadian hockey darling. Both have dark hair, dark eyes, and are shorter than their romantic counterparts.
Likewise, Victor Nikiforov’s legendary figure skating made him the pride of Russia, and Ilya Rozanov is praised as an indomitable Russian phenom. Both have light eyes, but Ilya’s natural curls are no match for Victor’s highly stylized silver hair. Granted, Yuri!!! on Ice’s secondary Russian character — the rebellious “Russian punk” Yuri Plisetsky — may be a better match for Ilya personality-wise.
At base level, having two rivals of Russian and Japanese descent meet on the ice is intriguingly similar. Yet, what truly makes Shane and Ilya feel reminiscent of Yuri and Victor is their relationship dynamic. In the beginning of Heated Rivalry, Ilya easily flusters Shane, just like how Yuri can barely function around Victor for most of Yuri!!! on Ice.
Heated Rivalry’s Queer Representation Leaves No Ambiguity
Yuri!!! On Ice Was Bound By Censorship Restrictions
For all of its parallels, however, Heated Rivalry has an edge over Yuri!!! on Ice when it comes to its romance. Yuri and Victor are an iconic anime couple to many fans, but their relationship is left merely implied. Though the subtext is glaringly obvious to those who are searching for it, it’s still possible to view them as platonic.
In stark contrast, Heated Rivalry’s queer love story is explicit in every sense of the word. They may be experiencing an emotional slow-burn, but Shane and Ilya’s physical intimacy has progressed extremely quickly. The pair’s first kiss happens within the first half hour of the series, and the couple’s sexual relationship only intensifies from there.
Still, Victor and Yuri’s relationship was as overtly romantic as it could have been in 2016. The two celebrate Yuri’s skating success by exchanging matching rings in front of a cathedral, Victor jokes that they’ll get married if Yuri wins the gold medal, and it’s heavily suggested that Victor kisses Yuri in episode 7 (though their faces are conveniently covered).
Unlike Yuri!!! On Ice, Heated Rivalry Has Limitless Potential For Future Seasons
Heated Rivalry Comes From A Six-Book Series
Even with the slightly obfuscated love story, Yuri!!! on Ice was a groundbreaking anime that dared to push the limits of on-screen queer representation. Furthermore, the battle for victory throughout the Grand Prix circuit was just as captivating as Victor and Yuri’s romance, making it a delight for fans of sports anime like Haikyu!!, Blue Box, and Sk8 the Infinity.
The season 1 finale of Yuri!!! on Ice even teased a potential second season, while the production company announced plans for a prequel film entitled Ice Adolescence. Sadly, all projects related to Yuri!!! on Ice were permanently shelved in 2024. While some hold out hope, the MAPPA anime’s cancellation is as undeniable as it is tragic.
Thankfully, Heated Rivalry could hypothetically be renewed for multiple additional seasons after its six-episode run wraps up. Beyond The Long Game, there are countless ways to expand the show’s universe, be it from the Game Changers series or with wholly original material. Despite Yuri!!! on Ice being cut down in its prime, Heated Rivalry fans have a cautiously optimistic future.
- Release Date
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November 28, 2025
- Network
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Crave
- Directors
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Jacob Tierney
Cast
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Connor Storrie
Ilya Rozanov
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Hudson Williams
Shane Hollander
