Amber Glenn Shares How Anime Passion Fuels Her Figure Skating Career
American figure skater Amber Glenn, aged 26, has offered a revealing glimpse into her personal life beyond the competitive ice rink. In a candid discussion, she detailed her profound affection for anime and explained how this form of animation has significantly influenced her personality and professional approach.
From Early Interest to Deep Passion
Amber Glenn explained that anime became an important element early in her skating career, gradually evolving into a genuine passion over time. She now actively follows numerous series, drawing meaningful parallels between anime themes of perseverance and emotional depth and her own journey in the demanding world of competitive figure skating.
"I first discovered the anime world through 'Yuri!!! on ICE', which completely transformed my perspective on storytelling in animation," Glenn shared. Prior to this discovery, her viewing habits were primarily centered on superhero cartoons, especially those from the DC animated universe. As her interest deepened, she explored a diverse range of styles, from action-packed adventures to emotionally charged dramas.
Anime as a Source of Motivation and Connection
The skater believes anime serves as a powerful tool for athletes to express themselves authentically. She emphasized that the community surrounding anime provided her with a strong sense of belonging and facilitated deeper connections with fans who share interests in both sports and fandom culture. This openness about her fandom has helped her build supportive relationships with her audience.
On episode 94 of "The Anime Effect" podcast, Glenn revealed that despite her hectic competition schedule, she has watched more than 50 different anime series. She is particularly drawn to narratives focusing on personal growth and development, noting how these plotlines mirror her own experiences as an elite athlete. According to Glenn, both figure skating and anime demand discipline, creativity, and emotional honesty.
Olympic Performance and Recovery
At the prestigious Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Amber Glenn delivered a remarkable recovery in the women's singles figure skating event. After struggling in the short program where she missed a planned triple loop and completed only a double loop—an error that placed her 13th and increased pressure—she returned two days later with exceptional composure.
Her confident free skate performance earned 147.52 points, marking her best score of the season. When combined with her short program results, Glenn finished fifth overall with 214.91 total points, missing the podium by just over four points. Despite not securing an individual medal, she contributed to the United States team event victory, earning an Olympic gold medal as part of that collective achievement.
Creative Inspiration and Favorite Series
Glenn's anime enthusiasm extends to creative imagination; she has contemplated what an anime about figure skating might entail. "If I ever created an anime about figure skating, it would follow two very different training groups," she mused, highlighting how the medium inspires her artistic thinking.
She named eight favorite shows that have particularly resonated with her:
- Attack on Titan
- The Apothecary Diaries
- Spy x Family
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Sakamoto Days
- Hunter × Hunter
- Demon Slayer
- Yuri!!! on ICE
Glenn concluded that anime allows individuals to feel deeply and express themselves freely, qualities she strives to embody every time she performs on the ice. This unique intersection of athletic discipline and artistic fandom continues to shape her identity both as a competitor and as a person, demonstrating how personal passions can profoundly enhance professional pursuits.
