JJ isn't exactly slimy. But in a highly competitive world inhabited by combative, strident personalities, he still manages to irritate people. He brags, mocks, struts, shows off. Yuri P, the younger Yuri, can't stand him.
Consequently, JJ has one of the best arcs in the series. In the final competition, during the short program, skated to "Theme of King JJ," he suddenly suffers a performance downturn, a one-thing-goes-wrong-it-gets-worse ripple effect that the protagonist, Yuri K, suffered at the series' beginning.
JJ fights back. He gets the lowest score of his career, but he finishes his demanding program. He also retains his JJ persona for the fans. In addition, his girlfriend reveals that she has a loyal tough side--she's not just dating JJ for the wins and the fame--when she begins a chant among the fans on JJ's behalf.
It's a fantastic example of rivals never entirely being enemies in sports anime. The better and more resilient the rival, the better and more resilient the protagonist.
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