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*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist* Note: this article includes the full Q&A, different to the Newspapers articles that included the Q&A, this one is not edited, it keeps the original tone and parts that were excluded from the newspaper versions. 2026.06.25 S-STYLE Vol.739, July 2026, pages 070-079 Kindle version & printed version Special Report Yuzuru Hanyu × NHK Great East Japan Earthquake – 15th Anniversary Memorial Song “Ikue” Ikue was created by NHK together with the popular duo Yuzu to mark the fifteenth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The song, born with the aim of conveying the experiences of the disaster and connecting them to the future, became the basis for a figure skating collaboration with Yuzuru Hanyu, who experienced the disaster himself at the age of sixteen. We bring you a look at the program recording, which was shown exclusively to the press. Photography: Taichi Daitō Performance photographs courtesy of NHK Reporting and text: S-style Editorial Department The two members of Yuzu visited Miyagi and Fukushima, listening directly to people who experienced the disaster as they carefully wove together the earthquake memorial song Ikue. Voices from those affected by the disaster, "I want to see them again," "I still can't get used to the fact that they're gone;" the title of the school song from an elementary school affected by the disaster, "Opening the Future;" the many different words that Yuzu encountered became layered one upon another as phrases in the lyrics, crystallizing into this song. Composer Marihiko Hara, who also created the music for the film National Treasure, participated in composing the piece. Although it is a song about the earthquake disaster, its goal is to be a song in which anyone can see themselves reflected. That difficult challenge has been beautifully realized through gentle words, a warm melody, and delicate musical arrangements. Released on March 11, the baton was then passed to Yuzuru Hanyu, who says he listened to the song hundreds of times. Approximately four and a half minutes long, it is almost exactly the same length as a free skating program in official competition. As he considered the composition of the program, he absorbed the meaning and feelings contained within the song, layering his own feelings onto them as well.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies may exist* Chapter 5: Individuality 5.1 A new era of sports reporting created by social media 5.2 The story behind the creation of a full-page, poster-style photograph 5.3 Life at a crossroads with the absolute champion 5.4 Pursuing a unique style: "High-Key" and "Kogaito Blue" 5.5 Astonishing shooting scenes where even failures became pictures 5.6 Covering the World Championships despite the COVID-19 pandemic

[NEWS]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies may exist* Chapter 4: Determination 4.1 The absolute champion arrives at the PyeongChang rink 4.2 The fighting spirit shown by Hanyu as he draws a bow 4.3 A Stunning Short Program Conveyed Through "Expression" 4.4 Choosing a free-skate photo position based solely on belief in a gold medal 4.5 The moment of his second consecutive victory: The champion's expression beyond imagination *Alternative CN translations: https://weibo.com/1683522853/P8XfBggKe https://weibo.com/1683522853/Pajt89stc

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies may exist* Chapter 3: Resistance 3.1 A photo position looking one year ahead 3.2 The "gaze" of the absolute champion omitted from the Tokyo edition 3.3 A fateful shot taken at the Autumn Classic 3.4 A “miraculous” shot capturing the champion, illuminated by wings 3.5 Photographs of the absolute champion beginning to transform *Alternative CN translations: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113964130470585 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5114484273975862 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5114746877777468 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5114843550712786 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5115084363796642 https://weibo.com/1683522853/P6EOtnUCU https://weibo.com/1683522853/P758nj4wE

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies may exist* Chapter 2: Inner Conflict 2.1 After a year and a half of struggle in the layout department, reassigned to the photography department 2.2 The initiation of a Tigers beat photographer 2.3 After a second stint covering the Tigers, finally heading to Tokyo 2.4 From desk duty at the Rio Olympics to covering the PyeongChang Olympics 2.5 A new "company photographer" in the figure skating world *Alternative CN translations https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113578597650271 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113595229372539 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113651992201994

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies may exist* Chapter 1: Indomitable Spirit 1.1 The 2014 Sochi Olympics, during the days covering the (Hanshin) Tigers 1.2 Stubbornly refused to shave his head for the baseball team 1.3 Rejection from joining the club, cancellation of job offer; a series of setbacks at Waseda University 1.4 The path to becoming a sports photographer 1.5 Wanting to take photos unlike anyone else's *Alternative CN translations: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113237508720695 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113281584824326 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113353293532836 https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113362285596028 https://weibo.com/7848586779/P5sqYw3fW https://m.weibo.cn/status/5113386819914480

[NEWS]

Yuzu leaves a great impression on everyone.

*Machine translation, inaccuracies exist. Please do not reply in this thread.* A Very Short Afterword

*Machine translation, inaccuracies exist. Please do not reply in this thread.* Chapter 6: Dedicated to the Seeker Xebio Arena Sendai The First Skate One Centimeter

Glorious firebird, the fierce passion of the opening of GIFT reflects the fire in Yuzu's soul for his skating and the desire to bring the best performance to his fans

Costume captions: 1. From “nottestellata 2025,” the “MANSAI Bolero” costume. Yuzuru Hanyu wore a costume inspired by kariginu and skillfully manipulated its long sleeves while performing hydroblading. “The gold-colored costume is difficult to achieve, but I’m glad it properly reads as gold and stands out well on stage. The outer layer of organza, which looks like water, is surprisingly light to the touch and has a beautiful sheen. Pleated georgette is layered over the pants. I aimed for a costume that has a sense of weight and presence, while still feeling light and floating.” 2. From Echoes of Life, the “Ubugoe ~ Meguri” costume. The feather-like organza is especially striking. Smocking is applied to the wrists and neckline. “The large fabric attached to the sleeves is a key feature, and it uses organza that I’ve often used in Hanyu’s costumes before. The sense of floating movement and the flow of fabric around the body turned out exactly as I envisioned. It can also look like emerging from a cocoon. I added vine-like decorations on the left leg.” 3. From “Echoes of Life,” the “Aqua's Journey” costume. The organza that shines like splashing water was heat-treated and shaped before being attached. The overall tone is blue, but only the tip of the right hand is green. “The silhouette is reminiscent of his competitive skating days. Since Hanyu is known for his sparkle, I added a lot of glitter. The other costumes in the show didn’t use much sparkle, so I think it worked well in contrast. It’s based on the image of water splashes, but looking at it now, it also resembles Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night.’”