7 hours ago, yywings said:

Thank you all for validating my feelings. I just don't see any other fan mentioning this, everyone around me seem to watch it on repeat for as long as the stream lasts and I feel so out of place. The fact that Yuzu presented this as a Gift, that we can revisit during hard times, makes me feel bad that I couldn't accept it the way he wanted. 

As much as Yuzu stated at the beginning "these programmes are your friends" Yuzu perhaps also meant that listening to the story could also help one connect with a wider reality and one's own feelings. Sometimes in the harshness of reality that each and every one of us must face, those truths can be hard to confront and overcome, but there will also come a day when we have the courage to finally face those things head on. Maybe today is not that day, but that is alright, the time will be right another day.

 

 

 

Wow, hard believe it's been a whole month since Gift... I can vividly recall the feelings of that day even prior to the show starting, the excitement, anxiety (just as he promised to make us even more anxious after turning pro, I feel like throwing up before every show of his, thank you king), a certain feeling of leaping into uncertainty even. I still can't fully collect my thoughts about the show itself into some coherent form. I've read quite a few long blog posts about it and short tweets, but my head just refuses to process everything even after seeing others having seemingly finished going through this. I wonder how long it will take me? But I digress. Aside from how close to home it hit for me, one thing I absolutely adore about Gift is that you can tell it's his. It's very obvious when an artist pours their heart and soul into their art, their craft, their pursuit of something beyond the triteness of our dady to day life, and to me, this show is one of those pieces of art. The sheer quantity of feelings... It's incredibly personal in a sense of what he chooses to share with the audience and in a sense that every single detail has his recognizable touch. I am really grateful that he finally has the opportunity to express himself more in what he creates outside of the competitive limits, and I am really grateful to be able to follow his journey as both an athlete and an artist in the truest form.

 

Happy Gift day!

Gift was truly special! Since I cant watch it, I listen to the playlist on Spotify every day while driving...sort of a bond back to GIFT....bringing back the lovely memories. Truly a masterpiece told by a master story teller.

55 minutes ago, 5portsFAN said:

Gift was truly special! Since I cant watch it, I listen to the playlist on Spotify every day while driving...sort of a bond back to GIFT....bringing back the lovely memories. Truly a masterpiece told by a master story teller.

 

Listening to the music is a lovely way to evoke the memories of Gift and connect with the incredible emotions that were experienced that day. A legend was created that day 

 

Hope that Yuzu will open some of his future ice shows arriving as the magnificent Firebird, he was truly splendid. Ahh one can only hope and dream

From Daito Manabe on Instagram 

 

 

"On February 26, 2023, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2023GIFT," the first solo ice skating performance in the history of the Tokyo Dome, was held under the overall direction of Yuzuru Hanyu and the direction of MIKIKO. Rhizomatiks supported the production. We are grateful for the precious opportunity to participate. Thank you very much."

 

[NEWS]

I would like to make some comments on Max A's interview regarding GIFT and the idea of Yuzuru performing the show elsewhere. Max pointed out that if GIFT were to be performed in China where Yuzuru has so many fans a billion people would enter a lottery for a ticket! Then there was a brief discussion of the possibility of the show being performed in Europe.

Ultimately Max said what I believe we are all feeling which is that Yuzuru would not perform GIFT again. For Yuzuru it was his GIFT to us and it was so personal that to repeat it would obviously detract from its unique quality.

I was fortunate to be able to watch GIFT 5 times after I paid $50.00. It was the best purchase I have ever made. I would have watched it many more times if it was possible. 

Of course Yuzuru's skating was magnificent and his stamina incredible but now after more than a month since GIFT it is Yuzuru's words that have effected me more than anything else. He had the courage to bare his soul to the world and it was heartbreaking. He has sacrificed so much to bring so many others great happiness.

I hope that now as a professional athlete who chooses his own path he is finding happiness for himself.

7 hours ago, australianyuzurufan said:

I would like to make some comments on Max A's interview regarding GIFT and the idea of Yuzuru performing the show elsewhere. Max pointed out that if GIFT were to be performed in China where Yuzuru has so many fans a billion people would enter a lottery for a ticket! Then there was a brief discussion of the possibility of the show being performed in Europe.

Ultimately Max said what I believe we are all feeling which is that Yuzuru would not perform GIFT again. For Yuzuru it was his GIFT to us and it was so personal that to repeat it would obviously detract from its unique quality.

I was fortunate to be able to watch GIFT 5 times after I paid $50.00. It was the best purchase I have ever made. I would have watched it many more times if it was possible. 

Of course Yuzuru's skating was magnificent and his stamina incredible but now after more than a month since GIFT it is Yuzuru's words that have effected me more than anything else. He had the courage to bare his soul to the world and it was heartbreaking. He has sacrificed so much to bring so many others great happiness.

I hope that now as a professional athlete who chooses his own path he is finding happiness for himself.

Indeed, besides being an amazing, exceptional figure skater, Mr Hanyu could be a wonderful storyteller, a dancer. He is a person with multiple talents.

7 hours ago, australianyuzurufan said:

I would like to make some comments on Max A's interview regarding GIFT and the idea of Yuzuru performing the show elsewhere. Max pointed out that if GIFT were to be performed in China where Yuzuru has so many fans a billion people would enter a lottery for a ticket! Then there was a brief discussion of the possibility of the show being performed in Europe.

Ultimately Max said what I believe we are all feeling which is that Yuzuru would not perform GIFT again. For Yuzuru it was his GIFT to us and it was so personal that to repeat it would obviously detract from its unique quality.

I was fortunate to be able to watch GIFT 5 times after I paid $50.00. It was the best purchase I have ever made. I would have watched it many more times if it was possible. 

Of course Yuzuru's skating was magnificent and his stamina incredible but now after more than a month since GIFT it is Yuzuru's words that have effected me more than anything else. He had the courage to bare his soul to the world and it was heartbreaking. He has sacrificed so much to bring so many others great happiness.

I hope that now as a professional athlete who chooses his own path he is finding happiness for himself.

Truly a most wondrous, unique and precious Gift. History was made and the event is now legend in the folklore of figure skating and for fans of Yuzu. 

 

It probably is not a repeatable event, not just the production complexities but the moments of connection created between Yuzu and the spectators near and far. 

Hoping that those special moments can at least be captured on a disc to keep and treasure.

 

Even for those who were present, many people also bought the livestream, partly to be able to re connect with the performance and for those not fluent in Japanese to have the translation for Yuzu's monologues.

Like so many of us the entire event was an immersive experience and one that we yearn to revisit. 

 

If it is any consolation Disney plus version is still available until March 31, with Disney plus subscription and VPN. No translation though, but a one month subscription is not as costly as the livestream, so there are at least a few days remaining to enjoy Gift. 

It would be really wonderful if a disc to purchase could be released in the next few months. The Gift companion booklet will be published fairly soon and will contain copious gorgeous photos of the event.

As someone who lives in Japan and understands Japanese, I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to watch GIFT over and over again and discover new interpretations and possible themes/feelings behind each programme and monologue section. I wish it was available in every language under the sun and accessible to all… 

3 hours ago, lmey_lgc said:

As someone who lives in Japan and understands Japanese, I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to watch GIFT over and over again and discover new interpretations and possible themes/feelings behind each programme and monologue section. I wish it was available in every language under the sun and accessible to all… 

If you have time and would be able to share your thoughts, it would be very much appreciated if you wanted to share some of your interpretations and insights about the monologues. 

The international livestream via Global viewing had  English subtitles, which many Japanese fluent fans corroborated was a good quality translation. For those of us not fluent in Japanese it was a super way to feel connected with Yuzu and the story that he was recounting. A great many people, including myself, really appreciated the translation. It would also be very welcome and interesting if there are other possible meanings and nuances behind Yuzu's words.

Please do not go to any trouble if you do not have enough time or feel any pressure if your thoughts are too personal to share.

Thank you 

 

As a Japanese language novice learner, any insights into the language from native speakers are always welcome and very valued

A blog post about GIFT from a dedicated Fanyu who saw it live and in person at the Y-Dome :

 

https://fanyufanme.com/genius/

14 hours ago, Beatrice said:

A blog post about GIFT from a dedicated Fanyu who saw it live and in person at the Y-Dome :

 

https://fanyufanme.com/genius/

really beautiful to read, thanks!

On 3/26/2023 at 1:09 PM, Yuzu_legend said:

 

 

 

On 3/26/2023 at 8:41 PM, beinscrutable said:

Wow, hard believe it's been a whole month since Gift... I can vividly recall the feelings of that day even prior to the show starting, the excitement, anxiety (just as he promised to make us even more anxious after turning pro, I feel like throwing up before every show of his, thank you king), a certain feeling of leaping into uncertainty even. I still can't fully collect my thoughts about the show itself into some coherent form. I've read quite a few long blog posts about it and short tweets, but my head just refuses to process everything even after seeing others having seemingly finished going through this. I wonder how long it will take me? But I digress. Aside from how close to home it hit for me, one thing I absolutely adore about Gift is that you can tell it's his. It's very obvious when an artist pours their heart and soul into their art, their craft, their pursuit of something beyond the triteness of our dady to day life, and to me, this show is one of those pieces of art. The sheer quantity of feelings... It's incredibly personal in a sense of what he chooses to share with the audience and in a sense that every single detail has his recognizable touch. I am really grateful that he finally has the opportunity to express himself more in what he creates outside of the competitive limits, and I am really grateful to be able to follow his journey as both an athlete and an artist in the truest form.

 

Happy Gift day!