A month before RE_PRAY the Saitama Super Arena hosted the Japan Open. This is the audience in comparison:

 

 

This polaroid with Yuzu's autograph was spotted at the Saitama arena🙏

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I don't know anything about games and gaming (except having played "Mario Cart" with my daughter some 25 years ago), and so it was quite difficult for me to fully understand what Yuzu was referencing in RE_PRAY.

For the benefit of others like me, here's an excellent synopsis of the game "UNDERTALE" which seems to have been the main inspiration for the ice story:

 

 

I have assembled the 22 short posts into one piece - see below in the box:

 

Spoiler

Overview of the game Undertale 

 

... here's a general overview of the game Undertale and how I think it is the main source of inspiration on how Yuzu has structured Re_Pray! 

Undertale is a role-playing game (RPG) released in 2015. ... At first, Undertale may seem like most other RPGs: you play as a character that explores the world around them while learning more about the story and encountering different monsters, with some boss fights sprinkled in. But the fighting system is where Undertale's coolest feature comes from. While you can play the game like any other game, fighting all the monsters that you come across, you can also choose to spare them! And sometimes you need to do things like hug the creature, tell jokes or even flex your muscles with the creature before you are able to spare them. It's very wholesome. 

 

Because you can choose to either fight or spare the creatures you encounter, there are three routes you can take when playing Undertale. 

• The first one, a neutral route, is when you fight some creatures and spare others. I think a lot of players, who know how Undertale works before they start playing it, never play the game like this, because the two other routes are more interesting. This route also doesn't really have anything to do with Re_Pray. 
• The second route is the pacifist run, where you have to spare EVERYONE. It doesn't matter who you encounter, or how much the bosses want to fight you, you need to spare everyone. Basically, you can't gain any experience points or levels, which is the opposite of how RPGs normally work. Normally you'd want to gain levels to get stronger, but in the Pacifist route, you'll just have to survive anything the game throws at you with your level 1 character with 20 health points. 
• The third route is the "No Mercy" run, where you need to fight and destroy everything in the game's world. It's not enough that you fight every creature you encounter. No, you HAVE to hunt down every creature that exists in the game and get rid of them. No one can survive. The No Mercy route eventually leads to the boss, with Megalovania playing as its backing track. It's the most difficult boss fight in the game, and it's the game world's last hope in stopping you, the player, from destroying everything. The player basically becomes the game's main villain, and it's horrible, especially after playing the pacifist route, where you get to know all the creatures in the world. 

Undertale literally becomes a different game between the Pacifist and No Mercy routes. It's not one of those games that seemingly give you a choice to do things differently, while the end results remain the same. No, the choices you make actually matter A LOT. 

 

I think at this point it's fairly clear how Re_Pray is similar to Undertale. The first half of Re_Pray is similar to the "No Mercy" route: you choose to use the beings around you to get stronger yourself, even if it means destroying everything. But even though you are getting stronger, destroying everything still feels horrible and you'll likely keep questioning the choices you make with every battle you have to fight. But at some point, it also becomes pointless to change or quit, because then you lose all your progress. All the hours you've put into becoming stronger will be wasted if you just give up. Ironically though, in Undertale, the player giving up is the only way to save the world in the "No Mercy" route. 

 

The second part of Re_Pray is similar to the Pacifist route of Undertale. I'd say the similarities are not as clear as in the first half, where Yuzu literally fights some of the bosses of Undertale. My memories of the Pacifist route are also a bit hazy, but there is a point in the Pacifist route, where you face the main boss, who has taken away all the main character's friends. The main character has to keep calling out to them for help, even though at first it seems like nothing is happening. It's a lot like praying for help repeatedly, aka re_praying. In the pacifist route, the main character's determination is their strongest asset. Even though they are physically weak (since they are only level 1), their determination gives them the strength to go on, which is a lot like Yuzu imo. In general, the last half of Re_Pray seems like it could be inspired by that main boss fight, but I imagine a lot of it is more about Yuzuru's choice to go pro and his life after that decision. 

 

Honestly, there are so many layers in Re_Pray. I've been writing about it in relation to Undertale, but a lot of the themes in Re_Pray could very well be about Yuzu's skating career and how he views the choices he's had to make to achieve what he has in skating and in life. 
But also, that thing halfway through Re_Pray, where the "save file" gets corrupted and the show has to "restart"? It's straight from Undertale. 
Anyways, I'm gonna end this here. I tried to write this in a way that wouldn't spoil the game too much, so hopefully it makes sense. I really recommend playing Undertale or watching playthroughs of it on Youtube if you got interested in the game! It's a great game. 

 

For even more details, there's the Wikipedia page about UNDERTALE ---> the sections "Gameplay" and "Plot".

Undertale - Wikipedia

 

I wish I had been given a hint of this connection to Undertale and could have 're_searched' it before watching the live-stream - coz it was a bit difficult for me to fully comprehend what 'Yuzu' was talking about in RE_PRAY (despite the very welcome subs) and what he wanted to convey. But I'm very glad that now I (think I) understand the 're_ferences', and can 're_watch' from the archive with even greater enjoyment by 're_lying' on all this background knowledge  

3 hours ago, Martina said:

A month before RE_PRAY the Saitama Super Arena hosted the Japan Open. This is the audience in comparison:

 

 

Consider also that many of the people present for RE_PRAY flew 12-14 hours on a plane to attend, plus transit time to and from various airports, hauling their suitcases around. Definitely would not be spending that kind of time nor willing to put up with unpleasant jet lag for anyone other than Yuzu.

It is investment for oneself to experience the joy in one's heart, to travel to see Yuzu and carry those precious memories for a life time.

From the same source as in my previous post:  Thoughts about Yuzu's programme "MEGALOVANIA"

 

And again a compilation in the box below:

 

Spoiler

MEGALOVANIA

I rewatched Yuzu skating to Megalovania, and it's interesting how he has made the program in a way that mirrors the actual boss fight in Undertale.

Just the beginning with no audio brings two things to my mind: 

• The process of preparing to face the boss, mentally visualizing the dodges for its attack patterns. In game, this specific boss battle is basically 10 minutes of dodging really difficult attacks.  Like it's so difficult that you are actually meant to fail the fight A LOT of times. It's part of the story to fail and having to respawn (like in Re_Pray) and the boss itself is aware of it. 
• In game, the boss battle starts with no music, the Megalovania OST only starts playing after the boss's first attack. The sound from Yuzu's skating could technically symbolize the sound effects for the boss's first attacks.

Then the program itself is structured basically like the boss fight, where Yuzu's spins are meant to visualize the playable character dodging the boss's attacks. Because omg there are a lot of spins in this program.

 

After Megalovania starts playing, Yuzu is doing choreo that looks like attacks, then dodges the boss's attacks (by spinning), then Yuzu is trying to attack again, but after that most of the program is mainly dodging/spins. And it makes sense, because in the game there is basically no sense to keep attacking, because the boss will dodge the player's attacks no matter what. So it's interesting that Yuzu decided to seemingly include in the program the way that the player realises that attacking is futile.

The program goes on like this, with the light effects on the ice symbolising the boss's attacks, until the boss does its special attack (the Yuzus on different screens pointing to different directions). It's a bit difficult to see from the live, but I'm also pretty sure that before the special attack, Yuzu has moved into a square made by the light effects, which is how the fighting system looks like in Undertale. 
In game, the fight ends with the player basically breaking the box when the boss is tired after their last attack. Yuzu does a brief choreo here, where it looks like he is breaking the box, which lets him land the finishing blow to the boss, who is too tired to dodge it. And then the program ends with a spin, but this time it's there just for a dramatic ending, I guess.

 

...this ended up being a little longer than I thought, but I had to get it out of my head. There's so many Undertale references in Re_Pray that I can't stop thinking about. Hopefully this was useful to people. ...

Actually I really need to know how many times Yuzu died to this boss fight in Undertale if it inspired him to make a whole ice show out of it, ...

 

5 minutes ago, Beatrice said:

From the same source as in my previous post:  Thoughts about Yuzu's programme "MEGALOVANIA"

 

And again a compilation in the box below:

 

  Hide contents

MEGALOVANIA

I rewatched Yuzu skating to Megalovania, and it's interesting how he has made the program in a way that mirrors the actual boss fight in Undertale.

Just the beginning with no audio brings two things to my mind: 

• The process of preparing to face the boss, mentally visualizing the dodges for its attack patterns. In game, this specific boss battle is basically 10 minutes of dodging really difficult attacks.  Like it's so difficult that you are actually meant to fail the fight A LOT of times. It's part of the story to fail and having to respawn (like in Re_Pray) and the boss itself is aware of it. 
• In game, the boss battle starts with no music, the Megalovania OST only starts playing after the boss's first attack. The sound from Yuzu's skating could technically symbolize the sound effects for the boss's first attacks.

Then the program itself is structured basically like the boss fight, where Yuzu's spins are meant to visualize the playable character dodging the boss's attacks. Because omg there are a lot of spins in this program.

 

After Megalovania starts playing, Yuzu is doing choreo that looks like attacks, then dodges the boss's attacks (by spinning), then Yuzu is trying to attack again, but after that most of the program is mainly dodging/spins. And it makes sense, because in the game there is basically no sense to keep attacking, because the boss will dodge the player's attacks no matter what. So it's interesting that Yuzu decided to seemingly include in the program the way that the player realises that attacking is futile.

The program goes on like this, with the light effects on the ice symbolising the boss's attacks, until the boss does its special attack (the Yuzus on different screens pointing to different directions). It's a bit difficult to see from the live, but I'm also pretty sure that before the special attack, Yuzu has moved into a square made by the light effects, which is how the fighting system looks like in Undertale. 
In game, the fight ends with the player basically breaking the box when the boss is tired after their last attack. Yuzu does a brief choreo here, where it looks like he is breaking the box, which lets him land the finishing blow to the boss, who is too tired to dodge it. And then the program ends with a spin, but this time it's there just for a dramatic ending, I guess.

 

...this ended up being a little longer than I thought, but I had to get it out of my head. There's so many Undertale references in Re_Pray that I can't stop thinking about. Hopefully this was useful to people. ...

Actually I really need to know how many times Yuzu died to this boss fight in Undertale if it inspired him to make a whole ice show out of it, ...

 

Thank you for this summary of the game and how it fits the narrative. My family are gamers and yes there is a lot of frustration with the Boss fight sequences

The film sequences in the show "continue?" "YES" captured the sense of frustration and compulsive behaviour of gaming. Being caught inside the insular and sometimes stifling world of the game, but perhaps an allegory for life's repetitive failures and desire to succeed. Like tha competitions with increasing levels of base value and perhaps being aware that unless the performance was perfect a certain rival would always win if they just stayed on their feet or the practice over and over of 4A. People have their own hurdles - job promotion, presentations, deadlines, quotas, exams, learning a new skill etc etc difficulty, frustration, failure, wanting to succeed. The story is personal, Yuzu says all stories are personal from the raconteurs perspective, but the reader, listener, viewer relates to the story because the tale aligns with something form their own experience

9 hours ago, Perelandra said:

Consider also that many of the people present for RE_PRAY flew 12-14 hours on a plane to attend, plus transit time to and from various airports, hauling their suitcases around.

 

Yes, several people took an intercontinental flight to be able to see RE_PRAY live. I didn't feel like it, congratulations to those who did it. And while the Japan Open gave away freely 4,000 tickets, Yuzu tickets were sold via lottery, with many people unable to attend the show live and having to settle for cinemas (over 100 halls) or Asahi/Beyond depending on the country they live in. But I can't put these people in the screenshots, I limited myself to the simplest comparison.

1 hour ago, Martina said:

 

Yes, several people took an intercontinental flight to be able to see RE_PRAY live. I didn't feel like it, congratulations to those who did it. And while the Japan Open gave away freely 4,000 tickets, Yuzu tickets were sold via lottery, with many people unable to attend the show live and having to settle for cinemas (over 100 halls) or Asahi/Beyond depending on the country they live in. But I can't put these people in the screenshots, I limited myself to the simplest comparison.

Went to the cinema as well to see delayed view, was a lovely experience to see Yuzu on a huge screen with other fans. 

 

Whilst watching the show, my entire focus was very deliberately on Yuzu, whenever he was on the ice. Consequently during the show, there were details which were not seen by me. Yuzu in front of my eyes as a unique experience that one time, live and in person, I just wanted to absorb everything I witnessed about Yuzu himself and his performance.

Watching at the cinema then I was able to appreciate the whole show, screens and all. 

Truly a remarkable feat to have conceived the story idea, put together exquisite performances, including innovative new and beloved favourite programmes and craft this amazing performance artwork. Precious memories to hold onto forever, I consider myself very fortunate indeed to have been part of this, up close.

Of course anyone watching from whatever location is part of the event as well, because the production draws the viewer in and includes them wherever they may be.

Yuzu remembers that he also has IG. His message with 2 pictures. 

(unfortunately the link cannot be embedded here)

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzYmwhXvd6Q/?igshid=MWh4ODB6eDlmajEwOQ==

 

 

 

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Notification that IG has been updated 

 

 

 

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2 hours ago, Perelandra said:

Went to the cinema as well to see delayed view, was a lovely experience to see Yuzu on a huge screen with other fans. 

 

Whilst watching the show, my entire focus was very deliberately on Yuzu, whenever he was on the ice.

 

I didn't even consider going to Japan because of the costs and time needed to make that type of trip. But I took a train trip of almost 800 kilometers to watch RE_PRAY with two friends (one of whom traveled 250 kilometers). We wanted to share the experience.

I only saw Yuzu live at the 2019 GPF. When he was on the ice he was magnetic. During the warm up, or the official practice on Friday, for me it was as if there was only him on the ice. It's not that I chose not to watch the other 5 skaters, I just didn't see them. Yuzu caught my eye. So I understand that your gaze was drawn to him, regardless of how wonderful what he had built was.
As far as I'm concerned, RE_PRAY is a work of art.

3 hours ago, Anni said:

Yuzu remembers that he also has IG. His message with 2 pictures. 

(unfortunately the link cannot be embedded here)

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzYmwhXvd6Q/?igshid=MWh4ODB6eDlmajEwOQ==

 

 

 

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His message on twitter 🤗

 

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Footage from Day 2 with Ashura-chan 

 

 

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From Requiem composer 🙏

 

 

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I was fortunate enough to be able to watch RE_PRAY on both days. I'm not great with words but it was an amazing show that I'll never forget. Thank you to Yuzuru and the RE_PRAY team!

 

It was also a first for me to both visit Japan and see Yuzuru perform live with my own eyes. For a long time I told myself that I'll go to Japan "one day", but wanting to see Yuzuru skate actually kicked off an actual plan  (well, more of a scramble ) I'm back home now, but I'm already thinking of when I can go next...didn't get a chance to visit Sendai this time