[2024] Compilation of translated interview articles with Yuzu

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.11.29

 

Source: https://www.ninomiyasports.com/archives/128083

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241130060113/https://www.ninomiyasports.com/archives/128083

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu is someone who gives me the opportunity to think. 

 

"I don't want people to give me answers, but I want them to think. I want this to be one of the opportunities to get people thinking."

 

Spoiler

The above comment was made by professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu. He said this during a press interview after the first day of the "ICE STORY 2nd 'RE_PRAY' TOUR" performance at Saitama Super Arena on November 4th last year.

 

The concept of RE_PRAY was inspired by games, and Hanyu spoke about this after the first performance:

"I myself have received a lot from various works, like games, manga, and novels, that make me think about life, the preciousness of life, and things that I hope you all feel as well.

In games, the concept of life can feel somewhat light because it's something that can be repeated. The characters can be used again and again, allowing you to play with curiosity. If you apply that to the real world, someone who has the drive to reach their dreams might seem like a powerful person, but from a different perspective, they could also be a very frightening person. I thought that if life were something you could repeat, people might try to do it.

There are choices you make. Suppose that the path that leads to destruction lies ahead of you. If you could overcome all obstacles to achieve your dreams and achieve your goals, what would you choose and how would you feel? I want you to think about this through this ice story."

 

With December 7th approaching, many are probably looking forward to what kind of inspiration Hanyu will give in the "ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR."

 

Even before the third edition begins, Hanyu has already provided a prompt to think. His message on the official "Echoes of Life" website includes the phrase: "In a society overflowing with information, we risk losing sight of ourselves," which struck me deeply as someone who transmits information. This reminded me of a past Instagram post Hanyu made.

 

Posted on December 26, 2023. It was heartbreaking and made me want to cover my eyes. The crumpled paper, the way the lines were broken, and the writing conveyed his anger.

 

I work in the media industry, and I felt regretful of being part of it. I felt emptiness in being part of the media.

 

After asking myself, "What can I do in this situation?" I came to a temporary answer: Perhaps the only thing I can do is continue to be part of the media. Since coming to this conclusion, my sense of what I should do has become clearer. And I realized the importance of "stopping and thinking." He also taught me that humour is sometimes essential. I felt this when he did a turn during the 50th Anniversary of Japan-China Diplomatic Normalization Ceremony.

 

Yuzuru Hanyu is someone who gives others a reason to think. I can't wait for the opening of the ice story, which will speak to the audience.

 

 

((((text/Yuki Oki))))

 

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.12.01

 

Source: https://esse-online.jp/articles/-/30829

Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0DG5GJCC7 

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu feels a change in his mindset in his third year as a professional. "I've become able to rely on the strength of those around me."

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, a figure skater who continues to challenge himself to create new forms of expression even after turning professional, is attracting a lot of attention by appearing on the cover of the new year's issue of ESSE. We asked him about his changes in his mindset and the thoughts he holds dear.

 

Spoiler

During the shoot, the background music he chose was his best friend's song

 

Yuzuru Hanyu headed to the crimson filming set, picked up his smartphone and selected the background music himself. The songs he chose were "Ryakudatsu" and "Last Ambient" by Taisei Miyagawa, a musician who is also his good friend and with whom he has collaborated on an ice show. The staff cheered as he moved his body gracefully, just like in a real show.

 

Since making a new start as a professional in 2022, Hanyu has been taking on unprecedented challenges, including becoming the first skater to perform a solo show at the Tokyo Dome and successfully completing a national tour. Now in his third year as a professional, he says, "I've become able to rely on the people around me."

 

Because I've learned to care for those around me, I'm able to care for myself too

 

"When I was competing, I felt the pressure of having to carry the hopes of everyone and produce good results. But since I became a professional and started producing and structuring shows, I've been able to expand my world with the help of experts in each field. Maybe it's because I've grown up (laughs). I feel like I'm able to take care of myself now because I've learned to take care of those around me."

 

Hanyu is constantly evolving. We can't wait to see what new horizons he will show us in 2025.

 

The January issue of ESSE, which goes on sale on December 2nd, features a full interview with Yuzuru Hanyu, covering everything from the worldview of his national tour "Echoes of Life" that begins on December 7th to his favorite dishes he's looking forward to during the New Year. He also appears on the cover and poster of the [Special Edition], and on a different poster of the [Regular Edition]. Be sure to check it out.

 

It was photographer Toru Yaguchi's idea to have Hanyu hold an apple. On the day of the shoot, apples of various colors and lustres were prepared, and the shoot was shot with "Jonagold" apples, which best suited the atmosphere.

 

Costume credits: <Black costume> Shirt ¥46,200 (GALAABEND/3RD[ i ] VISIONPR) Ear cuff ¥11,000 (LION HEART/Sian PR) Pants (stylist's personal item) <White costume> Blouse ¥44,000, scarf ¥12,100 (both GALAABEND/3RD[ i ] VISIONPR

 

 

Profile

Yuzuru Hanyu

Born in Miyagi Prefecture in 1994, Yuzuru Hanyu started figure skating at the age of four, and has won two world championships and two consecutive Olympic gold medals. In 2018, he received the People's Honor Award. In 2022, he will turn professional skater. The third installment of "ICE STORY," in which he stars and serves as executive producer, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR," will begin on December 7th. With themes of life's journey and growth, the tour will explore the essence of "living."

 

 

Photography: Toru Yaguchi / Stylist: Minako Orihara (Mi-knot Inc) / Hair & Makeup: Tomomi Kakizaki / Interview and Original Text: Hanae Kudo

 

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.12.02

 

Source: ESSE January 2025 Special Edition, pg 71-73
Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0DG5GJCC7

 

 

New Year Special Interview
Yuzuru Hanyu

 

The person who graced the cover of the New Year issue is figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, who continues to challenge himself with new expressions even after turning professional. He shared a message to welcome a fulfilling year ahead.

 

Spoiler

“Entering his third year as a professional, he has become able to rely on those around him.”

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, heading towards the crimson-themed photo shoot set, picked up his smartphone and chose the background music for the shoot: the songs "Ryakudatsu" and "Last Ambient" by his close friend, Taisei Miyagawa, with whom he had previously collaborated in an ice show. The staff cheered as he moved his body gracefully, just as if he were performing in a real show.

 

Since starting his career as a professional in 2022, Hanyu has continued to take on unprecedented challenges, including becoming the first-ever skater to hold a solo show at Tokyo Dome and successfully completing a national tour. Now entering his third year as a professional, he shared, "I've become able to rely on the people around me."

 

"During my competitive years, I felt the pressure of having to carry the hopes of everyone and produce results.... But since becoming a professional and getting involved in the production and choreography of shows, I've been able to expand my world by relying on the expertise of professionals in various fields. I guess it means I’ve grown up (laughs). I feel like I can take care of myself because I've become able to take care of the people around me."

 

"I believe that an athlete is someone who pushes themselves to their limits."

 

His current challenge is how to create the world of his national tour "Echoes of Life," which will take place from the end of this year into next year.

"I’m nervous about how the upcoming show will be received, but right now, I just want to get better at skating (laughs). Depending on the program, the way I use my stamina changes, so I need to figure out how to manage it this time, and I also need to create the choreography... Right now, I’m in the most intense, tight situation."

The ice shows Hanyu has been involved with since turning professional have all been physically and technically demanding.

 

"The structure is such that after the show, I’m often so exhausted I can’t stand, so it's hard every time. Actually, I saw something on SNS today that said: 'Even if you can run 10 meters per second, you shouldn’t think you can run a full marathon at the same speed.' I thought that’s true... but I’m the type who tries to run a full marathon at 9.5 meters per second (laughs). But I believe that pushing yourself to the limit is what makes an athlete, and if you compromise, it can't be called art."

 

 "It's important to acknowledge the 'self that did their best.'"

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, who is pursuing his potential even more stoically than during his competitive years, has put in an unimaginable amount of effort behind the scenes.

"But I believe it's not just me—everyone is giving their all in their respective places. I have a dream to pursue and a stage to perform on, so I give it my all, using all of my lung capacity... But even if someone's way of using energy is more subtle or long-lasting, I believe that’s their own form of giving their all. These days, it's hard to understand the meaning of life. That's why I think it's important for everyone to not compare themselves to others, but to acknowledge the 'self that did their best.'"

In his 25 years of skating, Hanyu has sometimes felt discouraged, but he has always managed to pick himself up and move forward. One of the keys to maintaining a positive mindset is "falling into despair to the fullest."

 

"I believe that if you don't just half-heartedly suppress your feelings, but rather let them fall to the bottom, you will find the opportunity to have hope again. That chance could be a word from a podcast you happened to hear or lyrics from a song playing on the street. Honestly, I’d be happy if it came from my performance. But that kind of opportunity doesn’t come just by waiting for it. No matter how down I feel, I make sure not to stop reaching out when that moment of opportunity comes."

 

“Nabe and ozoni with ponzu sauce are wintertime delights.”

 

The performance of "Echoes of Life" is coming up early in 2025, but will there be time to enjoy New Year's food?

 

"I love ozoni. Ours is soy sauce-based, with chicken, seri (Japanese parsley), and shredded daikon radish and carrots called 'ohikina,' topped with ikura (salmon roe). In the winter, we often eat nabe (hot pot) as well. I'm not good at eating a lot of raw vegetables, so nabe is perfect because I can get plenty of cooked vegetables. It's also easy to make. I like to eat it with a refreshing ponzu sauce."

 

The first day of the tour, December 7, is also Hanyu’s 30th birthday. When he was a teenager, he thought, "People in their 30s are old," but does he have any habits that help him stay youthful, contrary to those words?

 

"Keep seeking freshness in both hobbies and work. This is something I've been mindful of since my competitive days, as there is data showing that people are more likely to focus on new things. For example, in beauty, instead of applying lotion out of habit, I believe that if you gain new knowledge about the right temperature and method of application, it can motivate you. I think accumulating such experiences helps you stay youthful."

 

Hanyu is constantly evolving. We can't wait to see what new frontiers he will show in 2025.

 

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.12.02

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241201-OHT1T51228.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu's birthday countdown series starts in Sports Hochi on the 3rd

 

Professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu will celebrate his 30th birthday on December 7, the opening day of his ice show "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR" at the Saitama Super Arena. "Sports Hochi" will publish a five-day countdown series starting on December 3. The series will reflect on Hanyu's journey, from his childhood to his career, which saw him reach the pinnacle of the sport with two Olympic gold medals, and continues to shine in the professional world.

 

 

2024.12.03

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241202-OHT1T51184.html?page=1#
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241203001106/https://hochi.news/articles/20241202-OHT1T51184.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: Meeting figure skating at the age of 4 and living with it; Olympic champion at 19; Countdown to 30 years old.

 

Spoiler

Professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu will celebrate his 30th birthday on the 7th. After reaching the pinnacle of his career with two Olympic gold medals, Hanyu continues to take on challenges in the professional world. In this countdown series, we look back on his journey, starting from his early years when he first encountered figure skating to the evolution that led him to become the first Asian Olympic champion at the age of 19.

 

Yuzuru Hanyu met figure skating at the age of 4, an encounter that became something he could devote his entire life and energy to. With a deep, cherished love for skating, he grew from a boy into an adult.

 

Soon after starting the sport, he met a future "rival"—his 9-year-old self. "I’ve always been in battle with the 9-year-old version of myself. I feel like that confident, unshakable self is always telling me, 'You're still not there yet,'" he said in a 2019 NHK interview. The "invincible self" he encountered when he won his first national novice B competition continued to support him throughout his career.

 

On March 11, 2011, at the age of 16, he was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and was forced to live in a shelter. There was a time when he resented being seen not as a figure skater, but as a "representative of the disaster area." The turning point came the following year in March.

 

In his first World Championships appearance in Nice, he won the bronze medal. "I could truly feel the support for the disaster area, and it brought tears to my eyes," he said. After recovering from 7th place, he reached the podium. "I could truly feel that people were supporting me. I realized I wasn't in the position of supporting others, but being supported." He decided to shoulder this responsibility, accept it, and move forward.

 

In February 2014, Hanyu was in Sochi. He stood on the Olympic rink, a dream he'd had since childhood. In the short program, he achieved the first-ever score of over 100 points, opening the door to history. His gold medal was the first ever for an Asian figure skater. "Now that I became an Olympic gold medalist, I feel there are things I can do for the disaster area and reconstruction. This is the start of that." At 19, he was already looking ahead.

 

Two months later, 92,000 people gathered in Sendai for his victory parade. "The gold medal was thanks to everyone's support. I think it's proof that we became one," he expressed his gratitude. The ambition to improve his skating skills and the ability to accept the support of others led him to reach the pinnacle in his teens. He would go on to break many more "firsts" in the years that followed.

 

(Written by Megumi Takagi) —敬称略—

 

 

On his 30th birthday, Hanyu will premiere the third installment of his ice show, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR," at the Saitama Super Arena. The tour will begin with performances in Saitama (December 7, 9, 11) and continue with shows in Hiroshima (January 3, 5, 2025) and Chiba (February 7, 9, 2025) at the Lala Arena Tokyo Bay.

 

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.12.04

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241203-OHT1T51160.html?page=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241204001534/https://hochi.news/articles/20241203-OHT1T51160.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: 'Beyond the Wall is Another Wall' – His Ongoing Challenge in His 20s, Consecutive Victories in PyeongChang, Pride in Beijing, and the Countdown to 30

 

Spoiler

Professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu will celebrate his 30th birthday on the 7th. The second installment of the countdown series reflects on his 20s, the era of his competitive career that left an indelible mark in both records and memories, including his historic consecutive victories at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, the first in 66 years for a male figure skater.

 

Hanyu’s evolution continued as he turned 20. As an athlete who has etched his name in history, he advanced through records and into the memories of fans. After winning his third consecutive title at the 2014 Japan National Championships, he said, "I overcame the wall, but beyond that, I saw another wall. Beyond the wall, there was only another wall." Living his 20s in this world, where only a hero aiming for the highest peak can truly see, Hanyu continued his journey.

 

In the 2015 NHK Trophy, he led figure skating into a new era. After updating his own world record in the short program (SP), he became the first skater in history to surpass 200 points in the free program and 300 points overall. Two weeks later, in the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona, he set another triple world record. "I’m happy and honored by the evaluation of having the world’s highest score, but more than that, the important thing is how much I can refine my own performance," said the reigning king of figure skating.

 

A skater who can turn pressure into strength is a strong one. At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, he overcame adversity and achieved a historic consecutive victory for the first time in 66 years in men's figure skating. In November of the previous year, just a day before the start of the NHK Trophy, he fell during practice and was diagnosed with a "right ankle lateral ligament injury." His first competition in four months, since the Russian Cup, would be on the Olympic stage. He delivered a perfect performance in the short program and fought through the free program with gritted teeth. "I wondered what I would do if I had to quit skating. I’ve poured everything into skating and given up so many things." His passion was unwavering, and he dedicated himself fully to the sport.

 

At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, his third Olympic appearance, Hanyu attempted the quad axel (4.5 rotations) in the free program "Heaven and Earth". He attempted the jump despite injuring his right ankle in the official practice the day before. "It was an Olympic performance where I gave it my all, a challenge filled with my pride." For a skater who had reached a realm that couldn't be measured by points, it was inevitable that he would move on to a new stage. On July 19, 2022, Hanyu announced his transition to a professional career at a hotel in Tokyo. "I made this decision because I want to become stronger. While cherishing figure skating as a sport and as a professional athlete, I want to keep striving toward the ideal of Yuzuru Hanyu." As a professional, Hanyu is now carving out a new path.

 

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.12.05

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241204-OHT1T51179.html?page=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241204224734/https://hochi.news/articles/20241204-OHT1T51179.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu 'thoroughly picks up every detail of the sound,' Takahito Mura talks about his otherworldly sensitivity as the countdown to his 30th birthday begins.

 

Even after Yuzuru Hanyu (29) turned professional, Takahito Mura (33), his 'older brother' who has performed together with him in ice shows such as 'notte stellata' (March, Miyagi) and the 'Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Charity Performance' (September, Ishikawa), spoke from a fellow skater's perspective about the greatness of 'Professional Skater Yuzuru Hanyu.' (Interview and composition by Megumi Takagi)

 

Spoiler

If I had to describe Yuzu's professional activities in one word, it would be 'otherworldly.' It's exactly what he said at his press conference when he declared, 'a professional athlete.' He must be training incredibly hard, and his preparation and curiosity to deliver the maximum performance are extraordinary. I went to see his first solo show, 'Prologue' (November 2022, Yokohama). What I want to say loud and clear is that it’s not normal to perform a full ice show by yourself. If it were a 15-minute or 30-minute set, that would be understandable, but 90 minutes? Seriously... I was truly shocked. It really was beyond ordinary. From start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Yuzuru Hanyu.

 

Since last year, I’ve participated in 'Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata' for two years in a row. For Yuzu, this ice show deeply reflects his thoughts on the Great East Japan Earthquake. While preparing and rehearsing together, Yuzu also spoke about these feelings, and you could really sense it in his approach. While skating alongside him, I could feel the intense dedication he pours into each show.

 

In September, I performed with Yuzu, Akiko Suzuki, and Satoko Miyahara at the 'Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Charity Performance.' The opening song was "Noto Kuni Kiriko Festival" by the Wajima City Japanese drum team Toranosuke. It was my first time skating to a taiko drum piece, and it was difficult. When you listen to it midway through, it's impossible to tell where it begins. We had to figure out, 'This part has so many beats, so we should start moving after the nth beat.' Yuzu worked hard, listening intensely until the last minute.

 

For the finale, we did a duet to 'Que Sera Sera' by Mrs. GREEN APPLE, which Yuzu choreographed. His ability to pick up on the music and the beats is amazing. He captures twice as many sounds as a normal person would. For every lyric or note in the song, he adds multiple movements. The rhythm Yuzu takes from the music is different from the one we usually use. I think this ability to pick up the sound comes from his sensitivity. He picks up every little detail of the sound thoroughly.

 

While we take a beat like '1, 2, 3,' Yuzu might take it at '0.5' first, and then wait a little before moving. He doesn't always take the sound in a regular pattern. It was a fresh surprise to see how he took it here. After everyone's practice was over, Yuzu said, 'I'll stay and practice a bit more until I'm more confident,' and he stayed behind. Once he decides to do something, he’ll keep going until he's satisfied.

 

I'm really looking forward to Yuzu's 30s. He even said that after turning professional, 'I think my body might be in better shape now.' I'm sure he'll show us even more evolved skating. Back when he was competing, I used to think, 'Since Yuzu is doing his best, I have to do my best too.' If there's anything I can do for Yuzu, I want to repay him.

 

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.12.06

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241205-OHT1T51142.html?page=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241206223728/https://hochi.news/articles/20241205-OHT1T51142.html?page=1

 

 

MIKIKO: Yuzuru Hanyu - “You still have that talent hidden inside you?” Countdown to his 30th birthday

 

Yuzuru Hanyu (29) will kick off his 'Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd "Echoes of Life" TOUR' on the 7th at Saitama Super Arena, the day of his 30th birthday. The production will be directed by MIKIKO, one of Japan's leading choreographers. MIKIKO, who also worked on 'GIFT' and 'RE_PRAY,' spoke about the evolution of 'Professional Skater Yuzuru Hanyu' and her thoughts on the 'ICE STORY' they will be creating together. (Interview and Composition by: Megumi Takagi)

 

Spoiler

― How did you feel when you first received the request to direct "Echoes of Life"?

"I was approached right after finishing 'RE_PRAY,' so I honestly had concerns about whether I could create a new piece within a year. But I immediately started thinking, 'What can we do next?'"

 

― How did your experience and learnings from 'GIFT' influence 'RE_PRAY,' and how do they connect to this third installment?

"I feel that we are getting closer and closer to the ideal shape we’ve envisioned. Since it’s an 'ICE STORY,' the ideal would be a new kind of work where the 2D world of a film and the 3D world of a performance intersect in a delicate balance, making the audience feel like they are watching a movie and a play. In 'RE_PRAY,' we used the motif of a game and tried to bring the world from the screen directly into the venue space. This time, since it’s a story written by Hanyu, I hope that, based on the lessons learned from the past two works, the audience can immerse themselves even more deeply into the world of the story."

 

― The beauty of the projection mapping is always overwhelming. What are some of the unique aspects and joys of using the entire ice rink as a canvas in an ice show?

"We focus on using the speed and dynamism that only skating can offer, so we are particular about linking the choreography and the projections. The synergy between Hanyu-kun's precise skating and the projections is truly amazing, and I'm looking forward to it as a spectator too."

 

― 'The Chicken, Snake, and Pig' was the first performance you choreographed in full. What was the reason for choosing this song, and what did you focus on in your choreography?

"When I first read the original draft for 'RE_PRAY,' the lyrics and worldview of the song 'The Chicken, Snake, and Pig' came to mind, so I suggested it. I envisioned choreography that would make you feel that Hanyu's figure—struggling and suffering as he moves forward on a path where there is no choice but to continue—is so beautiful that it’s almost frightening! I created it with the intention of conveying raw emotions through the upper body movements in the choreography."

 

― 'RE_PRAY' was Hanyu’s first solo tour. What new discoveries did you make during the tour?

"I think it’s tough for the performer to maintain motivation and stamina, but the charm of a tour is that, even with the same performance, each time it feels like a different show. It was very enjoyable to continue refining the direction to match each venue."

 

― Even during his competitive years, it was impressive how he poured all his energy into the exhibition after the competition. From your perspective, MIKIKO, who is working most closely with him to create the show, how do you see Hanyu's passion, effort, and curiosity?

"I am constantly amazed, thinking, 'You still have that talent hidden inside you?' Hanyu-kun is a genius who works hard, and it requires determination and readiness from the staff around him, including me. But I think this mutual synergy is an ideal relationship in creative work. But that level of passion is probably just natural for him, so I hope it will continue to influence everyone unconsciously moving forward."

 

― July marked two years since he turned professional. From MIKIKO's perspective, how has "professional Hanyu Yuzuru" evolved and changed?

"I think his perspective has definitely broadened, and he no longer seems afraid of challenging new things. His 'otaku' qualities (a compliment) that he had accumulated outside of skating are now being used in his creative work, and I believe he’s evolving both as an artist and as a creator."

 

― As a professional yourself, MIKIKO, what does 'professionalism' mean to you?

"The power to believe, the power to never give up, and the power to have fun."

 

― As a fellow professional performer, what is the scenery you see with Hanyu?

"A vivid, beautiful, tranquil, sacred scenery."

 

― The press release for 'Echoes' described it as 'a story that questions the essence of 'life' and 'living,' with the theme of life's journey and growth.' What kind of tour do you want this to be?

"We're putting our heart and soul into this tour so that it will reach the hearts of the audience who come to see it. I would be happy if this tour can become a source of strength for as many people as possible, helping them find the power to 'live' from tomorrow onward."

 

― The opening performance will be on Hanyu’s 30th birthday. Please give a message to him as he enters his 30s.

"You're finally 30! Age has caught up with you. Use your boyish purity and god-like insight to gain experiences that only someone in their 30s can have, become an even cooler person, and save the world!"

 

 

(*Note: One of the three new programs performed at “RE_PRAY,” a song by Ringo Shiina. He danced bewitchingly in a narrow, straight space lit by red light, wearing a black costume.)

 

◆Hanyu's past "ICE STORY" series
　▼GIFT　On February 26, 2023, he held the first solo performance by a figure skater in history at the Tokyo Dome. He performed 12 pieces, including new songs, for two and a half hours. 35,000 people attended.
　▼RE_PRAY　His first solo tour performance, incorporating the ethics and values of the world of games. From November 2023 to April 2024, he toured Saitama, Saga, Yokohama, and Miyagi. He performed 12 pieces for about two and a half hours.

 

◆MIKIKO: Head of the dance company "ELEVENPLAY." As a director and choreographer, she is active in a wide range of fields including art, music, and technology. She is one of Japan's leading choreographers, and has choreographed music videos, anime, commercials, and stage productions for various artists including Perfume and BABYMETAL.

 

◆ "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd "Echoes of Life" TOUR"
　▼ Saitama performance (Saitama Super Arena): December 7th, 9th, 11th, 2024
　▼ Hiroshima performance (Hiroshima Green Arena): January 3rd and 5th, 2025
　▼ Chiba performance (LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay): February 7th and 9th, 2025

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.07

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241206-OHT1T51227.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241206224613/https://hochi.news/articles/20241206-OHT1T51227.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu celebrates his 30th birthday today with the "Echoes of Life" tour.  Countdown final episode

 

Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu celebrated his 30th birthday on the 7th. On the same day, the third installment of his ice story, Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd "Echoes of Life" TOUR, opened at the Saitama Super Arena. In the final installment of the countdown series, reporter Megumi Takagi reflects on Hanyu’s "life beyond 30" through her interview notes.

 

Spoiler

An interview with Hanyu before the start of the 2010 World Junior Championships, where he later won, remains in the Tohoku edition of the Sports Hochi newspaper.

 

"I think the results of this Junior World Skating Championships are important in determining whether I can win a medal in Sochi four years from now. I absolutely want to win the gold medal. I want to compete in the Olympics from this (Sendai) rink and win, just like (Shizuka) Arakawa. Ultimately, I want to become a professional. In order to do that, I want to achieve the best results and then go professional. In the future, I want to become a professional and give back to everyone who has supported me up until now."

 

This was the vision Hanyu, just 15 years old, had for his future: full of effort, passion, and dedication. Hanyu has lived his life exactly like that. He visited disaster-stricken areas and made people smile. He has hosted ice shows for disaster recovery efforts, shining a light of hope through skating.

 

His commitment, unchanged from his competitive days, extends beyond "just skating." Whether it's in photography, interviews, or coaching, Hanyu gives his all.

 

At the charity performance for Noto Peninsula recovery in September, his lesson for local skaters lasted 50 minutes—much longer than the originally planned 30 minutes. A few days before, he had prioritized practice for the skating class over his own. He thought about what would benefit the children, what movements were best, and adapted exercises that could be done off-ice, since the rink was not permanent. He designed a training plan for improving skating, put it into practice, and conveyed it to them.

 

In an interview just before his second anniversary as a professional in July, Hanyu revealed again, "When I was around 18 or 16, honestly, I probably thought I wouldn't be skating at 30." After the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, he planned to turn professional and retire from skating after about five years of activity. Yet, he continues to skate, astonishingly evolving all the while.

 

"The way my physical strength and skills have developed is completely different from what I had imagined. I really feel like I can still do so much more, and I feel that there is a lot of potential for the future," he continued.

 

Since turning professional, the word "responsibility" has appeared more frequently in his vocabulary. He will likely continue to give his all and surpass his own limits. All the paths he has walked so far will beautifully and rightfully lead him beyond 30.

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.07

 

Source: (paid article, only partially translated)

P1 https://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202412030000592.html
P2 https://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202412050000738.html

CN translation: https://weibo.com/3406979710/P4JkznZdR

 

 

Part 1: [Celebrating 30 years old] Yuzuru Hanyu interview: "You can definitely get better in your 30s" Birthday

 

Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, who achieved back-to-back gold medals in the Winter Olympics, celebrates his 30th birthday today, the 7th, and is kicking off his nationwide ice show tour "Echoes of Life."

 

This is the third installment of the "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY" series, where he performs solo and serves as the creative director. The tour begins at Saitama Super Arena and will continue through seven performances in three cities until February next year, weaving a unique story. In a recent exclusive interview, he discussed the progress and changes he has experienced as an athlete in his third year as a professional. (Honorifics omitted hereafter.)

 

Spoiler

At age 19, he won an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. At age 23, he became the first Asian to win two consecutive titles. At age 27, he turned professional. Hanyu, the rare skater who became the youngest individual recipient of the People's Honor Award, has just celebrated his 30th birthday.

 

"It hasn't changed. Human DNA inevitably gets damaged with age, but I believe the body can change in both positive and negative directions. I want to find the positive direction. There are definitely things now that I can feel, which I couldn't feel when I was in my teens. I’m certain I can get better in my 30s. Of course, compared to my teens, the recovery cycle, the way I handle tension and pressure, the development of my muscles, all those things have changed. But by thinking about how to care for myself and listening to my body, I want to live every day with the belief that I’ve definitely gotten better than I was before, and that I can improve compared to yesterday."

 

He has proven progress through his own actions. During his competitive days, in extreme terms, the short program (SP) was 2 minutes and 40 seconds, and the free program was 4 minutes, with only one performance per day. Now, he performs shows on his own that last anywhere from 90 to 150 minutes.

 

"For example, in the 'RE_PRAY TOUR' (the second tour from a year ago), after about 40 minutes into the first half of the 50-minute section, I perform a quadruple jump. By then, I’m already exhausted... but practicing to be able to perform under those conditions is essential."

 

 

2024.12.14

 

Part 2: [Celebrating his 30th birthday] Yuzuru Hanyu interview: "Studying with my own body" - The evolution of his athletic side

 

In the second part of the solo interview, he looks back on his progress in his third year as a professional and shares his impressions of watching the Paris Olympics this summer.

 

Spoiler

--Two years have passed since your declaration of intent on July 19, 2022, and you’ve entered your third year as a professional. Looking back, from an athlete’s perspective, are there any areas where you feel you've grown or improved, in terms of measurable progress?

"I’ve definitely built a lot of physical strength. Plus, I’ve been able to think through everything. Whether it’s jumping or expression, I constantly think about how I need to move while continuing the performance. But as you think more, you inevitably lose oxygen. Thinking is an exhausting task, right? So, I’ve been practicing to the point where I can reduce that mental load. As a result, I feel like the quality of my performance has improved as well."

 

--Over the past two years, you’ve essentially been doing all the thinking for yourself.

"Yes, that's right. I've really been thinking things through on my own. It’s tough, but because I’m thinking, I feel a sense of conviction when it comes to my body. For example, if I were just given everything—like the practice methods, for instance—without having the time to really think, I’d end up doing it every day without questioning whether it’s the right thing for me. In that case, it feels like the only thing I can remember is what I'm taught."

 

 

(CN partial translation)

Spoiler

Although human DNA inevitably experiences damage as we age, I believe the body can change in both positive and negative directions. I hope to find the path toward the positive. There were things I couldn’t feel in my teens that I hope to experience now, and in my 30s, I definitely want to become stronger. Compared to when I was a teenager, my recovery time, my way of handling tension and stress, and my muscle mass have all changed. While thinking about how to take care of myself, I also want to listen to my body’s feedback and make sure I perform better than before and improve compared to yesterday. I want to live each day with that mindset.

 

(Leading up to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, where I achieved back-to-back golds, I focused on enhancing oxidative energy metabolism. After exhausting myself with high-difficulty jumps and various exercises like combining music with skating, I would spend another 30 minutes skating about 80 laps of the rink, which is roughly 11 kilometers.)

At that time, I was doing this 30-minute session of continuous skating to improve my fitness and metabolism. Nowadays, it takes about an hour and a half just to perform the entire program for the ice shows (laughs). I really value comprehensive practice, and just from that, I can feel that my physical condition has improved and evolved.

 

(Practice)

I absolutely have to spend more than three hours. On days when I can only spare three hours, I’m not even sure if I can manage to complete all of my training in that limited time. Besides that, I also need to allocate time for exercises to build a strong foundation, and for strength and explosiveness necessary for long skating sessions. Therefore, my time for off-ice and on-ice practice has also increased. I’m also responsible for designing the structure of my performances, and to ensure the quality of the show, I need to make sure I also have enough rest time… It’s really not easy (laughs).

 

I’ve been taught by my coaches in the past, but gradually I’ve moved away from them. Since the pandemic (when I moved my training base from Canada back to Japan), I’ve been practicing on my own. If I don’t acquire knowledge, I can’t win or I’ll get weaker, so I’ve done a lot of research myself, including about myself. When I was younger, I only learned about figure skating, but now, through self-study, I’ve been looking into the training methods of top athletes in other sports, keeping an eye on developments in sports science, and so on. Recently, I’ve been referencing sports like basketball while thinking about acceleration, stopping, and jumping, and repeating these ideas.

 

The scientific knowledge in figure skating is inherently lacking, and since it’s a niche sport (in terms of competitive numbers, etc.), measuring a sport performed on an ice rink that is 60 meters long and 30 meters wide is also difficult. So I try to use my (Olympic back-to-back victory) experience as a reference, practicing and seeing if I can find causal relationships through repeated trials. At the same time, I remind myself that if I set the right goals from the start, created a plan, and followed the steps in order, I would definitely reach my desired outcome.

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.07

 

Source: https://digital.kyodonews.jp/deepedge/comment/87490/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241207184037/https://digital.kyodonews.jp/deepedge/comment/87490/

 

 

"I was able to welcome my 30s in a different way than when I thought, '30, I'm an old man.'" From now on, my experience, senses, and techniques will finally reach their peak. I can still do more." Yuzuru Hanyu's full comments after the premiere of "Echoes of Life"

 

Yuzuru Hanyu - Full Comments After the Premiere of "Echoes of Life"
December 7, 2024, Saitama Super Arena

 

Spoiler

(Hanyu-san appears in the interview area, saying, "Thank you for your time!" The interview with about 40 reporters begins.)

 

--Thank you for your hard work.
"Thank you very much."

 

--How do you feel after the first performance?
"The strongest feeling I have is that it finally started. I was really nervous, and of course, I spent a lot of time training and practicing every day. However, once it was time for the performance, I realized there were aspects I couldn’t understand until I skated in front of everyone, like whether it was a success or failure. Honestly, it’s a feeling of, 'Finally, it’s begun,' and I’m just happy that the first day went well, without injury, and that the story was able to be completed."

 

--This performance, "Echoes of Life," was created with the theme of life. Could you share your thoughts on that?
"From a young age, I’ve always thought a lot about bioethics and, during my time at university, I studied philosophy about life and became deeply interested in it. I’ve been pondering these thoughts and theories for a long time, and after studying them again, I wanted to create a performance where everyone, through this world, could find their own answers and philosophy on what it means to live. That's why I wrote 'Echoes.'"

 

--Once again, happy birthday!
"Thank you very much."

 

--There were a lot of fans singing happy birthday and holding banners. How did it feel to celebrate your 30th birthday surrounded by such scenes?
"It was a feeling of 'Wow, I’m turning 30' (laughs). Now that I’m 30, I thought, 'Oh, I’m 30,' but when I think about the 30s I imagined when I was younger, compared to how I feel physically and mentally now, it’s completely different from what I had imagined. I feel like I can still do a lot. In 'Echoes,' there’s this theme of the future and the past, but I believe the future will turn out to be even better than I imagined, and by doing my best in the present, I can reach a 30s that is different from the 'old man' version I thought of back then."

 

--Could you share your goals for your 30s?
"Honestly, I had this vague image that, in terms of figure skating, I might start deteriorating. But if I think about it in terms of sports like baseball or soccer, I believe that now is the time when my experience, senses, and techniques will start to peak. So, I want to approach my future with hope, always believing that I’ll seize the opportunities that come my way, while continuing to practice, train, and face performances with that mindset."

 

--The idea of turning words into sound was fascinating. How did that come to you?
"Originally, I have always experienced things like colors or emotions transforming into sound. To put it simply, for example, some people might associate the color red with passion, while others might associate it with fear. It's up to individual interpretation, but for me, I have always heard those things as sounds from a young age. It's not that I have perfect pitch, but I felt like I heard things in a melodic way. Based on these personal experiences, and while thinking about what kind of abilities to give a character in a fictional story, I considered the intonations and meanings of words that I practice as part of my training, and I incorporated them into the narrative. The overall philosophy enters the body as sound, and that philosophy becomes music, which ultimately forms the program. This is how I came up with the concept for the story."

 

--In today’s story, there were many lines that made me want to write them down. I know it’s hard to pick just one, but could you choose one and share your thoughts on it?
"I really revisited many philosophical books related to life, including books from the professors I studied with in university. I read through them and continued writing. One thing I learned while reading various philosophy books is about destiny, and how it is a series of coincidences. It’s really fragile, and you wonder, 'Why did all these coincidences connect?' I believe everyone has their own kind of destiny. And when people look back at their lives or feel that they are currently experiencing their own destiny, I want them to feel the joy of encountering something so rare—something like a miracle. That’s one of the messages I wanted to express in this writing."

 

--There were many new costumes this time. What do you think about the costumes for the Ice Story series? Which costume do you have the strongest attachment to?
"I think it's probably the Nova costume (the main character he played in the show). Until now, I had never linked the costume in the video with the actual performance costume, so honestly, it was quite difficult to wear clothes that could be considered fashion on the ice. But the Nova costume, for the character of Nova, I have a strong attachment to. This time, we worked with people who have always specialized in figure skating costumes, as well as some new participants who hadn't made figure skating costumes before. We made many different designs and arrangements. There are costumes that are quite different from past shows like 'RE PRAY,' 'GIFT,' and 'Prologue.' So, this Ice Story is a little different in character, and I want people to feel the unique fabric textures and the non-figure skating-like costumes that you can only see in 'Echoes.'"

 

--There were many cinematic-style visuals used in this production. How long did the filming take? Also, did you originally want to challenge yourself with acting in front of a screen?
"Ah, I see. First, regarding the second question, I have actually appeared in a movie before, and I did some acting, but honestly, I realized that I’m not suited for it. So, I don’t have any particular desire to act in movies. However, when it came to portraying the character of Nova, I didn’t feel any discomfort. After all, it’s a story I wrote, and the character is one that I can completely immerse myself in, so I felt that I needed to perform that character. As for the filming, it took about three days. We filmed for a full two days, then half a day, and then another half day. Also, I had to do some narration recording, which took another two days, so it was a lot of work."

 

(Staff members signal that it’s the last question.)

 

--About the music: You used classical, folk, and modern music, and it all came together perfectly as a single piece. Could you share your thoughts on the selection and expression of the music?
"Thank you. Since 'RE PRAY' had a more game-like style, I wanted to try something more classical while making the new program. Since the theme of this show is philosophy, I selected more piano melodies and songs that have a dignified feeling. Within that, I thought about where I wanted to portray a battle, where the core of the story should be, and where I wanted to use the words directly, among other things. So, I really put a lot of thought into the music selection. The hardest part for me this time was probably the fifth piece—the continuous piano section that leads into 'Ballade No. 1.' I’ve never done this before: performing for about 30 seconds at a time, continuously without leaving the stage. I worked closely with Shinya Kiyozuka, studying classical music, and we discussed how to convey the meaning while performing. I also asked Jeffrey Buttle to choreograph it, and Jeff and I really calculated a lot of things like, "I want to skate to this image," and created a program that's 10 minutes long."

"Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it. (As he’s leaving) Ah, I’m tired. I’m kind of wobbling (laughs)."

 

--It was a different take on "Danny Boy" this time.

"That's true, there are also war scenes, so I think Danny really stood out. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you again!"

 

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.12.07

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241207-OHT1T51153.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241210061411/https://hochi.news/articles/20241207-OHT1T51153.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu celebrates his 30th birthday with a chorus of birthday songs: "I'm so happy!" He performs 15 songs over two and a half hours

 

Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu's third Ice Story production, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR," opened on the 7th at the Saitama Super Arena. It was also Hanyu's 30th birthday. In front of a full house of 14,000 fans, he performed passionately for over two and a half hours.

 

During the encore, after expressing his gratitude to the fans and staff, Hanyu said, "So, it's my birthday," and the excitement reached its peak. The venue erupted into a chorus of "Happy birthday to you." Hanyu, bouncing on the ice, smiled broadly and said, "Thank you! I did it! I'm so happy!"

 

The show featured 12 songs in the main program, including many new tracks, and 15 songs in total, including the encore. The first half's "Piano Collection" section was made up of five piano pieces. From there, Hanyu transitioned into the short program "Ballade No. 1," performed during the PyeongChang Olympics, where he won the gold medal. He dazzled the audience with a quadruple Salchow and a triple Axel (a three-and-a-half rotation jump), creating an exciting atmosphere.

 

Following the first Ice Story, "GIFT," and the second, "RE_PRAY," Hanyu once again took on the role of performer and general producer, with MIKIKO directing. This time, Hanyu himself crafted the story, which explores the themes of life's journey and growth, questioning the essence of "life" and "living."

 

Set list:

Spoiler

〈1〉First Pulse

〈2〉First Cry ~ Meguri

〈3〉Utai IV ~ Reawakening

〈4〉Mass Destruction―Reload―

〈5〉Piano Collection

5-1 6 Pieces for Piano, Op. 118: No. 3, Ballade in G Minor. Allegro energico

5-2 The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: No. 2, Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 847

5-3 Keyboard Sonata in D Minor, K. 141

5-4 12 Etudes, Op. 25: No. 12 in C Minor "Ocean"

5-5 12 Etudes, Op. 10: No. 4 in C-sharp Minor "Torrent"

〈6〉Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23

〈7〉Goliath (2024 Remix)

〈8〉Aqua's Journey (Piano Solo Ver.)

〈9〉Eclipse / blue

〈10〉GATE OF STEINER―Aesthetics on Ice

〈11〉Danny Boy

〈12〉Hymn of the Soul

(Encore)

〈1〉Let Me Entertain You

〈2〉Ashura-chan

〈3〉SEIMEI

 

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241207-OHT1T51186.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241208143920/https://hochi.news/articles/20241207-OHT1T51186.html?page=1

 

 

"I'm glad to be born" - 14,000 people celebrate Yuzuru Hanyu's 30th birthday on the first day of the tour

 

On the 7th, the day of his 30th birthday, professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu kicked off his new tour, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd "Echoes of Life" TOUR" at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama. In front of a packed house of 14,000 fans, he performed 15 songs over 2 hours and 50 minutes. During the encore, the audience sang "Happy Birthday to You," and Hanyu expressed his joy. "The future will be even better than I imagine." With hope, his 30s began.

 

Spoiler

Surrounded by the love of 14,000 fans, Yuzuru Hanyu began his 30s. After his speech during the encore, he said, "So, today is my birthday," and the excitement in the venue reached its peak. "Thank you! Yay! I was born, I was born!" he said as he raised his right hand. He listened to the chorus of the birthday song "Dear Yuzu~" and bounced joyfully on the ice.

 

The ICE STORY series, in which Hanyu serves as the star and executive producer, reached its third installment. The story, themed around the journey of life and growth, explores the essence of "life" and "living." Hanyu, once again, crafted the storyline himself. "I thought a lot about it and carefully selected the songs," he said, blending a variety of genres. He passionately performed 15 songs, including many new ones such as "First Cry ~ Meguri." The highlight of the performance was the "Piano Collection" segment, which consisted of five songs. Following this, he performed the short program (SP) "Ballade No. 1" from the Pyeongchang Olympics, where he won the gold medal, executing a quadruple Salchow among other elements.

 

He skated solo for approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. At the end, he left the rink with a heartfelt message: "I'm glad I was born. Thank you very much." "Finally, my experience, senses, and technique are starting to come together. I want to approach practice, training, and performances with the mindset of having hope for my own future, and always feeling that I will definitely seize the opportunities that come my way." The evolving professional skater is looking forward to the days of his 30s that lie ahead.

 

The performances will be held at Saitama Super Arena on the 9th and 11th, followed by shows in Hiroshima in January and Chiba in February. (Takagi Megumi)

 

 

Ask Yuzu

 

After the first day:

"It really feels like it’s finally begun. I was really nervous, and I’ve spent a lot of time training and practicing every day, but you never know how things will go until you’re actually performing in front of everyone. I’m glad I could complete the performance without injury and that the story came together."

 

Entering your 30s in this kind of atmosphere:

"I’m feeling like, 'Wow, I’m turning 30.' The 30s I imagined when I was younger and the physical and mental state I feel now are completely different from what I had imagined. I feel like I still have a lot I can do. I’ve arrived at my 30s in a very different way than I thought, back when I used to think of 30 as 'being old.'"

 

Aspirations for your 30s:

"In terms of figure skating, I used to have a vague image of decline, but when I think about it in comparison to baseball or soccer, it’s actually a time when experience, instincts, and skills really start to come together. I want to approach practice, training, and performances with hope for my future and the constant belief that I will definitely seize the opportunities that come my way."

 

 

 

2024.12.07

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241207-OHT1T51222.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241207131145/https://hochi.news/articles/20241207-OHT1T51222.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: "I can still do more" - Entering his 30s with a packed house of 14,000 people: "This is the time when my senses and techniques are at their peak." - Q&A (1)

 

Professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu's third ice show, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd ‘Echoes of Life’ TOUR," kicked off on the 7th at the Saitama Super Arena. The solo performance lasted over two and a half hours, captivating an audience of 14,000 fans who filled the venue. This day also marked Hanyu's 30th birthday, and he was celebrated with a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday."

 

Post-performance Q&A with Hanyu (part 1):

Spoiler

Your honest feelings after successfully completing the performance:

"I really feel like it has finally started. I was very nervous, and of course, I spent a lot of time training and practicing every day. However, when it comes to the actual performance, you can’t really know whether it will be a success or failure until you perform in front of everyone. Honestly, I feel like, ‘It’s finally begun,’ and I'm just glad that, for the first day, I was able to finish the performance without injury and complete the story."

 

Your thoughts and intentions behind this show:

"From a young age, I was very interested in the philosophy of life and the ethics of life. I also studied it in university. I’ve always been thinking about this, and I wanted to take those thoughts and ideas, study them further, and create a performance where everyone could come up with their own answers and form their own philosophy about life. This is why I wrote ‘Echoes of Life.’"

 

Entering your 30s amidst this scene, how does it feel?

"I feel like, ‘I’m turning 30.’ When I was told I was 30, I thought, ‘Wow, I’m 30 now.’ But the 30s I imagined when I was younger, compared to how I feel now—both in my physical sense and mental state—are completely different. I still feel like I have a lot to offer. In 'Echoes,' there are questions like, ‘What is the future?’ and ‘What is the past?’ but I really feel like the future will be even better than I imagined. By doing my best in the present, I think I’m able to welcome this new decade in a way that’s very different from what I imagined when I thought of 30 as an old man."

 

Your goals for your 30s:

"I used to have this vague image that, in terms of figure skating, I would be deteriorating as I got older, but when I think about it in the context of sports like baseball or soccer, I feel like now is the time when my experience, senses, and techniques will really start to come together. I really want to hold on to the hope for my future, always thinking that I will definitely seize the opportunities that come my way, and approach both my practice and training as well as the actual performances with that mindset."

 

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241208-OHT1T51010.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241219074007/https://hochi.news/articles/20241208-OHT1T51010.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: "The costumes that I created by repeatedly making adjustments" — Q&A (2)

 

Post-performance Q&A with Hanyu (part 2):

Spoiler

The idea of turning words into sound:

"Originally, I have always perceived scenes, like colors, turning into sound or emotion. To put it simply, for example, when you think of the color 'red,' some might associate it with 'passion,' while others might interpret it as 'fear.' It's all based on personal interpretation, but I’ve often experienced hearing these things as sounds, not necessarily in perfect pitch, but more like a melodic feeling. As I considered how to develop the story and what abilities to give the characters, I thought about how I express intonation, meaning, and emotion through my own training and applied those ideas to the story. So, the philosophy I tried to express would manifest as sound that enters the body. That philosophy then turns into music, and the program takes form, which is how I created the story.”

 

A memorable line from today’s story:

"I've read many philosophical books, especially those about life and others that I studied during university, and I re-read them for inspiration. There’s one concept, destiny, which I explored in depth—how it's a series of coincidences. I learned this from reading various philosophy books, and I realized how fragile it can be. I wonder how such coincidences come together. I think everyone must have their own sense of fate. I want everyone to experience the joy of encountering such rare coincidences or miracles in life, and that's one of the messages I wanted to convey in the story."

 

Thoughts on the new costumes:

"I think the most significant costume for me is the one from 'NOVA.' I’ve never performed in a costume that has such a strong link between the visual image and the actual performance. Honestly, wearing something that could also be seen as fashion on the ice was quite difficult, but I have a strong attachment to the costume for the character NOVA. This time, we had specialists who’ve worked on figure skating costumes, as well as new participants who hadn’t designed figure skating costumes before. There were many iterations of the costumes, so it's been a challenging but rewarding process. Compared to previous works like 'RE_PRAY,' 'GIFT,' and 'Prologue,' this Ice Story has a different feel. The costumes are also unlike typical figure skating attire, with materials and textures unique to 'Echoes.' I hope the audience will appreciate that distinctiveness and feel the difference in the fabric and design."

 

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241208-OHT1T51012.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241207205950/https://hochi.news/articles/20241208-OHT1T51012.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: "I really created it while calculating meticulously" — A 10-minute piano program Q&A (3)

 

Post-performance Q&A with Hanyu (part 3):

Spoiler

Regarding the use of movie-like visuals:

"Ah, I see. First, about the question from the back, I had actually appeared in a movie before. I did some acting, and honestly, at that time, I realized that I wasn’t suited for it. So, I’ve never really had the desire to act in films. However, when it came to playing the role of the protagonist, NOVA, I didn’t feel any discomfort in portraying the character. Since this is a story I wrote myself, and I created the protagonist, I felt that I had to play the role myself. As for the time spent filming, it took about two full days, plus another half day, and then another half day to finish the last parts. On top of that, I had to record the narration, so I spent another two days recording that. It was a lot of work (laughs)."

 

Regarding the music selection and expression:

"For 'RE_PAY,' I made it more game-oriented, so while creating the new story, I had a strong desire to include more classical elements. Also, since the theme of this program is philosophy, I chose more piano melodies and songs that make you feel dignified. While creating the story, I thought about where I wanted to portray a battle, where I needed to show strength, and where I wanted to use the words as they are. I carefully selected the music based on these thoughts. The most difficult part was deciding on the 1, 2..., 1, 2, 3, 4...5th, maybe? The fifth piece, which starts with a series of classical piano pieces and transitions into "Ballade No. 1," is something I've never done before.I continuously perform the program without leaving the stage, for about 30 seconds at a time, without any breaks. I studied classical music with Shinya Kiyozuka and discussed the meaning behind the music. I also worked with Jeffrey Buttle on the choreography, and we meticulously planned how I wanted to skate, calculating every detail. It's a really detailed 10-minute program."

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85349

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241212192556/https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85349

https://web.archive.org/web/20241208094940/https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85349?page=2

https://web.archive.org/web/20241208094812/https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85349?page=3

https://web.archive.org/web/20241208123105/https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85349?page=4

https://web.archive.org/web/20241208094825/https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85349?page=5

 

 

【Full Report: Yuzuru Hanyu's Performance at 30 Years Old, Part 1】 The Story of "Life" He Wrote Himself, and the Reason He Skates... The Philosophical Realm He Has Reached as a Professional Skater

 

The new solo performance "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR" by professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu premiered on December 7 at Saitama Super Arena. The third installment of the Ice Story series, which Hanyu both performed in and directed, brought to life a grand story on ice that questions the meaning of "life."

 

Spoiler

Having spent much of his 20s striving for the pinnacle of competitive figure skating within the constraints of performance elements and scoring, Hanyu celebrated his 30th birthday by showcasing a broader range of expression as a professional skater. What made this possible was the carefully crafted concept, meticulous direction, and his exceptional on-ice performance, which remains impressive even as he ages.

 

"It feels like my stomach is turned inside out."

 

The solo performance lasted about two hours and 50 minutes. When the main performance ended, Hanyu reappeared on the rink to loud applause and cheers, and bowed deeply.

 

"Thank you so much for coming today!"

 

"I know many people were looking forward to this performance, and I, along with all the staff members, felt the pressure, expectations, and heavy responsibility. We really, really put in a lot of time and energy to create this."

 

Rather than skating a series of solo performances, Hanyu linked several programs together, performing them as a cohesive story. The Ice Story that the professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu is taking on is a world where there is no established "successful model" beyond the two works he has previously created.

 

That is why the audience's reaction on the opening night holds significant meaning as the first gauge of evaluation for this performance.

 

Seeing the heated atmosphere in the audience, Hanyu spoke with a relieved expression:

"I was really nervous (laughs). How can I describe it? I was so nervous, I felt like my stomach was turning inside out. I haven't properly watched the footage yet, but I feel a strong sense of accomplishment knowing that we all worked so hard to create this. It feels good."

 

The original storybook for the performance, "Echoes of Life," was written by Hanyu himself.

 

Why perform a story about "life"?

 

The story unfolds around the protagonist, named "Nova." In a world that has crumbled, the protagonist, whose memories are faint and hazy, embarks on a journey in search of an answer to the philosophical question: "What is life?"

 

In response to the story, Yuzuru Hanyu performed 12 songs, including many new tracks such as "First Cry ~ Meguri," with Nova eventually reaching the "answer to life."

 

What are the thoughts behind the third installment of the Ice Story?

 

"I've always been interested in the philosophy of life, having thought about bioethics since I was a child and taking courses on the subject at university. From there, I continuously revisited my own thoughts and theories. I wanted to create a performance that would allow everyone to find their own answers to 'living,' because we are in this world, and that's how 'Echoes of Life' came to be."

 

How to embody one's own perspective and ideas? True to his approach since his competitive days, where he was meticulous about every detail of his expression, Hanyu maintained an uncompromising attitude.

 

"I revisited books, including those by the professor I studied with in university, about life, and created this Ice Story based on that."

 

Even in the written expressions within the original work, traces of his attention to detail can be seen in the way the words are strung together.

 

"Fate is a series of coincidences"

 

During the press conference, one journalist, who was overwhelmed by the impactful words depicted on the ice during the performance, asked the following question:

——In today's story, there were many words that made me want to write them down. If you had to choose one phrase and share your thoughts about it, which one would it be?

 

Hanyu faced the question, took a brief moment to reflect, and then responded with the following words.

 

"The idea that 'fate' is a series of coincidences—this is something I learned while reading philosophy books. It's really, really fragile, and I thought about how fate, like a string of coincidences, must exist for everyone in their own unique way. When you look back on your life or feel like you're currently experiencing fate, I hope you can feel the joy of encountering those rare, coincidental moments or even something like a miracle. This is one of the passages I wrote with that thought in mind."

 

"Echoes of Life" unfolds with "sound" as its key theme.

 

What was said during the MC

 

The protagonist feels words and letters as "sound" and is able to embody them. This ability allows them to express the qualities and words of knowledge as "sound." This concept comes from Hanyu's own experiences.

 

"Originally, I was the type of person who heard colors and emotions as 'sound' since I was young. To put it simply, for example, with the color 'red,' some people might associate it with passion, while others might feel it as fear. It's a matter of personal interpretation. I don’t have perfect pitch, but I’ve always felt like I could hear it in a melodic sense, almost as if the interpretation itself was based on melody. This story was created as I reflected on my own experiences while writing it as fiction."

 

After the main performance, Yuzuru Hanyu shared this episode during the microphone performance:

"When I handed the storybook (that I wrote) to the video team, they said, 'Looks good,' but then they asked, 'How do we turn this into an Ice Story?' (laughs). I worked with the director of the video team, and we came up with ideas like 'What should we do? How about this?' We went through many moments where we thought, 'What should we do now?' and 'Ahh!' but somehow managed to bring it together. When everything came together, including the direction and my skating, I was able to think, 'We’ve created something good.'"

 

What kind of behind-the-scenes process unfolded during this? The video footage, essential for the story's development, was highly detailed and cinematic, with a clear focus on quality throughout. In fact, Hanyu dedicated a significant amount of time to filming and video production.

 

"As for the time spent on filming... it was about three days. I spent two full days shooting, then about half a day more, and another half day of shooting... Plus, I also had to do the narration recording, which took another two days. It was tough (laughs)."

 

There were many scenes featuring himself, but his uncompromising attitude in overseeing the production reflected the deep attachment he had to the main character.

 

No deterioration in skating at 30

 

"Regarding playing the character Nova, since it was a story I wrote myself, and I created a protagonist that I could fully immerse myself in, I felt that I had to play the role myself."

 

The emphasis on piano music in the performance was due to his desire to incorporate classical elements. "Since the theme was philosophy, I wanted to include melodies and pieces that would evoke a feeling of clarity and strength. I chose more pieces that would create that kind of atmosphere. In the process of creating the story, I thought about where I wanted to depict a battle, where I needed to have a strong core, and where I wanted to use the words exactly as they were. These were some of the considerations I had in mind."

 

In addition to the visuals and music selection, he also paid great attention to the protagonist’s costume.

 

"Until now, I had never linked the costumes in the visuals with the actual performance outfits. For Nova's costume, I wanted something that could actually be worn as fashion on the ice, which made it quite difficult. But, of course, I have very strong feelings about the costume for the protagonist."

 

"This time, in addition to the people who have always specialized in creating figure skating costumes, we also had people who had never made figure skating costumes before join the team. There are many costumes that went through repeated arrangements and refinements. This Ice Story has turned out differently from the past, and I hope people can feel the fabric and the unique texture of the costumes that can only be seen in Echoes of Life."

 

The final crucial piece to the carefully crafted direction is his outstanding performance on the ice. Despite once imagining a decline in his skating skills by the time he turned 30, his abilities have deepened, and most importantly, his quadruple jumps and triple axels (3.5-turn jumps) remain as strong as ever.

 

The epic story came to fruition thanks to the carefully crafted production concept, from the story structure to its development on the ice, along with the techniques supported by the effort to bring it to life.

 

 

 

Source: https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85351

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241208091511/https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85351

https://web.archive.org/web/20241213182156/https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85351?page=2

https://web.archive.org/web/20241209022556/https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/85351?page=3

 

 

【Full Report: Yuzuru Hanyu's Performance at 30 Years Old, Part 2】 Overwhelming "Hospitality" for His Fans... The Best Part of His Solo Performance Starts from the Ending

 

After achieving back-to-back Olympic victories, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, who transitioned to professional skating, kicked off his new solo performance, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR," on December 7 at Saitama Super Arena. This is the third installment of his "Ice Story," in which he takes on both the role of performer and executive producer.

 

The grand story, which centers around the philosophical theme of questioning the meaning of "life," came to fruition on the ice. This performance also marked the milestone of Hanyu's 30th birthday. After performing 12 songs, including many new songs such as "First Cry- Meguri," Hanyu appeared on the rink again, "unmasked," immediately after the end credits rolled. The sense of unity between Hanyu's MC, as he shed the armor of an artist, and the audience, along with the encore of three songs including the spectacular "SEIMEI," represented the "second chapter" of the solo performance, which was another highlight of the show.

 

Spoiler

The solo performance will be "Yuzuru Hanyu Birthday Celebration 2024"

 

"Ah, thank you all for coming today! This was our first performance, so how was it? To everyone watching the stream around the world, and to those of you here feeling the atmosphere in person, I want to express my gratitude. So many people have been looking forward to this performance, and together with the staff, we’ve felt the pressure, the expectations, and the responsibility. We’ve put in so much time and energy to create this. I hope, even just a little, that this performance and this story can become a source of strength for all of you. Thank you so much for today!"

 

Dressed in a white T-shirt, Hanyu, slightly relieved from the pressure of the opening night performance, stepped onto the ice once again, and the atmosphere in the venue was filled with a different kind of energy.

 

His gentle MC part, which had become a regular part of the show, unfolded.

 

On this day, there was a special announcement.

 

December 7th—Hanyu’s birthday.

 

After encouraging the audience to applaud the members who contributed to the performance, he changed his tone and, with a slightly shy voice, shouted:

"So, it's my birthday! Yay! I was born, I was born! Ready, set!"

 

Voices of "Thank you" echoed from the audience.

 

"Wait, wait! I see, so that's the trend (rather than congratulations) (laughs)," he said, confused, before smiling happily as the audience sang a birthday song for him.

 

"Thank you so much! You don't often get such a big Happy Birthday, do you? I’m really happy. I wonder how many tens of thousands of people are watching, both at the venue and in front of the TV, singing along. I'm really happy. Thank you so much!"

 

Hanyu's solo performance, which tackled a grand philosophical theme, has suddenly had its title changed to "Hanyu Yuzuru Birthday Festival 2024."

 

Then, Hanyu made an announcement into the microphone.

 

Sharp dance moves unite fans

 

"I would like to do the choreography together with everyone during the Hanyu Yuzuru Birthday Celebration 2024. It's not that difficult, so I hope everyone will do it together. I would like to do the choreography together to the chorus part of 'Let Me Entertain You.'"

 

He demonstrated the moves himself, then practiced them using gestures in front of the packed audience of 14,000 people on three sides.

 

"That's right, that's right!"

 

With the audience now in sync, the encore program began.

 

The audience was energized as they joined in the choreography during the first song, "Let Me Entertain You." Then, Hanyu continued, "Alright, let's keep going for a little while longer. There are times when you feel like "ugh" about the world, or like "Fuzzy" on a personal level. Today, I want everyone to scream and have fun together," and he performed a sharp dance to the song "Ashura-chan," filling the venue with an exhilarating atmosphere.

 

At the end of the performance, Hanyu presented a special program.

 

It was the powerful free program "SEIMEI," which had created countless legendary moments during his competitive years. Introducing it as "an important, very important program," he brought the iconic scene back to life on the ice.

 

After performing a total of 15 songs, both in the main program and the encore, Hanyu circled the rink, waving at the audience with a smile. He conveyed his gratitude with a beaming face to the rinkside, the upper-tier seats, and the screen. Finally, he placed the microphone down and, with his own voice, shouted "Thank you!" echoing throughout the vast arena.

 

He officially announced his retirement from competition and transition to professional skating in July 2022. Now, in his third year as a professional, his presence on the ice has only grown, with his level of attention surpassing even that during his competitive career.

 

Sports Hochi ran a countdown series leading up to the opening night of the performance, which also happened to be Hanyu's birthday, while Nikkan Sports featured a large exclusive interview on the day of the premiere. The Sports Hochi and Daily Sports also ran front-page coverage of the premiere on December 8th in their papers.

 

It wasn't just the newspapers. The monthly magazine ESSE featured Hanyu on the cover of its January 2025 special edition, including a special interview. The business-oriented Weekly Toyo Keizai also covered his journey since turning professional in its November 30, 2024 issue, approaching his story from the perspective of an "evolving entertainer."

 

As a sign of his popularity, tickets for his solo performances remain difficult to obtain, even for inbound visitors. Of course, this is proof that Hanyu has continued to respond to expectations and heavy responsibilities with performances that exceed them without relying on his past fame.

 

At the solo performance that day, there was a spectacular highlight in the first half.

 

A "bundle of ambition" who continues to take on challenges.

 

Without ever stepping backstage, Hanyu smoothly completed the intense program that began with "Piano Collection" and continued with Chopin's "Ballade No. 1".

 

What kind of life will Hanyu have in his 30s?

 

"I believe the future will turn out even better than I can imagine. I think this is the time when my experiences, my senses, and my techniques will start to really come together. I want to continue to have hope for my future, and I will always keep the mindset of grabbing the next opportunity, while approaching practice, training, and performances with that in mind."

 

The words that came out were full of ambition.

 

As has been reiterated, Hanyu has continued to evolve without ever stopping since his competitive days.

 

In response to the immense pressure of rising expectations, he has taken pride in delivering overwhelming performances that surpass them, and has earned the recognition that comes with it.

 

He is in charge of both the performance and the production, and he never forgets to show his gratitude to the members who support him and to take care to "entertain" the fans and audience until the very end. After the media interview, Hanyu also added words of gratitude. There must be many "doors" that Hanyu has yet to open. On the first day of his 30s, this extraordinary performer demonstrated the potential that lies ahead.

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.09

 

Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/326722

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241212195434/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/326722

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu reveals the "common thoughts" he puts into his skating to an Italian newspaper: "If the earthquake hadn't Happened"

 

Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu (30), who achieved back-to-back victories in men's figure skating, revealed the "common thoughts" he puts into his ice shows.

 

Spoiler

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Hanyu reflected on his emotions as he turns 30, tying his thoughts to themes related to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (which occurred on March 11, 2011), which he himself experienced.

 

Hanyu, who has long been involved in supporting victims of the disaster, was asked by the interviewer how he has utilized the difficult legacy of being a disaster survivor. He responded, "If the earthquake hadn't happened, my life would have been different. All of my programs, though not directly, are linked to that experience. At that time, I decided to skate for the people. The concept of hope is present in every program. Like 'Haru Yo Koi' (Spring Comes), which I performed at the Beijing Olympics. In these difficult times of war, pandemics, and natural disasters, if my medals mean anything to the world, it is hope. I want to dedicate my victory to the world as a symbol of hope."

 

Currently, Hanyu is performing in the Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story 3rd "Echoes of Life" Tour, where the theme is "life," exploring the essence of 'living'. He shared, "I have studied bioethics and often think about life and death. There is only one thing we can do. In this world where we don't know what awaits us, we must survive every day, and live every second, every day to the fullest. I hope that my skating, where I skate with all my might, conveys the feeling that I am living in the present and living to the fullest. After 3/11, I was supported by many people. All I can do is do my best, however small, to repay them. Many people are still suffering. It is a thought that always follows me, to make sure they are never forgotten."

 

Always carrying the "common thoughts" when he takes to the ice, Hanyu remains committed to conveying his message to the world through skating.

 

[yuzurujenn]

 2024.12.10

 

Source: https://encount.press/archives/717847/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDUGluohxAS/?img_index=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241213101152/https://encount.press/archives/717847/

 

 

"Hanyu-san is good at taking selfies" - "Best friend" pianist reveals backstage photo of the two of them, expressing "heartfelt gratitude"

 

Pianist Shinya Kiyozuka revealed an episode from professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu's national tour "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd - Echoes of Life - TOUR" on his Instagram on the 9th.

 

Spoiler

He revealed that Hanyu had consulted him, saying, "I was thinking of something outrageous again."

 

On the 9th, pianist Shinya Kiyozuka revealed an episode from professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu's nationwide tour "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd - Echoes of Life - TOUR" on his Instagram.

 

The tour is the third installment of Ice Story, with Hanyu both performing and serving as executive producer. Kiyozuka revealed that he was involved in the tour, saying, "Yuzu-chan contacted me and said, 'I want to consult you about classical music,' and when I asked him, he had come up with something completely outrageous...Every time we had a meeting, I thought, 'Can we really do that?' But on the first day, at Saitama Super Arena, he pulled it off."

 

He continued, "Since the tour is still ongoing, I can’t share too many details, but we recorded five full classical pieces (with some cuts). The pieces Yuzu-chan and I decided on together, and the ones he ultimately chose, had a common theme: 'fate.' Whether it was the key of C minor or the composers’ inherent strength and stoicism, he naturally chose pieces that fit the theme of fate and destiny. Yuzu-chan found it very interesting and ‘studied’ them carefully. I thought he might be in that phase, and when I saw the performance, I was convinced. I was right."

 

He further expressed, "I’m deeply grateful for the fate that allowed me to witness this performance live" and congratulated Hanyu, who turned 30 on December 7th, saying, "Yuzu-chan always spins as if he is enveloped in gravity, wrapping the threads of everyone's destiny around him. Happy birthday, Yuzu-chan, and thank you for being born."

 

In his post, Kiyozuka also shared a selfie with Hanyu from behind the scenes, adding the playful hashtag, "#YourBestFriendIsKiyochanRight?"

 

The post received comments such as, "Hanyu-san is so good at taking selfies," "Wow...he looks amazing in that T-shirt," "His sense of having fun in photos is perfect," "You both have such great chemistry," and "Thank you for sharing such a lovely photo!"

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.17

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241217-OHT1T51047.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241217133850/https://hochi.news/articles/20241217-OHT1T51047.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: "Everyone is taking on new challenges in their daily lives"... Appears on video at home appliance brand launch event

 

On the 17th, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu made a video appearance at the "Haier Group Global Strategy and Haier Japan Market Branding Announcement" event held in Tokyo.

 

Spoiler

When Du Jingguo, Vice President of Haier, said, "I am moved by Hanyu's attitude of continuing to challenge himself without being satisfied, even after conquering the Olympics," Hanyu smiled happily and responded, "Thank you. It's truly an honor," before continuing.

 

"I don't think I'm particularly special. I believe that everyone is challenging something in their lives. It might be something big or small, visible or not, or something that gets reported in the news. I think that’s the only difference, and I’ve been thinking lately that this is what living is all about."

 

Hanyu was appointed as the brand ambassador for "Haier" and "AQUA" in November. Despite his numerous successes, his ongoing pursuit of greater heights aligns with Haier's corporate philosophy, which led to his selection. "Since I was given this opportunity, I’ve had many chances to look at Haier and AQUA products, and I was impressed by their high level of design. Each product has an unforgettable design. The eco-friendly features and energy efficiency also made me feel a strong connection as an athlete," he shared.

 

On this day, the new commercials were announced, and television broadcasts will begin on the 24th. In Haier's "Self VS Self" commercial, Hanyu wears a blue outfit and delivers a powerful performance, while in AQUA's "Never-ending Challenge" commercial, he dons a white costume and displays a graceful glide.

 

 

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241217-OHT1T51050.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241217133931/https://hochi.news/articles/20241217-OHT1T51050.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu performs quadruple toe loop in new commercial... to be aired from the 24th "Blue Hanyu" and "White Hanyu"

 

On the 17th, the home appliance brand Haier Japan Region announced a new commercial featuring Yuzuru Hanyu, a professional figure skater who is the brand ambassador for "Haier" and "AQUA". It will begin airing on television on the 24th.

 

Spoiler

In Haier's "Self VS Self" commercial, Yuzuru Hanyu wears a blue outfit and delivers a powerful performance, while in AQUA's "Endless Challenge" commercial, he dons a white costume and showcases a graceful glide.

 

In the "Self VS Self" version, Hanyu performs a quadruple toe loop, a move not originally planned, fully expressing his commitment to the performance during the shoot. He focused intensely, checking the fit of his costume and perfecting his execution, retaking the skating scenes until he was satisfied.

 

Hanyu appeared via video at the "Haier Group Global Strategy and Haier Japan Market Branding Announcement" event in Tokyo, where he shared his thoughts on the filming of the two new commercials.

 

In Haier's "Self VS Self" commercial, which features the key message "Surpass Yourself," Hanyu said, "I focused on expressing the challenge to my past self, as well as strength and speed. I repeatedly attempted the quadruple jump, and tried to express the power that I can only showcase on the ice, as well as the strong will to challenge, which only comes from truly giving my all."

 

In AQUA's "Endless Challenge" commercial, with the key message "Innovation," he commented, "I tried to express the kindness that can only come from something strong. I worked hard to express something that would warm the hearts of viewers and make them realize that their lives could become truly richer."