[2024.05.24-2024.06.02] Fantasy on Ice 2024

[yuzurujenn]

Articles/interviews related to Fantasy on Ice 2024, where Yuzuru Hanyu participated in Tour A:

Makuhari (May 24th - 26th, 2024)

Aichi (May 31st - June 2nd, 2024)

 

 

Info: https://www.fantasy-on-ice.com/

Official pamphlet: https://www.hmv.co.jp/news/article/240415131/

 

Message from Yuzu:

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.05.24

 

Source: https://weibo.com/5437806211/OfMSSBAGU

 

[FaOI Makuhari] 2024 Show Guide · Latest Interview with Yuzuru Hanyu 

 

Spoiler

Q: FaOI will start the new year’s performance this year with the Makuhari performance as usual. Everyone is also full of expectations and interest in Yuzuru Hanyu's joint performance this time.
Hanyu: This time I will be collaborating with T.M.Revolution/Takanori Nishikawa. I have been listening to his songs since elementary school. So, when I heard that he would be performing on this show, I was really surprised and thought, "No way, how is this possible?" 

Q: Do you think his songs are listened to by people of your generation? 
Hanyu: I may be a little bit behind the times (laughs), but I am of the same generation as my sister, so I often listen to his songs. When I listen to them, I think he is really amazing. I often listen to his songs when I warm up. 

Q: In some ways, this joint performance is also a dream come true! 
Hanyu: Of course. I didn't expect that I would be invited to skate this piece, and Mr. Nishikawa's singing has always given me strength, so it was a surprise for me to be able to work with him this time. Personally, I was so happy to hear his singing live. I was very excited and looking forward to how I could work with Mr. Nishikawa while skating along with his singing, in an atmosphere full of power and tension. My skating style is very light and airy, or to be more precise, I have always pursued that sense of elegance, but I tried to make some changes for this collaboration. I wanted to create an appearance that can only be seen here. 

Q: It seems that this will be a shocking collaboration. 
Hanyu: The song for this collaboration is a song that I have been listening to since I was a child, and I can sing it without reading the lyrics. This song is very familiar to my ears and body, and that is why I wanted to perform it for the collaboration. I really want to skate along with Mr. Nishikawa's singing. In the two years of skating as a professional figure skater, the biggest feeling I have is that it is very important to change the way of my skating to match the melody of the song and the content that I want to express. I thought a lot from the beginning, and I wanted to create a figure skating program that will make everyone exclaim "Only Hanyu can do this."

 

 

[Pursuing the meaning of figure skating programs] 

Q: Working together with singers you have met for the first time to produce programs, how do you view this form of collaboration every year? 
Hanyu: I am very excited each year. I will think about how this singer sings, how much enthusiasm and energy they will give me, etc. Every singer has a different aura and energy when standing on the stage. The trusting relationship with the singer, the enthusiasm of the band itself, and my own enthusiasm and energy, etc., all come together to create my figure skating performance during the official performance, so every year at FaOI is unique. So, I am also looking forward to the collaboration every year, and I hope everyone will look forward to it too. 

 

Q: Now that you are a professional athlete, have your views and perceptions on collaboration changed? 
Hanyu: After entering the professional path, I have more things to consider, especially I often think about whether everyone is satisfied with my performance and whether they are satisfied enough. The program must have a meaning. I have been thinking about this very seriously in the two years since I turned professional and completed the first (GIFT) and second (RE_PRAY) ICE STORY. For this reason, I really want everyone to feel the meaning of the collaborative program, "This song must be sung live to be right", "Hanyu is unique to this scene, Nishikawa is unique to this scene", I want to create such a work. 

 

Q: You have collaborated with many singers for figure skating programs so far. So, what is the fun of directly interacting and co-creating works like this? 
Hanyu: I think that a piece suitable for figure skating is completely different from a piece written as a song. When collaborating, to a certain extent, we have to make songs that can be used as a figure skating piece. But from the perspective of singers, the songs they create are like their own children. Since I have also started to create my own things, I understand the feeling of not wanting to give your children a complete makeover. I definitely do not mean to offend the singers, but I just want to create exciting works as much as possible from the perspective of figure skating. My goal is to make everyone feel that this is a work that can only be enjoyed at FaOI. When working with singers at FaOI, I expressed to them how I wanted to do it from the perspective of figure skating. The most difficult one was "REAL FACE" from the year before last (2022). Mr. Suga Shikao specially sang the rap part. And this song has a second verse almost without a break between the verse (Verse) and the transitional music (Pre-Chorus). In my own words, it was very difficult to do something completely different at the moment of preparing to jump. With the joint efforts of the singers and the band, we finally made this work. Feeling everyone's enthusiasm makes me want to work harder on such collaborations. I have always wanted to use figure skating to create works that can only be created with the collaboration of Hanyu and the singers, and this is how I have always done it. 

 

Q: That's why the audience always watch your figure skating intently. 
Hanyu: However, the more expectations there are, the heavier the burden on my body. I have been fighting against the fear of not knowing when I will fail to live up to everyone's expectations. I wonder how long I can continue to produce works that will meet everyone's expectations, when will I reach my limit. The time will come one day when I am unable to meet everyone's expectations. Although I am very scared, it is precisely because of everyone's expectations that I can constantly refresh my limits, continue to expand my vision and field, and make my life more colourful. Although it is very hard, I can only express my deep gratitude to all the audience. 

 

Q: You are the chief producer of your own ice show, so FaOI is a moment when you can be a "little brother". What do you think is the fun of FaOI? 
Hanyu: Yes, first of all, I feel at ease when Keiji Tanaka is here. In addition, the time of skating with many figure skaters like this can give me a lot of excitement. FaOI is an ice show that brings together many excellent figure skaters. "There is such a figure skating", and "You can skate like this", I learned a lot from it. And everyone chats harmoniously here, it is really a very happy place.

 

Q: In addition, apart from skating, have you started anything new recently? 
Hanyu: Well, that is to buy headphones. Recently, I started buying relatively cheap headphones. I found that I didn't have the headphones I used when I was on the ice, or when I was doing choreography on the ice, what should I do? And these are consumables, so I started looking for suitable headphones in a lower price range... As a result, I became addicted to them... There are so many types of wireless Bluetooth headphones now, so I looked at them and thought, “Hey, there are also these”, “Hey, this one looks pretty good, oh, this is also great...” (laughs) Among the headphones I currently have, there are those that are customized and very expensive, but I will also try to find headphones that do not exceed 5,000 yen. Sometimes, "Oh, sorry, it's over 10,000 yen, but this headset is really great, so it's fine if it's over!" "This is a necessity and it's necessary to spend money, and I'm training very hard!", that's how I find reasons for myself (buying headphones). 

 

Q: You are really addicted to headphones. 
Hanyu: Yes. In fact, if you look around, you can buy a good pair of headphones for around 3,000 yen (laughs).

FaOI: Thank you very much for accepting our interview. I look forward to your wonderful performance at the Makuhari Ice Performance.
 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.05.31

 

Source: Official Program (Aichi Performance) / "Fantasy on Ice 2024"

Alt source (CN): https://weibo.com/6473801248/Ol76Nulpa
 

[FaOI Aichi] 2024 Show Guide · Latest Interview with Yuzuru Hanyu 

 

Spoiler

INTERVIEW Yuzuru Hanyu

I can’t fully express myself with just one program

 

This will be Yuzuru Hanyu's second appearance at Fantasy on Ice as a professional skater. We asked the charismatic figure skater, who has been giving amazing performances in collaboration with artists every year, about his thoughts on his latest collaboration.

 

 

The poignancy and strength of the music in the collaboration

 

- I'm looking forward to the collaboration on the 2024 tour.

Hanyu: This time, I'm collaborating with T.M.Revolution /Takanori Nishikawa. I've been listening to him since I was in elementary school. When I heard he would be performing this time, I thought, 'No way!' I was really surprised."

 

- Do you feel like it's a perfect fit for your generation?

Hanyu: Maybe I’m a little later. (laughs) But my older sister is right in that generation, so I’ve listened to him a lot. I thought he was amazing, and I often listened to his music while warming up.

 

- The song that you'll be skating to this time, "Meteor" by T.M.Revolution (Takanori Nishikawa's solo project), is one of the famous songs known as the insert song for "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" (aired in October 2002).

Hanyu: I wanted to do 'vestige' too, but there are so many songs that I like. I also wanted to do 'WHITE BREATH,' 'THUNDERBIRD,' and other mellow songs, as well as "ignited".

 

- The song titles are coming out one after another.

 

Hanyu: Because I've been listening to them. I still don't know what kind of program I'll make. Because I’ve been listening for so long, I initially had no image at all. I was wondering what I could do, and I also have a strong desire not to break the essence of the music. I want to create the choreography while always thinking about what kind of synergy will be created when I incorporate myself into a completed piece of music. However, I feel it might be a bit off to lean too much into Gundam during my performance. It’s challenging, but I want to express the poignancy, strength, and driving force that the song and lyrics convey. I don’t know what kind of choreography it will be, but I definitely want to express those feelings.

 

- Every year, Hanyu appears as the final performer and closes the show with a wonderful collaboration, but you also perform with full effort during the opening and finale. It feels like you're skating to three songs, how do you feel about that?"

Hanyu: Actually, including warm-ups, I think I’ve done three pieces, but this year, I'm thinking that maybe I'll do two individual programs.

 

- Eh, really!

Hanyu: "Eh?" That’s what you would think right? It's like, 'Hanyu, are you okay doing two programs?'"

 

- I think Hanyu can handle it with ease now.

Hanyu: That’s right. In "RE_PRAY", I performed over ten songs!

 

- It will be a big gift for the audience.

Hanyu: Of course I'll give it my all from the opening, but as I continue to work as a professional, I've come to think that I can't fully express myself with just one program. I'm sure that among the fans who have high expectations, there are of course those who want to see more, so if I'm going to show it, I want to give it my all.

 

- I'm really looking forward to it.

Hanyu: As with "RE_PRAY," my basis is "contrast." I see myself as a skater with a wide range, so I’m thinking if I can make this program and this collaboration, in such a way that they both stand out. I don’t know how it will turn out, but right now, I want to skate two programs. I'm still thinking about what to skate.

 

- Possibility of a new piece?

Hanyu: I don't think that's possible. I think I'll be overwhelmed with choreographing "Meteor." For the other piece, I want to show a more traditional skating style. In addition to that, I want to convey the dynamism unique to a collaboration at this stage.

 

- Do you enjoy showing the contrasts?

 

Hanyu: More than anything, I want to satisfy those who are watching. As a professional.

 

- Of course, that's true from the performer's perspective, but it also reflects a strong producer's sense, doesn't it?

Hanyu: The reason I had decided to only perform one program in Fantasy until now was partly due to physical limitations, but also because I wanted to give 120% to that one program. Now, I feel like I can give a bit more than that, so I think it’s possible to do something like this to better satisfy everyone. After all, I’ve skated to over ten songs.

 

- When it comes to working with artists on an equal footing, Hanyu is in a class of his own. Usually, it feels like skaters try to conform.

Hanyu: I don’t approach it with the mindset of trying to match up, as it's different to experience the music with your eyes. For example, when an artist makes a music video, it's not just the music playing in the background, right? For example, sound effects (SE) may be added to the music. It's the same with the "Meteor" PV, where the music suddenly stops and a story unfolds. When you press the play button again, the song resumes. Just like that kind of production, I believe that the collaboration with figure skating isn’t just about the music existing alone. It’s about visualising it, which leads to the creation of unique works, so if I'm going to do it, I really want to cherish the process. That's why, as with “Raison” and “Real Face,” which I have performed in Fantasy in the past, I have received many requests to perform them again, but I think that those programs were made possible only because of the live singing and the unique atmosphere of that venue. I would like to create something like that again.

 

 

I want to improve. That's all.

 

- During the interview for the Makuhari performance, Keiji Tanaka mentioned that he learned how to behave as a professional by watching you at Fantasy on Ice. Do you feel that by excelling in the show, you’re conveying something through your actions?

Hanyu: It makes me happy to hear that because I’m currently pushing forward with 'ICE STORY,' and if it serves as a turning point for others, that’s great. I think it's wonderful for the quality of skating in Japan to improve. However, I don’t think in terms of wanting others to become like me; more than anything, I just want to improve myself, so if everyone else gets better, I just want to get even better than that. I think that hasn’t changed since my competitive days.

 

- That determination is really amazing.

Hanyu: It's not really determination. It feels normal to me. But I think that at the root of it all is that competitive streak that I've had since my competitive days. How should I put it, I can't forgive myself for being bad at something. I can't forgive myself for skating without any meaning, including not being able to keep the rhythm. When someone asks me, 'Why are you doing this?' I don’t want to give a performance that says 'Just because.'  I guess I don't want to lose to myself. (laughs)

 

- By the way, you are now creating your own shows and working to spread the beauty of figure skating in a variety of ways. I imagine your days are busy and filled with pressure. For example, do you have any recurring dreams?

 

Hanyu: Yes, I do. I still find myself dreaming about competitions. It's not that I want to compete again, but I guess it's a kind of trauma.

 

- Is it like your consciousness is drawn back to that?

Hanyu: Even now, when I’m performing in shows, the feeling is almost the same. I’ve been competing for 20 years after all. In my dreams, there are times when I am competing in the All-Japan Championships. The 6-minute practice has already started, but I haven't put on my shoes yet. I'm like, "No way, no way, no way!" and it's really stressful. (laughs)

 

- Do you wake up from those dreams?

Hanyu: I do. I wake up thinking, 'I had a terrible dream~'

 

- By the way, what was your last good dream, or what was the dream you had recently?

Hanyu: Recently, I dreamed that I was at the All-Japan Championships in Big Hat (Nagano), warming up. Then I heard my name being called out, 'Yuzuru Hanyu!'. I thought, “What? I’m still warming up and haven’t even put on my costume yet. What do I do?” I’ve had that dream about four times recently. (laughs)

 

- That really conveys the tension of the All-Japan Championships.

Hanyu: That's what bad dreams are like, but good dreams are like dreams about jumping a quadruple axel. I tell myself that this is a dream, and jump about five times for image training. When that happens, I get a sense of it, so when I wake up, I quickly move and jot down all the sensations I experienced.

 

- Thank you very much for sharing such valuable insights. I'm even more excited about your performance at Fantasy on Ice 2024.

 

(Interviewed in April 2024)

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.06.02

 

Source: https://x.com/NoLife_NoYuzuzu/status/1834897437410111699

Video: 

 

 

 

[FaOI Aichi D3 after-show interview]

 

Spoiler

(We are pleased to have Yuzuru Hanyu with us, who has just finished his show. Thank you for all your hard work.)

 

"Thank you very much."

(This time, the Meteor collaboration was wonderful. How did it go?)

"Well, really, I put my soul into it until the very end, and with this song, I felt happy to be able to perform and spend my days every day skating."

(How did you feel listening to Nishikawa's singing on the rink?)

"To be honest, I was really nervous. Nishikawa-san really gave me a lot of strength."

(And Danny Boy, when we interviewed you before, you mentioned the word "hope" many times. How did you feel about it when you saw the reactions of the audience?)

"Well, the meaning of "hope" really has many different meanings, and the way everyone sees 'hope' and what they want from it may also be different. Well, I think that it's okay for each person to have their own feelings about it, but I hoped that 'hope' would shine through, and I skated with that prayer in mind."

(I watched you practice and I really felt your dedication and stoicism. Could you please share again the thoughts and feelings that you put into your performance?)

"Well, for example, being the last skater in the opening or closing the entire show, there was a lot of pressure. If I made a mistake, it felt like the whole show would fail. Every day, I skated with that in mind. And also, I really feel that this moment is made possible by everyone's time and effort, whether coming to the venue or watching on TV. Since everyone took the time to see it, I thought I should give my all, so I skated with all my energy every day."

(And it's been two years since you last came to Aichi. How did you feel skating to the Aichi audience?)

"Yes, I really felt the excitement rising day by day, and not just my own performance, but also the performances that everyone watched with bated breath, immersing themselves in the worldview, and cheering loudly for each jump. I think all the skaters were truly happy."

(I think it was Hanyu who gave us that happiness.)

"No, no, not at all."

(Looking back on these three days, is there anything that you remember most fondly?)

"Well, there's a sense of accomplishment for having done my best, and a feeling of having nothing left in my body. But really, collaborating with various people and skating with a theme, and performing in the opening and finale of Fantasy on Ice, receiving everyone's cheers-I felt happy every day. Right now, there's nothing left, but I want to use this as motivation to keep working hard."

(I think many fans are hoping that Hanyu will come to Aichi again. Will you come again?)

"If possible, yes (laughs)"

(Finally, please give a message to the viewers.)

"I'm Yuzuru Hanyu. Thank you for watching. Well, while I received so much support, my own condition really, well, it was getting worse and worse with each passing day (laughs), and I couldn't sleep because of the pressure, and I couldn't eat, and I was really nervous about a lot of things, but even so, I think I was able to deliver a performance filled with all my energy to everyone. I would be happy if, even a little, you feel that it was worth watching this performance and that you're glad you saw Fantasy on Ice. Please continue to support me in the future. Thank you very much."

(Thank you for all your hard work over the past 3 days.)

"Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. I was nervous. Hehehe."

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.05.24

 

Source: https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/756504

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240523232122/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/756504

 

 

The uniqueness of the "large-scale ice show" that gained popularity.
What makes “Fantasy on Ice” different?

 

On May 24th, the large-scale figure skating ice show "Fantasy on Ice 2024" will open at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. This popular show brings together top skaters from Japan and abroad, and features live performances by famous musicians and collaboration programs with figure skating.

With the environment surrounding figure skating changing dramatically, what will become of this prestigious show that has attracted 5,000 spectators? We look at the current situation on-site through an interview with Kikuo Makabe, president of CIC, the organizer (this is the first of a two-part series).

 

Spoiler

World-class skaters to appear again in 2024

 

"Fantasy on Ice" is one of the most popular ice shows in Japan. It tours multiple venues every year, but usually starts at the Makuhari Event Hall in Makuhari Messe, Chiba Prefecture. Three performances are scheduled for Makuhari in 2024 from May 24th (Fri) to 26th (Sun).

 

The festival will feature world-class skaters, including two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, two-time World Champion Stephane Lambiel, 2024 World Championship third place Adam Xiao Him Fa, and World Championship second place Satoko Miyahara. Artists to appear include T.M.Revolution /Nishikawa Takanori, Yu Shirota, and Rei Yasuda (both the skaters and artists are scheduled to perform at the Makuhari and Aichi performances).

 

Why did it become such a popular show?

 

When you think of figure skating, you might first think of competitions, the Olympics, the World Championships, etc. Spring and summer are the off-season, and during this time, top skaters, both professional and amateur (athletes who compete in competitions), usually appear in highly entertaining events collectively known as "ice shows."

 

"Fantasy on Ice" is one such ice show. There are several factors that have supported its popularity. First of all, it has a "collaboration program between top skaters and famous artists." This collaboration has been the source of differentiation from other ice shows.

 

Previous artists with hit songs who have appeared on the show include The Gospellers (2010), Mai Kuraki (2011), Hiromi Go (2014), CHEMISTRY (2016, 2018), Suga Shikao (2022), and Hirose Kohmi (2022).

 

A spectacular collaboration between live music and skating

 

In "Fantasy on Ice," a stage is set up on one side of a rectangular ice rink, and skaters perform routines accompanied by live music from artists.

 

For example, at the 2023 Makuhari performance, the opening song was "Rising Heart" sung by Miho Fukuhara, and the finale song was "USA" sung by the members of DA PUMP, with many skaters dancing along to the songs.

 

Collaboration program for the first day of the 2023 Makuhari performance

(Skater "Song" / Artist)
Mai Mihara "Hana" / Rimi Natsukawa
Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson "'S Wonderful" / Rimi Natsukawa
Shizuka Arakawa "Broken Heart" / Miho Fukuhara
Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron "I will always love you" / Miho Fukuhara
Ensemble skaters "Lady Marmalade" / Miho Fukuhara
Nobunari Oda "Nada Sou Sou" / Rimi Natsukawa
Kazuki Tomono "Tsumugi" / ISSA
Keiji Tanaka "All My Love to You" / ISSA
Yuzuru Hanyu "If..." / ISSA & KIMI

 

Music is an integral part of figure skating, and since 2014 songs featuring vocals have been used in competitions.

 

Collaborations between skaters and artists may be perceived as an extension of traditional performances, with the music simply being performed live, but there are clear characteristics that come with being "live."

 

Usually, music for figure skating is prepared to match the program, and of course the exact same music is played over and over again. However, in live performances, the tempo and the timing of the next phrase are slightly different each time. Skaters are required to move in response to this, and artists are also required to perform in sync with the skaters.

 

Not figure skating with high-end BGM, but "double starring roles"

 

Kikuo Makabe, president of CIC, the organising company, said, "Many of the audience at Fantasy on Ice are figure skating fans, but the performing artists don't just act as background music. Both the artists and the skaters are the main characters."

 

Both skaters and artists are aware of their roles as the main actors, and they work to improve their performances, respect each other, and give it their all. This is where the excitement that can only come from a collaboration between different disciplines is born.

 

As for the offer to artists, President Makabe says, "First of all, we want people who have hit songs that everyone knows and those with excellent singing voices. In recent years, we've also been inviting young artists who we expect to become even more successful in the future."

 

The collaborative songs range from past hits that are memorable to many people to songs by up-and-coming young artists.

 

Many fans of the performing artists attend live viewings at venues and movie theatres, including some who say it's their first time seeing figure skating. After the show, fans of the artists talk about the appeal of figure skating, and figure skating fans talk about the appeal of the artists, and there is often an exchange of cheers on social media.

 

Evolving collaboration

 

Although skaters and artists do not always have a lot of time to practice together, the evolution of the show under time constraints is also one of its charms. As the performances continue, the programs are refined, and the music and skating become more in harmony.

 

"They communicate with each other and coordinate their choreography without being told to do so by anyone. Once they perform live, the artists' excitement rises as they experience the excitement of the venue and the chemistry between them and the skaters' real performances. After the first day's performance, the two bow to each other, then shake hands, and they become stronger, and on the final day they even embrace and praise each other. The energies of the performers intertwine to create a special atmosphere." (President Makabe)

 

The same song will be performed differently, depending on the tension on the first day, the process of getting used to it, and the excitement on the final day. Fans have also expressed their desire to see footage of all performances, and in some cases performances with almost the same program are broadcast on CS and other channels for each performance day (rebroadcasts are also widely available, mainly on paid broadcasts).

 

There will also be a "Flying" program that goes back and forth between the air and the ice.

 

It's not just collaborative programs. There are also many programs that use pre-prepared audio, and performers from active athletes to veterans perform programs that make the most of their individuality.

 

In recent years, Mery Acevedo and Alfonso Campa have also been drawing amazement with their flying-on-ice routines (in which they use ropes to rise into the air and perform acrobatic routines between the air and the ice).

 

Last year's "Fantasy on Ice 2023" Makuhari performance featured a total of 30 performances and took approximately three and a half hours from start to finish (including a 25-minute break during the performance for making ice).

 

This is a fairly long performance time for an ice show. With so much to offer and so many skaters and artists to perform, production costs are also high. On the other hand, ticket prices are within the market price range for ice shows, at 27,000 yen for premium seats, 25,000 yen for arena seats, 22,000 yen for SS seats, and 10,000 yen for A seats. The key to making this happen is the "single-company production system."

 

In Japan, ice shows are often organized by multiple media companies, athlete management companies, etc., and the planning, production, management, and performance progress are often outsourced to specialized companies. On the other hand, "Fantasy on Ice" is produced from start to finish by CIC, whose main business is event planning and production.

 

In the second part, we will take a deeper look at CIC's style of ice show production, their passion for figure skating, and the changes in the world of ice shows in recent years (part 2 coming soon).

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.05.29

 

Source: https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/757315

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240528213552/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/757315

 

 

The driving force behind "strengthening athletes" - behind the scenes of large-scale ice shows.
The figure skating boom is a driving force, and Yuzuru Hanyu's presence is growing

 

A "signature product" that was necessary for business stability

As mentioned in the first article, "Fantasy on Ice" has a unique production structure. The show is created and managed by CIC, which specializes in event planning and production. There are many parties involved, such as co-sponsors, sponsors, and supporting companies, mainly from the hosting area, but as for the content of the show, most of it is handled by CIC alone, which allows for flexibility and freedom in production. It also keeps outsourcing costs down.

 

Why did CIC adopt this management style?

 

Spoiler

The company's president, Kikuo Makabe, is known as one of the driving forces behind Japan's ice show culture. In 2001, he established CIC by separating the event department, including figure skating, from the event production company where he worked. In the same year, he hosted the "Philippe Candeloro Japan Tour 2001," inviting French figure skater Philippe Candeloro, who was particularly popular at the time.

 

"Initially, we were a production company that made our sales through commissioned work. But to stabilize our business, we needed to have our own products, not just work commissioned from other companies. So, I thought I'd try to establish an event hosting business in my own field, figure skating." (President Makabe)

 

The culture of ice shows was first established in the West, and for a long time in Japan, the only image known of it was “figure skating = Winter Olympics”. The Philippe Candeloro Japan Tour 2001 was the first step for CIC to stand on its own merits, and at the same time, it was an effort to import figure skating as entertainment to Japan.

 

The show, which was organized while feeling its way around, struggled to attract customers and ended up in the red by 20 million yen. It was a very tough result for the fledgling CIC, but they didn't give up and held the following year's "Philippe Candeloro Fantasy on Ice 2002," which was able to make profit.

 

The following year, in 2003, they suffered another huge loss, and it was not until 2010 that the show, called "Fantasy on Ice," was revived. However, it was the experience of hosting this series of ice shows in the early 2000s, on the eve of the figure skating boom, that determined the direction of CIC.

 

"Initially, we were all focused on getting the business on track and creating our own flagship products. But after our first show in 2001, the Japan Skating Federation thanked us, saying it was a valuable experience for the skaters," says President Makabe.

 

"When they thank me, I have no choice but to continue."

 

When figure skating was a minor sport in Japan, even top athletes had few opportunities to perform in front of large crowds. For Japanese athletes, competing in an unfamiliar environment must have been a place where they struggled with anxiety and nervousness.

 

On the other hand, athletes from countries and regions where ice shows were popular had experience performing while watching the audience's reactions. Even in competitions, there was a big difference in the expressiveness cultivated in shows and in appealing to judges and audiences. Ice shows organized by CIC played a part in filling this gap.

 

Also, before Japan became a figure skating powerhouse, the only opportunity to come into contact with top skaters and choreographers from overseas was at international competitions. What kind of training do top skaters do, how do they skate, how do they jump? Ice shows, where you can learn about this up close, are a good stimulus, not only for the actual performance but also for the pre-performance practice.

 

The show, held by the private company CIC and featuring overseas stars, unintentionally provided Japanese skaters with the opportunity to perform in front of an audience and experience world-class skating. The show also featured skaters who would later represent Japan at the Olympics.

 

"We planned the show to develop our business, but when the skaters were thankful that it helped them improve, we had no choice but to continue. It made me very happy. We incurred a huge loss in the first year, but we decided to host it again in the second year because we felt that we wanted to do whatever we could to help strengthen Japanese figure skating. That feeling hasn't changed to this day." (President Makabe)

 

However, to continue running ice shows as a business, they must be in the black. To provide athletes with a training ground, they need a system that can generate stable profits.

 

During its experience as a host in the early 2000s, CIC built a network with skaters and people involved in skating from around the world, and accumulated know-how from planning to attracting audience. In addition, the figure skating boom that followed the Turin Olympics in 2006 provided a positive traction.

 

In the women's category, Shizuka Arakawa's gold medal at the Turin Olympics and Mao Asada's triple axel attracted attention, while in the men's category, Daisuke Takahashi became the first Asian to win a bronze medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and to win the World Championships. As new stars emerged one after another, Yuzuru Hanyu becomes a particularly big presence for "Fantasy on Ice."

 

In 2013, Yuzuru Hanyu was the main star.

 

President Makabe, who has been closely involved with the figure skating world, has not only worked to find performers for the show, but also skaters who could be potential performers in the future. He has been in contact with Hanyu since around 2008, when he was a notable skater even before he reached the senior ranks. He offered him an opportunity to perform in the new Fantasy on Ice from the first show in 2010, and in the 2013 show, he was given the final act for the first time before the Sochi Olympics (from then on, he has always been the final act when performing).

 

Since Hanyu won gold at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, his popularity has only grown. Among Hanyu's fans, there are terms such as "Nice Ochi" and "Sochi Ochi." These terms refer to when and which performances they saw that made them fans. "Nice Ochi" refers to becoming a fan after the 2012 World Championships, while "Sochi Ochi" refers to becoming a fan after the 2014 Olympics. Since then, new "○○ Ochi" terms have been created one after another.

 

This is a show that Hanyu almost always appears in (except in 2016 when he was recovering from an injury, and the show was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Moreover, he is essentially in a position similar to that of the leader of the troupe. Tickets have been difficult to obtain.

 

Hanyu plays a central role in the opening and closing acts, and the entire venue stands up when he finishes his final performance. After the show, he also turns to congratulate the performers as they leave the rink.

 

Rather than being merely one of the performers, it seems as though he is taking responsibility for the success or failure of the show himself, but was the role of "actual chairman" a request from CIC? When asked, President Makabe said, "That's unclear." "We haven't asked him to be chairman. But I think he has always appeared with that mindset. I also expect him to take the lead and pull everyone along. After all, he is a top skater with two consecutive Olympic gold medals."

 

“The history of "Fantasy on Ice" can be said to be a history of friendly rivalry between Hanyu and the production team. It's a show in which he appears, so of course it has to be a high-quality, number one show. We didn't want to lose either."

 

Hanyu has taken the initiative to change the conventional approach of "keeping the difficulty of each element of a performance, including jumps, to a level that makes it difficult to make mistakes in ice shows", and even after turning professional, he is still performing quadruple jumps in the opening act. He also attempts highly difficult jumps in the "jump competition" that takes place after all the performances have been completed. This proactive attitude has spread to other performers, and has likely been an inspiration to young skaters in particular.

 

Even in the collaborative performances with artists, which are a major selling point of the show, Hanyu studies the music in depth and prepares performances that will amaze everyone.

 

"I was really fortunate to be in the world of figure skating at the same time as him and to have been able to see his evolution up close. He always gives it his all in the shows, so we look forward to seeing his performances every year. I know that many customers buy tickets because it's a show featuring Hanyu Yuzuru. But one thing I keep in mind is that we shouldn't just ride on his popularity. We have to make our own efforts to create a better show. If we don't do that, there's no future for us." (President Makabe)

 

"Competition" with "Yuzuru Hanyu solo show"

 

The world of figure skating has changed dramatically in the past few years, and many shows are struggling to attract audiences. For example, in the 2023 Miyagi performance of "Fantasy on Ice," there were many empty seats at the back of the venue, especially on the first day, Friday. It is said that it has become more difficult to attract audiences to weekday evening events since the COVID-19 pandemic, but that is not the only reason.

 

The location and accessibility of the venue are major factors, but another possible reason of this is due to overlapping audiences with Yuzuru Hanyu's solo shows and group performances. Since turning professional in 2022, Hanyu's solo shows and group performances have been held frequently.

 

It is easy to imagine that fans who support Hanyu would prioritize solo shows and group shows where they can see more of Hanyu's performances. One of the factors that differentiated "Fantasy on Ice" from other shows was that Hanyu almost always appeared, but now a "competitor" has appeared in the form of "Hanyu Yuzuru Solo Shows/Group Shows."

 

"I think there is an influence from his solo shows and group shows. Our company is involved in the management of these shows, so we are aware of this and are not optimistic about the current situation. However, rather than competing for customers, we want to help each other improve. 'Fantasy on Ice' is entertainment created together by many skaters and artists. We want to effectively showcase the appeal of this show," said President Makabe.

 

During the past decade, when ticket sales have been extremely strong, the company has invested heavily in improving show content, including the introduction of its first moving stage in 2023 (nicknamed "Roomba" on social media, after the robot vacuum cleaner).

 

Makabe also confided, "These past 10 years have been special, and perhaps things will return to normal."

 

For the past 10 years, while he himself has been fascinated by the performances of stars, as a manager he has always felt a sense of crisis about "star dependence." That is why he has continued to emphasize his unchanging desire to "increase the number of 'figure skating fans' and 'Fantasy on Ice fans.'"

 

I spoke to President Makabe a little while after the 2023 performance. How about the 2024 performance? I interviewed him on the first day of the Makuhari performance on May 24th.

 

There were two impressive points. First, the operation of the aforementioned moving stage, the "Roomba," was sophisticated. It was used like a flying magic carpet in the collaborative performance of "A Whole New World" (theme song of the Disney movie "Aladdin"), performed by Yuna Aoki, Yu Shirota, and Rei Yasuda, which wowed the audience.

 

The 2023 performance did not take full advantage of the moving stage, which was introduced for the first time. Many audience members said that the viewing experience was rather marred by the "Roomba." By resolving such dissatisfaction in the first year, the second year saw the production come to life because of the 'Roomba'.

 

A deep "Gundam Festival"

 

The second is the creation of a program that puts the anime "Gundam" series at the forefront. Participating artist T.M.Revolution/Nishikawa Takanori performed four songs for the collaboration program, three of which, excluding the finale "HIGH PRESSURE," were Gundam-related songs. For example, the collaboration program with Yuzuru Hanyu, "Meteor," is a song from the "Gundam SEED" series.

 

While the song selection struck a chord with Gundam fans, on the first day, it seemed that some in the venue were confused and wondering, "What song is that?" Nishikawa has many big hits such as "WHITE BREATH" and "HOT LIMIT," so this was a rather bold selection that had the risk of disappointing the audience who had come expecting it.

 

This deep "Gundam Festival" was made possible by the gathering of Nishikawa Takanori, who has sung numerous Gundam songs, and Gundam fan skaters Hanyu Yuzuru and Tanaka Keiji.

 

On social media, several related words became trending topics, and many people expressed their desire to see "Gundam SEED." There were also reactions from Gundam fans who learned that a Gundam song was being performed at an ice show.

 

Also, at the "Fantasy on Ice 2024" Makuhari performance, there was a change in Yuzuru Hanyu's position. As in previous years, after all the performances, he will be the one to bring the performers together in a scene like a curtain call, but there were more highlights in the performance (especially the opening and finale) than in the 2023 performance. In addition, his appearances have increased, and he performed two programs, "Danny Boy" in the first half and "Meteor" as the finale in the second half (his solo performance in 2023 was only the finale "If...").

 

Various innovations and challenges in the show will continue. Can the virtuous cycle that CIC aims for, "ice shows that lead to the development of Japanese figure skaters," be maintained in the future? Who will play what role in that? Behind the scenes of the glamorous show, there is another ongoing "battle".