[2024] Echoes of Life - ICE STORY 3rd

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: hhttps://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/12/08/kiji/20241208s00079000034000c.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241213010515/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/12/08/kiji/20241208s00079000034000c.html

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu turns 30 and begins solo performance: "I can still do more. I can get even better"

 

On the 7th, Yuzuru Hanyu, who won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in men's figure skating and is now pursuing a career as a professional, celebrated his 30th birthday by launching his new solo show, Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd "Echoes of Life" TOUR, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama.

 

Spoiler

The grand story, set in a virtual world, explores the meaning of life. Using projection mapping and other stage effects, Hanyu passionately performed 12 songs, including many new tracks such as "First Cry~ Meguri." His carefully selected repertoire, which weaved in various genres with a focus on piano music, captivated the 14,000 spectators. Adding three encore songs, including SEIMEI, the performance totaled 15 pieces, lasting an impressive 2 hours and 50 minutes. He expressed his wish, saying, "I hope this can become even a small source of strength for everyone."

 

This performance marked his 30th birthday. After the main show, before the encore, he joyfully exclaimed, "It's my birthday! Yay! I was born!" He listened to the large chorus of "Happy Birthday to You" from the audience, visibly moved. Reflecting on how his image of being 30 years old as a child has changed, he expressed that he now feels limitless possibilities ahead. "If you compare it to baseball or soccer, this is the time when my experience, senses, and skills will finally peak," he said optimistically.

 

Starting in Saitama on the 9th and 11th, performances in Hiroshima in January and Chiba in February are upcoming. "I feel like there's still so much more I can do. The future will be even better than I imagine," he stated. After a decade filled with remarkable achievements, Hanyu moves into a new chapter. His solitary challenge continues. (Hiroaki Yamato)

 

 

Source: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/12/08/kiji/20241208s00079000067000c.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241212102721/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/12/08/kiji/20241208s00079000067000c.html

 

 

[Yuzuru Hanyu speaks (1)] Turning 30: Doing his best now, "The future will be even better"

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, who won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in men's figure skating and is now pursuing a career as a professional, celebrated his 30th birthday on the 7th. He kicked off his new solo performance, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR," at the Saitama Super Arena. He passionately performed 15 songs in total, including 12 main songs and 3 encores, captivating an audience of 14,000.

 

Below is a Q&A following the performance (part 1):

 

Spoiler

Q: After successfully completing the first day, what are your honest feelings?

A: "It really feels like it has finally started. I was incredibly nervous, and of course, I spent a lot of time training and practicing every single day. But until you perform in front of the audience, you can't know for sure whether it’s a 'success or failure.' So honestly, I feel like it has finally begun, and I’m just glad that I could complete the first day without injury and with the story coming to a conclusion."

 

Q: One of the themes is 'living.' What does that theme mean to you?

A: "From a young age, I’ve thought a lot about bioethics and also studied the philosophy of life during my university years. I’ve had a deep interest in the philosophy of living. It’s something I’ve been thinking about and studying over and over. I wanted to make this performance, Echoes of Life, a place where everyone could come up with their own answers to what it means to live, and create a philosophical experience for the audience."

 

Q: You celebrated your 30th birthday with blessings from your fans.

A: "I really thought, 'Wow, I’m turning 30.' When I was told, 'You're 30 now,' I thought, 'Oh, really? I'm 30?' (laughs). When I compare the image I had of being in my 30s when I was younger to how I feel now—both physically and mentally—it’s completely different. I still feel like I can do so much more. In Echoes, there’s a part where we ask, 'What is the future?' or 'What is the past?' But I truly believe the future will be much better than I can imagine. By doing my best in the present, I feel like I’ve entered my 30s in a way that’s different from when I thought, '30 is old!'"

 

Q: What are your aspirations for your 30s?

A: "As for figure skating, I had this vague image that my performance would begin to decline. But if I think about it in terms of other sports like baseball or soccer, I believe that now is the time when my experience, sensations, and techniques will really start to take off. So, I have a lot of hope for my future, and I’ll keep the mentality of always seizing opportunities. I want to approach my practice, training, and performances with that mindset."

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/12/08/kiji/20241208s00079000068000c.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241211203305/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/12/08/kiji/20241208s00079000068000c.html

 

[Yuzuru Hanyu speaks (2)] "Destiny is a series of coincidences... I feel like it's a miracle" - the fundamental theme he wanted to express

 

Below is a Q&A following the performance (part 2):

 

Spoiler

Q: The idea of turning words into sound is fascinating. What inspired this concept?
A: "Originally, I’ve always experienced things like colors turning into sound or emotions. To put it simply, some people might associate the color red with passion, while others might associate it with fear. It’s each person’s own interpretation, but I have always perceived these things as sound since I was young. It's not that I have perfect pitch, but I’ve always heard melodies in a way, like I could feel them in a musical sense. When I was thinking about what ability to give to the character, I considered the tone of the words I’ve been training with, their meaning, and how to express that in the story. The entire philosophy enters the body as sound, and that philosophy becomes music, which then becomes the program. That’s the kind of idea I expanded upon while writing the story."

 

Q: There were many lines during the performance that felt like they could be written down. Could you pick one and elaborate on it?
A: "I read many philosophy books on life, and books by professors from university as well. I studied the idea that fate is a series of coincidences. While reading these philosophical texts, I came to understand that fate is fragile—sometimes it’s hard to understand how such coincidences come together. I think everyone has their own version of fate, and there are times when, looking back or even in the present, people might feel that they’ve encountered something miraculous—something that feels like a miracle. That’s the kind of joy I want people to feel, and that’s what I was trying to convey in one of the texts."

 

Q: There were also many new costumes. Which one did you feel most attached to?
A: "It’s probably NOVA’s costume. Until now, I haven’t really linked the costume used in the video to the actual performance on the ice. Honestly, wearing clothes that could be used as fashion on the ice was quite difficult, but still, I have a strong attachment to NOVA's costume as the protagonist. Also, for this performance, many people, including those who specialize in figure skating, as well as those who hadn’t worked on figure skating costumes before, participated in making these costumes. We went through many designs and arrangements to create them. Of course, costumes like those in RE_PRAY or GIFT and the prologue are quite different, but in Echoes, you’ll see costumes with a unique fabric feel that you can’t see in other figure skating performances. I hope the audience can feel the difference in these costumes as well."

 

 

 

Source: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/12/08/kiji/20241208s00079000078000c.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241208152956/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2024/12/08/kiji/20241208s00079000078000c.html

 

[Yuzuru Hanyu speaks (3)] His dedication to carefully considered piano pieces, "while making meticulous calculations"

 

Below is a Q&A following the performance (part 3):

Spoiler

Q: There was also a movie-like segment. How long did the filming take? Did you always want to try acting on screen?

A: Starting with the second question, I had the opportunity to appear in a movie once and act, but I honestly thought, "Oh, I’m not suited for this" (laughs). I had no desire to be in movies. However, when it comes to playing the character of NOVA, the protagonist, there was no sense of discomfort. Since it’s a story I wrote and a character I fully immersed myself in, I felt that I had to play the role. As for the filming, it took about three days. I spent two full days on it, then another half day, and then half a day again. Plus, I had to record the narration, which took another two full days. It was tough! (laughs)

 

Q: Can you talk about your dedication to the song selection and expression?

A: "RE_PRAY" was more game-oriented, so while I was working on a new story, I had a strong desire to focus on more classical pieces. Since the theme of this program was philosophy, I chose more piano melodies and songs that evoke a sense of clarity and focus. As I was creating the story, I thought about where I wanted to depict battles, where I needed to stay grounded, and where I wanted to use words directly. I put a lot of thought into selecting the songs. The song I struggled the most with was probably the fifth one. From the classical piano sequence to the “Ballade No. 1,” it was a first for me to perform without leaving the ice for about 30 seconds at a time, continuously performing the program. I studied classical music with Shinya Kiyozuka, and while I was figuring out what meaning to convey through the music, I also asked Jeffrey Buttle to choreograph. We worked together on the image we wanted to skate to, and created a 10-minute program together after careful calculations.

 

[yuzurujenn]

  *machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://ontomo-mag.com/article/report/yuzu20241207/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241208160508/https://ontomo-mag.com/article/report/yuzu20241207/

 

 

14,000 fans in a frenzy! Report on the premiere at Saitama Super Arena on December 7th and the post-show press conference
-An epic ice show with a storyline in which Yuzuru Hanyu questions "life" and "living" has begun!

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, the two-time champion at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, who continues to be active as a professional figure skater, stars in and is executive producer of the ice show "ICE STORY" series. The national tour of the third installment, "Echoes of Life," premiered at Saitama Super Arena on December 7th. We report on the performance and the interview that took place after the show.

 

Spoiler

An ice show in which he acted and was the executive producer

 

Yuzuru Hanyu has continued to demonstrate his overwhelming strength and achievements as an athlete, becoming the first man in 66 years to win consecutive Winter Olympic gold medals in the men's singles event, winning the World Figure Skating Championships twice, the Grand Prix Final four times in a row, and becoming the first man in the history of the sport to achieve a Super Slam (winning all six ISU championships organized by the ISU - the World Championships, the Junior and Senior Grand Prix Final, the Olympic Games, and the European Championships or Four Continents Championships).

 

In 2022, he turned professional figure skater and achieved success after success with the "ICE STORY" series of ice shows, which he starred in and produced himself, demonstrating his talent as a producer. The show has also been well-received as an innovative ice show in which the story is told through Hanyu's own words and skating.

 

"Echoes of Life," which will be performed this time, is the third in the series following "GIFT" and "RE_PRAY," and is the title of a story that Hanyu himself wrote specifically for this ice show. In the work, Hanyu explores the themes of life's journey and growth, asking what "life" is and what it means to "live," and finding the answers through dialogue. He said that he had a lot of trouble trying to express this epic story in an ice show (from his own comments below).

 

Captivating audiences with classical and other genres of music

 

As soon as the lights went down right at the start of the show, Saitama Super Arena, which boasts one of the largest seating capacities in Japan, was filled with cheers from the 14,000 people. A powerful image that made you feel as if you were watching a movie was played, and the venue became even more heated when Hanyu appeared from a capsule-shaped device placed on the stage. The device carrying Hanyu disappeared from the stage (the lift-down), and the ice show began with a stylish production in which he immediately linked in. The set list for this performance is as follows.

 

［SET LIST］
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 energio 
 5-2. The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book1 : No.2, Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 847
 5-3. Keyboard Sonata in D Minor, K.141
 5-4. 12 Études, Op.25 : No.12 in C Minor ”Ocean”
 5-5. 12 Études, Op.10 : No.4 in C-Sharp Minor ”Torrent”
6. Ballade No.1 in G Minor, Op.23
7. Goliath (2024Remix)
8. Aqua's Journey (Piano Solo Ver.)
9. Eclipse/blue
10. GATE OF STEINER -Aesthetics on Ice
11. Danny Boy
12. Poem of the Soul of Everyone
[ENCORE]
EC1. Let Me Entertain You
EC2. Ashura-chan
EC3. SEIMEI

 

The show progresses as he skates through a program using music from a variety of genres, including classical, pop, and video game music. Although there are some pieces where the music doesn't seem to connect when listened to individually, the world of "Echoes of Life" expands through the visuals, lighting, sets, costumes, the dancers' performances, and Hanyu's skating, and it is overwhelming to see how all the parts fit together perfectly from start to finish to become one work.

 

Hanyu's true talents, a program of exquisite piano solo pieces

Particularly impressive was the fifth piece on the set list, "Piano Collection." Starting with Brahms' "6 Pieces, Op.118, No.3 Ballade," JS Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1, No.2 Prelude and Fugue, BWV847, C minor," Scarlatti's "Sonata for Keyboard in D minor, K.141," Chopin's "Etude, Op.25, No.12, Ocean," and "Etude, Op.10, No.4, C sharp minor," each of which was beautifully performed in a short time of about 30 seconds, before moving on to Chopin's "Ballade No.1 in G minor, Op.23," which could be called Hanyu's masterpiece program. Hanyu skated as if playing each note, changing the tempo with deep edge work.

 

Furthermore, he performed a series of jumps, including a quadruple toe loop, as if blending into the music. In "Etude Op.10 No. 4 in C sharp minor," he expressed Chopin's music with spins that perfectly matched the intense and passionate melody.

 

He expresses his gratitude to his fans and the difficulties he faced during the production

Hanyu appeared again for the encore and expressed his gratitude to the audience:
"There are those watching the live broadcast all over the world, those actually watching here in this venue, those watching on TELASA, and those watching live. Many people have been looking forward to this performance, and I, as well as all the staff members, have felt all sorts of things, such as expectations, pressure, and heavy responsibilities, and we have really, really... used a lot of time and energy to create Echoes of Life. I hope that this performance, this story, will give you all a little bit of motivation to live."

 

Hanyu used his natural concentration from start to finish, completely immersing the audience in the world of "Echoes of Life," but he admitted that he was actually nervous.

 

"I was really nervous (laughs). I was so nervous, I felt like my stomach was turning inside out, I was so nervous I just couldn't stand it," he said with a humorous comment, drawing laughter. He went on to reveal the difficulties he faced during the production process.

 

"When I handed the storybook version over to the directing and video teams, they said, 'That's great,' but then we started asking, 'How do we turn this into an ice story?' I was worried about what to do, but together with the director who made the video, we worked really hard to create it, trying different things. I was really anxious and wondering what was going to happen... I didn't know anything! What should I do? We created it while feeling like that, but when it all came together in front of you all like this, with the video, the direction, and my skating, I felt that we had created something really good, and your applause made me feel that way, so I'm glad we all worked so hard."

 

It was Hanyu's birthday that day, and he was congratulated by the audience with a chorus of "Happy Birthday to you" and many banners.

 

"So many people... I wonder how many tens of thousands of people watched? I think the people watching the live broadcast sang along too, right? And the people watching on TV sang along too, right? I don't actually know (laughs). I don't think there are many people who get celebrated by so many like this, so I'm really happy. Thank you very much."

 

 

 

 

Below is a Q&A from the press conference after the show.

 

Spoiler

--Now that you've successfully completed the first day, please tell us how you feel.

The strongest feeling I have is that it's finally started. I was really nervous, and of course I spent a lot of time training and practicing every day, but I couldn't really tell until I got to skate in front of everyone for real... I didn't know if it would be a success or a failure, so honestly, I just feel like "it's finally started," and I'm glad that I was able to complete the story without any injuries on the first day.

 

--This time, "ICE STORY 3rd" was produced with "living" as a single theme, but could you tell us again about the thoughts and aims that went into it?

I've always thought about bioethics since I was a child, and as I studied them at university, I was very interested in the philosophy of "living." From there, I re-examined the thoughts and theories that had been swirling around inside me, and wrote "Echoes of Life" with the hope of creating a performance that would allow all of you to come up with your own answers and philosophize about what it means to "live" in this world.

 

--And once again, happy birthday.

Thank you (laughs).

 

--There were lots of happy birthday banners from your fans today too, how did it feel to celebrate your 30th birthday in a setting like that?

I feel like I'm turning 30, and when I was told I'm 30 now I thought, "Oh, 30 years old..." (laughs), but when I consider what I've always thought 30 was like since I was a child, and the physical sensations and mental state I'm in right now, it's completely different from what I imagined, and I feel like I still have a lot to do. In Echoes, questions like "What is the future?" and "What is the past?" come up, but the future can really be better than we can imagine, and by doing my best in the "now," I somehow feel like I've been able to welcome my 30s in a different way than when I thought "30 is old, you know" (laughs).

 

--What are your aspirations for your 30s?

I had a vague idea that as I get older as a figure skater, I would start to deteriorate, but if I think about it in terms of baseball or soccer, I feel that this is the time when my experience, senses and techniques will finally be at their peak. So I want to approach practice, training and performances with hope for my own future, always with the feeling that I will absolutely grab this opportunity.

 

--The idea of words becoming sounds was intriguing, and it felt like being overwhelmed by sound. What was your thought behind the idea?

Originally, I was a person who saw scenes - for example, colors - as sounds or emotions. To put it simply, some people think that red is passion, while others think it is fear. It's up to each person to interpret it, but I've been hearing things like that since I was quite young, as "sounds". It's not that I have perfect pitch, but I feel like I can hear it somehow as a melody. When I was thinking about what kind of abilities I should give this child (NOVA: the protagonist) based on my own experiences and writing fiction, I incorporated the intonation and meaning of words that I train in, and expressed those things into the story, and the whole philosophy entered my body as sound. Then that philosophy became music and the program was created, and I wrote the story with all sorts of ideas flying around.

 

--There were a lot of words in today's story that made me want to write them down. I know it's difficult to choose just one, but if you could, I'd like you to choose one and tell us your thoughts about it.

I reread a lot of different philosophical books on life, as well as books by professors whose classes I took at university, and wrote about them, and, well... as I read a lot of philosophical books I learned that "fate" is a series of coincidences, and I came to believe that it is truly fragile, and that each and every person has their own destiny that makes them wonder "how did these coincidences come together?" When you look back on your life, or when you feel that your destiny is currently in progress, how can I put it... this is one of the pieces I wrote in the hope that it would make you feel a sense of joy at having come across such a rare coincidence, or a miracle.

 

--I think there were a lot of new costumes this time, but which one are you most attached to?

I guess it would have to be NOVA's costume. I'd never tried to link a costume in a video with an actual performance, so honestly, it was quite difficult to wear clothes that could really be used for fashion on the ice, but I have a strong attachment to the costume of the main character, NOVA. This time, we had people who have been specializing in figures for a long time, as well as people who have never made figures before, participate, and there are many costumes that were created through repeated arrangements, so of course this is an Ice Story with a different flavor from "RE_PRAY," "GIFT," and "Prologue." I hope that people will be able to experience the feel of the fabrics of the costumes, including those that don't look like figure (costumes), and that you can only see in Echoes.

 

--This time, there were elements of film or video. How long did the filming take, and whether you had always wanted to try acting or performance on screen?

First, to answer the question at the end, I once appeared in a movie, and I acted, but at that time I really thought, "Oh, I'm not suited for this." (laughs). So, how is that... I didn't have any desire to appear in a movie or anything like that, but I just didn't feel any discomfort about acting against the main character, NOVA. After all, it's a story I wrote, and I'm drawing a main character that I can completely get into, so I felt that I had to act that way. As for the time it took to shoot, it took about three days. We did it for two full days, then did it for about half a day, then shot it again for another half day... and then we had to record the narration, so we recorded the narration again over two days... so it was tough (laughs). Yes.

 

--You used classical, folk, and modern music, and everything fit perfectly within the piece. It was an incredible performance. Could you tell us about your attention to detail in the music selection and expression?

"RE_PRAY" was quite game-oriented, so while I was making a new project, I also felt like doing something fairly classical. Also, the theme this time was philosophy, so I chose a lot of songs with piano melodies and songs that could evoke a sense of composure and strength. For example, while I was writing the story, I would think things like, "This is the part where I want to fight," or, "This is where I need to stay true to myself," or, "This is the part where I want to use the words as they are," and so on, and I put a lot of thought into my song selection. The piece I struggled with the most this time was the fifth song. It starts with a series of classical piano pieces, and then there's "Ballad No. 1." I'm doing something I've never done before, where I performed the program continuously without leaving the stage, about 30 seconds at a time. For this section, I worked closely with pianist Shinya Kiyozuka to study the classical elements and the meaning behind the music. I also asked Jeffrey Buttle to choreograph it, and we meticulously planned the 10-minute program, calculating how to best convey the emotions and flow throughout the piece.

 

 

Starting at Saitama Super Arena on December 7, 2024, the tour will be held in Hiroshima in January and Funabashi, Chiba in February. For details, check the official website below!
●ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR: https://echoesoflife.jp/

 

[yuzurujenn]

 *machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://steadyhq.com/de/pirouette-figure-skating-magazine/posts/152c5920-45d8-4923-816c-8d3dc71974f2

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241208123206/https://steadyhq.com/de/pirouette-figure-skating-magazine/posts/152c5920-45d8-4923-816c-8d3dc71974f2

 

 

Echoes Of Life - How Sounds Change the World

 

Around 14,000 spectators flocked to the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama Prefecture to attend the opening show of Yuzuru Hanyu's "Echoes of Life" tour, the third chapter of his Ice Story. Hours before the event began, fans from all over the world transformed the area in front of the arena into a sea of colors and emotions with their banners. The countless "Happy Birthday" signs were especially eye-catching, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the superstar. On this special evening, he not only celebrated the start of his tour but also his 30th birthday.

 

Spoiler

The opening of the third chapter of the Hanyu saga resembled a scene from a science fiction film: futuristic light displays transformed the ice into a spectacular stage, drawing attention to several time capsule-like containers in which the performers (Hanyu and four dancers from the group ELEVENPLAY) lay as if in a deep sleep. Amid this mysterious atmosphere, Yuzuru Hanyu eventually came to life in the role of his self-designed character, Nova VGH-257, accompanied by the haunting sounds of "First Pulse," signaling the beginning of a visually and emotionally captivating adventure. With every movement radiating both grace and strength, he captivated the audience, receiving enthusiastic applause, especially for his elegant Ina Bauer and the flawlessly executed final spin that concluded the program.

 

As Hanyu briefly left the stage to prepare for his next appearance, Nova's story continued seamlessly on the giant screen, immersing the audience deeply into the protagonist's dystopian world. The story showed how Nova left the laboratory through a massive metal gate and found himself in a desolate desert landscape, vividly brought to life with elaborate CGI animations. In this barren environment, where the remnants of a fallen civilization existed only as silent witnesses to a past age, Nova developed his first profound thoughts: "I have awoken without knowing anything. Why am I alive? Why am I the only one who has awakened?"

 

A scene change took the protagonist into a surreal, white room filled with numerous doors, symbolizing the search for answers to his existential questions. Here, Nova encountered a guide who promised to unravel the mysteries of life for him. Nova was told that he possessed the extraordinary ability to use the powers of "sound" and "reproduction" to reveal the truth about himself through the sound of his words.

 

Hanyu then appeared in a dazzling white costume to perform "Ubugoe〜Meguri" (First Cry – Circulation) and used the stage to portray the birth of new life with slow, almost delicate movements. To the soft, high-pitched sounds of singing, he unfolded like a bud finally receiving the first rays of light after a long winter—possibly a metaphor for Nova's awakening and the hope for a new beginning that he brings to the destroyed world.

 

Nova's journey continued to an abandoned battlefield, which came alive to the powerful sounds of "Utai IV〜Reawakening" from the science fiction anime Ghost in the Shell. Hanyu underscored this oppressive world with his dynamic choreography, while black, ink-like patterns projected onto the ice by LED lights seemed to transform the backdrop into a war zone.

 

The next part of the story showed Nova in an abandoned park, where he discovered an old diary on a bench. As soon as he touched it, the diary magically came to life. The pages rose like birds into the air, circling around him and forming a moving scene—perhaps fragments of past memories and happy moments before humanity was wiped out. This emotional discovery strengthened Nova's desire to find answers to his questions, to understand the meaning of his existence, and to fight for his goals.

 

This was followed by a combative performance to "Mass Destruction - Reload-" from the video game Persona 3, where Hanyu underscored the powerful, energetic sounds with precise yet dynamic choreography. Every movement was like an explosion of emotions, convincingly reflecting the protagonist's inner conflict. Yet, as soon as this intense performance ended, the mood shifted abruptly when Hanyu transitioned to a selection of classical piano pieces, which further illuminated the thematic core of Nova's journey and subtly, yet powerfully, illustrated his inner transformation.

 

With "Awake," set to 6 Pieces for Piano, Op. 118: No. 3, Ballade in G Minor, Hanyu opened a phase of self-reflection, where each note was carried with grace and emotion. The elegance of his movements, paired with the precise execution of a delayed Axel, earned thunderous applause and mirrored Nova's awakening.

 

Next, "Impulse" brought a new dynamic as the next stage of the journey, symbolized by the protagonist's newly awakened fighting spirit. Set to The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: No. 2, Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, Hanyu impressed with flowing skating skills that evoked the lightness of a breeze, masterfully capturing the warrior-like nature of this section.

 

With "Philosophy," the story shifted to an introspective stage, where Nova began to question his life and actions. In a bold directorial choice, the program began in complete silence, which was only broken by Hanyu's powerful quadruple jump and the simultaneous start of Keyboard Sonata in D Minor. The following fast piano runs were complemented by intense choreography that reflected the protagonist's inner turmoil and existential doubt.

 

With "Truth," Hanyu gave the audience a glimpse into the next phase of Nova's journey, one increasingly shaped by his quest for truth and the significance of the theme of "time." In a stunning performance, Hanyu held a long combination spin until the final chord of Études, Op. 25: No. 12 in C Minor, symbolizing the fluid motion of transience.

 

This seamlessly led to "Zero," set to Études, Op. 10: No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor, which explored the theme of past, present, and future. With perfect twizzles and a fascinating visual accompaniment on the screen, discussing questions like "What are the past, present, and future?", Hanyu delved once again into the philosophical realms of his saga.

 

In an internal monologue, Nova finally realized that all time strands converge inseparably in the "Here and Now," as both past and future can only be defined by the present. This realization led him to confront the concept of fate and question its significance to his existence.

 

On the theme of "fate," Hanyu presented a masterful rendition of his beloved short program Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, which he had perfected during his competitive career. With apparent ease, he landed a quadruple jump and impressed with an elegant spin before executing a triple Axel, showcasing the perfection and grace of his technique.

 

After processing the philosophical main themes of the story through these symbolic piano pieces, Hanyu continued his journey as Nova, entering a new section filled with challenges. In a dramatic climax, Nova faced an army of menacing wooden figures, against which he had to assert himself in a powerful, energy-charged program to "Goliath." With expressive choreography and near-superhuman presence on the ice, Hanyu brought the confrontation to life, impressively portraying his character's inner strength and unyielding will.

 

After the intense climax of the first half, the second half took a quieter turn with "Aqua no Tabiji" (Aqua's Journey). Like a drop gently falling onto a smooth surface, sending ripples through the stillness, Hanyu broke the tense silence of the audience with graceful lightness, gliding across the ice with each movement exuding a mix of softness and strength.

 

Once Hanyu had left the ice, Nova's adventure continued on the screen. The protagonist climbed what seemed like an endless staircase, its destination being the top of an imposing tower. Each step appeared to symbolize a formative life experience, but the higher he climbed, the heavier the doubts weighed on him. "Does it even make sense to gather all these experiences if you die in the end?" These tormenting thoughts led Nova to the edge of despair until his mysterious guide intervened and saved him. With comforting words, the guide reminded Nova that he had once been a human who had known love and security. These words gave the protagonist new strength, and he made the decision: "If I can't change fate, I will change myself and the world."

 

Hanyu expressed this mental shift with his program to "Eclipse/Blue," where the graceful spins once again symbolized the relentless flow of time. This motif continued in his next performance to "Gate of Steiner – Aesthetics on Ice" from the video game Steins;Gate, which he performed with equally charged choreography.

 

As Nova finally realized that he could take control of his own fate, each of his steps began to bring new life to the barren desert landscape. Flowers bloomed beneath his feet, and soon birds and other animals populated the once-empty world. This miraculous transformation marked the beginning of Nova’s final station – a decaying cathedral, whose majestic appearance provided the perfect stage for Hanyu's program to "Danny Boy." In a performance that felt like a prayer, Hanyu was carried by the gentle sounds, celebrating the musical climax with an elegant Ina-Bauer figure. The emotional conclusion of the piece was marked by a precisely timed delayed Axel, which was met with thunderous applause from the audience. Particularly the perfect twizzles, which Hanyu finished with a poignant pose in the warm spotlight, seemed to symbolize Nova's enlightenment – the long-awaited conclusion of his search for the meaning of life.

 

The protagonist’s journey ultimately came to an end in the radiant white room full of doors. In a final, symbolic scene, countless book pages swirled around Nova before gently settling in his heart – a touching symbol of the integration of all his experiences and emotions. Perfectly in tune with this, Hanyu closed his repertoire with "Subete no Hito no Tamashii no Shi" (Poem of the Soul) from Persona 3. As a visual finale, numerous door frames were lowered from the ceiling, symbolizing that both Nova and Hanyu now had all paths open to them.

 

To conclude, Hanyu encouraged the audience to sing "Happy Birthday" together – 14,000 visitors and countless people in front of their television screens, wishing Japan’s favorite athlete all the best for the future. The evening finally ended with an energetic performance of "Let Me Entertain You," followed by "Ashura-chan" and Hanyu's iconic Olympic program "SEIMEI."

 

In the concluding interview, Hanyu delved further into the concept of his story and provided insights into the deeper meaning behind the event.

"Since my childhood, I have been fascinated by the theory of life," he explained. "Even during my university studies, I researched it intensively. It was a philosophical subject that captivated me from the beginning. This enthusiasm has never left me. I have continuously thought about it, investigated, and learned. Through this event, I wanted to create my own philosophy – one that connects us all, as we live together in this world, and one that can provide an answer to the question of the meaning of life for everyone."

 

The two-time Olympic champion also explained the unique ability of his protagonist to harness the power of sound to change the world. "In my imagination, colors or even emotions turn into sounds. To put it simply: some people associate the color red with passion, others with fear. Everyone has their own perception. Since my childhood, I have always paid attention to the subtlest sounds. I don't mean that I have perfect pitch, but rather that I associate sounds with personal experiences. When I was creating the story and thinking about what special ability I could give my character, I was inspired by the sound of my own words and their meaning. I then incorporated these elements into the narrative. In this philosophy, all sounds are directly absorbed into the body. They transform into music, and the music in turn becomes a program."

 

Hanyu also spoke about how he feels about turning thirty: "When I hear that I am now thirty, I often think, ‘What? Thirty already?’ Looking back, I realize that I have developed both physically and mentally in ways that my younger self would never have expected. I feel like so many possibilities are still open to me. In Echoes, the question is raised: What is the past? What is the future? And it becomes clear that the future is often much better than we once imagined. I used to think that thirty was an old age, especially in the figure skating world. But if you look at soccer players or baseball players, you can see how they continue to gather experiences and evolve both technically and emotionally. That gives me confidence. With this feeling that new opportunities and perspectives are constantly opening up, I look to the future. It is with this mindset that I approached training and dedicated myself to the event."

 

 

Text: Maria Laura Brandmann Mitsuoka
Photos: Jumpei Tainaka

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://wedge.ismedia.jp/articles/-/35962

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241217220402/https://wedge.ismedia.jp/articles/-/35962

 

 

"Yuzuru Hanyu at 30: A New 'Ice Figure' – A Performance of 'Life' Connected by 'Sound', Opening of the 3rd Solo Show."

 

Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu's new solo performance "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd "Echoes of Life" TOUR" opened at Saitama Super Arena on December 7th. The third installment of the Ice Story series, in which he both stars and serves as executive producer, is a grand story with a philosophical theme that questions the meaning of "life."

 

Spoiler

On this day, as he reached the milestone of turning 30, Yuzuru Hanyu performed the role of the protagonist "Nova" under a meticulously crafted production, delivering a stunning performance with 12 songs in the main program, including many new pieces such as "First Cry ~ Meguri," as well as encore tracks like "SEIMEI." His skating and exceptional expressiveness captivated the audience.

 

["Life" and "Living" in the Ice Story]

 

In a world where skyscrapers had decayed and collapsed, the protagonist, whose memories were faintly awakening, wiped the dust from the surface of the capsule in which they had been contained. Upon doing so, letters emerged before their eyes:

 

"VGH-257" "Nova"

 

Nova, now aware of his own existence, began to question: Why am I here? What is the purpose of my existence?

 

Soon, this simple curiosity led to deeper, philosophical inquiries: "Why was I born?" and "What is life?" This sparked the beginning of a journey toward existential reflection.

 

"Life", "living"—how does one perform on the ice a theme that most people don't think deeply about in their daily lives? For Hanyu, it must have been as grand a challenge as the theme itself.

 

In the MC after the show, Hanyu shared, "When I handed the storybook I had written to the video team, they said, 'This is great,' but then the question came up, 'How do we turn this into an ice story?' (laughs). The director of the video team and I kept discussing, 'What should we do? How should we do this?' and, many times during the process, we found ourselves wondering, 'What should we do now? Ahh!' but we somehow managed to create it, and when it all came together, including the direction and my skating, I was able to think to myself, 'I've created something good.'" He smiled as he shared a glimpse into the struggles and efforts behind the creation of such a show.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/column/487262/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241217202709/https://the-ans.jp/column/487262/

 

 

The "preparation" and "challenge" that were evident in Yuzuru Hanyu's skating that attracted 14,000 people; the meaning of "seize the opportunity" that surprised reporters

 

On the 7th, Yuzuru Hanyu, a professional figure skater who won back-to-back Olympic golds in Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018, debuted the third installment of his ice show series, "ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR," at Saitama Super Arena. The national tour will continue with stops in Hiroshima in January and Chiba in February. On his 30th birthday, Hanyu unveiled a grand story that reflects the immense effort behind its creation. (Reporting and writing by THE ANSWER editorial team, Hiroya Miyauchi)

 

Spoiler

National tour "ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR" begins

 

I arrived early at Saitama Super Arena to experience the excitement of the audience. Around 1:00 PM, four hours before the show started, there was already a long line near the entrance where a massive panel of Hanyu was displayed. I saw many fans who had traveled from countries like South Korea and China, surpassing the anticipated crowd size.

 

This was my first time covering Hanyu, and I felt I was getting a glimpse into why he is so widely supported both domestically and internationally.

 

The arena was filled with 14,000 spectators. Not many can capture the attention of so many. The pressure of performing on opening night was palpable, yet Hanyu effortlessly landed jumps and spins as if it were nothing. Despite the difficulty, he made it look effortless, which was the first point that struck me.

 

I remembered the words of Jason Brown, whom I interviewed during the NHK Trophy this season, when I saw Hanyu glide across the ice with such light, smooth steps. Brown and Hanyu were once teammates at the Cricket Club in Canada. He shared, “The biggest thing I learned from Yuzuru is his determination.”

 

"He has an incredible resolve to not leave the ice until he has accomplished what he set out to do that day. He approaches practice with that passion and driving force. That's what I thought was amazing. At competitions, he makes everything look easy, but when I saw the immense amount of practice behind it, I really understood why he became such a star."

 

Behind the beautiful skating that left a lasting impression that day, there must have been tremendous preparation. During the performance, there was a moment when Hanyu skated in complete silence and landed a flawless jump. It was a moment that could have made anyone tremble. It wasn't just because he is "Yuzuru Hanyu," but the result of countless steps and stages of preparation that led to that moment.

 

I was surprised by the words of the two-time Olympic champion: "I will definitely seize this opportunity"

 

Every aspect of the performance was meticulously crafted, and the images on the screen felt almost like a movie starring Hanyu himself. Considering that the skater himself was the one who oversaw the production, it's hard not to be amazed by how much time and effort he must have invested.

 

Another surprise came after the performance during an interview with Hanyu. Having achieved back-to-back Olympic golds, a feat not seen since Dick Button in 1952, Hanyu has cemented his legendary status in the figure skating world. Yet, on this day, he said, "I want to approach everything—my future, my practice, training, and performance—with the mindset that I will absolutely seize any opportunities that come my way, with hope in my heart."

 

It was as if an athlete with no previous achievements was speaking about looking forward to future opportunities. As he also mentioned, "Doing my best in the present moment," it seems that living well in the present and continuing to challenge himself is the foundation of his mindset, which will lead him toward the future.

 

On this day, he celebrated his 30th birthday. "I used to think, '30 is old!' but now, I feel like I can welcome this decade of my life in a completely different way," he shared. He still feels he has a lot to accomplish. During a 14-minute group interview, he spoke clearly and passionately.

 

He completed a 2.5-hour performance, including 15 songs with an encore. After the performance, he bowed deeply to the press, just as he did for his fans on the rink.

 

"Ah, I'm exhausted (laughs). Honestly, I'm pretty wobbly," he admitted.

 

Despite his words, his expression was bright and full of relief, free from the tension he had carried until then.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/326539

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241209003307/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/326539

 

 

Yuzuru HANYU, at his milestone age of 30, has no image of “deterioration”: “If you think of it in terms of baseball or soccer...”

 

For Yuzuru Hanyu, the 30-year-old professional figure skater who achieved back-to-back Olympic victories, "age" seems to be nothing more than a number.

 

Spoiler

On the 7th, his third Ice Story production, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR," premiered at Saitama Super Arena, where he performed 15 songs, including encores, in front of 14,000 fans.

 

"I’m just glad that on the first day, I was able to complete the story without any injuries," he said, his voice full of excitement.

 

This day also marked Hanyu’s 30th birthday. During the encore, he was greeted by a chorus of "Happy Birthday" from his fans and responded with a bright smile, saying, "Thank you. I’m so happy." He added, "I feel like I can still keep going. In my mind, I used to think 30 meant being old, but now I feel like I’ve entered my 30s in a way that’s different from what I imagined."

 

Saying goodbye to the turbulent 20s, he has now entered the world of his 30s. While it’s typical for performance levels to decline with age, Hanyu has the advantage of "experience."

 

"I had a vague image that, in terms of figure skating age, I would start to deteriorate. But if I think about it in terms of baseball or soccer, I feel like this is the time when my experience, my sense, and my skills will finally begin to mature. I want to always carry a sense of hope for my future, with the determination to grab every opportunity, and approach both practice, training, and performances with that mindset."

 

For now, Hanyu is still in the process of evolving. His journey of growth is far from over.

 

 

 

Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/326541

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241208055544/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/326541

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu's attention to detail extends beyond his performances... "It took about three days to prepare the video. It was tough..."

 

The third installment of the Ice Story series, Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd - Echoes of Life - TOUR, produced and directed by Yuzuru Hanyu (30), a professional skater who won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in men's figure skating, kicked off at Saitama Super Arena on the 7th. Hanyu performed 15 songs over the course of about two and a half hours, captivating the 14,000 fans who filled the venue. He continues to approach skating with an uncompromising attitude.

 

Spoiler

The show explored the theme of "life" and questioned the essence of existence. Hanyu carefully selected numerous piano-driven pieces that evoke a sense of emotional clarity. He also dedicated himself to studying classical music, relentlessly pursuing his ideals.

 

Reflecting on the performance, Hanyu shared, "I was really nervous, and I spent a lot of time training and practicing every day." He expressed his hope that, "If this performance, this story, can become something that supports you all in your lives, I would be very happy."

 

To ensure every detail was perfect for the show, Hanyu meticulously prepared the video footage and costumes. He explained that the filming for the video took "about three days. We filmed for two full days, then half a day, then another half day. Plus, I had to record narration, which also took two days. It was tough..." he laughed.

 

The costumes were also carefully crafted through repeated adjustments. Hanyu revealed, "The costumes, including the fabric, were designed in a way that isn't typically seen in figure skating. It was important that they matched the concept of Echoes," and encouraged fans to appreciate the unique texture and feel of the costumes.

 

Hanyu's intense dedication was also evident in the "Noto Peninsula Disaster Relief Charity Performance" held in Ishikawa in September. According to those involved in the event, "After the other skaters had left, Hanyu stayed behind alone and practiced over and over until he was satisfied." In the opening performance, where he collaborated with the Japanese drum team, Wajima Wadaiko Toranosuke, Hanyu even advised his fellow performers on how to match the rhythm, always striving for perfection in every situation.

 

On this day, Hanyu celebrated his 30th birthday. Even as he enters a new chapter in his career, his commitment to skating remains unchanged.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.08

 

Source: https://www.ninomiyasports.com/archives/128181

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241214065753/https://www.ninomiyasports.com/archives/128181

 

 

The Struggle with Time Portrayed by Yuzuru Hanyu's Nova on Ice -ICESTORY 3rd Echoes_of_Life-

 

The 2024-25 "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR" kicked off on December 7 at Saitama Super Arena (Saitama City), coinciding with professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu's 30th birthday. The two-part performance featured Hanyu performing 12 numbers in the main story and three in the encore, including the song "GATE OF STEINER – Aesthetics on Ice," which was used in the "STEINS;GATE" series, a game that has been made into anime and films.

 

Spoiler

In "ICE STORY 3rd Echoes of Life," Hanyu portrays VGH-257 Nova, a "created being" whose genes are manipulated to possess specialized abilities. Nova is born as a terrifying weapon capable of destroying the world.

 

From there, Hanyu explores questions such as "What is life?" "What am I?" and "What is my role?" leading him to question the concepts of time, including "the past," "the present," and "the future."

 

Hanyu and director MIKIKO devised a structure in which "GATE OF STEINER – Aesthetics on Ice" was introduced as the third piece after the intermission. I won't go into detail about the "STEINS;GATE" series here, but to put it simply, it is a game and anime about going back in time to save friends and loved ones. It is a so-called time leap piece. Hanyu and MIKIKO chose a piece with this background in mind. 

 

Dressed in an outfit reminiscent of a white coat, Hanyu stood on the ice as a piano-like melody with short notes and hanging decorative tones played. He expressed, with his right hand, the motion of a thread dangling from above. To me, this seemed to suggest the desire for multiple world lines. In simpler terms, world lines could be understood as "the timelines of this world." Here, Nova seemed to long for a world where time flowed differently—one without genetic manipulation and conflict, unlike the present.

 

An analog clock was projected onto the ice at Saitama Super Arena. The hands of the clock moved steadily forward minute by minute. In defiance of this, Nova (Hanyu) skated counterclockwise. I felt that it perfectly expressed the pain of wanting to defy the passage of time and not wanting to have one's role decided by others.

 

Was Nova condemned to a "cruel role" predetermined by genetic manipulation from birth? No matter how much he fought to change the past, could the outcome of being born as Nova ever be altered? Would everything eventually converge on the same result, even with a change in the process, as fate would dictate? Or is there a world line that could be called a utopia where everyone can live in peace? These questions about fate and possibility were poignantly reflected in Hanyu's portrayal of Nova's inner turmoil.

 

After much anguish and suffering, there seemed to be a moment of detachment or resignation in a sense, at which point the story of "Echoes of Life" seemed to accelerate.

 

 

(Written by Yuki Oki)

 

 

 

Source: https://www.ninomiyasports.com/archives/128176

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241210015004/https://www.ninomiyasports.com/archives/128176

 

Yuzuru Hanyu's "Echoes of Life" - Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd TOUR - could become a beacon for people all over the world

 

 

The 2024-2025 "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR" kicked off on December 7 at Saitama Super Arena, marking the 30th birthday of Yuzuru Hanyu, a professional figure skater who won two consecutive Olympic gold medals. During the two-part performance, Hanyu performed 12 numbers in the main story and 3 encores, including his iconic "SEIMEI." The 14,000 fans in attendance were presented with thought-provoking themes such as "What is life?" and "Who am I?" The Saitama performances continued on the 9th and 11th, with upcoming shows in Hiroshima (January 2025) and Chiba (February 2025).

 

Spoiler

The Ice Story is structured by alternating between pre-recorded video, narration, and Hanyu skating on the ice, with a sci-fi-like theme.

 

Hanyu plays the role of VGH-257 Nova, a "created being" who was originally an orphan but was genetically manipulated and born with specialized abilities. He is a terrifying weapon that could even destroy the world, and is able to recognize letters and phenomena by sound.

 

As he surveys a ruined land, he hears the sound of loud gunfire. He realizes that a war has been waged in this world, and that all living things have been wiped out. VGH-257 Nova hears voices of hatred from all over the world. He thinks that eradicating these is justice. There is also a depiction of tens of thousands of soldiers approaching. He then activates his terrifying abilities.

 

The author was struck by the line "Exhale for 11 seconds, inhale for 7 seconds." This is because the addition and subtraction of 2 and 9 gives us 11 and 7. When we see the numbers 257 and 29, those of us who know history associate them with fear.

 

After winning the battle, he briefly thinks, "That’s good," but immediately questions, "Is it really good?... Is it?" From that point on, his doubts about "What is life?", "What is my role?", and "Who am I?" grow stronger. The story unfolds with depictions of him realizing what is truly important, thinking "Now I can do it," and touching upon "words of love" that inspire him to change.

 

"Your own philosophy."

 

Hanyu said after the first performance:

"Since I was young, I have thought a lot about bioethics. While studying at university, I became very interested in the philosophy of 'living.' From that, I revisited and studied theories based on the thoughts I had swirling inside. I want this performance to allow everyone to find their own answer or philosophy about life, especially in this world, which is why I created 'Echoes of Life.'"

 

Hanyu's character, Nova, finds himself alone in the world, and becomes lost in the depths of questions such as "What is life?" and "What am I?" Perhaps it is only when there are "others" that we can recognize our "self." If that is the case, then perhaps we need to be grateful to others.

 

If everyone in the world could live with respect and gratitude for those around them, that would create a "resonance" and we would no longer harm or destroy the mind or body of others. That's what I felt from Hanyu's ice story.

 

To disrespect, weed out, and exclude others is to lose sight of oneself. We have learned from history the horror of how intense "light" and "sound" can instantly destroy everything. In addition, we who live in Japan, a country prone to natural disasters, know the sadness of destruction. Natural disasters are caused by nature, but destruction caused by man-made "light" and "sound" is heartbreaking.

 

Even if our native language is different, there must be many people in the world who can utter the "sound" of words. Instead of destruction through "sound," we should build something with the "sound" of dialogue. Instead of destruction through ominous "light," we should shine a light of hope into the present and the future.

 

 

A gentle youth, using the persuasive power of the two Olympic gold medals he won at the "festival of peace," is making a plea to the world. It is no exaggeration to say that Yuzuru Hanyu's Echoes of Life is a story that can become a beacon for people all over the world.

 

 

(Written by Yuki Oki)

 

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

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]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.09

 

Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/326647

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241212175837/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/326647

 

 

14,000 people attend Yuzuru Hanyu's solo performance; queues outside the venue, limited items sold out, and travel reservations soar

 

His influence remains unchanged. Yuzuru Hanyu, the professional figure skater who won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in men's figure skating, has launched his solo performance "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd ‘Echoes of Life’ TOUR," which he directed and produced. On the opening day, December 7, 14,000 fans gathered to see Hanyu, who was celebrating his 30th birthday. The excitement inside and outside the venue was at its peak even before the performance began. We followed the Hanyu fever that spread across various locations.

 

Spoiler

All eyes in the venue were focused on one point. Hanyu expressed the essence of "life" through a skating performance show themed around "life," questioning the meaning of living. Mixing in projections and other special effects, he passionately performed 15 songs, including "Ballade No. 1" and "SEIMEI." He shared his thoughts, saying, "I want this performance to help everyone find their own answer about what it means to live, in this world."

 

Leading up to this performance, the fans' excitement was high even before the show began. TV Asahi, which will be broadcasting the Saitama concerts on the 7th and 9th live on TV Asahi Channel 1, has set up a huge advertisement on the first basement floor outside the ticket gates of the Marunouchi Central Gate at Tokyo Station. Many fans formed a line in front of the advertisement for commemorative photos, and passersby were heard exclaiming in surprise.

 

At the Miyagi Farmers Market held near Omiya Station until the 8th, the cheesecake specialty shop "Mori no Miyako Cheesecake Factory Yuzuki" from Sendai City sold the original "Yuzu Stick Cheesecake," also known as the "Yuzu Cake," in limited quantities. A representative from the company shared, "The timing of the sale happened to coincide with the performance, but from around the 6th, many overseas customers started coming. There were even customers from Canada. Some customers lined up before the store opened, and we sold out in about 30 minutes every day," reflecting the strong response.

 

At the special booth set up on the venue grounds, the body care company Phiten was selling special advance sales of bracelets commemorating the sponsorship. Fans eager to get their hands on the new products formed lines, prepared to wait over an hour. A company representative said with wide eyes, "There were already 30 to 40 people lined up before the store opened. The momentum hasn't slowed down at all, and many people from China even spoke to us on PokeTalk. We're really grateful."

 

After the Saitama performances (on the 7th, 9th, and 11th), there are upcoming performances in Hiroshima (January 3rd and 5th next year) and Chiba (February 7th and 9th next year), and the "Hanyu effect" has already been felt in Hiroshima. Rakuten Travel, a travel reservation service, has released travel trends for the New Year period covering the nine days from the 28th to January 5th next year. Hiroshima (1.68 times) ranked first in the prefecture rankings for the highest increase in the number of nights booked (compared to the same period last year). A representative from the company stated, "I think factors such as the increase in the number of hotels, the completion of the restoration work at Itsukushima Shrine, and the inbound effect all contributed to this popularity. While I can't say for certain, it seems that Hanyu's performance may be one of the factors behind the rise in popularity."

 

Hanyu, who celebrated his 30th birthday on the 7th, shared, "I feel like I can still do a lot. I thought 30 was going to feel like being an 'old man,' but I've been able to welcome my 30s in a different way." The solitary skater will continue to remain a unique presence in his 30s.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

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]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.10

 

Source: https://natalie.mu/stage/news/603064

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241215211815/https://natalie.mu/stage/news/603064

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu stars in and is executive producer of the third installment of ICE STORY, "Echoes of Life," which kicks off in Saitama

 

Yuzuru Hanyu 's nationwide tour, " Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR ," kicked off at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on December 7th.

 

This is the third installment of "ICE STORY" starring and executive produced by professional figure skater Hanyu. The story explores the journey of life and growth, and asks the question of the essence of "life" and "living." The director is MIKIKO , a choreographer who heads the dance company ELEVENPLAY .

 

The Saitama performance of "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR" will conclude tomorrow, December 11th. The show will then be held at Hiroshima Prefectural Gymnasium (Hiroshima Green Arena) in Hiroshima on January 3rd and 5th, and at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY in Chiba on February 7th and 9th.

 

Some performances will have live and delayed viewings. The Hiroshima performance, which begins at 4pm on January 5th, will be broadcast live to movie theaters, while delayed viewings of the Saitama performance will be held on December 14th and 24th, and the Hiroshima performance on January 11th. Check the Live Viewing Japan official website for details on the cinemas nationwide where the performances will be held and ticket information.

 

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR

December 7th (Sat), 9th (Mon), 11th (Wed), 2024 *Performance ended
Saitama Prefecture Saitama Super Arena

 

January 3rd (Fri), 5th (Sun), 2025
Hiroshima Prefecture Hiroshima Prefectural General Gymnasium (Hiroshima Green Arena)

 

February 7th (Fri), 9th (Sun), 2025
Chiba Prefecture LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY

 

staff
Executive producer: Yuzuru Hanyu
Director: MIKIKO

 

Cast
Yuzuru Hanyu

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.10

 

Source: https://encount.press/archives/717847/

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]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.17

 

Source: https://www2.myjcom.jp/special/tv/thema/figureskate/column/detail/20241217.shtml

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241217133430/https://www2.myjcom.jp/special/tv/thema/figureskate/column/detail/20241217.shtml

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu's Superb Performance at His "Birthday Festival"
The Endless Fusion of "Skating" and "Storytelling"

 

The Saitama performance of "ICE STORY 3rd - Echoes of Life - TOUR", produced and performed by professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, were held for three days on December 7th, 9th and 11th. Coincidentally, the first day, the 7th, was Hanyu's 30th birthday. At the Saitama Super Arena, 14,000 spectators chanted "Happy Birthday".

 

Spoiler

"Happy Birthday"

 

In a press interview after the performance, when asked about the "Happy Birthday" chant, Yuzuru Hanyu spoke with a laugh and said:

"When I think about what I thought my 30s would be like since I was a child, and what my physical and mental state is like right now, it's completely different from what I imagined."

 

"By doing my best in the present (time), I was able to welcome my 30s in a different way than I had imagined, when I thought, '30? I'm old!'"

 

In the July 16th issue, I quoted a passage from the Analects of Confucius: “At 30, I stand firm; at 40, I am not confused; at 50, I know the will of Heaven..." and also introduced Confucius' words "Erli (立)” meaning "standing firm" at 30.

 

<What should not be forgotten is that it takes 15 years between “Zhixue” (志学 - Shigaku)* and “Erli” (而立 - Jiritsu)*. Without at least that much time devoted to contemplation, one cannot master true learning, and inevitably cannot achieve personal independence.>

 

The third act is "Echoes of Life." In Japanese, it means "The Sound of Life." The reason behind Hanyu's decision to build the story around the themes of "life" and "living" is as follows:

 

"I've been thinking about bioethics since I was a child, and while taking classes at university, I became very interested in the philosophy of life. Since then, I've been re-examining the thoughts and theories that had been swirling around inside me."

 

Hanyu began studying bioethics at university at the age of 18, and has continually updated the knowledge and insights he gained, without letting them sit dormant in his mind. It could be said that the 12 years from "Zhixue" to "Erli" have honed his thoughts and refined his expressions.

 

 

"Ice Flower" and "Incarnation of the Wind"

 

For reference, here is the set list for the first day.

◆Main Program
① First Pulse
② Birth Cry ～ Cycle
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 Études, Op.25: No.12 in C Minor “Ocean”
(⑤-5) 12 Études, 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 The Poem of All Souls

◆Encore
Let Me Entertain You
Ashura-chan
SEIMEI

 

 

Personally, I was captivated by the ninth performance, "Eclipse/blue," which was the second piece after the intermission.

 

The performance, in which Hanyu skated in sync with a narration he recorded beforehand, contained elements of contemporary dance and also resembled a pantomime.

 

"Fate whispers quietly. It casts a shadow at my feet, and I walk as though chasing that shadow."

 

When Hanyu dropped his gaze to his feet, we instinctively followed his gaze downward, as if we were being guided by an invisible conductor.

 

"Fate is the wind. It leads without showing itself, unseen. As we surrender ourselves to the wind, life sways and moves forward."

 

As Hanyu made a sharp turn, fragments of ice soared through the air like splashes, catching the spotlight and transforming into "ice flowers." His pale green costume fluttered, resembling the "incarnation of the wind."

 

The fusion of "skating" and "storytelling" was limitless, weaving together a rich "narrative" that felt almost alive. Happy Birthday! It was a night when art beyond the realm of figure skating was born.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Notes:

"志学" (しがく, Shigaku) is a term from Confucianism referring to the age of 15, which signifies the stage in life when a person begins to develop their ambitions and set their goals. It can be translated as "the age of learning" or "the age of setting one's aspirations." According to Confucian teachings, at the age of 15, one should start focusing on learning and determining their life's path or purpose.

 

"而立" (じりつ, Jiritsu) is a term from Confucianism referring to the age of 30. It signifies the stage in life when a person is expected to be independent, self-assured, and have established a firm direction in life. The term is often translated as "the age of standing firm" or "the age of becoming independent," indicating a time when a person has matured and found their purpose or stability in life.

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.20

 

Source: https://www.aipsmedia.com/aips/pages/articles/2024/36173.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241220165049/https://www.aipsmedia.com/aips/pages/articles/2024/36173.html

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu and the meaning of life. A record-breaking ice show

 

MILAN, December 20, 2024 - A new form of art from Japan that transcends figure skating, fusing together skating, cinema, storytelling, commentary, music, dancing, and more. In his second tour, “Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd - Echoes of Life”, which debuted at Saitama Super Arena, north of Central Tokyo, on December 7 (the day of his 30th birthday), Yuzuru Hanyu’s vision for his figure skating is clear.

 

Spoiler

A TRUE STORYTELLER If the two-time consecutive Olympic champion, who turned professional after Beijing 2022, had already matured from an exceptional athlete and artist to a true storyteller with his solo show GIFT, two years ago ("I wrote this story," he stressed back then in an interview following the first ever ice show at Tokyo Dome, to a packed audience of 35,000), and proceeded to build on it in his first solo tour Re_Pray (2023), in Echoes the production appears more cohesive, with Hanyu’s on-ice performances complementing and illustrating a real movie on the meaning of life. A movie in which he stars and that he wrote in three days, filmed in three days and voice-overed in two.

 

"Before Ice Story, it was unthinkable for a skater to skate over ten programs, including some with very high technical content, in just one day, in a solo show of over two hours," Hanyu told me some time ago, in an exclusive interview for Italy’s leading daily newspaper Corriere della Sera. "Not only that, but each program was an end in itself. On the contrary, with Ice Story, every program is part of a coherent, cohesive narration to tell a bigger story, a vision of life."

 

MULTI-TALENTED Hanyu wrote, acted, performed, co-choreographed and executive produced Echoes of Life supported by the genius of artistic director and choreographer Mikiko, classical pianist Shinya Kiyozuka, choreographers Jeff Buttle, Shae-Lynn Bourne and David Wilson, and dance company Elevenplay. He skated tirelessly for over 70 minutes of the roughly three-hour production (intermission included), delivering an extraordinary and diverse repertoire, from classical music to dance, anime and videogame favorites, even including elements of Indian classical dance. He skated with ease in extremely elaborate and heavy costumes, and ended the show with a 30-minute encore featuring fan favorites like Let Me Entertain You and his PyeongChang Olympics gold medal free skate Seimei.

 

HANYU EFFECT Echoes of Life will probably shatter all previous records set by Hanyu’s shows (over 300,000 in-person spectators in less than two years, plus tens of thousands in live streaming). Not only in Saitama Hanyu skated to a packed audience of 14,000 and went on to perform for two more sold-out days while tens of thousands around the world live streamed the show on Beyond Live, but, as reported by Nikkan, approximately 400,000 viewers live streamed the show from China alone through SMG Great Sports, reflecting Hanyu’s immense popularity there (SMG live streamed Day 2 as well). Echoes was also accessible via live viewing in cinemas throughout Japan, as well as in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In-person and live viewing tickets were only available via lottery. The show will move to Hiroshima in January before wrapping up in Chiba the following month, and the “Hanyu effect”, also known as “Hanyuconomy”, has already been making quite an impact on Hiroshima’s hospitality industry, just as Re_Pray did last year in Saga.

 

PHILOSOPHY Having studied bioethics at Waseda University as part of his Human Information Science degree and having been interested in philosophy from an early age, Hanyu, a survivor, at age 16, of the most devastating earthquake in Japanese history (the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, also known as “3.11”, with epicenter near his hometown of Sendai), prepared for Echoes by studying The Trouble with Being Born, by Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran (1973) and Underwater Philosophers, by Rei Nagai (2021), as well as reading other philosophical texts and various novels. He also wrote a companion storybook to the show, which audiences could read before the performance. "For this project I aimed for a more literary style, like a novel, with structured sentences in a written, narrative form. In the past, my approach was closer to assembling various emotional outpourings — whether my own feelings or those of the characters — and shaping that into a story. This time, however, I incorporated complete scenes and descriptions into the storyline. Everything was woven together." He always writes by hand first, he said, as it feels more directly connected to his brain.

 

PHASES OF LIFE Centerpiece of the ice show is the long classical music medley choreographed by Jeff Buttle, where Hanyu skates non-stop to six pieces, from Brahms to Bach, to Scarlatti and Chopin. Hanyu, who often calls his programs his children, and whose profound musical sensitivity, just like his acting skills, was already evident in his teenage years, studied each piece (each given a code name illustrating the various phases of life) with longtime friend Kiyozuka, and on the ice moves seamlessly from one to the next. Everything culminates in his legendary Olympic short program Ballade No.1 in G Minor, Op. 23, again from Chopin.

 

MATURITY As if to compliment Hanyu’s unparallel technical content at age 30, a few days later, on World Skating Day, his former harness specialist at Canada’s TCC Geoff Dionisio posted a 2019 video of Hanyu practicing the quintuple toe loop. His jump was fully rotated, and Hanyu was praticing a quintuple salchow as well. Jump coach Ghislain Briand revealed in an interview some time ago that Hanyu landed the 5T perfectly on his second attempt with the harness. Reflecting on turning 30 in an interview for Echoes, Hanyu said that he "used to associate this age with decline in skating terms, but when I think about it in the context of sports like baseball or soccer, I realize it’s a time when experience, intuition, and technique fully mature, so I feel hopeful about my future."

 

A SURVIVOR In Echoes’ movie, Hanyu portrays VGH-257 Nova, a genetically-modified human being and the only survivor of a war between humans and “the created ones”, as he calls them. We learn that Nova was the symbol of the VGH rebellion, and its most powerful weapon. In the last stages of the war, however he was no longer able to fight. At the beginning of the movie, Nova wakes up from a long sleep, knowing nothing, realizing he’s lost all his memories, and setting out on a journey to find himself and the meaning of his existence.

 

BUTTERFLY EFFECT Around him, destruction and desolation, a decayed tree that disintegrates when touched. "What is life?" he asks. "What is the reason I exist? What does it mean to be born?" With time, as Hanyu skates the stages of life on the ice, life grows back in the apocalyctic world of the movie: a tiny plant, then several plants — because life eventually does grow back, even after a nuclear disaster —, then flowers, flocks of birds, a butterfly that follows him around, referencing the Butterfly Effect.

 

"I WILL CHANGE THE WORLD" Caught in the invisible yet seemingly inescapable twisted ties of fate, hiking endless stairs reminiscent of Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher’s most famous work, Nova realizes he wants to live, and can’t help feeling despair realizing that life eventually dies, and that he, too, one day will die. He also, however, realizes he’s not alone. "If fate doesn’t change its path, I will change. I will change the world," he says.

 

"What we must look towards now is the future," he resolves. "Living is a privilege, so let’s use it well.

 

"In this world that I’m in," Nova/Hanyu says towards the end of Echoes (for, as he pointed out, Echoes is his story), "there have been really tough times and really sad times. But I’m living at my fullest to be here now, in a world where fate is determined, so that I can face this fate with a bright smile, so that I can face it beautifully. So, let’s go. Let’s begin. Let’s fulfill the meaning of my life."

 

THE MIRACLE THAT IS LIFE In follow-up interviews Hanyu explained that he wrote Echoes hoping that people who feel hostages of fate would feel the joy of the miracle that is life. Indeed, Echoes of Life is a show people from all walks of life can relate to, something that has always been Hanyu’s greatest strength — or as he puts it, "Everyone faces challenges in life. I’ve been thinking that this is what it means to live."

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, death and suffering seem to be everywhere. Wars, natural disasters. Why are we still alive? What is the purpose of our life? As a novelist, and someone who recently suffered two great losses within weeks of each other, I’ve often asked myself these questions. In a 2023 book, I, too, came to the conclusion that the only thing we can do is live ("The only reality we can perceive is the one we live now. Life is not inalterable fate against which we can’t do anything, but it’s not fortuity either. Living, loving, knowing. That's the meaning of life").

 

NOT ALONE British author, literary scholar and theologian C.S. Lewis, who spent years reflecting on the same subjects as Hanyu, observed that "you find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down". Hanyu’s words seem to echo that. Lewis also used to say that we read to know we’re not alone, and I think that the hundreds of thousands of Hanyu fans would tell you that they watch Yuzuru Hanyu’s skating to know they’re not alone.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.23

 

Source: AERA December 30, 2024 issue, pg 37-41

Info: https://publications.asahi.com/product/25174.html

 

 

"Guided by 'Sound'
Report on 'Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd "Echoes of Life" TOUR' 

 

The third installment of the ice story by professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu has begun.
This is a report on the first day of his Saitama performance, which took place on his 30th birthday.

Writer: Takaomi Matsubara Photo and Video Department: Takuya Matsunaga

 

Spoiler

Before the doors opened, many people had already gathered around the venue. Some were taking pictures of large posters, others were taking commemorative photos with the venue in the background. On December 7th, at the Saitama Super Arena, the "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR" premiered. It marked the beginning of a tour that will visit Hiroshima in January 2025 and Chiba in February. Despite the cold air, there was a palpable sense of excitement.

 

As the venue opened and the showtime approached, the murmurs of the crowd filled the space, only to gradually fall silent. The lights dimmed. A loud round of applause erupted. Images began to play on the large screen installed at the back of the skating rink.

 

The scene that unfolded before the audience resembled a near-future cityscape, with a cluster of skyscrapers in ruins—suggesting a possible future. Amidst this, the protagonist of the story, played by Hanyu as "VGH-257 'NOVA'," wakes up, unsure of his memory, and questions himself.

 

"Why am I here? Why was I born? What is life?"

 

The Theme of "Life" and "Living"

The third installment of the ice story series, following "GIFT" and "RE_PRAY," is based on the theme of "life" and "living."

 

Hanyu later revealed his intent after the performance: "I've always been interested in the philosophy of 'living,' having thought about bioethics since I was a child and studied it at university. I reflected on the thoughts and theories that had been circulating in my mind for a long time and wrote this performance with the hope of giving you all an opportunity to find your own answer to the question of what it means to live in this world and to think about philosophy."

 

Many people, regardless of how deeply they have thought about it, will have considered the theme of life at some point. Simply presenting this theme is a major challenge. Moreover, the story unfolds on the ice while incorporating visuals. How to make it work as a narrative? That's where Hanyu's idea came in.

 

It’s "sound."

 

The guide who appears in the visual narrative says: "You can experience words and letters as sound."

 

By using "sound" as a medium, the theme is embedded within the story, and through the guidance of "sound," the meaning of life and the purpose of living are explored. As it is transformed into "sound," the performance on the ice also becomes an integral part of the story.

 

Philosophy Becomes Music

 

Hanyu continues: "Originally, I thought that scenes could become colors, sounds, or emotions. For example, some people associate the color 'red' with passion, while others see it as fear. It's all about individual interpretation. However, I was the type of person who, from a young age, would hear those things as sounds. It's not that I have perfect pitch, but rather, I would hear them in a sort of melodic sense. When thinking about my own experiences, and as I was writing fiction, I considered, 'What kind of abilities should I give to this character?' I incorporated elements such as the intonation of the words I use in training, the meanings behind them, and so on, into the story. Philosophy enters the body as sound. That philosophy becomes music, and the program is created. This is the kind of story I wrote, exploring many different ideas."

 

Starting with an excellent concept, the story unfolds with mostly new programs. Each program was carefully crafted to represent the story, but the most striking part was the scene before the intermission, transitioning from "Piano Collection" to "Ballade No. 1.

 

A Stunning 10+ Minutes

 

In "Piano Collection," Hanyu skated to five songs with brief 30-second pauses in between, without ever leaving the rink.

 

"From the continuous classical piano pieces to 'Ballade No.1,' it was something I had never done before. I didn't leave the stage once. I studied classical music with pianist Kiyozuka Shinya, and had detailed discussions with choreographer Jeffrey Buttle to meticulously plan the program and create this concept."

 

A large white cloth screen, suspended in the air, and the world on the ice were accompanied by projection mapping, where musical notes flowed. Through the performance within this setting, it expressed questions and inner conflict. The overall expression was truly breathtaking.

 

"Turning 30"

 

The story continues. The protagonist, struggling, suffering, fighting, and seeking answers to his questions, eventually reaches a certain conclusion. What will the audience, who has watched the opening performance or will attend one of the shows running through February, take away from it? With a lingering emotion, the story concludes.

 

While presenting a profound theme, Hanyu not only conveyed the theme but also revealed various aspects of himself through his expressions in the visuals and on the ice, creating a truly rich narrative.

 

One of the key factors that supported this was, of course, Hanyu's ability as a skater. His sharp quadruple jumps, triple axels, various spins, and connecting movements... He truly embodied the ice story once again.

 

Hanyu reflects: "The strongest feeling I have is that it's finally started. I was really nervous, and although I spent a lot of time training every day, you can't truly know until you're performing in front of everyone. There were parts where I wasn't sure whether it was a success or failure. Honestly, I feel like 'it really started now,' and I’m just glad that I could complete the performance without injury on the first day."

 

Hanyu was all smiles after the performance. The opening day of the tour was also his 30th birthday.

 

When asked about turning 30, Hanyu responded: "I feel like, 'Wow, I’m turning 30' (laughs). When I was told, ‘You’re 30,’ I thought, ‘Oh, 30...’ but the way I imagined being in my 30s when I was younger is completely different from how I feel now, both physically and mentally. I feel like I can still do a lot. In 'Echoes,' there are questions like, 'What is the future?' or 'What is the past?' but I think the future will be even better than I imagined, and by doing my best in the present, I feel like I can welcome my 30s in a way that’s different from the time when I thought, ‘30 means you’re getting old.’

 

"I had a vague image that figure skating would deteriorate at this age, but if you think about it in terms of other sports like baseball or soccer, I feel like this is the time when my experience, my sense, and my technique will start to really come together. I want to always approach training, practice, and performances with the mindset that I have hope for my future and that I will definitely seize every opportunity."

 

On this day, he performed a total of 15 programs, including three encores. The performance lasted over 2 hours and 30 minutes. Standing alone on the ice and demonstrating an overwhelming presence, he conveyed more than anything else the powerful message of his current state at 30 years old.

 

Dedicated Effort

 

It wasn't just on the ice. There was the work of conceptualizing the story, collaborating with the staff to bring it to life, the detailed direction, filming, and daily practice—all the accumulated effort leading to this point. With unwavering dedication, he continued to move forward as a skater and refine his work as an artist, and this process culminated in a tangible result on that day.

 

And it was a moment that gave a sense that even now in his 30s, he will continue to create new worlds.

 

The number of spectators on the opening day was 14,000. Not only that, many people in Japan and abroad enjoyed the show via streaming.

 

Many more people will surely watch the performances going forward. Yuzuru Hanyu's tour continues to deliver his story to these audiences.