[2025] Notte Stellata 2025

[yuzurujenn]

Compilation of articles & interviews relating to notte stellata 2025.

 

Date: March 7-9th, 2025

Venue: Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Miyagi (Grande 21)

 

Info: 

https://nottestellata.com/

https://x.com/notte_2025

 

 

  2024.12.24

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/news/491544/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241227133058/https://the-ans.jp/news/491544/

 

 

"Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata" to be held in March next year. The ice show that delivers hope from Miyagi will be held for the third time. "I want to skate with all my heart"

 

It was announced on the 24th that "Hanyu Yuzuru Notte Stellata" will be held at Sekisui Heim Super Arena (Grandi 21) in Miyagi in March of next year. This will be the third time the show is held. Yuzuru Hanyu, a professional skater who has won consecutive Olympic gold medals in figure skating, will act as the host of this ice show, which will send out "hope" from Miyagi, an area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. He will deliver hope together with his fellow professional skaters who are active around the world.

 

Spoiler

Professional Skaters Gather to Promote Disaster Prevention and Regional Contribution

It was announced on the 24th that "Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata" will be held in March next year at the Sekisui Heim Super Arena (Grandé 21) in Miyagi. This will be the third time the event is held. The two-time Olympic champion figure skater, Yuzuru Hanyu, will serve as the host of the ice show, which aims to send "hope" from the disaster-stricken Miyagi area following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Hanyu will deliver this hope alongside fellow professional skaters who are active globally.

 

"Notte stellata" is the program that Hanyu performed in the Pyeongchang Olympics exhibition. The title is Italian for "starry night." It was named after the beautiful "starry sky" Hanyu saw during a power outage in the aftermath of the disaster in his hometown, Sendai, from which he felt a sense of hope. This ice show also works on disaster prevention and regional contribution. Merchandise sold at the venue will primarily focus on disaster preparedness items. The goal is to encourage attendees to think about disaster prevention while enjoying the ice show. Additionally, local gourmet food stalls will be set up to contribute to regional revitalization.

 

Yuzuru Hanyu's Comments

 

Regarding the upcoming "Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata" show:

"As 'notte stellata' enters its third year, I’ve been reflecting on 3.11 repeatedly, searching for what I can do, and thinking about many things to get to this point. I hope we can deliver hope once again, and I want to make this a bright show that leaves everyone who sees it with a smile on their face."

 

On his performance:

"I want to skate with the hope, prayer, and wish that everyone will feel a bit brighter toward the future."

 

Regarding the cast:

"My fellow skaters (who will be performing) will be reflecting on 3.11, as well as my thoughts and feelings about the recovery from the earthquake. They will skate with emotion and in agreement with these sentiments, and I hope that the audience will be able to feel those emotions."

 

Schedule:

• March 7, 2025 (Friday) 16:00 Doors open / 17:00 Show begins (TBA)
• March 8, 2025 (Saturday) 17:30 Doors open / 18:30 Show begins (TBA)
• March 9, 2025 (Sunday) 15:00 Doors open / 16:00 Show begins (TBA)
  Each performance will last about 2 hours.

Venue: Sekisui Heim Super Arena (Grandé 21), Miyagi

 

Performers: Yuzuru Hanyu and others
Cast will be announced sequentially on the official website.

 

Organizers: NTV, BS NTV, Miyagi Television
Supporters: Miyagi Prefecture
Cooperation: Miyagi Prefecture Sports Association
Sponsors: JTB and others
Advisors: CIC
Planning and Production: NTV News Every.

Ticket Sales:
E-plus Early Access (Lottery)
January 7 (Tuesday) 12:00 to January 21 (Tuesday) 12:00
For ticket details, please check the official website.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2024.12.27

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241227-OHT1T51113.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241227131055/https://hochi.news/articles/20241227-OHT1T51113.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu and Mansai Nomura to perform together for the first time in a dreamlike collaboration; special guest decided for "NOTTESTELLATA" in March next year

 

It was announced on the official X account of the ice show "Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata 2025" (to be held from March 7–9, 2025, at the Sekisui Heim Super Arena in Miyagi) that the renowned kyogen performer Mansai Nomura will appear as a special guest.

 

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, used music from Mansai Nomura's film Onmyoji for his free program at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The performance, titled "SEIMEI," was inspired by the traditional kariginu (hunting robes) and showcased a "Wa" (Japanese) world. Hanyu had also met with Nomura to learn about the subtleties of movements and gestures.

 

Hanyu commented, “I want to make sure that I can fully express the significance of having Mansai-san here with us.” Nomura, who will also be involved in the collaboration's choreography, expressed his excitement for their first joint performance, saying, “This is the first time, so I'm still feeling my way around what I can do and what will be effective, but I'm starting to get a feel for it as I talk with Hanyu.”

 

"Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata" will be held for the third consecutive year in 2025. In 2023, gymnast Kohei Uchimura joined as a special guest, and this year, actress Mao Daichi appeared, both showcasing exquisite collaborative performances.

 

The skaters participating in the show include Javier Fernández, Jason Brown, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Satoko Miyahara, Akiko Suzuki, Keiji Tanaka, Takahito Mura, Rika Hongo, and Violetta Afanasieva.

 

 

 

Source: https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/61e218a3c1fe45a2848074626e36f7cf

Archived:  https://web.archive.org/web/20241227134018/https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/61e218a3c1fe45a2848074626e36f7cf

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu and Mansai Nomura to collaborate for the first time in ice show next March

 

Kyogen performer Mansai Nomura will be appearing in "Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata 2025," which will be held in Miyagi next March.

 

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu, who will be serving as the host, has been a big fan of Nomura since he was a child. During the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, where Hanyu achieved back-to-back victories, he performed to the theme song of the movie Onmyoji in which Nomura starred. Although the two have had a conversation together in 2015, this will be their first time collaborating on stage.

 

Hanyu, smiling about his collaboration with his idol, said, "I'm glad I worked hard to get here." He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I want to make sure the meaning of having Mansai-san with us is clearly expressed."

 

Meanwhile, Mansai Nomura, who will also be involved in the direction for the collaboration with Hanyu, said, "Since this is a first for me, I'm still figuring out what can be done and what is effective, but as I talk with Hanyu-san, I'm starting to grasp the right feeling."

 

[yuzurujenn]

 *machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2025.01.01

 

Source: https://wedge.ismedia.jp/articles/-/36190

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250101010353/https://wedge.ismedia.jp/articles/-/36190 

 

 

＜What Yuzuru Hanyu wants to convey to the Noto Peninsula earthquake disaster area＞ The Incredible "Power of Action" and "Persistence" in Supporting the Victims.

 

It has been decided that the ice show "Hanyu Yuzuru Note Stellate," chaired by professional figure skater Hanyu Yuzuru, will be held for the third year in a row. The show will be held at the Sekisui Heim Super Arena in his hometown of Miyagi from March 7th to 9th, coinciding with the 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

 

Spoiler

The third installment of his solo ice show, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd—Echoes of Life—TOUR," will kick off with performances in Hiroshima on January 3 and 5 (Hiroshima Green Arena) and in Chiba on February 7 and 9 (Lala Arena Tokyo Bay), marking the beginning of an energetic start to the new year. Throughout all of this, his thoughts on the disaster-stricken areas remain unwaveringly strong.

 

In 2024, his third year as a professional, in addition to 'Notte Stellata' in March, he also delivered a charity performance for the Noto Peninsula earthquake reconstruction on September 15th, which was streamed live from the site. The words that connect Hanyu to the earthquake disaster are 'power of action' and 'persistence.'

 

A Performance in Ishikawa Prefecture

 

"I've heard that on that day, the local people were greatly encouraged by watching Hanyu and his team's performance on TV. In fact, we have turned the autographs from Hanyu and the others into a panel, which we have displayed above the ticket vending machine.

 

Users often say, 'Oh, Hanyu was here,' and take pictures with their smartphones, expressing how happy they are. We've even received inquiries from fans outside the prefecture asking, 'Do you have any photos? Any autographs?' and we guide them to the panel."

 

I spoke by phone at the end of last year with Yoshimasa Sankai, the director of the Kenmin Sporec Plaza in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the venue of the 'Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Charity Performance' held on September 15th last year. Director Sankai was surprised by the size of the response.

 

In a press conference after the performance, Hanyu mentioned that he wanted to donate as much of the proceeds as possible, so he kept the costs down by minimizing equipment like lighting. However, it wasn’t just about that. According to Director Sankai, the conditions on the ice were not suitable for top skaters to perform.

 

"In September, it was still hot, and the difference in temperature between the outside and the indoor space caused condensation to form on the ceiling, which then fell onto the rink and froze into several small lumps. We did what we could to smooth the ice and used dehumidifiers, but there were limits. I felt sorry about it, but the skaters, including Hanyu, performed beautifully without complaining in those conditions.

 

As they were leaving, Hanyu even thanked us, saying, 'Thank you for allowing us to skate during a time when the ice is usually not laid down.' I knew that Hanyu, having experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake himself, has strong feelings for those affected by disasters, but I’m truly grateful for his kindness."

 

The charity performance was all driven by Hanyu’s "power of action."

 

"Is there something I can do for those affected by the Noto disaster?"

 

After the earthquake in January, Hanyu turned his empathy for the affected areas into action. In June of the previous year, he visited Wajima City, which was also affected, during a segment for the NTV program "news every." He personally went to the site and listened to the voices of the victims.

 

One of the most frightening things for disaster-stricken areas is the "fading" of public interest over time.

 

In the affected areas, the scars of the earthquake still remain. In addition to the collapse of buildings caused by the initial earthquake, one week after Hanyu's visit, there were areas that experienced flooding due to heavy rain, with rivers overflowing. Mudslides also inundated the areas surrounding community centers and temporary housing. To be self-reflective, the media reports on the devastation with many reporters and journalists in the immediate aftermath, but over time, the focus tends to shift away.

 

Despite the charity performance being a live-streamed event with no audience, Hanyu insisted on performing in Ishikawa Prefecture.

 

“Regarding 3.11, and in response to the fading of memories, it might be difficult for us to do something about it. Even so, I want to help with earthquake relief efforts,” Hanyu said in an interview after the performance.

 

Olympic Back-to-Back Victories as a Way to Remember the Affected Areas

It is said that his achievements since turning professional have surpassed those of his competitive days. In fact, standing in the professional realm and being freed from the restrictions of competitive rules, his expressive capabilities have expanded magnificently. Hanyu’s evolution as a “professional skater” also reflects his insatiable drive to continue moving forward without dwelling on the past.

 

On the other hand, there is one thing that never fades and continues to shine, no matter how much time passes: the two gold medals he won at the Olympics. Moreover, it was the first time in 66 years that someone had won two consecutive gold medals in men's figure skating. The one moment when Hanyu might rely on the prestige of his two gold medals is when he faces disaster-stricken areas.

 

"Personally, one of my big goals in wanting to win two Olympic gold medals was to start supporting the affected areas and spreading empathy from that point onwards. I’ve always worked hard, trying to be the best in my sport. Now, as a professional, I am gradually starting to think more about the disaster-stricken areas."

Despite this, Hanyu emphasized that, above all, he is a skater, and through his performances, he hopes to provide some support and emotional aid to those affected by disasters. "Not only 3.11, but also various other disasters that have happened over time," he said.

 

Having achieved the extraordinary feat of back-to-back Olympic victories, Hanyu has garnered considerable attention, and with that, comes the opportunity to do something meaningful—not just for Noto. After the Sochi Olympics, Hanyu visited Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture as part of the earthquake recovery project for Nippon Television charity program "24-Hour TV."

 

As part of the 24-Hour TV project, he also held a special ice show at "Ice Rink Sendai" in Sendai City, inviting residents of Naraha Town in Fukushima Prefecture, where he had visited before. He has also visited other disaster-stricken areas, such as those affected by the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake.

 

His supporting efforts are diverse. He has made donations from the profits of goods sold at the “Yuzuru Hanyu Exhibition” organized by the Yomiuri Shimbun. His continued substantial donations to his training base, Ice Rink Sendai, are widely known. Above all, his unbroken "persistence" is what is most meaningful.

 

When a major disaster occurs, it is not uncommon for many people to think about what they can do. Celebrities and athletes with significant influence also turn their attention to the affected areas at the onset. They visit the site, help with support activities, and call for donations. As a journalist, I have reported on such actions of many athletes numerous times.

 

'We must not let the current situation in the disaster areas fade from people's memory.' 'It is important to continue for the next ten years.'

 

Everyone says these admirable things. However, after one year, then two, three years pass, and most people distance themselves from the affected areas. There are various reasons for this. They may be busy or unable to adjust their schedules. But Hanyu is different.

 

He took action on his own and has continued to help even as time has passed.

 

What does it mean to be close to the disaster-stricken areas? What can one do? He has thought about this, made it happen, and continued without interruption.

 

"I hope I can deliver hope again"

 

Hanyu appeared in many media outlets in 2024. Among them, two magazine features stood out.

 

The October 1st issue of Newsweek Japan featured a special titled "What Yuzuru Hanyu Wants to Convey to Noto," and the November 30th issue of Weekly Toyo Keizai had a feature titled "Commitment to Supporting the Disaster Areas."

 

The reader demographic likely doesn't overlap with his usual fan base. This shows that a different side of 'Professional Skater Yuzuru Hanyu,' which inspires businessmen, is attracting new attention.

 

Hanyu's comment about the third consecutive "Notte Stellata" was as follows:

 

"The fact that 'Notte Stellata' is now reaching its third year makes me reflect on the events of 3.11 many times and think about whether there is something else I can do. I feel like I’ve come this far after considering many things while searching for ways to help.

 

I hope I can continue to deliver hope, and I want to make this show something bright where everyone who watches it can leave with a smile."