[2023.08.31] Figure Skating Life Extra "Yuzuru Hanyu PROFESSIONAL"

[yuzurujenn]

Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/フィギュアスケートLife-Extra-「羽生結弦-PROFESSIONAL」-扶桑社ムック/dp/4594621031/

 

 

It has been a year since Yuzuru Hanyu announced his turn as a professional skater on July 19, 2022. He has successfully performed
unprecedented performances, including his solo Tokyo Dome concert "GIFT." We look back on his achievements as a professional athlete over the past year with photos and reports. It is also packed with rare photos from the latest "Fantasy on Ice 2023" B Tour!

 

[Photo & Report]

●Fantasy on Ice 2023 Niigata/Makuhari Performance

●Stars on Ice 2023

●Hanyu Yuzuru notte stellata

●Prologue Yokohama/Hachinohe Performance

●GIFT

 

[Interview]

Tanaka Keiji

Yamamoto Sota

David Wilson

Hara Taketoshi

 

[Special Message] Johnny Weir 

[yuzurujenn]

* Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

Source: Figure Skating Life Extra 2023, pg 52-55

 

Exclusive Interview: Tanaka Keiji

Makuhari Performance “Filthy / My My My!”

 

Even after turning professional, Keiji Tanaka has continued walking alongside Yuzuru Hanyu as a peer. Here, he talks about what he sees in Hanyu, and about his current professional career.

 

Spoiler

Yuzu's incredible ability is his unwavering focus, just as he did when he was still competing

 

— First of all, how did you end up participating in notte stellata, which was held in Miyagi in March?

 

"I was contacted by the broadcasting company that was organizing the event. I was told about the concept of the show when it was decided that I would participate, and at that time, we also talked about things like music selection."

 

— You performed “Memories” and “Somewhere in Time.” What was the reason you chose those two pieces?

 

"Among the music I’ve skated to before, these two seemed like the perfect fit for notte stellata."

 

— It was a joy to see “Memories” again after a long time.

 

"Honestly, it was pretty tough to bring it back and start practicing again. Since the concept of the show was very clear, I felt I really needed to be able to perform the piece properly, so I practiced with that in mind."

 

— How did you approach the show dedicated to the Great East Japan Earthquake?

 

"It’s something that gradually fades from people’s memory, but I think this day is meant for all of us to remember again, like how much hope we’ve carried through the recovery process, and what this day means for each person. Since the show is deliberately held on this day, I moved forward with the hope that watching it might help someone feel even a little more positive."

 

— For Yuzuru Hanyu, this day and the show hold deep meaning. From your perspective, what was he like as the leader of the show?

 

"During rehearsals, and even on the first day, he seemed like his usual self. But on March 11th, he looked a little different from the moment he entered the venue. Of course, we weren’t without a sense of tension either, but while we were trying to act normally even as we kept the significance of the day in mind, his expression seemed noticeably more serious. I wasn’t actually there at the time of the earthquake, but I clearly remember the situation through the news coverage, and I take it very seriously. We feel that way too, but it made me realize that we can’t completely understand how the people who actually experienced the disaster feel. I think it’s the same for him as well, and even from the perspective of a friend, I could feel that it was a really tough day for him."

 

— On a day like that, having you by his side must have been reassuring for him.

 

"Hmm... I don’t know about that. I can’t say whether he felt that way or not (laughs), and I really don't know. But it's not often that we get to be together on this specific day, so it was one of those times when I really felt glad to be part of the same show."

 

— What was the most memorable thing about the "notte stellata" show for you?

 

"Definitely the amazing collaboration between Kohei Uchimura and Yuzu. I heard that Uchimura-san would be performing when the announcement was made, and I was like, ‘Huh? Where and what is he going to do?’ When I actually got to the venue, there was a big floor set up next to the rink, and I thought, ‘Ah, so that’s how they’re doing it. They really went with this approach,’ (laughs). I watched from the rehearsals, and I thought it was a really interesting attempt, a groundbreaking collaboration. Of course, I watched the actual performance too, and it was a program with the kind of atmosphere that only two people who have reached the pinnacle of their athleticism can truly understand. The music was great, and the costumes and the program were all really cool. It was super exciting."

 

— Did you get to see any of Hanyu’s other performances?

 

"I wasn’t able to see the opening Notte Stellata performance because I was on standby backstage, and I only caught a glimpse of the final Haru yo, Koi. In the first place, I think it's pretty rare for Yuzu to skate in the top slot, outside of his own solo shows. The fans were surprised, and so were we performers. We were like, ‘He's going to skate three times?!’ (laughs). That shock alone was something, but I also thought it was amazing that he skated three pieces with completely different styles to express what he wanted to show through this performance. Also, the Dynamite program that used projection mapping was a real shock too (laughs). I bet he actually wanted to appear in that one himself, not just on video. Probably because of the collaboration segments, he couldn’t be in everything, but on the final day, he was dancing at rinkside. He was dancing so much (laughs). Still, it’s really impressive how he’s done so many different shows, and each one with completely different production and presentation."

 

— Did you also see Prologue or GIFT?

 

"I wasn’t able to see Prologue, but I watched GIFT through the livestream. How should I put it... it's hard to explain. Of course, there was the power of the dancers, the way the visuals spoke to the audience, and the strength of the music, but I watched it thinking that it’s amazing how one person’s performance can connect everything. And the fact that he was able to do that at Tokyo Dome, that was really incredible."

 

The Joy of Collaboration

 

— You wore a blue costume during the Notte Stellata performance. I wondered if you were going to do a new program...

 

"That's a temporary costume. I told them I only wanted a pop blue costume, and they made one for me, so I'd love to wear it again if I get the chance."

 

— You haven’t made a new program based on a costume before, right?

 

“Not really~. I haven’t been looking at fabrics much lately (laughs). I usually just mix and match ready-made clothes to make something, so it’s pretty rare for me to actually make something from scratch... Lately, I've realized that the thinner the better (laughs)."

 

— What do you mean? (laughs)

 

"Fantasy on Ice costumes are basically sheer, aren't they? For the opening and finale. I realized that that kind of look is fine. They're so comfortable to wear (laughs)."

 

— (laughs)

 

"Even Stéphane Lambiel’s costumes are getting thinner and thinner. I think it’s great (laughs)."

 

— But you look good in something extravagant too, so please wear those once in a while. You participated in both the A and B tours of Fantasy on Ice, how was it?

 

“For the A tour, I had the chance to collaborate with ISSA from DA PUMP. At first, since it was a 4-minute ballad (‘All My Love To You’), I thought it might be difficult, but surprisingly, after doing the choreography and skating along with the live singing, it felt really smooth and enjoyable.”

 

— It was very wonderful.

 

“The long cardigan costume was really heavy (laughs). It wasn’t so much the weight itself, but the centrifugal force kept swinging it around. It was a length I’d never worn in my usual costumes, but I pushed through and skated with it anyway (laughs). The band members and artists changed between the A and B tours, so the atmosphere shifted a bit, but since I skated the same solo, I felt myself getting more comfortable with it each time.”

 

— What kind of ice show is Fantasy on Ice to you, Keiji-san?

 

"Everyone else has such impressive titles, so I feel like every time I appear, it's a challenge. In order to be invited again next year, I feel like I have to leave behind some kind of result, even if it's not something tangible."

 

— This year’s collaboration numbers have also been a big hit. Not only the A tour collaboration, but your performance of 'Apple' with Dean Fujioka during the B tour created a lot of buzz too.

 

"The response was amazing, but I felt that Dean-san's ability to attract people is just incredible. Of course, his looks and style are stunning, and just by seeing him, you can tell that he's handsome! But more than that, it was his voice, and also when I listened to his MC, I could really tell that he genuinely wanted to hype up the audience. I was really happy to be able to collaborate with people like ISSA and Dean, who are such great singers and have such great personalities."

 

— How do you approach collaborations, Keiji-san?

 

"I was actually glad that it wasn’t a song I already knew. My stance on choosing songs is that I don’t pick them myself, because if I choose a song, I quickly get tired of it (laughs). It’s something that’s already deep down inside me. Songs that I don’t know well or haven’t heard before, of course, the artists know them, but songs I haven’t encountered yet give me about three times more excitement and surprise when I skate to them. Like, ‘Oh, so this is how this song feels.’ Even while doing choreography, I gradually notice little things like, ‘Oh, this is easier to choreograph than I thought.’ But when I skate live with the singing during the performance, I feel new emotions like, ‘So this is how it feels,’ and that’s really enjoyable.”

 

— What kind of new discoveries did you find this year?

 

“ISSA’s song was a ballad, but I focused quite a bit on choreography that followed each word of the lyrics. As I matched it all together, especially before the steps, I really got immersed. When I got close to ISSA and headed into the final chorus, it felt like an emotion of ‘Thank you for letting me skate to such a wonderful song!’ Actually, at first, the final pose was just raising my hand, but I got a bit particular about it (laughs). ISSA was in Kamen Rider and also sang the theme song. Since I’m a fan of Kamen Rider, I told him, ‘ISSA, you were in Kamen Rider, right? I want to do the pose you used when you transformed.’ So that pose at the end is the one ISSA did when transforming in Kamen Rider. I don’t think many people noticed, but I thought I could sneak it in, so I did (laughs).”

 

"And Dean’s song had a completely different vibe from ISSA’s, which I actually thought was a good thing. I realized I got to skate to such contrasting styles between the A and B tours. When doing the choreography, since there was quite a bit of rap at the start, it was difficult to pick up every single lyric, so the choreography followed more of the flow. But there were key moments where the lyrics really guided the movements, and that happened in several places, which made it really fun. Both pieces were choreographed by Kenji Miyamoto-sensei."

 

Still performing in the same show

— It’s been a year since you and Hanyu became professionals. Do you often watch each other’s professional activities?

 

"Since we do a lot of shows together, I do watch him often. He maintains such sharpness in his body that you’d think he could return to competition at any time. It’s not about his mindset, but his body’s sharpness, and the quality of his jumps and spins hasn’t declined. Even in non-competitive programs, it feels like he still focuses firmly on his jumps."

 

— Is there a difference between performing in shows as an active competitor and performing as a professional?

 

“For me, the nervousness hasn’t changed since my active days, but I think it’s good that it still exists properly now. Being able to stay tense without loosening up and face the challenge is a strength, I think. Yuzu is the same. If anything, it’s become even deeper. The way he focuses, creates his own world during warm-up, and steps onto the ice remains the same. I think it’s amazing that he hasn’t changed in that regard.”

 

— Your career as a pro will continue from here, and I’m sure you and Hanyu, being peers, will keep pushing each other to grow.

 

"I want to continue to perform in the same shows as I do now, maintaining my physical and mental condition so that I can continue to perform each of my routines. As long as I keep performing in shows, I want to keep striving to be able to perform in the big shows he's in, and keep up that level of ability."

 

— Would you like to create a show together?

 

"Not at all, actually. I don’t think we’d be able to decide on a direction at all (laughs)."

 

— What about a collaboration as peers?

 

"A collab!! Hmm… I can’t even picture that (laughs)."

 

— I think it would be interesting, though.

 

"Ehhh… when it comes to the ice… hmm... But it might be fun to daydream about it (laughs)."

 

— I hope we can see it someday.

 

"If it ever happens, that would be great. But even just performing in the same show is a lot of fun."

 

— Is there anything you want to try as a professional moving forward?

 

“I want to keep showing different sides of myself. Discovering things like ‘Oh, I can do this,’ and ‘I can do that,’ and seeing how much of that I can express as a pro until I can no longer skate. That’s the challenge for me right now."

 

— You used to say you’d never skate again after retiring, so it’s wonderful to see you perform so many programs as a professional.

 

“It’s like extra time after the game (laughs).”

 

— Please keep extending that extra time (laughs).

 

“Like, how many overtimes am I going to do? (laughs).”

 

 

PROFILE

Born November 22, 1994, in Okayama Prefecture.
Represented Japan at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, and the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 (cancelled) World Championships.

 

Regarding the hand part of the costume he wore for his new Fantasy on Ice program “Filthy / My My My!”, he said: "I used Dai-chan’s ‘Phoenix’ as a reference. Rather than just a reference, I saw it and thought, ‘I want to do this.’"

 

When asked about him saying something to Hanyu, who was crying at Johnny Weir’s retirement ceremony: “I just said something like, ‘Off you go (to change clothes)!’ (laughs).”

[yuzurujenn]

* Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

Source: Figure Skating Life Extra 2023, pg 56-59

 

Exclusive Interview: Yamamoto Sota 

Fantasy on Ice 2023 Makuhari Performance "Teeth"

 

Yamamoto has accumulated a wealth of advice and inspiration from Yuzuru Hanyu during the tour. His eyes are already set on the next step.

 

Spoiler

The many pieces of advice and inspiration received from Hanyu-senshu

 

—First, could you share some memories or episodes from Stars on Ice and Fantasy on Ice?

 

"First of all, I was really happy to be able to participate in the Stars on Ice tour, and I feel it turned into a very intense and meaningful period. I was also happy to be able to travel the tour with Hanyu-senshu, and I received a lot of inspiration from him. Although I'm still active as a competitive skater, I was able to see performances and jumps even more amazing than those of current competitors up close, and it made me want to aim even higher. I felt that I really need to work hard to achieve performances and jumps like Hanyu-senshu's.

 

As for Fantasy on Ice, I was invited to perform in the first half of the tour for the first time. It’s a show I had always wanted to be part of, and I had a strong sense of admiration for it—it’s one of the most spectacular shows among ice shows. I had never seen it live, but even through videos, I thought it was such an impressive ice show. I thought that only a limited number of skaters would be selected to perform in it, so I was very happy to be invited to the Fantasy I had admired for so long. It's also a show where Hanyu is at the top of his game, so I had a really fun time being invited as a guest there, and I was also very happy to receive so much support from the audience."

 

—Did you have a chance to talk with Hanyu-senshu during practice and such?

 

"During Fantasy, there was a rehearsal before the Makuhari performance, and while the other members were practicing, I had a chance to talk a little with Hanyu-senshu next to me. This off-season, I've been working on new quads. I've landed the quad flip and quad lutz in practice before, but I haven’t been able to land the loop yet. So I went to ask Hanyu-senshu, who jumps an amazing quad loop, about what kind of mindset or awareness he has when he jumps it. He gave me a lot of advice and explained in detail what to pay attention to. I’d like to try incorporating that into my practice and during senior training camps going forward."

 

—What kind of advice did he give you?

 

"Hanyu-senshu enters his loop jump from a mohawk. There are other methods like entering from a back outside three-turn or from a mohawk, and there are various ways to do the mohawk itself. Hanyu-senshu is the type who does a mohawk to the right first and then jumps, whereas I do a mohawk from right foot to left foot and jump straight from that (demonstrates it while standing). There are surprisingly few people who use Hanyu-senshu’s method of jumping. It’s kind of a style that’s unique to him. Generally, most people enter from the right foot and do a mohawk toward the left before jumping."

 

—When you actually try it, it seems like Hanyu-senshu's entry method lets you take off more decisively.

 

"Exactly, it feels like it stops your hips.With the usual entry, I feel like the body gets pulled off balance, but with Hanyu’s entry, you can stop the hips once and go straight in. He said he wants to jump straight, and that method seems to suit him. Jumps vary a lot from person to person, in trajectory and in entry, so I want to find the style that works best for me. Still, I think that learning to stop your hips is the key (to mastering the quadruple loop)."

 

—-A loop is scary if you can't take off properly.

 

"It’s scary if you bail out of it (laughs). Unlike other jumps, you can’t just force 100% rotation into it. I think it’s the kind of jump where you need to guide it smoothly with maybe 70% effort, or else it pops out.”

 

—Was Shoma Uno’s entry an inside three-turn?

 

"Yes, he enters with a back outside edge, transitions to a forward edge, and then does an inside three-turn. For my triple jumps, I use three different entry patterns: the inside three-turn, a standard mohawk, and a mohawk entry starting from the left foot like Hanyu-senshu. As for the quad, I’m still experimenting to see which entry works best for me."

 

—Which one seems the easiest to jump with?

 

"In the end, I’ve been using the standard mohawk I’ve always done since way back, but when I tried it about two years ago, I couldn’t get any rotation at all. That’s why I think that if I try entering like Hanyu-senshu, by stopping the hips once before the takeoff, it might make it easier to really tighten up at the end. As for the inside three-turn, I won’t really know unless I try it. I used to always enter the flip from a forward mohawk as well, but lately, for the quad, it’s become a setup where I first do a three-turn and then finish with a mohawk. So it’s really a matter of trying things out and seeing what works."

 

—Are quads really that different from triples?

 

"I think those kinds of subtle differences really matter."

 

The Power to Give Your All

 

—Since last season until now, you've done many competitions and shows.

 

"Someone like Kazuki, who’s around the same age, has been in a lot more shows, so I think that’s amazing. And honestly, I’m a bit envious. I want to be invited to more shows too. Last year, I was able to get good results, and gradually I started getting invited to more shows, so I’m hoping that if I keep working hard this season, those opportunities will continue to grow. At this latest show, more people were waving my banner than I had expected. I really feel like the number of supporters is slowly increasing, and that makes me really happy. I want to keep doing my best so that even more people will cheer for me."

 

—You're also scheduled to do a collaboration at next year's Fantasy on Ice.

 

"Many people have told me this, but (for that reason) first, I want to work hard this season. Last year, I felt a lot of growth, so I have confidence. But at the same time, I want to reset my mindset and aim to level up as a new version of myself."

 

—You've skated alongside Hanyu-senshu in Stars and other shows before, but is there anything you learned from performing with him this year?

 

"In both Stars and Fantasy, the moment Hanyu steps onto the ice, the entire audience bursts into cheers. I think Hanyu is the only one who can create an atmosphere that feels like a live concert. I really admire his ability to give 120% of his effort every performance, creating such captivating, compelling performances that people want to see. I think that's one of the reasons I'm drawn to him. It’s not like he’s literally risking his life, but there’s an incredible intensity in how he gives his all in his performance, and that kind of performance naturally creates a powerful presence that audiences want to watch. That’s something I learned a lot from in both Stars and Fantasy. Even in group numbers, Hanyu’s movements have a different magnitude. I try to consciously move big and connect with the audience in my own expression, but when I watch videos, I realize I can show even bigger movements. I want to keep working hard so that I can bring joy to even more audience members, so that when people come to see me, they feel glad they did.”

 

—But your performance "Teeth" was a big hit at this year's ice show, so I'm sure you've gained quite a fan base.

 

“Yes, I also enjoyed it a lot, and hearing people say that made me really happy. Of course, at Stars and also at Fantasy, the audience reactions were very positive, and I personally had a lot of fun, so I want to perform again (laughs).”

 

—Were you able to watch Hanyu-senshu’s performances?

 

“Of course. At Stars, he did Ashura-chan, One Summer’s Day, and Phantom of the Opera. Each one was a completely different genre. With Phantom, the layout was the same as his competition program, with elements like a quad–triple and an Axel combination. I was blown away. It made me realize I still need to work harder, and it motivated me to push myself more. And Ashura-chan had a huge impact on me too. I think that was truly a new genre within skating, and it felt like watching Hanyu-senshu in live concert. Just hearing that song and seeing Hanyu-senshu moving to it got me really excited. He has that kind of charisma that just draws you in."

 

Someone Who Can Satisfy the Audience 100%

 

—From your perspective, what kind of presence is Yuzuru Hanyu as a professional athlete now?

 

“Professional, I guess. Since his competitive days, whether in competitions, shows, or even outside of skating life, I’ve always felt it. I think the word ‘professional’ truly suits him. To that extent, he pursues everything thoroughly, and I imagine the pressure he bears alone must be immense. Yet, he meets all those expectations. Even after turning professional and performing in shows, he's able to delight the entire sold-out audience. People buy tickets to ice shows, both live and streamed, and travel to the venue to enjoy them, and I think Hanyu-senshu is one of those skaters who makes them want to go to see him even if it means going through all the trouble. I think Hanyu-senshu is the kind of skater who can satisfy 100% of the people who come to see him."

 

—It's still a long way off, but what kind of pro skater do you want to become?

 

“I really love skating, and ever since I was little, I’ve always thought that after I retire, I’d like to become a skating coach. That hasn’t changed even now. Also, I want to be active as a professional skater, so right now, I'm focused on building up my track record so I can be invited to more shows. I want to become someone that people want to invite."

 

—Is there anything you’d like to do with Hanyu-senshu?

 

"I’d really love to be invited to one of Hanyu-senshu’s shows, like Fantasy on Ice or Notte Stellata, and give it my all as a member of the cast. I'm confident I could do my best if I was invited (laughs), so I really hope I'm invited. I'm going to work hard (at competitions) so that can happen."

 

—Lastly, please share your overall thoughts after participating in so many shows this time, and what you want to work hard on moving forward.

 

"I feel that my attitude toward and approach to ice shows have changed a lot over the past few years, and I've come to really enjoy expressing myself to the audience during the performances. That’s both fun and where I truly feel my growth. With that feeling, I want to learn even more from ice shows so I can perform in a way that reaches many people, even those seated in the higher sections, and also incorporate what I learn into my competitions. I feel there’s still so much to study, so I want to absorb as much as possible, connect it to my own growth, and carry it forward onto the path ahead."

 

 

 

PROFILE

Born January 10, 2000, in Osaka Prefecture.
Bronze medalist at the 2015 World Junior Championships, gold medalist at the 2016 Lillehammer Youth Olympic Games.
Silver medalist at the 2022 Grand Prix de France, NHK Trophy, and Grand Prix Final.
Champion at the 2023 Winter University Games, silver medalist at the Challenge Cup, 15th at the World Championships.
In the story where he received jump advice, he demonstrated the steps before the jump while explaining.
His sincere attitude toward accepting, digesting, and applying the advice he receives may be the secret to his continued growth.