Hanyu Yuzuru to unveil 'Echoes of Life' show on 30th birthday

Hanyu Yuzuru has announced a third installment of his Ice Story tour coming this winter in Japan.

And it remains as mysterious and intriguing as ever.

Following in the footsteps of “Gift” and “Re_Pray” and more than two years since his competitive retirement, the two-time Olympic figure skating champion’s latest self-produced ice show is titled “Echoes of Life”.

The curtains go up on the first performance on 7 December - Hanyu’s 30th birthday, on the weekend of the ISU Grand Prix Final - at Saitama Super Arena, with further stops at Hiroshima Green Arena in January and the brand-new LaLa arena Tokyo-Bay in Chiba.

“Since I can remember, I’ve thought about what it means to live,” Hanyu said in a statement. “To add, through the Great East Japan Earthquake, I met many who were affected by the disasters, touching their memories and feelings.

“Society is flooded with information, so much so that we lose sight of ourselves. In a world where we are prone to becoming numb to one’s pain as well as that of others, I ask what life is - and what it means to be me. I created a story and a program that may serve as a hint to answering those questions.”

Hanyu, 29, is the only performer listed. Critically acclaimed producer-choreographer Mikiko will direct again, as she did for Gift and Re_Pray. Other than “life” being the show’s theme, not much else has been given away.

The dates for Saitama are 7, 9, and 11 December; Hiroshima on 3 and 5 January; and Chiba on 7 and 9 February.

Ticket details can be found here.

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