In his latest solo show 'RE_PRAY', Hanyu Yuzuru goes deep
The two-time Olympic gold medallist launches his first self-produced tour in Saitama, Japan, tapping into life and our choices through gaming.
Figure Skating
Hanyu Yuzuru triumphed as he opened his ‘RE_PRAY’ ice show tour in Japan at Saitama Super Arena on Saturday evening (4 November).
Before an ecstatic sellout crowd of 14,000, the two-time Olympic figure skating champion waltzed to 12 tunes during a two-hour visual marvel themed by gaming.
RE_PRAY is Hanyu’s third self-produced solo performance but it is the first time he is taking a show on tour. After Saitama, he is scheduled to perform in Saga in January 2024 and Yokohama in February.
“I have nothing but gratitude for everyone who stayed up all night to make sure RE_PRAY happened today,” Hanyu said in a brief conversation with reporters afterwards.
“I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to deliver this show, this program, in front of all these people.
“Be it games, manga, or novels, I have sources of inspiration that make me think about my life in general and just how frail life can be.”
Hanyu - who did not address his marriage he announced in August on stage or afterwards - took the fans on an introspective ride through life, portraying himself as a character in a role playing game like his favourite ‘Final Fantasy’.
Completely self-choreographed to music, some of which was new and some his best hits, like ‘Seimei’ and 'Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso’, the 28-year-old Hanyu said he wanted to give the audience food for thought about life and the series of choices we make.
Looking razor sharp despite having been out of competition for more than a year now, the artist known as Hanyu appears to be going deeper and deeper with each one of his productions.
“It’s difficult to describe in a few words but I am not asking people to find any answers from this one story alone. I just want people to think about it through this story known as RE_PRAY.
“This is different from all the ice shows I’ve done in the past. It’s not one, long program but a collection of programs in one grander tale.
“There were some programs tonight that I’ve performed before but when you piece it together as part of something, part of a story, they have a whole different look.
“I know it’s not easy but as an athlete, telling this story has made me want to skate well while pushing myself to the limit again.”