Interview with Shoma after the final show, this should be with all media people attending (not an exclusive interview).
Full Transcript in Japanese by World Figure Skating:
https://worldfigureskating-web.jp/news/14082/
Shoma Uno “Ice Brave”: The Best Finale and Looking Ahead to “Ice Brave 2”
— Please share your honest thoughts after finishing the final performance.
Uno: Regardless of whether jumps succeed or fail, when the audience cheers loudly, I feel that we are delivering something good to everyone. The immediate response is really a special quality of an ice show. Until now, whenever I performed in ice shows, I wanted to fulfill the role given to me thoroughly, but this time it was my first time creating one myself for such a long period. The more time I spent, the more I experimented thinking, “Is this good? How about that?” Because of this trial and error, many feelings got poured into the performance, and I gradually realized what kind of reactions we could get from it. Then we announced “Ice Brave 2,” and now I’m thinking about what to do next. There were so many great things this time that I really feel a bit lost.
— You did three shows (in Aichi, Fukuoka, Niigata). How do you feel about the overall program’s completeness and your feelings now that it’s finished?
Uno: Before it started, I thought this would be my first and last time, the only chance for Shoma Uno the skater to be the main focus. But the result was even better than I imagined, and now I want to level up various things more. Also, because many people watched this time, I hope to create another ice show that only we can make.
— What do you think about the decision to hold “Ice Brave 2”?
Uno: Honestly, I thought, “Of course!” (laughs) Because the first one turned out so well. To be honest, my reaction was kind of like “Well, okay, yeah...” half-joking, but I really feel so many people supported us. So I’m happy if even more people come to see it.
— Do you have any feelings of relief or accomplishment after finishing “Ice Brave”?
Uno: Honestly, I felt more like, “What should we do for ‘Ice Brave 2’?” Because the first was so good, I want to make it even better, but I don’t want to lose the good parts either. At the same time, I want it to be something new. So I keep thinking about it that way. Of course, every time the show ends with big applause, I’m exhausted to the point of barely moving. As far as I know, it’s a physically demanding show, maybe the toughest in the world. But after doing it, I feel like I could do anything.
— Has your confidence as a professional skater deepened?
Uno: I want to get better, become a better entertainer, and of course improve as a skater. Ice dance is a true skating discipline, so I want to get better at it. The audience loves skating, so I want to show the beauty of skating. But I also want to do things that skaters have never done before—parts people might think are impossible—integrated well with skating. I want to create things that only we can do. Since many people are seeing an ice show for the first time, I want to make something that even people who don’t know much about skating will think, “Wow, this is amazing and fun!” I want to pack in the best of both worlds from various perspectives.
— Did you feel a good response after the three shows?
Uno: In Nagoya, I felt it very strongly. Because it’s good, I was excited to go around to different places and show it to many people. Actually, I want to ask everyone — how did you feel watching this show? Of course, my feelings matter, but what makes me really happy is hearing what everyone thinks and feels about the show. I want to feel that excitement again next time.
— How did the cast react when you told them “Ice Brave 2” was decided?
Uno: They said, “Well, okay, it’s a good show.” (laughs) Some joked like, “Maybe we won’t ask Kussy (Kazuki Kushida) this time.” Everyone seemed happy and said, “Looks like we’ll be working together for a long time.” There are still many undecided things, but we want to announce them on July 18th (during the Toyota Times Sports live stream), which is pretty soon, so we’ll think about it carefully. I’m still figuring out the timing too.
— What do you think about the confidence behind that “Well, okay” reaction?
Uno: I don’t think we should compare how much passion each person puts in, but it’s unbelievably tough. I think the confidence comes from that toughness. The passion we put in can’t be expressed as just 100%. The audience applause pushes us over 120%. Even though we say “We can’t do more,” every time we have fun and push to 120%. Stephane (Lambiel) joined midway, and we did about 10 times more rehearsals than him, but even Stephane was super high-energy doing “See You Again,” like when he won the world championships. He said, “It’s tough but fun. This is amazing.” It’s not just my power but everyone’s will to make it great.
— How satisfied are you with the show, in percent?
Uno: I’m satisfied with the show, but for my ice dance technique—I think it’s definitely improved compared to practice, but I want to get even better. This might sound like an excuse, but from Nagoya onward, I wanted to make it better and increase the parts that really work as ice dance. Because I aimed high, I also had some failures. But I’m happy that even after competition is over, I still have the will to get better. So I’m satisfied with the ice show now, but as a skater, I want to keep improving. I want to surprise everyone more and change myself.
— You had a very fulfilled expression after finishing “Bolero.”
Uno: If there wasn’t going to be an “Ice Brave 2,” I might have gotten emotional. But because I had “2” in my head, I was surprised when Kussy cried. I couldn’t catch up emotionally, and I hadn’t shared the feeling of crying yet. The three of us just burst out laughing... (laughs)
he needs to increase his name recognition first among general public and he's doing it quite well recently through that Twitter account of his... that's a gold mine he's sitting on and wisely biding his time to use.
it's sandwiched between Shomarin and Sholero in the show, but it's actually a very lovely lyrical segment from Yoji, Rika and Kussy.
