Echoes of Life tour 2024-25

[DizzyFrenchie]

I think that posts from unaware people can remind us that people who don't know sports or Figure Skating, or Echoes of Life, can have very little idea of what it means in terms of human achievement. It's among an extremely reduced number of really daunting, "humanly impossible" things in this World. And of course, even if it may contain, as a small part, a competitive program, a solo show by Yuzuru Hanyu is a skating feat by a single skater which goes so far beyond, and that's only about the athletic side of the shows, as it it what uninformed people may imagine first.
I would say that the best remedy to that is to go watch GIFT on Disney +, be it at a friend's house if they don't have it themselves. RE_PRAY was even stronger than GIFT, and Echoes stronger than RE_PRAY, but nobody could skate even a small part of GIFT, and nobody could even skate the elements part of it (elements have long been a "minor" part of a Yuzuru Hanyu program's exertion : while he did match or pass his pretended rivals' technical score, if fairly scored, his transitions have long been even more difficult, except maybe in Ten to Chi to, albeit still far above the most other skaters).
His athletic progression during his Professional career, is quite as impressive as his artistic progression; if not more, because, there have been great artistic geniuses in the past, we're just discovering one in him; but no Figure Skater ever has even remotely approached what he's doing in his Solo shows.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Now, to "less serious" things... Chippendales are so overrated, don't you think?
https://x.com/yzhfolder/status/1919502663902781721?ref_url=

 

[Magill]

Here's from Jeffrey Buttle, for Kiss&Cry - The Stage 4, on choreographing for Yuzuru again for Echoes of Life.
It is a great interview offering special insight into his creative process behind the EoL's piano medley, but also more general remarks and understanding of choreographing process, how it is done and how it works.
Jeff, a great former single skater himself, is the man behind some of Yuzuru's most iconic competition short programs, among them: Parisienne Walkways, Ballade No 1, Let's Go Crazy, Let Me Entertain You, Otonal, and his last SP of the competitive era: Introduction &Rondo Capriccioso, on which Jeff Buttle cooperated with Shae Lynn Bourne.
No wonder Yuzu went back to him asking him to choreograph the sensational 10-12 minutes piano medley, consisting of 5 short pieces by great composers like Bach, Haydn and Chopin, which in the show was to build momentum for the performance of the iconic Olympic Ballade No 1 which Jeff had originally choreographed for him all these years back.
The interview was taken in January, published in March/April, and translated now by Jenn ::

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Here's a bit more of translation of Yuzuru Hanyu's interview, this about the progression of the character of Nova along the Echoes of Life show, from last December to last February:
https://x.com/yuzurujenn/status/1920021705260732771?ref_url=

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Was there an echoes of Life-themed cluster on May 9th? I'm a complete dummy regarding Metaverse, clusters etc, so I don't understand very well:
https://x.com/hsymBoya_info/status/1920609847248105556

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

In spite of the camera prohibition, a fan managed to catch Nova interacting with the blue butterfly during an Echoes of Life show:
https://x.com/Gekikawa_Dbts/status/1935834563965862027

 

[Magill]

A series of articles on the philosophy underlying Echoes of Life will be published by Deep Edge Plus, here are more details:

"The ice show "Echoes of Life," which Yuzuru Hanyu produced and starred in from December last year to February this year, is based on a science fiction-style story written by Hanyu himself. One of the books that Hanyu quoted in the show is "Underwater Philosophers" by philosopher and author Rei Nagai. Yuzuru Hanyu and author Rei Nagai looked at the questions they have on a daily basis and had a conversation. They didn't rush for answers, they waited for the other person to speak, and sometimes they were silent... They thought about it as if they were diving underwater, and searched for words.
Kyodo News will distribute a one-page feature article titled "Yuzuru Hanyu x Rei Nagai Philosophical Dialogue" to its member newspapers. It will be published after June 29th. Please check your local newspaper.
In addition, Deep Edge Plus will begin publishing a series titled "Yuzuru Hanyu in Thoughts" on the 29th, which will detail Hanyu's words from this conversation. Please look forward to it."

The first article is already up. The subsequent episodes will be published every two weeks for 3 months. These are transcripts of conversation between Yuzuru and Rei Nagai - in Japanese but as transcripts they can be easily translated by an online translator of your choice, or just by the browser. The monthly subscription is JPY 500 (appx. USD 3.50) per 30 days.

羽生結弦さんが語る、哲学との出合い 子どもの頃から感じてきた「意識って何？」【第１回】 - フィギュアスケート専門情報サイトDeep Edge Plus　最新ニュース・充実のコラムをお届け

昨年12月から今年2月にかけて羽生結弦さんが制作総指揮して出演したアイスショー『Echoes of Life』は、羽生さん自らが執筆したＳＦ風の物語をベースにしています。 　この作品で引用もしたという一冊が、哲学者で作 […]

deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp

 

[Magill]

A series of articles on the philosophy underlying Echoes of Life will be published by Deep Edge Plus, here are more details:

"The ice show "Echoes of Life," which Yuzuru Hanyu produced and starred in from December last year to February this year, is based on a science fiction-style story written by Hanyu himself. One of the books that Hanyu quoted in the show is "Underwater Philosophers" by philosopher and author Rei Nagai. Yuzuru Hanyu and author Rei Nagai looked at the questions they have on a daily basis and had a conversation. They didn't rush for answers, they waited for the other person to speak, and sometimes they were silent... They thought about it as if they were diving underwater, and searched for words.
Kyodo News will distribute a one-page feature article titled "Yuzuru Hanyu x Rei Nagai Philosophical Dialogue" to its member newspapers. It will be published after June 29th. Please check your local newspaper.
In addition, Deep Edge Plus will begin publishing a series titled "Yuzuru Hanyu in Thoughts" on the 29th, which will detail Hanyu's words from this conversation. Please look forward to it."

The first article is already up. The subsequent episodes will be published every two weeks for 3 months. These are transcripts of conversation between Yuzuru and Rei Nagai - in Japanese but as transcripts they can be easily translated by an online translator of your choice, or just by the browser. The monthly subscription is JPY 500 (appx. USD 3.50) per 30 days.

羽生結弦さんが語る、哲学との出合い 子どもの頃から感じてきた「意識って何？」【第１回】 - フィギュアスケート専門情報サイトDeep Edge Plus　最新ニュース・充実のコラムをお届け

昨年12月から今年2月にかけて羽生結弦さんが制作総指揮して出演したアイスショー『Echoes of Life』は、羽生さん自らが執筆したＳＦ風の物語をベースにしています。 　この作品で引用もしたという一冊が、哲学者で作 […]

deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp

And here come translations of the introductory article in Daily and of the publicly accessible fragment of Part 1 on Deep Edge Plus.
I find it breathtaking that on top of his other skills and talents, Yuzu gets invited to discuss philosophy with philosophers. But then no wonder his art has such a depth - when the skills and techniques are there and comparable, what makes the real difference is the mind and soul of the performer which turns his work into art and makes it recognized as such by the audience. So it all comes beautifully together.
I also love Yuzu using openly Zen concepts like "mu" ("emptiness") - so fundamental in Zen Buddhism which I have always felt was underlying reference framework in the Echoes - and the dialogue method he employed so successfully in the show. Actually, did you know that he referred directly to Rei work in his narration?

 

[TallyT]

Yuzu gets invited to discuss philosophy with philosophers.

I think that's the really amazing point to me. It's not that he studies it, many people including sports stars do. It's that philosophers want to talk to him about Echoes.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Here are Tanabata health wishes from Echoes of Life "chibis", as it seems to be getting warm:

https://x.com/sora_akoshime/status/1941961143100289240

 

[Magill]

Second episode of Yuzuru Hanyu discussing philosophy of Echoes of Life with a female philosopher, Rei Nagai, who inspired him and whom he was referencing in the show is up on Deep Edge Plus. The pic in the post below is a link to the free part of the episode.

 

[TallyT]

For his Pro3 anniversary, Yuzuru posted this gorgeous video about Echoes of Life.

 

[Magill]

For his Pro3 anniversary, Yuzuru posted this gorgeous video about Echoes of Life.

And Mass Des!!! He posted Mass Destruction from Echoes of Life yesterday on his official channel, full version and 100% legal and official!!
Part of the soundtrack of Persona 3 video game, one of Yuzuru's favourites. Known among fans as Mass Des, or "oh, baby baby""!!
Enjoy!

 

[Magill]

And Mass Des!!! He posted Mass Destruction from Echoes of Life yesterday on his official channel, full version and 100% legal and official!!
Part of the soundtrack of Persona 3 video game, one of Yuzuru's favourites. Known among fans as Mass Des, or "oh, baby baby""!!
Enjoy!

Mikiko reposted Yuzuru's post with the Mass Des YT link and he replied to her at once!
After all Mass Des is their common work, she choreographed it for him!
I am forever impressed by the collaboration of these two which is probably the best thing that happened to figure skating in years! One of the best modern dance floor choreographers of her generation, and the figure skating GOAT of unmatched musicality and artistry create landscapes together of striking beauty and so amazingly diversified in mood and colour palette, that they take us to places no one else could even dream of. No wonder while adoring Ice Story 1, 2 and 3, people are already whispering about Ice Story 4...

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

The latest Famitsu had an article, mostly about Echoes of Life, with a focus on Mass Destruction.
I would like to stress that, while Echoes of Life, without specifically going into Persona 3, is rather "General Public"; Persona 3 itself, from what I've read of it, is not for minors; nor for "unwarned" people, either:

https://x.com/famitsu/status/1947882960096731290?ref_url=

Here's the Famitsu article:

羽生結弦さんが『ペルソナ3 リロード』戦闘曲“Mass Destruction -Reload-”でスケートを披露。うれしいので『Echoes of Life』の感想を少し書く | ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com

フィギュアスケーター・羽生結弦さんが、『ペルソナ3 リロード』（P3R）の戦闘曲“Mass Destruction -Reload-”などをアイスショー『Echoes of Life』で使っていると話題になった。YouTubeチャンネルでその部分が公開されたので、『Echoes of Life』の感想も交えて紹介させてください。

www.famitsu.com

 

[Magill]

Figure Skating Magazine 2024-2025 Season Highlights gives a lot of space to Echoes of Life and the title says it all:
Echoes of Love!

 

[Magill]

The third episode of Yuzuru Hanyu discussing philosophy of Echoes of Life with a female philosopher, Rei Nagai, who inspired him and whom he was referencing in the show is up on Deep Edge Plus (for episodes 1 and 2 seek the posts above).
Among other things, they talk also about media and journalists in the contemporary world!
Very interesting from someone literally growing up and living most of his life in a media spotlight.

 

[Magill]

The 4th and 5th episodes of the Echoes-rooted philosophical dialogue are out by now with Yuzu and Rei discussing boundaries and how they connect (or not) to human ability to experience happiness, and inviting journalists present at the venue to join in the discussion instead of just hiding behind their recording equipment.

 

[Magill]

Two young Japanese professional dancers analyzed Yuzuru's Mass Destruction clip from EoL at their YouTube channel in response to numerous viewers' requests. It is pretty fun to watch as they are able to nail and name what he's actually doing, and assess the quality and the level of difficulty on and off the ice - and even imitate the gestures they are talking about as they are able to perform them as well.
Lots of terminology foreign to FS fans like new jack swing, toprock, body wave, running man etc. as they name different styles - breakdance, street dance, hip hop - and steps he's using. All in all, they are in awe of his musicality and skating and dancing skills, calling him a "genius of expression" and a "revolutionary". They clearly love it and have fun watching.
The fun part is also when they try to guess why this kind of music and programs is generally absent from FS and why you have to be a 2xOlympic champion to make it work, noticing that "he's not jumping here at all, he's just dancing... and that's so cool".

And the quote of the day: "The point is to use music as your ally". Oh, yes! Oh, yes!

They are talking in Japanese but you can use "US English audio option" from the Setting Audio options list and then you can hear it in English.
I link Mass Des clip below, too, for easy reference.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Honestly, I wouldn't want Hip-Hop, Street Dance and the like to become common in Figure Skating, as precisely they're so difficult to perform, particularly on ice; I do think that exceptional skaters such as Daisuke Takahashi or Alina Zagitova (I know that she's not popular with some fans of Yuzuru Hanyu, but if you can watch the later part of her Cleopatra program, you'll understand what I mean; she had a good skate at the 2019 Japan Open if I remember correctly) did do well, although Yuzuru Hanyu is doing better (but he's doing better everywhere); but others would (some did) be plain ridiculous, as most skaters who skate to tangos or waltzes or anything Chopin, which I wish wouldn't be considered warhorses.