Fantasy on Ice 2023

[Magill]

Fantasy on Ice 2023 is starting in Japan tomorrow! The wonderful cast, including beloved World and Olympic Champions, choreography by David Wilson, guest musicians playing live, and the cross-fandom appeal invite us in for a treat! While some will be obviously discussed more privately in their FFs, this is for more general info, discussions and celebrations.
General Info: https://www.fantasy-on-ice.com/
Makuhari: 26-28 May
Miyagi: 2-4 June
Niigata:16-18 June
Kobe: 23-25 June
Cast::
Yuzuru Hanyu, Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron, Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier, Shizuka Arakawa, Kaori Sakamoto, Stephane Lambiel, Javier Fernandez, Johnny Weir, Deniss Vasiljevs, Kazuki Tomono, Sota Yamamoto, Satoko Miyahara, Mai Mihara, Nobunari Oda, Takahito Mura, Keiji Tanaka, Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson.

 

[Magill]

Starting off with David Wilson celebrating the Ensemble skaters:
...

... and being celebrated back on his birthday - just today

 

[icetug]

Great to see a strong East-European group: Anastasia Arkhypova, Angelina Kucvalska and Aleksandr Selevko as members of the Ensemble. As well as Tiffany & Jonathan

 

[TallyT]

As I understand it, the first two shows will NOT be streamed though they will be televised later. However reports are expected from those attending and hopefully we will get video and photos from the media who are there. Not long till the first one starts tonight...

 

[TallyT]

Only in Japan... earthquake in the middle of Javi's skate stopped the show, 6.4 magnitude in Chiba (in the same prefecture but thank goodness they were not right on top of it) it sounds like it was suspended but will resume?

 

[decafjava]

Forgive my ignorance but what does the ensemble group do? I would love to stream this - well I wish I could go to Japan and see it live.

 

[TallyT]

Forgive my ignorance but what does the ensemble group do? I would love to stream this - well I wish I could go to Japan and see it live.

They are in the opening, closing and often/usually the start of the second half. Here's a copy of the opening for one of the shows last year to give you an idea (and the costumes were unusually good for FAoI - unlike some others, it has new costumes every year and they are sometimes jawdropping)

Fantasy on Ice 2022 in KOBE OPENING【3rd SHOW】

「FaOI神戸公演3公演目/OPENING全部見せます（公式スタッフ4K撮影動画）」2022年6月19日（日）13時開演公式スタッフが4Kカメラで撮影したOPENINGを全編公開します。毎公演違ったアングルから撮影したオリジナル動画をご覧ください。＃FantasyonIce #FaOI #フィギュアスケート #f...

www.youtube.com

(you need to go to youtube to watch it, sorry)

 

[decafjava]

Thank you!

 

[Magill]

Only in Japan... earthquake in the middle of Javi's skate stopped the show, 6.4 magnitude in Chiba (in the same prefecture but thank goodness they were not right on top of it) it sounds like it was suspended but will resume?

It resumed after a while after it was checked that the venue was safe - and went on alright to end with a standing ovation.

Here's a little glimpse backstage to see your heroes as they just left the stage

 

[yesterday]

award for blurriest yet funniest pic goes to.. ?

 

[yesterday]

 

[TallyT]

Pictures from last night

【厳選フォト】羽生結弦や荒川静香が夢の共演！｜ファンタジー・オン・アイス2023

【厳選フォト】フィナーレでの羽生結弦｜写真：田中研治（THE DIGEST写真部）

thedigestweb.com

 

[TallyT]

From a fan on twitter, the current (though it could be updated) TV schedule for June and July



By the way, there are news reports showing the earthquake movements inside the rink, the infrastructure rocking above them all, must have been so scary. Yuzu did at the end ask everyone to rake care when going home.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

Goldenskate also has some beautiful pictures on their insta.
My favourites: Javi and Johnny

 

[Magill]

Yuzuru and Javier reunion warmed many-a-fan-heart and their fooling around on the ice again deserves to go to the Edge and not just their FFs. Javi was so happy he even re-posted the pics on his Instastory at 2 am local time....
Here's to the good ole days...

 

[TallyT]

Day 3 audience

 

[TallyT]

Keiji is wearing what looks like the world's most comfortable cardigan and I love it and I want one.

 

[TallyT]

A nice moment today, this being the last time Johnny Weir will skate in the Makuhari shows (as he retires after FAoI) Yuzu got him to go out for a special farewell cheer from the audience and to lead the skate round the rink afterwards. I'm not a Weir fan but it still made me smile.

There's a clip at https://twitter.com/Yuzurubbish/status/1662744781368205312

 

[Magill]

Makuhari official family photo....

 

[TallyT]

The full Day 3 show is on bilibili at https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Ko4y137TW/

(And we can be grateful to the Japanese and Chinese fans who stream these shows and then put up the full ones, even if they personally are really watching it for their favourites, otherwise the other skaters' performances would be lost)