Japanese Ice Shows: 2024 Collection

[Magill]

Today is the second anniversary of probably the biggest ice show ever, and surely the biggest one in Japan - Yuzuru Hanyu's Ice Story GIFT in Tokyo Dome, with a record audience of 35.000 viewers in the venue, broadcast live on Disney+Japan, in cinemas across Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and on a paid global livestream where it was subtitled in English live. The first ice show to be introduced by Disney+ to its global offer, last year it was made available on DVD/Blue Ray! It was a huge event!
It was not the first solo ice show - this distinction belongs to Yuzuru's Prologue - but it was his first ice story - what evolved to be a new unique genre combining video-narration, music and skating to tell an original story, mixing in poetry and philosophy, and drawing huge international audiences - both live, TV and online - ever since.
Eleven Play (the dancing group introduced a few posts above), Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and Satoshi Takebe's band were all there performing live along Yuzuru. His partnership with the stage choreographer and artistic director Mikiko-san was also solidified there (they first collaborated for two programs in Prologue) to give us so many splendid events since.
As this thread is of a slightly historical nature with all the new shows introduced with separate threads now, I think it is a good place to take a minute to remember, celebrate and reminisce

Gift (ice show) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[TallyT]

Today is the second anniversary of probably the biggest ice show ever, and surely the biggest one in Japan - Yuzuru Hanyu's Ice Story GIFT in Tokyo Dome, with a record audience of 35.000 viewers in the venue, broadcast live on Disney+Japan, in cinemas across Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and on a paid global livestream where it was subtitled in English live. The first ice show to be introduced by Disney+ to its global offer, last year it was made available on DVD/Blue Ray! It was a huge event!
It was not the first solo ice show - this distinction belongs to Yuzuru's Prologue - but it was his first ice story - what evolved to be a new unique genre combining video-narration, music and skating to tell an original story, mixing in poetry and philosophy, and drawing huge international audiences - both live, TV and online - ever since.
Eleven Play (the dancing group introduced a few posts above), Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and Satoshi Takebe's band were all there performing live along Yuzuru. His partnership with the stage choreographer and artistic director Mikiko-san was also solidified there (they first collaborated for two programs in Prologue) to give us so many splendid events since.
As this thread is of a slightly historical nature with all the new shows introduced with separate threads now, I think it is a good place to take a minute to remember, celebrate and reminisce

Gift (ice show) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It was something out of this world, I remember when at the end of the Prologue tour, the last goodbye, he had the details of Tokyo Dome flashed up... it was unbelievable for a moment, then the screams got even louder.

And I'll admit now that I was really scared he taken taken on more than any skater could deliver - the whole ISU certainly couldn't! (Turned out he could have filled that stadium twice over and more) And he debuted two of the best programs in recent years (and has gone on to many more) and, it has been calculated, seriously impacted the whole Japanese economy with that and the Prologue tour before it.

When Yuzu retired and started his shows, I remember saying on this forum that any success he had would mean others might hope to also build up bigger pro careers - okay, no one is likely to be as starry but despite being shouted down at the time, I look at the many and varied Japanese ice shows now and think that I did have a point.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Satoshi Takebe does remember, he still has his badge and all, and Yuzuru Hanyu answered him:
https://x.com/YUZURUofficial_/status/1894750984188109051?ref_url=

 

[TallyT]

There doesn't seem to be a general thread for shows in 2025 so can someone tell me - I heard The Ice has been cancelled, is this true?

While I do think the Japanese show scene is over-crowded, I'm sorry for those skaters who were regulars there.

 

[gsk8]

Just post in the respective thread (if one exists) for "The Ice."

There is no need for a "2025 Collection" thread if the shows/events are created in individual threads (i.e. 2025 Fantasy on Ice).

 

[Wynter]

There doesn't seem to be a general thread for shows in 2025 so can someone tell me - I heard The Ice has been cancelled, is this true?

While I do think the Japanese show scene is over-crowded, I'm sorry for those skaters who were regulars there.

For this year, yes.
THE ICE has struggled to differentiate themselves with other shows (their sausage fest last year were much criticized) so this is not surprising to me.
Also, with the economic situation in Japan nowadays, they simpy cannot invite many foreign skaters like they did before.

FAOI might be also impacted. They downsize a lot this year.

 

[Magill]

The iconic GIFT / CLAMP book which was published in Japan to accompany the GIFT show has just been translated and published in China in simplified Chinese, It brings the concept story behind the show in the written form put together by Yuzuru accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by incomparable CLAMP group of manga creators. Chinese fans are truly lucky!

 

[Magill]

Going back to the Challenge charity show for Noto Peninsula, TV Kanazawa has published a report today stating that the total revenue from the live stream and T-shirt sales they donated to the Ishikawa Prefecture amounted to JPY53,662,728 (roughly USD 370,000). This is not counting direct donations made by fans to the selected recovery bank accounts and such. International Yuzuru fandom made headlines then in Japanese media with their generous and dedicated rush to help Noto with money and sending in-kind assistance, or Amazon gift cards, to local NGOs involved in the aid effort. It was so noted and well-received in local communities that Yuzuru specifically thanked his international fans stating the info left him speechless and how proud he was of them.
Awesome and so respectable!!!! Kudos and gassio to the 4 skaters and their fans getting together for people in need!!

Just a quick reminder - Yuzuru Hanyu, Akiko Suzuki, Satoko Miyahara and Takahito Mura skated there at a local rink with no audience, just a live stream, accompanied by a drum band and a dancing-while-painting group, both formed by local teenagers. They also facilitated skating lessons and Q&A sessions for kids from the disaster-stricken Noto (an earthquake followed by a flood),

 

[Magill]

Going back to the Challenge charity show for Noto Peninsula, TV Kanazawa has published a report today stating that the total revenue from the live stream and T-shirt sales they donated to the Ishikawa Prefecture amounted to JPY53,662,728 (roughly USD 370,000). This is not counting direct donations made by fans to the selected recovery bank accounts and such. International Yuzuru fandom made headlines then in Japanese media with their generous and dedicated rush to help Noto with money and sending in-kind assistance, or Amazon gift cards, to local NGOs involved in the aid effort. It was so noted and well-received in local communities that Yuzuru specifically thanked his international fans stating the info left him speechless and how proud he was of them.
Awesome and so respectable!!!! Kudos and gassio to the 4 skaters and their fans getting together for people in need!!

Just a quick reminder - Yuzuru Hanyu, Akiko Suzuki, Satoko Miyahara and Takahito Mura skated there at a local rink with no audience, just a live stream, accompanied by a drum band and a dancing-while-painting group, both formed by local teenagers. They also facilitated skating lessons and Q&A sessions for kids from the disaster-stricken Noto (an earthquake followed by a flood),

And a new wave of fans' charity effort is flowing to Noto these days, following the recent episode of Yuzuru's special reports from disaster stricken areas for NTV's news_every. Orders and donations are flowing, among others, to support Noto's urushi tree industry (liquid taken from trees is used for the production of Japanese laquer and laquerware) which in turn is crucial for the support of another region, just recently devastated by wildfires. This is really heartwarming to see one struggling region to support another while both are being supported by individual people from Japan and from overseas whose main link to this event is adoring a certain Japanese figure skater Foreign assistance is so substantial that local recipients posted a "thank you" note in English which is not common in Japan at all.
Honestly, I cannot think of Olympic gold falling in more deserving hands and put to a better use

 

[TallyT]

It is lovely to see our sport, our great skater and his friends. doing so much to help people in their country.

 

[Magill]

It is lovely to see our sport, our great skater and his friends. doing so much to help people in their country.

And here's "thank you" messages to Yuzuru from two different local recipients for "taking up the issue of the current situation after the Ofunato wildfire and expanding the circle of support" in Japanese, confirming the support resulting from his actions is substantial and keeps flowing in !!!

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

The rink where Yuzuru Hanyu, Satoko Miyahara, Akiko Suzuki and Takahito Mura skated the "Challenge" ice show, the Kenmin Sporek Kanazawa, had to close yesterday (8th) because of floods. Yuzuru Hanyu posted his hopes that the rain would cease soon:
https://x.com/YUZURUofficial_/status/1953310063055257608

 

[Magill]

The rink where Yuzuru Hanyu, Satoko Miyahara, Akiko Suzuki and Takahito Mura skated the "Challenge" ice show, the Kenmin Sporek Kanazawa, had to close yesterday (8th) because of floods. Yuzuru Hanyu posted his hopes that the rain would cease soon:
https://x.com/YUZURUofficial_/status/1953310063055257608

So sorry to hear that !!! Hope everyone is safe and they can reopen soon

 

[Magill]

Ofunato crafters posted their thank you message today in English to Yuzuru Hanyu and his fans from all over the world for keeping placing orders with them for hand-made jewellery that helps the local fisheries to recover from disastrous rains that destroyed local economy. Yuzuru will be so proud!! Just read for yourself!
These charity shows last for so long in people's hearts and bear such great fruit!

 

[Dr_ava_shamban]

This is a fantastic thread! Thanks for collecting all these videos and photos of the Japanese ice shows. The level of artistry and skill is always incredible, and it's a great way to experience the performances even if you couldn't be there in person. I'm really looking forward to watching these!

 

[TallyT]

This is a fantastic thread! Thanks for collecting all these videos and photos of the Japanese ice shows. The level of artistry and skill is always incredible, and it's a great way to experience the performances even if you couldn't be there in person. I'm really looking forward to watching these!

Most of the major Japanese shows in 2025 (and probably onward) now have their own threads in the 'Ice shows and theatre events' forum,

 

[Magill]

A festival of Yuzuru Hanyu shows has been announced by TV Asahi spread over the next 5 months.
CS TV ASAHI Channel 2 will show them on the following dates in the following order:

28 Sept 2025: Prologue from Yokohama, the Opening Day
26 Oct 2025: RE_PRAY from Saitama, Day 1
30 Nov 2025: Echoes of Life from Chiba, Day 1
7 Dec 2025: Yuzuru Hanyu Birthday Special
11 Jan 2026: All-in-one Broadcast (!)

Many people suspect that Echoes of Life prime night which took place in Saitama Super Arena on Yuzuru's 30th birthday on December 7 last year with the packed arena of 14,000 audience echoing with a Happy Birthday sang for Yuzuru at the top of their lungs will be a part of the Birthday Special, which would be just a most natural choice. But we do not know it yet. We'll see.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

A festival of Yuzuru Hanyu shows has been announced by TV Asahi spread over the next 5 months.
CS TV ASAHI Channel 2 will show them on the following dates in the following order:

28 Sept 2025: Prologue from Yokohama, the Opening Day
26 Oct 2025: RE_PRAY from Saitama, Day 1
30 Nov 2025: Echoes of Life from Chiba, Day 1
7 Dec 2025: Yuzuru Hanyu Birthday Special
11 Jan 2026: All-in-one Broadcast (!)

Many people suspect that Echoes of Life prime night which took place in Saitama Super Arena on Yuzuru's 30th birthday on December 7 last year with the packed arena of 14,000 audience echoing with a Happy Birthday sang for Yuzuru at the top of their lungs will be a part of the Birthday Special, which would be just a most natural choice. But we do not know it yet. We'll see.

All-in-one broadcast? I thought that this January 11th broadcast content was yet to be announced?

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

This poster visited the rink where the charity show Challenge was performed, "of course" the autographs of the four skaters was displayed:

https://x.com/qYOERSvLM5cCYOq/status/1970277289469583574

They met a member of staff who was impressed by Yuzuru Hanyu's politeness and by his staying until the end of practice(?)

 

[Magill]

From TV Asahi on the incoming broadcast of Prologue with extensive BTS on September 29 at 7 pm (machine translation).
It seems it will not be just a re-broadcast of the show as seen previously but a lot of new extra material will be shown.

"Finally this week on the 29th (Sat) at 7pm~ #HanyuYuzuru ice show #Prologue exclusive! Behind-the-scenes close-up! Delivering the behind-the-scenes of the Yokohama and Hachinohe performances with unreleased secret footage Furthermore, #SEIMEI is revealed for the first time from a different perspective with multi-camera Enjoy plenty during GW!! https://tv-asahi.co.jp/ch/contents/sports/0583/"