The MELT – Cross of Roots | May 2-5, 2026

[synesthesia]

THE MELT – Cross of Roots

https://the-melt.jp/

Dates: May 2-5, 2026 (12 shows)
Venue: KOSE Shin-Yokohama Skate Centre (〒222-0033 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Kohoku Ward, Shinyokohama, 2 Chome−１１−11)
Broadcast: July 25, 2026 at 5 p.m. (JST) on Nitteleplus (performance on May 3rd) / August (date and time: tba) (performance on May 4th)


Skaters:

• Daisuke Takahashi
• Shizuka Arakawa
• Kana Muramoto
• Nobunari Oda
• Keiji Tanaka
• Kazuki Tomono
• Rio Nakata

Artists (2nd & 3rd May):

• Takahisa Masuda
• Takuro Ohno
• Eliana
• Takuma Zaiki
• Ryota Aoyama

Artists (4th & 5th May):

• Ayaka Hirahara
• Seiji Fukushi (appearing on the 4th only)
• Takuro Ohno
• Eliana
• Takuma Zaiki
• Kai Hasegawa
• Ryota Aoyama

Ensemble: Seiya Hashimoto, Yuta Onuma, Kohei Yoshino, Yoji Nakano, Kosho Oshima, Yoshiki Sato, Miwa Nishida, Kiki Nakanishi, Miku Mochizuki, Ayumi Urabe


Concept and direction by: Kikunojo Onoe
Assistant director: Kana Muramoto
Choreography by: Kikunojo Onoe, Kenji Miyamoto, Kana Muramoto, Kohei Yoshino, Avecoo


Info: "Ice skates glide by melting the ice with their edges. We also wish to melt the barriers between cast members active in various genres, dissolve the boundary between the rink and the audience, and melt the hearts of everyone present. This ice show was born from that desire."

 

[synesthesia]

Rio Nakata as well as an ensemble team consisting of Seiya Hashimoto, Yuta Onuma, Kohei Yoshino, Yoji Nakano, Kosho Oshima, Yoshiki Sato, Miwa Nishida, Kiki Nakanishi, Miku Mochizuki and Ayumi Urabe are rounding out the lineup.

All announced cast members are Hyoen alumni (skaters as well as artists), so The Melt might either be a replacement for Hyoen or maybe intended to be held in years inbetween Hyoen productions (I tend to think the latter is more likely).

I'm very excited to find out what they have in store for us! So far the show is pretty much shrouded in mystery. One thing we do know is that the singers have continued to work on their skating skills, so it's safe to assume that they will be on ice together with the skaters again.

After experiencing singing on a slippery floor,​

I came to realise just how much easier it is to sing on a non-slip surface​

through personal experience in 2019 and 2021.​

​

In 2026, once again,​

I find myself singing upon the ice.​

Unexpectedly, it was my first time skating in about five years.​

​

Today dawned with a nightmare:​

‘No matter how many times I try, I panic because I can't untie or tie my shoelaces.’​

Shizuka Arakawa invited me,​

and I went to the ice rink for the first time in ages.​

​

After appearing in two ice shows,​

being on the ice gradually became less frightening,​

and I slowly learned to converse with it.​

Slippery surfaces can be this much fun, I realised.​

​

I was told,​

‘Keep skating even after the show ends,’​

but caught up in daily work,​

and with my father moving to heaven,​

before I knew it,​

five years had flown by.​

​

Falling hurts, yes, I know that.​

When you fall as an adult, not only does the injured part hurt,​

but your heart gets hurt too.​

​

But what gives me strength are my companions.​

​

Shizuka Arakawa-chan taught me the trick of putting weight on my ankle.​

It was truly spot on.​

​

Nakanishi Kiki-chan, just as I was​

gradually regaining my feel for it,​

kept giving me new challenges,​

and thanks to that, the ice stopped frightening me.​

​

Nishida Miwa-san, who patiently taught me​

since the days of “Hyoen”,​

had remembered which foot used to be my dominant one.​

Thanks to that, before I knew it,​

the sensation of being on the ice came back.​

​

In the end, my body remembered enough​

to let me even fool around a bit.​

​

Daisuke Takahashi and Kana Muramoto,​

even after five years were incredibly steady!​

They encouraged me, saying, ‘You'll be fine!’​

​

With Yuta Onuma,​

we shared the joy of reunion​

with a fist bump... no, a fist touch.​

​

Today,​

I discovered a classic figure skating moment,​

so I thought I'd share it.​

​

Even when practising with several people,​

if someone stands in the centre,​

it becomes, ‘Ah, it's starting, isn't it?’​

and the music plays – an unspoken understanding​

I've only just realised, belatedly.​

​

‘Aya, dance!’ they said ← Why on earth?​

Because Shizuka-chan​

played ‘Love Never Dies’ (the original version),​

my Kansai blood started boiling,​

​

and I ended up showing the stars​

something utterly ridiculous.​

​

I'm grateful they went along with​

my ‘MELT pose’,​

​

but as for what kind of show​

‘The MELT -Cross of Roots-’​

will be when it runs in May...​

well, I think I'll keep that under wraps for now.​

 

[synesthesia]

Things are kicking off​

​

This promises to be utterly thrilling!!​

​

How far can we break down the barriers between skaters and artists...​

​

That's the core of this show, and we're currently holding numerous meetings​

​

Tickets available here▶https://eplus.jp/sf/word/0000173719​

 

[synesthesia]

The advance ticket sales have begun:

Advance ticket sales finally commence today◢​

​

❄ New Ice Show​

【#TheMELTCrossofRoots】​

​

Exclusive advance lottery via eplus​

Sales period: Tuesday 3rd March 12:00 – Sunday 8th March 23:59​

​

KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skating Centre​

Saturday 2nd May to Tuesday 5th May 2026​

​

▼ Check it out now​

 

[synesthesia]

Some early teasers:

Things are really getting underway​

​

It looks set to be an incredibly exciting event!!​

​

Just how far can we break down the barriers between skaters and artists…​

​

That is the very heart of this show, and we are currently holding a series of meetings to discuss it ​

We had a singing rehearsal!​

＼​

​

Skating × Music ​

​

The cast are really getting into their stride now​

​

Apparently, the artists will be singing whilst skating this time…!?​

With the action unfolding on the ice without a stage, this is something you’ll probably only see here⛸​

 

[synesthesia]

Two more teasers:

Costume Meeting◢​

​

We’ve put a lot of thought into the costumes for this ice show!​

How can we express this unique atmosphere through fabric and colour…⛸​

​

Stay tuned until the big day!​

​

​

​

◤Choreography Meeting◢​

​

A thorough run-through before hitting the ice ​

Just seeing this is amazing... ​

​

KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skating Centre​

Saturday 2 May – Tuesday 5 May 2026​

Exclusive advance tickets now on sale via e+!!​

​

The MELT -Cross of Roots-のチケット、舞台・公演、配信情報 - イープラス

The MELT -Cross of Roots-(ザメルト クロスオブルーツ)の舞台・公演情報をご紹介！舞台・公演のチケット情報や関連画像、動画、記事など、The MELT -Cross of Roots-の様々な情報コンテンツをお届けします。

eplus.jp

​

 

[synesthesia]

Is this tinfoil?

Behind the Scenes…☆​

We're checking the costume materials via the rink!​

We’re carefully reviewing every detail—down to the finest textures—to bring the world of the show to life​

​

Try to imagine what the costumes will look like​

​

Stay tuned for the show!!​

 

[synesthesia]

Program shooting is underway……☆​

​

We can’t wait to see how it turns out! ​

​

“The MELT -Cross of Roots-” is slowly taking shape⛸❄​

​

General ticket sales are now open!​

The MELT -Cross of Roots-のチケット、舞台・公演、配信情報 - イープラス

The MELT -Cross of Roots-(ザメルト クロスオブルーツ)の舞台・公演情報をご紹介！舞台・公演のチケット情報や関連画像、動画、記事など、The MELT -Cross of Roots-の様々な情報コンテンツをお届けします。

eplus.jp

​

KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skate Center​

May 2–May 5​

 

[synesthesia]

A brand-new song created exclusively for this ice show​

​

The original soundtrack that brings the world of “The MELT -Cross of Roots-” to life is now complete♪​

​

It’s a special track you can only hear here​

​

Stay tuned​

“The MELT -Cross of Roots-”
​

brings together a cast with roots in Hyoen​

​

Choreography has begun, and the show is gradually taking shape!​

​

Where the past and present intersect, a new ice show is born​

 

[synesthesia]

Quite a surprising announcement was made today - kabuki actor/director Matsumoto Kōshirō X (formerly Ichikawa Somegorō VII) will have a voice cameo in The MELT (I remember @Anna K. wondering whether he would consider another Hyoen collaboration - well, here is the answer! Even if it’s on a much smaller scale than his role as director and actor in Hyoen Basara):

／​

Special Voice Cameo Confirmed!!​

＼​

​

#Koshiro Matsumoto, who left a lasting impression in the 2017 production of ‘Hyoen – Basara’.​

​

His voice has finally made its way into this production, transcending time ​

​

It has been confirmed that he will be participating as a special voice guest!​

​

How exactly will his voice intertwine with this show? ——​

​

Stay tuned ​

 

[synesthesia]

Very exciting news (at least to me ) - apparently Dai will perform a new/updated version of Okuni's dance from "Hyoen - Basara" - however, this time it will be transferred from the floor to the ice :

That dance all over again!​

Daisuke Takahashi returns ​

／／　 /　 \　 ＼＼​

​

That dance, created for the 2017 production ‘Hyoen – Basara’.​

​

Time has passed since then—​

​

This time, Daisuke Takahashi will bring it to life on the ice.​

​

Don’t miss this performance, which he can only deliver now that his skating has evolved ​

This was the original with choreo by former Tokyo Gegegay members, YUYU, Miku and MARIE (the video is timestamped):

 

[synesthesia]

Today's update features Rio - interestingly he will portray Yoshitsune (I’m really curious what’s in store for us in "The MELT" – it almost seems like a "Best Of" of past Hyoen productions) :

Rio Nakata, who took to the ice as a child actor in the 2017 production of ‘Hyōen – Basara’ ​

​

Nine years have passed since then——​

​

Now, he returns to this stage once more, this time as a solo skater!​

​

With time and experience under his belt…​

​

Please do look forward to his performance as ‘Yoshitsune’, showcasing a style of skating that is quite different from back then ​

 

[synesthesia]

More great news! I'm curious how much progress Takahisa has made on the ice since last year – he’s a real natural.

＼A dream collaboration comes to life／​

​

Can you believe it…​

​

#TakahisaMasuda × #DaisukeTakahashi × #KanaMuramoto​

​

are teaming up!!​

​

What kind of chemistry will unfold​

when these three meet on the ice?​

​

And as for the song you’re all curious about—​

​

Stay tuned until the big day ​

​

*Performances on 2 May and 3 May only​

​

​

​

Choreography in full swing…☆​

​

Skating over and over, trying things out, then tweaking them again…​

We’re crafting every detail with meticulous care​

​

How will it all come together from here!?​

​

Stay tuned​

 

[Anna K.]

I wonder how long the rehearsal period is for this show?
I'm guessing it's at least one month (that would be not much but still way better than 2-3 days for the variety shows).

 

[synesthesia]

I wonder how long the rehearsal period is for this show?
I'm guessing it's at least one month (that would be not much but still way better than 2-3 days for the variety shows).

Yes, according to the official updates, it seems that the "proper" rehearsals began in early April, which is shorter than for Hyoen or Kassouya, but considerably more extensive than for most classic, gala type shows.

Some of the performers (such as Takuro Ohno and Eliana) have had occasional skating lessons since their last Hyoen appearance to improve their skills, so it may well have been discussed/decided some time ago that they would be part of another ice show production.

 

[synesthesia]

Ayaka's rendition of "L'Aigle Noir" in LUXE was so beautiful - can't wait to hear it again :

＼The ‘Black Eagle’ returns—／​

​

The program first unveiled at LUXE​

is finally being revived on this stage!​

​

#Ayaka Hirahara × #Daisuke Takahashi × #Kana Muramoto​

​

The artistry of these three artists comes together once more​

​

How will that unique world evolve?​

​

Do come and see it for yourself at the venue​

​

※Performances on 4 May and 5 May only​

​

​

​

​

＼#Takahisa Masuda in costume fittings／​

​

Preparations are well underway,​

with every detail being carefully checked!​

​

Takahisa Masuda, who appeared in ‘Hyoen’ last year, is set to take to the ice again this year…​

​

Stay tuned​

​

General ticket sales now open!​

The MELT -Cross of Roots-のチケット、舞台・公演、配信情報 - イープラス

The MELT -Cross of Roots-(ザメルト クロスオブルーツ)の舞台・公演情報をご紹介！舞台・公演のチケット情報や関連画像、動画、記事など、The MELT -Cross of Roots-の様々な情報コンテンツをお届けします。

eplus.jp

​

KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skating Centre​

2–5 May​

 

[synesthesia]

Ooh, this looks interesting :

＼And this time, we’ve even got a Japanese drum choreography!／​

​

This track has been specially composed for this show​

​

The rhythm resonating across the stage, paired with fresh, new movements unlike anything we’ve seen before​

​

It’s a truly special choreography that you don’t get to see very often.​

​

There are plenty of other new songs on the programme too! Stay tuned​

Choreography for the new song is also underway…​

​

A song created especially for this production​

I can’t wait to show it to you all!​

​

Try to imagine​

what kind of programme it will be​

​

A commemorative photo with the members who took part in today’s rehearsal​

 

[synesthesia]

Now that's a cool surprise! Love Nobu's Storm program and am intrigued to see how it will be presented in the show :

　　Storm!!​

／／　 /　 \　 ＼＼​

​

#Nobunari Oda’s much-loved program, ‘Storm’​

​

It’s set to be reborn in a brand-new form this time around​

​

‘Storm’ will captivate audiences with a performance unlike anything seen before​

​

Do keep an eye out for it!​

We’ve received a comment from Daisuke Takahashi ​

￣V￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣​

​

He shared his thoughts on ‘The MELT -Cross of Roots-’ and highlighted the key points to look out for!​

​

General ticket sales now open!​

The MELT -Cross of Roots-のチケット、舞台・公演、配信情報 - イープラス

The MELT -Cross of Roots-(ザメルト クロスオブルーツ)の舞台・公演情報をご紹介！舞台・公演のチケット情報や関連画像、動画、記事など、The MELT -Cross of Roots-の様々な情報コンテンツをお届けします。

eplus.jp

​

KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skating Centre​

2–5 May​

 

[synesthesia]

◇━━━━━━━━━━━━◇​

That very Fuji-tsubo is returning——​

◇━━━━━━━━━━━━◇​

​

The Fujitsubo depicted in the 2019 production ‘Hyōen – Like Moonlight’ ​

​

That song has been newly arranged for this production,​

and #Seiji Fukushi will sing of Genji’s feelings ​

​

Please come and experience his voice live at the venue ​

We’ve received a comment from Rio Nakata ​

￣V￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣​

​

He shared his thoughts on ‘The MELT -Cross of Roots-’ and highlighted the key points to look out for!​

 

[synesthesia]

[HAMO], performed in ‘Hyoen 2024 – The Miracle of the Cross Star’ ​

​

That programme—​

is set to return to the ice once more ​

​

We’ll be skating it with a fresh interpretation, different from the original performance ​

​

We hope you’ll look forward to it!!​