Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story GIFT at Tokyo Dome

I have never watched any ice shows before I meet Yuzuru Hanyu. I watched his other ice shows before I watched this. This one is different. Truly a genre of it's own. I didn't expect this from an ice show. It's not only an ice show. It's a story about human journey. It is his journey. But, probably almost every person feels what he tells in the monologue. It's just we respond differently. His monologue really captures me inside his story.

The orchestra, the lighting, the rink, they all are very beautiful. They are even better from his previous ice shows. But, Yuzuru still be able to make himself as the center of attention. His stamina, incredible. His skating, it's not supposed to be mention anymore how beautiful it is.

This show is a masterpiece. The programs, along with the costumes, music and lightnings and the stages are aesthetically beautiful with all the orchestra, band and side dancers.

But what I love the most is the story he tells with the show. As someone has said, watching the show feels like flipping through someone's personal diary/journal where he expresses his internal struggles. It follows the story of the MC as he struggles with existential crisis, trying to deal with his loneliness, trying to accept the support from people. It was beautiful watching how the main character finally accepts himself as a person and accepts the light he once believed he doesn't deserve with open arms. The directing by MIKIKO and acting and narration by Yuzu himself is beautiful and couldn't be better.

Gift is primarily a showcase of Yuzuru Hanyu's outstanding skating programmes. The innovation comes with the concepts of story telling through the medium of beautiful narrative prose, animated sequences, collaboration with top performance artists, musicians and lighting effects / projection mapping and of course all presented by Hanyu himself. Each of the stories is exquisitely wrought. Combining all of these performance elements gives the viewer of Gift a distinct and unique perspective and experience, with the spectator fully involved and very emotionally invested in the performance. The entire event is a magical experience from the genius mind of Yuzuru Hanyu, performer, creative talent, producer, director. All accolades and praises are fully deserved.

GIFT is a genre itself, it's a beyond a figure skating ice show in every aspect: Never an ice show before could tell a complete story to touch people's heart so deeply, it feels personal although it's performed in front of 35k live audience; The music, the stage and lighting were not only exceeding any previous ice show' level, but also didn't take away the main attention, which is Yuzuru's performance himself, the perfect balance. Tbh, I think if Sapporo wins the 2030 winter Olympics's bid, they should invite Yuzuru Hanyu to direct the opening ceremony. On the skating side: Yuzuru has performed 7 quads, 6 triple axels, skated the 2 hours ice show all by himself; the successful redemption to Beijing Olympics' short program again showed his courage and never ending forward moving spirit. Yuzuru, thank you so much for the GIFT you brought to the world!

GIFT is an ice show like no other. The content is delivered as a unified story where ice skating, live music (Tokyo Philharmonic and GIFT special band), visual effects and dance are combined to present a deep introspection on the theme of aloneness and pursuing dreams. GIFT is a fully immersive experience where the viewer can interpret the meaning of the images, narration, and ice skating programs from different viewpoints. Hanyu is the solo skater performing with the technical quality and expressiveness that has characterized his career. In GIFT (where he is also the producer), Hanyu creates a new genre of sports as performing arts.