Prologue

The first solo show of Pro skater Yuzuru Hanyu was a wonderful surprise to me. I couldn't imagine that he could build up an entire show skating alone and telling his story of competitor skater, including his own feelings and struggles. He even succeeded in interacting with the public and making people choose some of the programs he skated. He gave us an unforgettable representation of the different programs using the projection mapping system by Rhizomatiks. We felt driven in a fantasy world along with our favourite skater, discovering that he not only is a champion in his sport, but even an artist and a living legend.

This amazing ice show goes totally beyond and above what you might expect from an ice show. Yuzuru Hanyu, the GOAT of figure skating, marks with this show the start into his professional career, redefining what professional figure skating can mean. The show is a fantastic combination of competitive-style elements (a competitive style warm up and his Olympics gold-medal winning program SEIMEI) and mesmerizing show programs. It uses world-class light effects on the ice, that mix with Yuzurus ethereal skating , wonderful costumes and music into an unforgettable viewing experience. Even for viewers not speaking/understanding Japanese it's a joy to watch.

Hanyu Yuzuru brings an new concept in Ice Show format with a 2 hour Ice Show featuring only himself as a solo performer.

Hanyu tells a story of his skating life from the beginnings to current status as the World's Two time Olympic Champion.

The performance combines live skating programmes with a narrative told through video footage from past performances linked with seamless segues. The story of begins with Hanyu's earliest competitions as a novice and follows his progress to the most prestigious of all competitive stages, the Winter Olympic Games. Hanyu is not afraid to confront the challenges faced during his competitive era, many of which forged his character as a champion to become the individual who has worldwide acclaim and the affection of a global fan base There is audience interaction with Question and answer session and audience choice of programmes by means of colour changing light bracelet.

Prologue in HACHINOHE also won the Original Program Award in the 13th Satellite Broadcasting Association in Japan on 21 July 2023.

I watch the show Live at Yokohama, the very first day of the 5 shows. I didn't know what to expect because it's a first solo skating show in history. The 6 minutes warm up concept totally caught me off guard. I didn't expect the full lighting as part of the format. Most ice show will have dim lighting.

The music video included in between the live performance was a wonderful idea. No one left with dry eyes after the music video Sasanqua by Sekai No Owari. All the songs choices by Yuzuru was perfect.

A must watch for figure skating fans.