[faint upbeat music playing]
Downloaded from YTS.MX
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX
[audience applauding]
[applauding continues]
[faint upbeat music playing]
[music trails off]
[audience applauding and cheering]
[Yuzuru] Are you happy there?
Do you have a connection with someone?
Is your heart broken?
It's okay.
This story and these programs…
are your friends.
This gift to you…
is your friend.
[loud throbbing]
[dramatic music playing]
[whimsical music playing]
[orchestral music playing]
The first thing I noticed was the world.
I was breathing.
"What was I?"
But I had a name.
There were things I liked.
There were things I loved.
I wanted to become those things I loved.
But there were many things I couldn't do.
However, slowly but surely,
I could do more.
And every time, the world became warmer.
I loved that world.
[audience applauding]
That's why I wanted to become warmer and warmer
by learning to do more.
[orchestral crescendo]
[orchestral music continues playing]
[audience applauding]
[music stops]
[audience applauding]
[clock ticking loudly]
I could do more things.
I loved that the world was becoming warmer.
That world overflowed with kind words.
"Amazing!"
"Excellent!"
"Good job!"
One day, I found the warmest place in that world.
It became my dream.
"When will it come true?"
"It will surely come true, eventually."
I heard a voice in my head.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because you want it to come true, don't you?"
"Yes, I want it to come true."
"Then it definitely will.
Because you don't like to fail."
And with those words,
the mysterious voice in my head disappeared.
[upbeat music playing]
I still hadn't noticed the many feelings
and lives of the living things around me.
But I loved nature,
basking in the sunlight that makes the water sparkle.
Then one day, I noticed something.
Although every day they were always there,
I realized they were suddenly much bigger,
and I felt a little envious of them for easily growing,
seemingly without putting in much effort.
I was working so hard.
It wasn't fair.
Why couldn't I do better than now?
The grass spoke.
"When I grow, I blossom into a flower!
And then the world becomes warmer."
How nice.
The grass doesn't seem to struggle at all.
It doesn't have to try hard at all.
Even though I'm trying so hard.
"Hey, how can you achieve your dream so easily?
I want mine to come true, too!"
"It's because of the sun!
It gives me so much energy!"
The sun… That's nice.
I want to be like the sun!
I want to be like the sun, giving everybody energy
and making the world warmer for everyone!
But why isn't the sun always with us?
At night, it becomes dark.
Ah ha! The moon must be the villain.
I'll go get him!
"Hey, moon!
Why do you hide the sun?"
"I love and cherish the sun."
"What?
You don't hide the sun because you despise it?"
"The sun won't always provide energy.
I can't shine on my own,
but the sun gives me light.
That's why I can do this."
A rainbow formed around the moon.
It was so beautiful.
And very fleeting.
My heart was filled with warmth.
It was then I noticed something.
The moon has many scars.
They look very painful and agonizing.
"Do you hurt?
How do you keep trying hard?"
"When night comes,
everyone can see me.
There's nothing tough about it.
Because this is me."
I was blown away.
I wanted to become strong and impressive like the moon.
There were many times afterward that were tough and sad
and made me want to quit,
but I kept trying.
But there's still so much I can't do.
I should've known.
But I'm going to keep trying.
I will succeed.
It was like being stuck forever in a dark tunnel.
But there were several places in that tunnel where the light entered.
Morning gave way to night,
and again to morning, and soon night again.
Every day was like that.
When I traveled through that tunnel, I was alone.
But that was a good thing.
I have something to cherish!
It was a flash of a dream.
It's what's important to me.
I clung tightly to it and continued forward.
Ceaselessly onward.
Onward, onward!
I ran and ran forward with all my strength.
Before I knew it,
all I had left was what I cherish.
Is that lonesome?
No, it's fun!
That's right! It's fun!
Always cherish what you don't want to lose.
Clasp it tightly and never let go.
Because you have a dream you want to achieve!
Because that's impressive!
And that's me!
[audience applauding]
["Hope & Legacy" playing]
[audience applauding]
[water trickling]
That's me!
[water burbling]
Me.
[water trickling]
Me…
[light techno music playing]
[water sloshing]
I burst into tears.
Everything around me suddenly crumbled.
I was simply too scared…
to do a thing.
All the blades of grass and flowers disappeared.
At some point, the sun had gone away.
The moon was gone, too.
Utter darkness.
[water splashing]
Why?
I don't know what happened.
It was so shiny before.
There were so many lives!
Why? Why? Why?
I was growing along
with all that I cherish.
I only chose that which is important, and yet…
Where did they go?
Why did they go away?
I cherished them so…
Why?
I don't like being alone.
I didn't think I would be lonely.
I didn't think I would be sad.
I didn't think being alone would be scary.
Tears spilled out again.
The tears I'd been hiding all this time.
I tried my best…
but why did they go away?
It was a very, very cold night.
In place of what I cherished was empty space.
When I became alone,
the light from the sky…
shined on what was important to me.
"It's okay.
Everyone's here.
They're not gone."
That light…
put life back into what I cherish.
And then…
the trees and grass began to glisten again.
[music fades]
["One Summer's Day" by Joe Hisaishi playing]
[audience applauding]
["One Summer's Day" by Joe Hisaishi continues playing]
[audience applauding]
[music fades]
[audience applauding]
[water plops]
[water trickling]
[birds chirping]
[chirping continues]
The starry sky provided light so I could see.
All that I cherish was no longer empty.
The light spoke to me.
"There is something that you and only you can do."
"I want to see that."
[exhales deeply]
Thank you.
[frizzling]
My days with what I cherish will resume.
-[breathing heavily] -Night gave way to morning.
Stuck inside the fog.
But gradually, gradually…
-[exhales deeply] -[birds chirping]
I think I'm making progress.
"It's okay.
You're making progress."
[exhales deeply]
The wind blows in my face.
[inhales deeply]
[water trickling]
It blows hard, yet somehow kindly, from the way ahead.
[exhales deeply]
The wind tells me something.
[water trickling]
[birds chirping]
[wind gusts heavily]
[frizzling]
"The path you've chosen…
is very difficult."
[exhales deeply]
[sharp inhale]
But I know that…
[thunder rumbles]
I can't stop walking.
[birds chirping]
Even if you're a headwind,
you're kind.
[water trickling]
Even if it's challenging now,
you will make the cold day warm.
-[wind gusts heavily] -[thunder rumbles]
You will make the hot day cool.
[thunder crashes]
Is that who you are?
[uplifting music playing]
The wind blew strongly…
and it seemed to smile.
[exhales deeply]
That's why I'm not scared.
I choose to go into the strong wind.
[exhales deeply]
That wind spoke to me.
[insects buzz]
[exhales deeply]
"Keep coming this way.
Your dream…
will come true."
Before I knew it,
the wind had blown the fog away.
[birds chirping]
[exhales deeply]
[music fades]
-[mellow piano music playing] -[audience applauding]
[mellow piano music swells]
[audience applauding]
[mellow piano music playing]
[audience applauding]
[mellow piano music swells]
[audience applauding]
[rhythmic piano music playing]
[rhythmic applauding]
[audience applauding]
[music ends]
[audience applauding and cheering]
[water burbling]
Nobody else
will achieve your dream for you.
All along,
you've chosen who to be.
I see tears of joy.
Why do you shed them?
Go follow those tears.
Go search.
Where did they come from?
[somber piano music playing]
You've fought a lot.
You've done many disagreeable things.
You've had much patience.
You've cried heavily, with much regret.
Every day has been your choice.
When did this hurt happen?
It has fully formed a scab.
But…
it's not healing.
You've been waiting the whole time.
It's okay.
My dream has come true.
I've become strong thanks to you.
It's time to heal.
Thank you.
Everything,
all the hard work
and choices
have been for this time,
have been for this moment,
have been for me.
But…
I will fly a little more.
I want to try…
a little bit more.
Because in the days I've chosen thus far,
so many things have been with me:
the grass, the flowers,
the sun, the moon,
the lives, and the starlight.
I want to be with everyone a little longer.
I want to be together.
If my wish would come true,
I want to fly with everyone a little more.
A little more…
[music fades]
[audience applauding]
[announcer 1 in English] You have six minutes for your warm-up.
[audience cheering]
[audience applauding]
[gentle music playing]
[audience shouts]
He's a two-time Olympic gold medallist
and a two-time world champion.
He also has won at the Four Continents,
the ISU Grand Prix Final,
the World Junior Championships,
and the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final,
to become the first male single skater ever
to complete a "super slam" of major competitions.
From Japan, Yuzuru Hanyu.
[audience cheering and applauding]
[upbeat music playing]
[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]
[audience applauding]
[upbeat music continues playing]
[audience cheering and applauding]
You have one minute left in your warm-up.
[sniffles]
[exhales sharply]
[music stops]
[audience applauding]
Your warm-up is over.
[breathes deeply]
[fan] Do your best!
[fans shouting indistinctly]
[audience applauding and cheering]
[announcer 1] On the ice, representing Japan,
Yuzuru Hanyu.
[silence]
[soft piano music playing]
[audience applauding]
[soft piano music continues playing]
[fast-paced piano music playing]
[audience cheering and applauding]
[audience applauding]
[soft piano music playing]
[rhythmic applauding]
[audience cheering and applauding]
[dramatic piano music playing]
[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]
Representing Japan,
Yuzuru Hanyu.
[audience cheering]
[cheering continues]
[mouthing]
[breathes deeply]
[mouthing]
[audience cheering]
[cheering continues]
["Let's Go Crazy" by Prince & The Revolution playing]
[audience cheering]
["Let's Go Crazy" by Prince & The Revolution intro]
[guitar solo playing]
[audience cheering]
[upbeat music playing]
[audience cheering]
["Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams playing]
[audience cheering]
[cheering continues]
[audience cheering]
[techno music playing]
[Yuzuru] It's fun! It's fun!
Is it fun?
It's fun, right?
It must be fun.
Isn't it fun?
Aren't you having fun?
[automated voice] Yes, I'm having fun!
[Yuzuru] You're smiling.
Who made you smile like that?
Tell me who.
Who are you smiling for? Who?
[automated voice] I can do it! I'll do my best!
Do you really think you can do it?
Do you think it's something you can do?
You don't know.
Why do you think so?
[automated voice] Because if I can't, then what's the point?
Because I'm the one who can do it!
And if I can't do it,
then I'll keep trying until I can!
[Yuzuru] I see.
You're convinced you can do it.
But no, that's not true.
You just want to be able to do it.
And if you can't do it,
then what's the point of living?
No one needs me.
Now I get it.
When was it?
When I had fun doing what I like?
When was it when it had to be more than that?
When was it when I stopped liking and enjoying what I do?
The struggle became too much and it messed with my head.
I don't want to think about anything.
Everything is a distraction.
I do more than I can.
It never stops.
It never ends.
I keep doing what I couldn't before.
That's what I do.
I'm always…
being more than me.
Even though I try so hard…
Even though I put in everything…
How long did it take for me to get this far?
How much effort have I put in?
Even I don't know.
You wonder what the point of living is if you can't do it?
And that nobody needs you?
Is that really what you think?
[automatic voice] I have to do it.
I have to do it until I can.
[techno music playing]
[upbeat music playing]
[Yuzuru] I've simply conquered the darkness.
Nobody helped me do it.
I merely put in the time and the physical and mental effort.
I simply consumed the energy in my heart and mind.
To get this far,
that's what I've done.
There was not a single beautiful thing.
I am suffering so much,
so much, so much.
I am struggling so much.
I've been fighting fate with single-minded purpose.
I don't want to hurt anybody.
I don't want anybody to get hurt.
I don't want anybody to lose that hope.
I want to be the ideal me.
That's the reason to become strong.
So I can be me.
Does anybody understand who I am?
Nobody will ever know.
Ever!
[game narrator] Game over.
[audience applauding]
["Ashura-chan" by Ado playing]
["Ashura-chan" by Ado continues playing]
[audience cheering and applauding]
[light techno music playing]
[Yuzuru] I am tired.
I'm tired and I can't move anymore.
I don't want to move at all.
You can do it. Don't give up.
I already gave it my best shot.
I already did my best.
I want to rest.
I'm tired.
Even though I want to rest…
my weak heart and strong pride
always get in the way.
[upbeat music playing]
You're strong.
You can overcome anything.
There's nothing at all to be afraid of.
I'm scared.
I can't do anything.
I'm useless…
and alone.
[upbeat music continues playing]
You're not alone.
Turn around.
Everyone's waiting.
I can't move.
I'm scared.
I can't do anything.
No, I know you.
But you want to deliver it, don't you?
You can't move, but you want to, right?
[soft music playing]
I…
can't.
But…
I know everything.
Who do you think I am?
Who?
I am you in a warm world. I am you.
A warm world…
I can't be this me.
[sobbing]
I can't because I'm useless.
I have nothing.
All I know is what I lack.
When I wished for what I lack,
what I found was not me.
I want to become that.
I want me and everyone else
to want me
and see who I really am.
I'll reach out to you.
I want to be you.
I may be useless,
but if I were with you…
[music fades]
[audience applauding and cheering]
[audience cheering]
["The Phantom of the Opera" playing]
[glass shattering]
["The Phantom of the Opera" playing]
[audience applauding]
["The Music of the Night" by Andrew Lloyd Webber playing]
[audience applauding]
["The Music of the Night" by Andrew Lloyd Webber playing]
[music trails off]
[audience cheering and applauding]
[whimsical music playing]
[Yuzuru] You pretended to completely close off your heart.
I feigned strength and said I didn't want anyone to understand me.
In your melancholy,
you don't want to go anywhere or do anything.
"But why is there a door over there?"
It's the door you put up.
There is no keyhole,
the doorknob is broken,
there are nails in it,
and it's falling apart,
but the one who put the door there
is you.
You are not special.
"I" am nothing special.
We're weak and falling apart.
Even if we gasp our last breath,
the world will move on just fine.
Neither you nor I…
are special.
Why?
Because each and every person is a life.
Each of us sees the world's colors differently.
We see our world one way.
At some point, you and I
will start to see different colors.
While I'm looking from over here,
you have been adding many, many more colors.
That's why you are who you are now.
You worked and worked so hard to build it up.
But it is easily destroyed.
And it is easily sullied.
Because that's your color.
Because you've taken care of yourself,
even though you're soaked in tears,
you look bad, you got hurt,
and all you can do is hide.
Because that is you, that is precious, and that is true.
Even if you didn't take care of yourself…
"I would take care of you.
It's okay now.
But it's already time."
I scream 'til I'm hoarse.
Don't go.
Don't disappear.
I don't like being alone.
I won't hurt anyone.
I'll stay perfect,
and I'll be the me who can do it right,
so don't leave me alone.
"It's already time.
It's time to say farewell.
We can't always be together.
Nothing lasts forever.
Because I am one of your dreams.
You have to awaken from a dream.
I'm taking my leave."
The chains that bound us
have been broken to pieces.
I'm free.
I wonder what happens
after the chains break.
There is not a thing left.
The dream is over.
I have to walk on without looking back.
I have to move forward
so I don't remember.
My head hurts.
My heart hurts.
What just disappeared?
And why did it disappear?
I just have tears running down my cheeks.
This was me.
I couldn't do anything.
I was just completely…
[silence]
…alone.
[audience applauding]
["A Fleeting Dream" by Nobuo Uematsu playing]
[audience applauding]
["A Fleeting Dream" by Nobuo Uematsu continues playing]
DARK WATER LIGHT SUPPORT SKATE
SHINE THOUGHT EMOTION FEAR ALONE
WATER HEART WORLD DISAPPEAR SOUL TREE
FEELING FILLED SHINING
["A Fleeting Dream" by Nobuo Uematsu continues playing]
[music fades]
[audience applauding]
[applauding continues]
I should be alone.
It should be pitch black.
It should've ended.
But why is such a bright light shining?
It's too bright.
I can't look directly at it.
I don't deserve to look at it.
Even so,
the stars were shining bright on me.
"Do your best.
It's okay."
The moon, bathed in the sun's light, was also shining.
That dignified light looked wonderful.
The light showed me the path I am to take.
[Yuzuru] "Welcome the light with open arms."
There were flowers blooming along the path.
They were alive, standing upright.
[Yuzuru] "We are here."
A little farther down the path of the moon,
the wind blows from ahead.
That wind
was very gentle and warm.
[Yuzuru] "We know who you are.
You've been heading this way the whole time."
At some point I couldn't sense any of you anymore,
but there you were.
I hadn't noticed that.
But…
I am…
alone.
Alone no matter what.
That which I cherished has ended.
That which I cherished has disappeared.
That which I cherished isn't anywhere.
I felt I could do anything if only you, the other me, were here.
Every day, there was suffering.
There was joy.
There was laughter, anger, and tears.
There was loneliness and sadness.
But what I cherished
was always at my side,
and it always seemed perfectly natural.
I tried my best at everything.
Was I always alone? No.
I chose to be alone.
But,
we were always, always together.
I cherished it.
But at some point,
I stopped cherishing it.
I blamed you, the other me,
for my inability.
I only gave you sadness and hurt.
I wasn't the only one suffering.
I wasn't the only one.
What was painful was being alone.
Not being able to walk together.
I always wanted to be together.
I wanted to be together forever.
I…
am alone.
"You are not alone."
I think I can hear you.
I won't let you be alone.
Don't you ever forget.
Don't cover up your lonesomeness.
Always acknowledge the loneliness inside you.
I know you, the other me.
You are always strong, but that's okay now.
It's okay to feel like crying because it's tough.
I noticed when I became alone,
they wouldn't leave me alone.
They're all here.
So many of them.
The starlight brightened
and they became one.
I know.
I accept with open arms.
"You're not alone."
"I've returned."
"Welcome back."
[smacks lips]
My dream…
is a GIFT from everyone.
[audience applauding]
["Notte Stellata" by II Volo playing]
[audience applauding]
["Notte Stellata" by II Volo playing]
[audience applauding]
["Notte Stellata" by II Volo playing]
[music trails off]
[audience applauding]
[Yuzuru] I don't know
what's on the path I'm going down.
I don't know
what's waiting where we're heading.
[gentle music playing]
But let's keep going.
Let's run on.
On a journey to deliver a gift.
[audience applauding]
[gentle music playing]
Are you leading every day happily?
Are you feeling difficulty?
Are you alone and sad?
It doesn't matter where or when.
When you're tired and your heart's dried out,
please come back.
This awful story,
this fabulous story,
is always here.
For the story about you, past
and future.
[audience applauding]
["Bokuno Koto" by Mrs. Green Apple playing]
[rhythmic applauding]
[music ends]
[audience shouts]
[audience applauding]
[applauding continues]
[audience cheering]
Hi, everyone.
How did you enjoy GIFT?
[audience applauding]
Uh…
I really gave my all.
And now, for the encore,
I'll perform a little more.
[audience applauding and cheering]
But first…
I want to introduce the people who helped create
this ICE STORY "GIFT" at Tokyo Dome.
The music was provided by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
[audience applauding]
[Yuzuru] The pianist, Mr. Kawada.
[audience applauding]
The maestro, Mr. Kurita.
[audience applauding]
And the people who added human effects to the show,
the dancers of Elevenplay.
[audience applauding]
And over on that side
are the members of the special band for GIFT.
[audience applauding]
And…
The music producer and director for GIFT,
Mr. Satoshi Takebe.
Please give him a big hand.
Thank you so much.
-[Mr. Takebe] And… -[Yuzuru] What?
-There's another person. -[Yuzuru] Huh?
Someone who's been training hard late into the night for days
and skated all those programs today.
-Yuzuru Hanyu. -[Yuzuru chuckles]
Thank you so much.
[audience applauding]
[Yuzuru] Thank you.
This wasn't…
This wasn't in the script.
[Yuzuru laughing]
I was going to leave after introducing you,
but the curtain didn't lift.
[laughs]
-You took me by surprise. -And there's more.
The people who prepared the ice and all the props
-for this one day. -[Yuzuru] Right.
-And Ms. Mikiko who directed this show. -[Yuzuru] Right.
And all the staff members who worked so hard
for this one-day-only show.
A big round of applause for the staff!
[audience applauding]
Thank you so much!
Back to you, Mr. Takebe.
Watching his efforts and his performance
greatly encouraged us.
I'm sure it's the same for everyone.
He was truly inspiring.
So…
[audience applauding]
Taking his passion and our gratitude,
we composed a song titled "Gift."
[audience applauding]
While Hanyu is preparing for his next performance,
please listen to this song, "Gift."
Thank you.
[audience applauding]
["Gift" playing]
["Gift" continues playing]
["Haru Yo, Koi" by Shinya Kiyozuka playing]
[audience applauding]
["Haru Yo, Koi" ends]
[audience applauding]
["Haru Yo, Koi" by Shinya Kiyozuka resumes]
[audience applauding]
["Haru Yo, Koi" by Shinya Kiyozuka continues]
[audience applauding]
[applauding continues]
[music fades]
["SEIMEI" playing]
[audience exclaiming]
[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]
[rhythmic applauding]
[audience cheering]
[audience applauding]
[applauding continues]
[audience cheering]
[cheering continues]
["Suiheisen" by Back Number playing]
[Yuzuru exclaims]
Thank you so much!
Thank you!
Thank you so much!
["Suiheisen" by Back Number playing]
Thank you so much!
[Yuzuru laughs]
["Suiheisen" by Back Number playing]
[chuckles softly]
[singing along]
Thank you so much.
[audience cheering]
Thank you so much for the wonderful music.
Ms. Mikiko and the others are over there. A big round of applause, please!
[audience applauding]
Thank you so much for the amazing direction.
[Yuzuru panting]
And to everyone who came to this venue
and everyone who's watching the live stream,
I want to say this "GIFT" wouldn't have been complete without you.
Thank you so much!
[audience cheering]
To be honest, the journey here was very tough.
I had to train very hard.
There were many times when I felt all my training was going to waste.
[breathes heavily]
I was unsure whether I could meet your expectations
and sometimes I felt crushed by it.
[sobbing]
This day may not remain in anyone's heart
or leave an impression on anyone.
[breathing heavily]
[sniffles]
[audience applauding]
But I'm glad I liked skating.
[audience cheering]
Thank you so much for watching this show today!
[breathing heavily]
I hope this day
will leave an impression on your life.
I hope this one day
will remain in your memories
and become a place of comfort to turn to when things are rough.
May this day become a comforting memory for you.
[panting]
Thank you so much!
-[sniffles] -[audience cheering]
[continues panting]
Just a moment…
[Yuzuru panting and chuckling]
Just a moment of quiet, please.
[laughter]
I'll try my best.
[mic thuds]
Thank you so much!
[audience cheering]
["Gift" playing]
[audience applauding]
[announcer 2] That concludes
Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2023 "GIFT" at Tokyo Dome,
supported by Sekkisei.
Please make sure not to forget your belongings when you leave.
Attention, everyone.
Please follow the guidance when leaving the venue.
Please remain seated until you hear an announcement.
We thank you for your cooperation.
-Thank you very much for coming today. -[indistinct PA announcement]
[guide] Please remain seated!
Thank you for your cooperation.
[indistinct PA announcement]
Please follow the guidance when leaving the venue.
Please remain seated.
Thank you for your cooperation.
[indistinct PA announcement]
Please follow the guidance when leaving the venue.
Please remain seated.
[indistinct PA announcement]
[indistinct PA announcement continues]
[audience cheering]
[indistinct chatter]
[staff 1] Good work!
[staff 2] Good work.
[staffs] Well done!
Good work!
This is from us all!
-[staff 2] Yay! -[applause]
[Yuzuru] Thank you!
-Well done! -[staff 2 cheers]
-[staff 3] Well done! -[Yuzuru] Thank you!
It was really…
It was the first-ever ice show at Tokyo Dome.
In the season before this one,
when I had my first solo ice show, I was unsure whether I could pull it off.
That's how it was when making this show.
I'm sure there was a lot of anxiety and work involved
in making the performances connecting my programs.
So I'm so thankful to everyone for making this come together.
-I hope… -[staff 4] Thank you!
[Yuzuru] I discovered new possibilities
and areas of improvement for myself.
And I felt I could do much more.
So if there is another opportunity, I hope I can work with you again!
-Thank you. -Thank you.
Well, I'm going to my interview, then.
-[staff 4] Good luck! -Thank you!
Thank you so much!
[indistinct chatter]
[applause]
YUZURU HANYU'S REFLECTION ON THE SPECIAL DAY
THE DAY AFTER GIFT
Hello. Thank you for having me.
Did it focus properly?
-[interviewer] Please take a seat. -Thank you.
This kind of thing.
I really gave it my all.
I feel like, "Oh, it's finally over."
I received many different responses from a lot of people.
Of course, the people who have been supporting me for so long
gave me lots of great feedback.
But I also received feedback from people
who had never seen me skate before.
And from people who came to the show, not because they were interested in me,
but to see this new form of entertainment at Tokyo Dome.
Their reactions were quite different.
The reactions from fans went along the lines of,
"So this is what Yuzuru Hanyu has been thinking,"
"This is what Hanyu has been feeling,"
or "So this is what he's been feeling at these moments."
But some non-skating fans took this story,
not as my story, but as their own.
And seeing these reactions also made me happy.
To me, "GIFT" is something like a dream…
"THE MESSAGE IN GIFT"
…that I was given by everyone.
Overall, the message is that
I'm receiving so much support from everyone
and living together with them.
I think this is true for most people.
They're surrounded and supported by many people.
But I know for a fact there are people out there who feel like they're all alone,
myself included.
I even brood sometimes about what would happen
if I couldn't skate anymore.
So I wanted…
to assure people who feel like they're alone that,
"No, you have friends."
[Yuzuru] This story and these programs
are your friends.
My hope is that
this story I wrote
and these programs
will encourage people.
This is my gift to everyone.
I prepared it with the wish
that it would give hope to people.
I thought of telling this story
because I myself have been encouraged by different songs and lyrics.
THE REASON FOR WRITING THIS STORY
Whenever I was going through a hard time,
it was the power of words that saved me the most.
It was words I poured out
and words from songs
that helped me keep going.
When I wrote this story,
I thought maybe it could encourage others
in the same way I've been encouraged by these songs.
So I started collecting my ideas.
Sometimes, I jotted them down on a scrap of paper.
When I didn't have the energy to do even that,
I just gave vent to my thoughts and recorded it.
At other times, I took little notes on my phone.
So these words are definitely based on my experiences.
And I poured out these words
to help myself think more positively.
But they definitely don't reflect my experiences alone.
If anything, I wrote this story
imagining that other people
must harbor these feelings inside them, too.
I wanted to make this story
something that would stay in the hearts of others.
Mm.
The first half of the show…
ABOUT THE OVERALL COMPOSITION
For people who've been following me,
it depicts my life from my birth to the Olympics
and my journey up to the Beijing Olympics.
In order to present it like a story,
I expressed it in an abstract way.
Part Two takes the opposite approach.
It's realistic instead of abstract.
It focuses on who I am
and digs deep into myself.
So the first half has a fantasy element to it
while the second half is grounded more in reality.
And I wanted to merge these two together for the ending.
That's what I was aiming for in presenting this show.
I think the second half is a better reflection of who I am.
The first program starts with "Let's Go Crazy"
and ends with "Let Me Entertain You."
["Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams playing]
[Yuzuru] "Let Me" is basically about entertaining people,
so I tried to do that.
["Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams playing]
But…
I had doubts while I was entertaining people.
Doubts like, "Am I really enjoying myself?"
"I like skating, but do I really?"
And I thought expressing these doubts
after the program…
might add something different to this fun program.
So I incorporated this into the story.
"Isn't it fun? Yes, I'm having fun."
[techno music playing]
[Yuzuru] It's fun! It's fun!
Is it fun?
Isn't it fun?
[automated voice] Yes, I'm having fun!
I can do it! I'll do my best!
[Yuzuru] Do you really think you can do it?
I see.
You're convinced you can do it.
But no, that's not true.
You just want to pretend you can do it.
When was it?
When I had fun doing what I like?
When was it when it had to be more than that?
When was it when I stopped liking and enjoying what I do?
I'm sure everyone has the experience
of doing their jobs or hobbies out of habit.
Even if you started it because you liked it.
For example, when you're pressed to meet a deadline
or when you're feeling down,
if someone asks if you enjoy what you are doing,
you may not always be able to answer yes.
For me, it is skating.
To some, it may seem like a big deal.
But when you think about it, it's no different from anyone else's life.
Everyone has something they like doing,
and moments when they wonder if they really like it or enjoy it,
and moments when they have to remind themselves that they do.
These are all the things I wanted to express.
So…
This program was all about…
fun and enjoyment before.
But I wanted to pose this question.
"Is this program purely about entertaining others?"
This was how I wanted to start off Part Two.
This was my primary goal.
And then comes "Ashura-chan."
This song is very fun and upbeat,
but if you listen carefully to the lyrics,
you realize it's not quite lighthearted.
["Ashura-chan" by Ado playing]
ASHURA-CHAN/ADO
["Ashura-chan" by Ado playing]
[Yuzuru] I thought this program
would probably leave a very strong impact on a lot of people.
To me,
the words and lyrics of this song make a very strong impression.
So I wanted the lyrics to make people go, "Wait. The lyrics aren't very fun."
That's what I was aiming for in preparing this program.
I wanted to express fun
but also the feeling of…
not having anyone who really understands you.
[Yuzuru] The feeling of being shut in
behind transparent glass walls.
They're transparent, so I'm trying to show myself.
[soft chuckle] But at the same time,
I'm adamant about
not leaving this room.
It's a precarious state of mind.
And I tried to express that.
But I think everyone must feel this, too.
In the end, no one else understands how you really feel.
There are feelings you can't express in words
or feelings you have but can't admit to yourself.
That's what I wanted to express
through the odd movements in the choreography.
I wanted people to enjoy Mr. Neru's lyrics
and Ms. Ado's singing
and also make people feel different things through my performance.
["Ashura-chan" by Ado playing]
[audience cheering]
["Ashura-chan" by Ado playing]
After the upbeat dance and the dramatic finish,
the first words that you hear are,
"I'm tired and I can't move anymore."
I thought, "What a drop!" as I was making this.
I am tired.
I'm tired and I can't move anymore.
I don't want to move at all.
You can do it. Don't give up.
I can't do anything.
No, I know you.
[soft music playing]
Who do you think I am?
Who?
I am you in a warm world. I am you.
When I created my two selves,
I wanted my other self to be an embodiment of a dream in the end.
One question that has been a theme in my life is,
"What is a dream?"
It's something I've been thinking about a lot in my life.
For example, I'm sure many people can remember
talking about their dreams at their homes
or in kindergarten or elementary school.
Dreams like wanting to open a cake shop.
In my case, I wanted to be Ultraman.
[laughing]
Dreams like that.
I'm sure everyone has these ideas,
but at some point,
these dreams are just sitting there and are never confronted.
When people grow up, they just forget about such things.
I suppose they forget them
because they're not necessary for living in the world.
But I've been facing up to my dream for much longer than others.
So I know what it's like to confront your dream.
And I'm sure everyone actually has such dreams.
But they had just moved past them.
But in living life and moving toward something,
I believe that dreams are always with you.
And it's dreams that give you energy.
Even if my ankle gets badly hurt,
and my training doesn't go well because of it,
and even if my body can't do things anymore,
in my heart, I will always have my dream to land the quad Axel.
And it's this dream that tells me, "You don't have to be so discouraged."
And it tells me stuff like, "You can keep going."
So that's what I wanted to express here.
And I think this is inside everyone, too.
They just don't look at it or acknowledge it.
But if they really asked themselves,
they might find they have something like that.
I think that maybe there's a phantom of the opera
inside me and in each of us.
That's what I wanted to express through these words and these programs.
["The Phantom of the Opera" playing]
[glass shattering]
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
[audience applauding]
The theme of this program, "The Phantom of the Opera",
is that a single person can have many sides.
Everyone has a Raoul and a Christine inside them, too.
You have a side with a beautiful voice
and a side with a pretty face but a pitiful self.
[chuckles] I think deep down,
everyone has a side they don't want to show people.
A side that is ugly but truthful to yourself.
And I realized that maybe my truthful self
was actually speaking words that resonated with my other idealistic self.
When I thought about this,
I connected with myself that was narrating this part in GIFT.
Even my ugly, useless self
can say things that resonate with my "dream" self.
That's why I think dreams
can give you energy and encouragement.
That's what I wanted to express as I skated "The Phantom of the Opera."
Mm.
Also, there were things I could do because this wasn't a competition.
I skated "Rondo Capriccioso" right before this, which was very hard.
So when I skated "The Phantom of the Opera" later,
the pain was very real and convincing.
To me, this program is strongly associated with my collision at the Cup of China.
And I think this program is associated with that painful skate
in the minds of many, too.
That's part of the reason I had put it away for a long time.
But I knew "Phantom" was perfect
for expressing this side of me that was really suffering
and in pain and unable to move.
I could really become the Phantom.
In that sense, I think I was able to skate
a very convincing program there.
When I first skated to "The Phantom of the Opera,""
I skated as if I were the Phantom himself.
I became the Phantom, saying farewell to Christine.
At the end of the program, I put on my mask
and performed as if I was burning in hellfire.
But this time,
I was sometimes Christine,
sometimes the Phantom,
and sometimes Raoul.
I think it turned out to be a very interesting "Phantom" performance.
["The Music of the Night" by Andrew Lloyd Webber playing]
[audience applauding]
[Yuzuru] It's interesting.
When I learned that the film director Akira Kurosawa
made his films inspired by Shakespeare,
it raised a lot of questions inside me.
And when I thought of Shakespeare, it reminded me of Romeo and Juliet.
And thinking about Romeo and Juliet and stuff like that gave me an idea.
Maybe if I told the story in first person, I could express everything.
What if…
I replaced the characters with objects?
For example, what if I replaced Romeo with the moon,
and Juliet with the sun?
It might move the story forward.
If I wrote this for little kids, it might even make a decent picture book.
And when I thought about these things, I thought of something.
I could take a love story
and swap the characters for me and my dream,
or me and my skate.
And the whole story would make sense.
So, just as different stories
exist inside different people,
I thought I could use the different stories inside me
and bring them to each of my programs.
I thought very hard
"FIRST ICE SHOW AT TOKYO DOME"
…about how to present my skating at Tokyo Dome as I was training for it.
[Yuzuru] The difficult part about performing at Tokyo Dome
was the great distance between myself and the audience.
The audience might not even be able to see me skating on the rink.
Also, the ceiling was so high
that it gave me the illusion that I was flying very low.
Everything was so out of the ordinary.
Everything was moving at such a grand scale.
And I had to control the entire atmosphere of the venue.
I thought that it would be very uncool
if the audience could only see me as a tiny moving speck.
So the challenge was how to make myself look big.
And not only that
but how to make my movements appear big as well.
There were programs I choreographed myself
and programs choreographed by others.
There were also old programs that I reused.
And I made alterations to each of them as I performed.
It was hard, but I jumped quads and triple axels
and fine-tuned my expression.
I'm pretty content with what I was able to achieve.
When I was having different visuals made
and different effects made for the show,
Ms. Mikiko said, "I'm my own harshest critic.
And I want the harshest critic to watch this and think,
'This is refreshing.'
Or 'I've never seen anything like this before.'"
It really woke me up.
In my performances,
I don't pump out new programs each time.
If anything, figure skating
is more about polishing what you already have.
And when you're simply doing things like that,
it's easy to lose this freshness.
So when I thought of myself as my own harshest critic,
it made me want to produce things
that will keep myself fresh,
and that will keep impressing people.
THE EMOTIONS THAT FLOWED DURING THE FINAL SONG
Thank you so much!
SUIHEISEN/BACK NUMBER
[Yuzuru] Thank you!
Thank you so much!
["Suiheisen" by Back Number playing]
I first thought of adding my voice-over or words to "Suiheisen,"
because I thought my voice alone wouldn't reach the audience in the Dome.
"Suiheisen" is one of my favorite songs that have saved me on countless occasions.
So I expressed myself through this song
and added a few words myself through a mic.
Even though my voice would echo and not carry well in Tokyo Dome.
But I at least wanted to say, "I'm glad I liked skating."
So I used the mic to say that.
This day may not remain in anyone's heart
or leave an impression on anyone.
[breathing heavily]
[sniffles]
[audience cheering]
But I'm glad I liked skating.
["Suiheisen" by Back Number playing]
[audience cheering]
[Yuzuru] This part was completely ad-lib.
I just moved as my heart led me.
The choreography came from my heart.
And I think it left an impression because of it.
Thank you so much for watching this show today!
I was able to convey my feelings from my heart
with this space, my being, and my skates.
I was able to use all these things
to freely express myself.
I think this was my gift to everyone.
[mic thuds]
Thank you so much!
[audience cheering]
We invented a new style of figure skating.
Something like…
a new genre of entertainment called Yuzuru Hanyu.
Everyone worked so hard to make this happen,
and I worked with them to make this.
To be honest, I'm not sure where to take it from here.
But I probably feel this way
because we were able to put our all into this show.
[Yuzuru] Right now, I just feel
like I've given it my all.
[Yuzuru sniffles]
I used every cell in my body
and exhausted my energy down to the last drop.
[soft piano music playing]
[audience applauding]
[sobbing]
[sniffles]
[sobbing]
[sniffles]
I worked so hard.
[crying]
Well done. Good job.
[sobbing]
As I said in my story,
I've received too many gifts
from everyone throughout my life.
So I want to keep cherishing these gifts
and keep giving gifts back to everyone.
Yes, my wish is that…
That when one's heart is chilled,
even a fragment of one of my programs,
a scrap of one of my words,
a snippet of the production or the music,
or even a light from one of the synchronized glow sticks
might provide comfort to their hearts.
-[staffs] Thank you so much. -Thank you.
Thank you very much.
This feeling of having GIFT behind me…
This feeling of accomplishment makes me feel pretty empty.
[soft music]
Translated by Ai Matsuoka