Gift (ice show)
Gift | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Ice show type | Solo show |
Format | On-screen narration with live figure skating performances |
Theme | Yuzuru Hanyu's life and future on ice |
Duration | 120 min |
Date | February 26, 2023 |
Country | Japan |
Venue | Tokyo Dome |
Attendance | 35,000 |
Cinema live viewing |
|
Streaming | Disney+, Globe Coding |
Broadcast | CS TV Asahi |
Producer | Yuzuru Hanyu (performer) |
Director | Mikiko |
Organizer |
|
Sponsor |
|
Website | gift-official |
Yuzuru Hanyu article series | |
Skating career | |
Other works | |
Solo ice shows | |
Ensemble ice shows |
Gift (full title stylized as 'GIFT – Ice Story 2023') was a solo ice show by Japanese figure skater and two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, organized by TV Asahi and CIC Co., Ltd. It was the first ice skating event at Tokyo Dome,[note 1] one of Japan's largest and most prestigious entertainment venues, held on February 26, 2023.
Preluded by Prologue in 2022, Gift was the first main chapter of the Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story, a series of solo ice shows written, produced, and directed by Hanyu himself in collaboration with Japanese choreographer Mikiko. Gift tells the story of Hanyu's life and future on ice, combining elaborate on-screen narration with live skating performances by Hanyu. The show had a duration of 150 minutes and featured 12 programs performed at the athletic level of skating competitions, including a six-minute warm-up session followed by Hanyu's short program Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso from the 2022 Winter Olympics. His performances were accompanied by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the dance group Elevenplay, and a live band led by Satoshi Takebe.
The show was sold out with 35,000 spectators, a new audience record for ice shows. It was screened live at cinemas in Japan and overseas with 30,000 visitors in total, and streamed live on Disney+ in Japan and Globe Coding overseas. On July 14, 2023, a remastered version of the event was distributed on Disney+ worldwide. In addition to the ice show production, a picture book titled Gift with story by Hanyu and illustrations by the mangaka group Clamp was released in December 2023. On the first anniversary of the show, Gift was broadcast on the Japanese subscription channel CS TV Asahi. The release on DVD and Blu-ray is scheduled for August 20, 2024. The event was specially supported by Kosé's skin care brand Sekkisei and supported by Phiten, Tōwa Pharmaceutical, and Mitsui Fudosan.
Background[edit]
Gift was Hanyu's second solo ice show, performed on February 26, 2023, at Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo, Tokyo.[1][2] The one-off event was again produced and directed by Hanyu in collaboration with choreographer Mikiko.[3] The duration was extended from 90 to 150 minutes with an additional 40-minute intermission, using more advanced technology than at the previous show Prologue.[4][5] According to Hanyu, Gift was designed with a narrative character, portraying his "life and future on ice".[6][7] The show was constructed as a "journey through the worlds of his personality" with focus on dreams and the motif of lonesomeness.[8] Hanyu expressed his hope that Gift could provide a "place to return to whenever people find themselves alone."[2] He further explained: "The story is the main subject, and my programs exist within the story with various meanings. The programs are like a picture book, where you can watch the skating as if you were coming to appreciate a story."[9][10]: 1 In addition to the show production, a picture book titled Gift was released on December 20, 2023, written by Hanyu with illustrations by the Japanese mangaka group Clamp who are internationally known for Card Captor Sakura among other works.[6][11]
Venue[edit]
![Refer to caption](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Gift_Ice_Story_2023_-_Tokyo_Dome_outdoor_view.jpg/220px-Gift_Ice_Story_2023_-_Tokyo_Dome_outdoor_view.jpg)
Gift marked the first time that a figure skater performed and an ice rink was set up at Tokyo Dome, one of Japan's largest multipurpose venues with a maximum capacity of 55,000 seats.[9][10][12] It was constructed as a baseball stadium, home to the Yomiuri Giants, but it also serves as a concert venue, with Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, U2, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars among past guest artists. Hanyu expressed his hope to "change how people perceive figure skating [with his show] at Tokyo Dome."[1] The Olympics' official news site called Hanyu's programs at Gift "performances for the ages", noting that it was "more a concert for a blockbuster artist than an ice show."[5] At the venue, a mobile ice rink was set up with dimensions of 60 m × 30 m, the standard rink size at international figure skating competitions.[13][14]
Global concept and structure[edit]
For the narration and performances, a special screen was installed behind the rink, larger in size than the one used during baseball matches.[5] In charge of the direction, projection mapping, and special effects was Mikiko in collaboration with the company Rhizomatiks. Among the guest artists were the Japanese dance group Elevenplay as well as the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and a Gift special band led by music producer Satoshi Takebe.[7][14]: 1–2
![Refer to caption](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/2018_Winter_Olympics_-_Yuzuru_Hanyu_FS_%281%29.jpg/170px-2018_Winter_Olympics_-_Yuzuru_Hanyu_FS_%281%29.jpg)
In the show, Hanyu performed a total of twelve skating programs, among them shortened versions of his world record programs Hope and Legacy, Ballade No. 1, and Seimei.[15] He also presented two new programs to Joe Hisaishi's music piece "One Summer's Day" from the movie Spirited Away and to the song "Ashura-chan" by Japanese pop singer Ado.[16]: 3 In both performances Hanyu was accompanied by Elevenplay.[14]: 2 He concluded the first half with a six-minute warm-up followed by his short program Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso from the 2022 Winter Olympics.[16]: 3 At the Olympics, after getting caught in a hole in the ice, Hanyu had turned his opening quad Salchow jump into a single, which was a factor in missing out on a medal in his final Winter Games.[14]: 2 At Gift, he gave a solid performance with the same technical difficulty as in 2022, landing both planned quads and a triple Axel. Overall, he landed six successful quadruple jumps in the first half of the show as well as multiple triple Axels in the second half, surpassing the technical merit of his previous show Prologue.[13] In the finale, Satoshi Takebe presented a new music piece titled "Gift" for piano and orchestra, which he had composed exclusively for the show.[14]: 3
Critical reception[edit]
Russian world champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva expressed her respect for Hanyu's physical capacity and pointed out his popularity in Japan, which in her opinion was a key to the production of Gift:[17]: 1 [18]
I think, [a show like this] could only take place in Japan and only with Yuzuru Hanyu because he is like a deity there. He is admired by millions of people and a very popular figure skater. I cannot imagine how he survived this. It is insanely difficult! Even three programs in a show are physically very challenging to skate already, but performing for three hours on end ... It is really cool, however, I am not that kind of bird, and I don't think I could do that myself. Could such a show format take root in Russia? I am not sure. We have many great skaters, but I can't single out anyone who would be able to do the same thing.
Prior to the event, critics such as the Japanese evening newspaper Nikkan Gendai had voiced concerns regarding the size of the venue among other issues.[19] However, despite the large capacity and prices ranging from 23,100 to 27,500 yen ($177–210 as of 2023), tickets were distributed by lottery sale, and the number of applications exceeded the available ticket quota in the first lottery round, with multiple fans missing out on a chance to attend the show.[20] On December 20, 2022, the hashtag #
Attendance and accessibility[edit]
By February 12, 2023, the venue was sold out with seats for 35,000 spectators,[15][22] a new record for an ice show audience,[23][16] and sales exceeded an estimated total of 1 billion yen.[24][note 2] According to the Olympics, the global accessibility and live streaming of Gift was on an "unprecedented scale for a figure skating event" as well.[26] The show was screened live at 84 movie theaters in Japan and also at cinemas overseas in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, with 30,000 visitors in total.[13][27] In addition, the event was aired live on the subscription streaming platforms Disney+ in Japan and Globe Coding by Live Viewing Japan Inc. worldwide.[28][29] In total, Gift attracted 100,000 viewers.[30] To accommodate demand, the show was rescreened on the following day at movie theaters in Japan.[31]
On July 14, 2023, a remastered version of the show was distributed on Disney+ worldwide.[32] On February 26, 2024, the first anniversary of the show, Gift was broadcast on the Japanese subscription channel CS TV Asahi.[33] A full recording of the show with multi-angle perspectives and behind-the-scenes footage is scheduled to be released on August 20, 2024. A special limited edition with a key chain that contains water from the original ice rink in a small glass bottle, was announced to be distributed by lottery sale.[34] The event received special sponsorship from Kosé's skin care brand Sekkisei.[35] Other sponsors included Phiten, Tōwa Pharmaceutical, and Mitsui Fudosan.[25]
Set list[edit]
First half [15]
- The Firebird (by Igor Stravinsky)
- Hope and Legacy ("View of Silence" and "Asian Dream Song" by Joe Hisaishi)
- "One Summer's Day" (from Spirited Away by Joe Hisaishi)
- Ballade No. 1 in G minor (by Frédéric Chopin)
- Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso (by Camille Saint-Saëns, piano version by Shinya Kiyozuka )
Second half [15]
- "Let Me Entertain You" (by Robbie Williams)
- "Ashura-chan" (by Ado)
- The Phantom of the Opera (by Andrew Lloyd Webber)
- "A Fleeting Dream"
- "Notte Stellata (The Swan)" (by Il Volo)
Ending credits [36]
Encore [15]
- "Haru yo, koi" (by Yumi Matsutoya, piano version by Shinya Kiyozuka)
- Seimei
Notes and references[edit]
- ^ The term ice skating covers all sports performed with blades on an ice surface, including ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating.
- ^ The numbers include additional seats at the rink sides that were sold for 16,500 yen on February 25 and 26.[25]
Official guide and documentary books[edit]
- Gift official (February 26, 2023). Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story 2023 "GIFT" at Tokyo Dome ('Gift' special newspaper) (in Japanese). Shibuya, Tokyo: Amuse Inc. ID 90035213.
- Gift official (May 2023). Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story 2023 "GIFT" at Tokyo Dome (Post-show booklet) (in Japanese). Shibuya, Tokyo: Amuse Inc. ID 90035204. 104 p.
Citations[edit]
- ^ a b Kano, Shintaro (December 7, 2022). "Hanyu Yuzuru to rock Tokyo Dome in February". International Olympic Committee. Lausanne. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022.
- ^ a b Mitsuoka, Maria-Laura (February 28, 2023). "Yuzuru Hanyu: 'Gift' to the figure skating world". Golden Skate. Cary, North Carolina. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023.
- ^ "Figure skating: Yuzuru Hanyu to perform at Tokyo Dome next Feb". Kyodo News. Minato, Tokyo. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022.
- ^
羽生 結 弦 さん、語 る プロローグ千秋楽 (2)東京 D公演 「GIFT」へ抱負 「物語 は恩返 しから」 [Yuzuru Hanyu talking about Prologue conclusion (2) Aspirations for ice show "Gift" at Tokyo Dome: "The story starts with returning the favor"]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. - ^ a b c Kano, Shintaro (February 26, 2023). "Hanyu Yuzuru "Gift"-wraps sold-out Tokyo Dome with performances for the ages". International Olympic Committee. Lausanne. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Yuzuru Hanyu, 'Cardcaptor Sakura' creator CLAMP collaborate for picture book". GMA Network. Quezon City. February 15, 2023. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023.
- ^ a b
羽生 結 弦 さん史上 初 東京 D単独 公演 で3万 5000人 酔 わせた「GIFT」「突 き進 む」表現 者 の道 [Yuzuru Hanyu's "GIFT" that captivated 35,000 people at the first Tokyo D solo performance in history: The path of an artist who "pushes forward"]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo. February 27, 2023. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. - ^ Iwasa, Yu (March 2, 2023).
羽生 結 弦 さんが描 いた「もう一人 の僕 」GIFT翌日 に明 かした思 い [Yuzuru Hanyu's "Another Me" at GIFT – Thoughts revealed the day after]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Kita-ku, Osaka. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. - ^ a b Tanaka, Yukifumi (December 6, 2022).
羽生 結 弦 さん、アイスショー「プロローグ」終幕 ...新 章 「GIFT」はスケーター史上 初 の東京 ドーム単独 公演 [Yuzuru Hanyu's ice show "Prologue" comes to an end ... New chapter "GIFT" is the first solo performance at Tokyo Dome in the skater's history]. International Olympic Committee (in Japanese). Lausanne. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. - ^ a b Takagi, Megumi (December 6, 2022).
羽生 結 弦 さん「贈 り物 を受 け取 りに来 てください」2・26アイスショー「GIFT」東京 D開催 サプライズ発表 [Yuzuru Hanyu "Come and Receive a Gift" Surprise announcement of ice show "GIFT" at Tokyo Dome on 2.26]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. - ^ Dempsey, Liam (February 13, 2023). "Figure Skater Yuzuru Hanyu Partners with Cardcaptor Sakura Creator CLAMP for Picture Book". Crunchyroll. San Francisco. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023.
- ^ Matsubara, Takaomi (January 12, 2023). "Going Pro: Hanyū Yuzuru Reinvents What It Means to Be a Figure Skater". Nippon Communications Foundation. Minato, Tokyo. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c Kurasawa, Hitoshi (February 27, 2023). "Japanese skating star Yuzuru Hanyu dazzles 35,000 fans at Tokyo Dome with solo show". Mainichi Shimbun. Chiyoda, Tokyo. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Oriyama, Toshimi (February 28, 2023).
羽生 結 弦 「ひとりになった時 に帰 れる場所 を提供 できたらいいなと思 って」東京 ドーム単独 公演 で大観 衆 に贈 った「ギフト」 [Yuzuru Hanyu: "I thought it would be great if I could provide a place to return to when you are alone." A 'Gift' given to a large audience with solo performance at Tokyo Dome]. Sportiva (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo: Shueisha. pp. 1–5. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. - ^ a b c d e
羽生 結 弦 さん東京 ドーム公演 「GIFT」で計 12曲 完走 「本当 にありがとうございました!」 [Yuzuru Hanyu completes a total of 12 programs in his show 'GIFT' at Tokyo Dome, "Thank you so much!"]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo. February 26, 2023. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. - ^ a b c Matsubara, Takaomi (February 28, 2023). 「
日本 代表 、羽生 結 弦 ――」東京 ドーム公演 中 に行 った緊迫 の"6分間 練習 "...3万 5000人 の前 でつかんだ"夢 "「まだまだつかみきれていない夢 も...」 ["Japan representative, Yuzuru Hanyu" tense "6-minute practice" held during Tokyo Dome performance ... "Dreams" grasped in front of 35,000 people: "There are still many dreams that I have not grasped ..."]. Number (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo: Bungeishunjū. pp. 1–4. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. - ^ Levkina, Yana (March 14, 2023). Туктамышева: как Ханю выдержал трёхчасовое шоу, не представляю. Это безумно сложно! [Tuktamysheva: How Hanyu endured the three-hour show, I have no idea. It's insanely difficult!]. Championat (in Russian). Moscow. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023.
- ^ トゥクタミシェワが
羽生 結 弦 の3時 間 連続 ショーに驚嘆 「どうやり遂 げたのか想像 もつかない」 [Tuktamysheva marvels at Yuzuru Hanyu's three-hour show: "I can't imagine how he did it"]. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. March 14, 2023. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. - ^
羽生 結 弦 、東京 ドーム公演 に関 する一部 夕刊 紙 報道 に欠 けた「視点 」とは [Yuzuru Hanyu, what is the "perspective" missing in some evening newspaper reports on the Tokyo Dome performance]. cocokara-next.com (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo: Athlete Marketing Inc. December 19, 2022. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. - ^ Sato, Yuma (December 21, 2022).
羽生 結 弦 、驚異 の動員 力 で東京 ドーム公演 が「落選 祭 り」に...チケット売上 10億 円 超 か [Yuzuru Hanyu, Tokyo Dome show with its astonishing mobilization power becomes "criticism festival" ... Ticket sales exceed one billion yen?]. Business Journal (in Japanese). Shibuya, Tokyo: Cyzo Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. - ^ 「#
東京 ドーム全滅 」トレンド入 り羽生 結 弦 さんのアイスショー抽選 結果 発表 、ツイッターに嘆 きの声 ["#Tokyo Dome annihilated" trending – Yuzuru Hanyu's ice show lottery result announced, lamenting on Twitter]. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Nagoya. December 20, 2022. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. - ^
羽生 結 弦 「GIFT」チケットが完売 「改 めてすごい」「さすがです」 [Yuzuru Hanyu "GIFT" tickets sold out "Amazing again" "As expected"]. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. February 12, 2023. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. - ^ "Figure skating hero Hanyu Yuzuru to start gaming-inspired 'RE_PRAY' solo ice tour in Saitama". International Olympic Committee. Lausanne. September 4, 2023. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023.
- ^
羽生 結 弦 史上 初 のドーム単独 公演 チケットが完売 !世界 選手権 はまだ売 れ残 り、大 きすぎる"王者 の穴 " [Yuzuru Hanyu: Tickets for the first ever solo show at Tokyo Dome sold out! World Championships still unsold, 'champion's hole' too large]. Flash (in Japanese). Bunkyo, Tokyo: Kobunsha. February 12, 2023. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. - ^ a b "Gift – Ice Story 2023 at Tokyo Dome". 'Gift' production committee. Tokyo. 2023. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023.
- ^ Kano, Shintaro (February 24, 2023). "With "Gift", Hanyu Yuzuru going where no figure skater has gone before". International Olympic Committee. Lausanne. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023.
- ^ "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2023 "GIFT" at Tokyo Dome supported by Sekkisei Live Viewing". Live Viewing Japan inc. (in Japanese). Shibuya, Tokyo. February 24, 2023. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023.
- ^
羽生 結 弦 さん東京 ドーム公演 「GIFT」ディズニープラスで生 配信 日本 、香港 、台湾 、韓国 の映画 館 で生 中継 [Yuzuru Hanyu's solo show GIFT will be streamed on Disney Plus and viewed live in movie theaters in Japan Hongkong, Taiwan, and South Korea]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. February 3, 2023. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. - ^ "Hanyu Yuzuru's solo Tokyo Dome show "GIFT" to be live streamed". International Olympic Committee. Lausanne. February 17, 2023. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023.
- ^
音楽 P武部 聡志 が語 る、羽生 結 弦 "東京 ドーム公演 "の裏側 「なんとか彼 が滑 りやすいように...」 [Music producer Satoshi Takebe talks about the beehind-the-scene story of Yuzuru Hanyu's Tokyo Dome Performance "somehow I managed to make it easier for him to skate..."]. TV Asahi (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. - ^ "Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story 2023 "GIFT" at Tokyo Dome supported by Sekissei". Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Kita-ku, Osaka. February 4, 2023. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023.
- ^ Grover, Ashima (July 17, 2023). "Who is Yuzuru Hanyu? How Has His Art Changed the World's Perception of Figure Skating?". Leisurebyte. India. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023.
- ^
羽生 結 弦 さん東京 ドーム公演 「GIFT」テレビ初 放送 2月 26日 CSテレ朝 チャンネル2 [Yuzuru Hanyu's Tokyo Dome performance "GIFT" TV premiere on February 26, CS Tele Asahi Channel 2]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. February 7, 2024. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. - ^
羽生 結 弦 さん「GIFT」と「プロローグ」がDVDとBlu-rayに [Hanyu's "Gift" and "Prologue" on DVD and Blu-ray]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. April 19, 2024. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. - ^
羽生 結 弦 さん、来年 2・26「GIFT」開催 「半生 とこれからを氷上 で表現 」スケーター初 の東京 D単独 公演 [Yuzuru Hanyu to hold "GIFT" next year on February 26 "Expressing half life and future on ice" skater's first solo performance in Tokyo Dome]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. - ^
羽生 結 弦 、GIFTを終 え「滑 り切 ることができました」と謝意 大震災 から12年 のショーに備 える [Yuzuru Hanyu thanks for completing GIFT, saying "I was able to skate through" – Preparing for ice show 12 years after the earthquake]. Spread Sports (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023.
Further reading[edit]
- Goto, Taisuke; Yamashita, Hironobu. Yuzuru Hanyu's thoughts on Gift. Asahi Shimbun interview series (in Japanese). Kita-ku, Osaka.
- Part 1:
羽生 結 弦 さんが「GIFT」に込 めた思 い 「寄 り添 える贈 り物 を」 [Yuzuru Hanyu's thoughts on GIFT: "A gift that you can lean on"]. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. - Part 2:
羽生 結 弦 さん「皆 さんの思 いに対 して、今 の自分 の思 いを届 けたい」 [Yuzuru Hanyu: "I want to deliver my current thoughts in response to everyone's thoughts"]. December 7, 2022. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. - Part 3:
羽生 結 弦 さん「皆 さんの期待 に応 えられない自分 だったら、必要 ない」 [Yuzuru Hanyu: "If I can't live up to everyone's expectations, I don't need to"]. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. - Part 4:
羽生 結 弦 さん「本当 に強 いなら逃 げられる。逃 げずに続 ける僕 は臆病 」 [Yuzuru Hanyu: "If you are really strong, you can escape. I am a coward to continue without running away"]. December 21, 2022. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. - Part 5: 「
羽生 結 弦 っていうジャンルの...」GIFTで示 す「僕 の使命 」 [It's a genre called 'Yuzuru Hanyu' ... 'My mission' as shown by GIFT]. December 28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. - Part 6:
羽生 結 弦 さん「自分 のプログラムが存在 してるよって言 える贈 り物 を」 [Yuzuru Hanyu: "A gift to say that my performance exists"]. January 4, 2023. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023.
- Part 1: