Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2023 GIFT at Tokyo Dome Review: Originally presented as a one-night-show only in February 2023, this is the first-ever solo show of the Japanese figure skater, now also an ice show producer, that Disney+ has brought forth for us. Supported by art director Mikiko of ELEVENPLAY, the ice show’s music is provided by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Now available for streaming on the OTT platform, the documentary film also grants the viewer a look at an interview with the director/producer at the end of the show, extending the runtime to 2 hours and 42 minutes. The production allows for the self-portrayal of Yuzuru Hanyu’s life on the ice.
-Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY GIFT at Tokyo Dome Review Contains No Spoilers-
Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2023 GIFT at Tokyo Dome Review: Discussion
Once you get down to watching the film version of the performance, you can clearly distinguish between his 2 hour long ice production that the several programs cut down in the middle. Yuzuru even takes the time to explain further at the end that the first half portrays his early life, up to his Beijing Olympics performance. Abstractly illustrating the same on the background screen, the athlete takes charge of his narrative and then seamlessly transitions from being a sportsperson to an entertainer in the second half of ICE STORY 2023 GIFT at Tokyo Dome.
Smoothly and flawlessly moving from one program to the other, he lays down about 12 different little skits, which when put together, also convey his inner turmoil, feelings of loneliness and alienation which translate into a picture of universality that even the viewers can relate to. Despite the story being his own, it also takes the shape of something even bigger that becomes equally personal to the watchers in the live audience as well as those glimpsing at it all through the screen (as in my case).
His poetic prose-driven storytelling strategy goes hand-in-hand with the performance that ultimately takes on the grand outlook owing to the splendid glory of the venue itself, ie. Tokyo Dome. Nevertheless, despite this reflection of grandeur, in the end, its Yuzuru’s presentation that deserves the cherry on the top. I’m sure that watching this sublime experience unfold on a screen doesn’t justify the actual beauty of it all, but even then, I couldn’t help but get fully immersed into his story, conveyed through metaphors, the music choice for each program, the complementary lighting and musical themes supporting the narrative.
The greatest beauty of figure skating, as also portrayed by Yuzuru to perfection, is the irony that despite the whole performance being played out on the cold ice, the dancing figure assumes the shape of the beacon of warmth. And, Hanyu’s first monologue piece also begins with a similar theme in mind.
The riveting production captures the athlete, who’s now become an artist, completely reinvent ice skating and its status as a mere sport. After Yuzuru’s one-man-show, one can firmly claim that the sport has now attained the strength of a theatrical performing art. His delivery’s sublimity, the colour palette behind his performance and many other elements working together to make it a big a hit, elevated the artistic beauty of his skits.
What’s even more shocking is that I continue to speak of the soft and comforting fluidity of the visual experience, though I’m aware (even if from afar) of the physical pains associated with the sport, needed for it to be executed to this extent. Yuzuru’s stamina is godly, and the poise with which he perfects each landing and turn, will instantly consume you. Even the live audience can be seen equally participating and enjoying the liberation he finds through this show.
While he may have retired from the competitive side of the sport, the Ice Prince’s story is far from over, rather you catch him rewriting the rules of it. He mixes it all up, resulting in a genre-blending experience that further transforms the aggressively competitive and back-breaking sport into a performative art that is backed by a retro rock concert at one point. Breathing a new fever and energy into figure skating, he reveals a side of professional ice skating that one couldn’t even have imagined.
Even mainstream content always brings up the constricting and disciplining sport that often renders the athlete lonely, and that same conversation is again dived into through Yuzuru’s reinterpretation of it, but while also allowing him the space to break free from all of it. Hanyu’s production not only frees himself, but also helps unshackle the sport itself, encouraging it to dance instead. No longer is he blinded by a competitive target, but also has the freedom to enact his agency and break away from the conventional traditions that bind figure skating as a whole into a pre-defined mould of expectations.
Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2023 GIFT at Tokyo Dome Film: Final Thoughts
Bridging the gap between entertainment and a more profound expression of loneliness, Hanyu expresses it all through a rather fun presentation and upbeat dance bits performed with songs powered by existential lyrics. He lays it all out and simultaneously blurs the gap between his inner thoughts and the audience, thereby humanising his story and identity instead of shrouding it with mystique that otherwise distances a public figure from the rest of the world.
The magic of his performance sucked me in and impressed me gravely by how he interweaved the expressive dramaticity of the Theatre form and its expression, the rebelliousness of Rock, the awe-inspiring glory of the Opera, and mostly just by how he made the art form his own. His spirit grants him the identity of a Phoenix in the guise of a poised and graceful dove.
The new Yuzuru Hanyu documentary is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Thank you for this thoughtful and detailed review of Yuzu’s GIFT. It’s clear that you took the time to not only watch but really understand what he put into this show in order to create it. As a long time fan of his I’m so happy to see more of the media see him as more than an athlete but as an artist. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to watch GIFT while it’s available.
His production really is a GIFT for the world. Absolutely loved watching his artistic genius.
Thank you so much. I will share your work
Thank you as well!
Muchísimas gracias por tu mirada y opinión sobre YUSURU HANYU y su hermoso espectáculo…Un verdadero REGALO!!!!!!!
The Gift at the gorgeous Tokyo Dome and the exquisite Yusur Hanyu’s expansion of ice skating into a new art form: too lovely and moving for words, so resonant in connecting all facets of the cosmos thematically. And yet this excellent review by Ashima Grover does it justice. Thank you.
Such fascinating synchronicity of timing in media offerings this week, with The Gift as a healing balm to the film Oppenheimer (cringe and anguish) coming out in the U.S. After living in post-war Japan as a child (1950’s) I remain in love with the Japanese people, the country, the culture — and appalled that the U.S. leadership ignored morality and humanity to order the Hiroshima and Nagasaki murders of civilians with newly invented bombs of then-undetermined long-term effects. Every time art as wonderfully uplifting as Yusur Hanyu’s enters our world, our souls are restored and destructive evil pushed away — in favor of Love’s infinite reality.
GIFT is the greatest ice shows forever. Thank you. ❤️
Thank you very much for your review! GIFT is pure art in the highest level and at the same time a story so close to human heart. It’s a warm place to return every time life feels meaningless.
Beautiful review, I completely agree