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[2025.02.25] GOETHE April issue - Yuzuru Hanyu Special 30th Birthday Edition

Cover Story

The cover shoot took place at a studio in Sendai, Yuzuru Hanyu’s hometown. That day, he had multiple media shoots, with ours scheduled last. Despite how tired he must have been, Hanyu entered the studio with a deep bow, saying, “Thank you for waiting! I look forward to working with you!” His thoughtfulness instantly captured everyone’s hearts.

The shoot spanned 20 pages and lasted for quite some time. Yet what left the editorial team in awe was his unwavering focus and astonishing ability to adapt to the photographer’s requests. He effortlessly absorbed each instruction and transformed it into expressions that far exceeded our expectations. In one of the most memorable shots, Hanyu holds his own pair of skates—a reflection of his deep love and passion for figure skating.

At the end of the shoot, he once again bowed deeply and said, “Thank you very much! Thank you for your hard work!” before swiftly leaving the studio. The entire team couldn’t help but burst into spontaneous applause.

Interview: Challenging a New Self

On December 7, 2024, professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu turned 30. Even now, he continues to train with greater intensity than when he won his Olympic gold medals. We delve into the mindset, beliefs, and unwavering determination at the core of a man who constantly strives to evolve and surpass himself.

Special Interview Part 1: "I Decided to Stick to What I Believe Is Right"

The Current State of Yuzuru Hanyu at 30

For Yuzuru Hanyu, Japan’s national skating treasure, there’s no need for empty flattery. It has been about two and a half years since he announced his professional transition in July 2022. As the executive producer of his own ice shows, he has completed three major productions: GIFT at the Tokyo Dome, followed by RE_PRAY and ECHOES OF LIFE. These monumental achievements brought him a sense of fulfillment that could only come from overcoming such grand challenges. Reflecting on his journey, Hanyu speaks calmly:

"It was both tough and fulfilling. Being thrown into a world of freedom also brought its own kind of restrictions and made me realize my own limitations. It’s been a journey of searching, reaching out, and finally starting to understand many things by my third year as a professional. My connection to visuals, projections, and how the stories link to the programs has deepened significantly. It feels like all the efforts I’ve made beyond skating—branching out, absorbing inspiration—are finally starting to grow into a solid trunk."

Stepping into a space where Hanyu performs feels almost reverent. Through his ice stories, he tackles the profound theme of the meaning of life itself. His wholehearted performances pose philosophical questions to modern society:

"I’ve always wondered about the meaning of my own life since I was young. By the time I became aware of myself, I already had a name and was already ‘living.’ My earliest memory is realizing I could blink on my own. That night, I wondered: What if I fall asleep and wake up as a baby again? Life is so intangible—you can’t even prove your own existence. Because life is so fleeting, I hope my performances can inspire people to reflect on life and what it means to be alive."

The right thing to do is to leave it to each and every once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

Hanyu’s pride in his method of expression is clear. Rather than conforming to expectations, he listens to his inner voice and translates that honesty into his performances. One example he mentions is his 2023 show RE_PRAY, which drew on video game worlds to portray the destiny that lies beyond the choices we make in life.

"Honestly, if I were choosing music just for those who supported me during my competitive career, I think I should have stuck with classical pieces. But I deliberately chose game music because I decided to stick to what I believe is good. As a result, game fans and people who hadn’t been interested in figure skating started to watch my performances, expanding the audience. Every time I create something, I want it to be something I genuinely love, something that resonates with me. I’d be happy if fans of those original works see my respect for them while also enjoying my performance as Yuzuru Hanyu’s unique form of entertainment."

His most recent show, ECHOES OF LIFE, combined piano compositions with contemporary dance and hip-hop to convey the idea that what seems like coincidence might actually be destiny.

"I’ve recently realized that with the right skills and creativity, a lot can be done even on ice. This time, I worked hard to bring movements I learned off the ice onto it. I constantly think about what I want to express at its core and try to translate that through figure skating."

When asked about future performances, Hanyu candidly admits to the uncertainties and evolving passions in his journey:

"Over time, my creative ideas may dwindle. There aren’t many things in life you can dedicate yourself to with complete passion. For me, it’s been figure skating, games, manga, and anime. But who knows? Maybe turning 30 will lead me to discover new interests. I think trusting in those chance encounters is the right approach for now."

Special Interview Part 2 "I Take Pride in the Fact That What I’ve Been Doing Is a Sport"

Being an Athlete Is My Foundation: The Profession of Yuzuru Hanyu

When breaking down what it means to be “Professional: Yuzuru Hanyu,” one thing becomes clear—he never cuts corners in creating captivating performances. His unwavering belief in figure skating as a sport underpins every intense and powerful routine.

"When I turned pro, I made it clear from the start: I am an athlete. Figure skating, while inherently an artistic sport, is a discipline in which the athletic aspect makes up about 80 percent. Without physical strength, you can't skate properly, and without technical skill, landing a quad is impossible. In Ice Story, doing two quads after skating for 30 minutes was nearly impossible. The most important thing for me as a pro is not to lean too heavily into the artistic side just because I’m no longer competing. I take great pride in the fact that what I have dedicated myself to is a sport. As an athlete, I strive for strength and the ability to inspire. I believe that my professional pride now lies in continuing to merge the inspiration drawn from the power of sports with the emotional impact of art."

When thinking of Yuzuru Hanyu during his competitive days, one imagines his hunger for victory and raw instincts on full display. While that aspect remains unchanged, what has evolved is his definition of "victory."

“Every time I create a program, I build it with the mindset that it’s impossible to complete. In a good way. Before, winning and becoming a champion was my main goal. Now, executing this program perfectly has become my challenge and my goal. If I can’t do it flawlessly, that’s my defeat. If I can, that’s my victory. Since an Ice Story performance doesn’t end in just one day, it motivates me to aim for perfection in every subsequent performance. It's like turning what I once thought was impossible into something possible within myself.”

How does he maintain such a consistently high level of motivation? The way he sets his goals reveals the essence of a truly exceptional athlete.

"Setting goals in life is very difficult. The closer the goal is, the easier it is to achieve, but the sense of accomplishment doesn't really generate a sense of self-efficacy. But if the goal is too far away, it feels unattainable, and every day just becomes a struggle. But for me, setting distant goals is more enjoyable in a sense, even if it means struggling along the way."

Searching Earnestly, Finding Value Within Himself

Despite his illustrious records, including two Olympic gold medals, behind those achievements lie countless failures and relentless trial and error. His fighting spirit, the ability to keep standing up after every setback, is rooted in witnessing the resilience of people rebuilding after the Great East Japan Earthquake—an event he experienced firsthand.

“Humans tend to remember negative experiences much more vividly, so forgetting failure is impossible. But every failure has a reason behind it. Maybe it’s because the goal-setting was wrong. But instead of giving up, I search for solutions—whether it's a lack of effort on my part, the wrong method of practicing, or even focusing on the wrong technical aspects. If I keep searching without giving up, I believe I can achieve it. It is really difficult to have the strength to believe. But like the people rebuilding from the Noto Earthquake or the Hibakusha who received the Nobel Peace Prize, I'm sure they are where they are today because they have continued to believe for so long. I experienced 3/11 firsthand, so I have a deep understanding of how powerful human belief can be. It sounds idealistic, but if you don’t give up, things will somehow work out. However, if you half-heartedly try without full commitment, nothing will change. That’s why it’s important to seriously search for what’s valuable to you and keep working on it steadily.”

I have more muscle, technique and knowledge now than I did when I was competing.

The daily routine to remain a top athlete. It was self-training six days a week, an average of more than five hours a day.

“I practice on the ice and train off-ice for about three hours every day. After a quick break, I sometimes train for another three hours, focusing on weightlifting—lifting barbells, swinging dumbbells, the typical weight training exercises. There is no time to relax. Sometimes, my exhaustion shows in my attitude. But I’ve learned to recognize when I’m pushing too hard and try to rest intentionally.”

While he was a fierce competitor during his active career, as a professional now, he’s also a solitary artist. His commitment has become second nature, and through it, he constantly transforms himself into a higher version of who he is.

“In figure skating, even sleeping needs to be considered part of your training. It wasn’t just about being a professional athlete; even during my competitive days, I had to structure my entire life around winning Olympic gold. That hasn’t changed. To be honest, I definitely practice more now than I did back then, I'm more toned, I have more muscle, and I have more technique and knowledge. It's fun to keep improving myself like that."

Valuing Every Small Moment Each Day

At 19, Hanyu won gold at the Sochi Olympics, and at 23, he achieved back-to-back victories at the PyeongChang Olympics. In his late 20s, he attempted the unprecedented quadruple Axel and made a fresh start as a professional skater. The 30 years of his life so far, marked by legendary achievements, are simply a continuation of his present, where he continues to live life to the fullest.

“I think I’ve always been fully focused on the present. From the outside, people probably think I’m someone with an incredibly strong core. But in reality, the thoughts and ideas surrounding that core can be quite fragile. When something bad happens, when I see something unpleasant, when someone says something hurtful… I waver easily. It’s easy for me to lose motivation for practice. But looking back on my 30 years, I think I’ve always managed to live through those wavering moments with care and keep going.”

Now at a pivotal age of 30, Hanyu describes himself as being "in his prime." His widened experience and perspective bring a deep sense of fulfillment.

“I finally feel like my knowledge, imagination, and physical ability are reaching a new level. There are still many times when my body doesn’t fully align with what I envision, but I've finally begun to grasp how to train in a way that moves me closer to that goal. When I set a goal, I think I have a pretty good understanding of the path to achieving it. But I'm sure when I'm 40, I'll realize that I still didn't understand anything back then. It feels like I’ll keep repeating that process forever.”

“I Probably Have a Stronger Sense of Anticipation for Tomorrow Than Most People"

How does he see himself as a professional skater moving forward? Aware of the ever-present risk of injury, his eyes remain fixed on the future.

“I think I probably have a stronger sense of anticipation for tomorrow than most people. That’s why I feel that if I don’t take responsibility for my actions today, tomorrow will only become more difficult. For example, I think my physical condition today is a direct result of what I did yesterday. I don’t know if this mindset comes from being an athlete. Honestly, in figure skating, even if I go to practice tomorrow, there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to practice the day after. So, it's not that easy to draw a blueprint for the future. But, just as I’ve worked hard for the past 30 years, I want to keep valuing the little moments of each day. I hope that when I look back tomorrow, I can think, ‘I gave it my all today.’”

A life rich in experiences has shaped his intricate way of thinking. Yet, he still leaves room for the unexpected. For Yuzuru Hanyu, a one-of-a-kind skater, walking his own path with unwavering composure is, in itself, a continuous challenge.

Source: GOETHE Apr 2025 issue, pg 15, pg 87-101 https://goetheweb.jp/person/article/20250226-yuzuru-hanyu?heading=2 Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0DRNR4BX6?tag=goetheweb-22

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