Part 2 of Ice Jewels Vol.4 special interview before the season started.

(I summarised some bits because we already know some details of his programmes now.)

THIS SEASON’S SHORT PROGRAMME:

‘Let’s Go Crazy’, choreographed by Jeffrey Buttle.

Hanyu: I like this kind of songs. Although I had not listened to Prince before, this is the kind of song used for ice show opening or finale. I myself enjoy it, and I want to show it in a cool way, and I really like to be in unison with the music; it suits me.

The feel of the quad loop as a jump in the programme has come to me. Of course, when I am nervous, there are also failures, but I can now see bit by bit what kind of jump it turns into when I am nervous. If I am asked, is jumping 4LO from eagle special to you? Well, I do not have this feeling. Yes, of course it is difficult, but jumping 4LO from eagle does not hold much meaning for me. My feeling is that from eagle, jump, go into eagle and from there, lead into steps, this is most important; this is what’s worth doing and I enjoy it.

—About step levels:

This time, really, with Jeff also, it was made thinking ‘let’s definitely get a level 4’. But the feeling is not one of making a lot of steps, but of skating and enjoying the flow of the programme.

—With this SP layout, possibility of making a new world record?

Of course, I want to make a new record, I want to do performances that can do that, and this layout is possible.
If I do this programme to a degree that I am satisfied with it, to a high quality, I think that will lead to records. But it is not for the sake of getting a new record that I am raising the quality. Rather, it is something that will come together. The performance content is packed full, and I would like to do it such that people can think 'Yuzuru Hanyu can even do this type of programme this well.’

—About the costume:
It’s a bit of a risk. But what makes my heart pound the most is the quad loop! Maybe after 1 or 2 competitions, I will have more confidence. But even now, after 3 minutes of warm-up, I jump it, I can do the short with no mistakes.

THIS SEASON’S FREE SKATE:

—Programme name and theme?

A combination of Joe Hisaishi-san’s 'View of Silence’ and 'Asian Dream Song’, and the title name is 'Hope & Legacy’.
The free skate music is like last season’s 'Chopin Ballade No.1’ with the common point of piano. It has some Japanese melody line, things that are in nature, the wind, the trees, the water; I would like to express these things of nature. In this sense, it is also connected to last year’s exhibition 'Requiem of Heaven and Earth’; so for the free, I want to gather together all the things I have experienced until now, and level it up further.

—Choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne. Did you put in your opinions too?

The last pose was decided mainly by myself. (laughs)

—How was the programme made?

Regarding the music, in my heart I had already decided firmly on the theme from the start. With this theme in mind, I searched for the music. As such, what I wanted to express was very clear.
Of course I am the one skating but I do not want make it a programme that forces my feelings onto others.
For example, when Shae-Lynn choreographed for me, what kind of movements did she do, what kind of choreography did she make, what kind of feelings did she have, even if no words were used, there are things that were conveyed to me. The real meaning of these things that were conveyed, I may not have really understood them but there are things that I feel within me. But whether or not Shae-Lynn is really thinking that way when doing it, I do not know. That is why, there is no such thing as “please feel this way”. Inside me, I have clearly decided the theme but it is not conceptualised in words, it is not something concrete but something abstract, it can be taken in any way.

—So you express it with the lines of the body and the gaze of the eyes.

It’s a really subtle programme.

It’s piano music, there are no showy/flamboyant parts like last year; and precisely because of that, although it is not 'Requiem of Heaven and Earth’, I want to cherish the things that are naturally expressed from within me, and I think it’s good if i can perform it that way.

—About the music:

During the end of my junior period, I was thinking that even if the sound cannot be heard, I want to do a performance that enables the sound to be heard. But now, I think that is a very conceited, pushy way of thinking. If the sound cannot be heard, then that is not a programme. To be doing in unison with the sound, to be co-starring with the sound, there is something you can feel especially because of the sound, I think this music enables one to treasure these things.

It’s a piece of music that can absorb many things. For skating, a proper core is needed. Skating is not ballet, it’s not contemporary, it’s not rock. Figure skating is a category that stands by itself. Ways of expression are diverse; there are people who don’t do ballet but still skate beautifully, and people who do ballet have a classical beauty. Shae-Lynn seems to like contemporary; she has free movements that look beautiful no matter where you see it from. Because it is a sport that has many kinds of beauty and ways of expression, and various charms, I want to absorb many various things and use them well in skating.

One thing good about the music I chose this time is that I can skate it with a smiling face, which is quite rare. It is music which I can smile from my heart. Up to now, I have had many (programmes) with serious faces and painful expressions; this time I really like the parts where I can skate with a smile.
Smiling has many benefits. It can influence people who are watching me, and it also has an effect on myself. Just a smile makes the heart feel full/rich. I think it’s a programme that I can bare myself to skate. Of course, that is what I have been doing all along, but for example, like SEIMEI, there is already a character there, so I become that character. For the music this time, the theme is specified but that is just the title. I would like everyone to see it from various viewpoints. Because of the injury, the period that I could not skate was very long. So now I am skating and really enjoying it. This is a programme where I can feel immensely the sensation/feeling of skating.

—It’s a programme that can show the beauty of skating?

It’s a programme that’s easy to watch. There are skate programmes that are intense, like 'SEIMEI’; there are also programmes that have a quiet calm, like 'Ballade’. It also depends on the choreographer and the skater. This programme, the skating skills stand out and it’s easy to watch. If I can weave in emotions, meanings, skills, and do a programme with no empty spaces, that would be good.

—Jump layout?

4Lo, 4S, 3F, 4S+3T, 4T, 3A combo done twice, 3Lz

It is very challenging, but to do such a challenge through this season, the gains will be great, so I want to go on and do it properly.

–To make the programme complete:

I have to jump the jumps of course, plus skating expressions, spins and steps that will look beautiful and can convey something, no matter where it is seen from. I am aiming for such a programme.
Shae-Lynn said to me, “Yuzuru can convey the mood with expressions and skills, and can also convey things of emotions and spirit. But the way of expression is a bit different from what I am asking for. It is not because you cannot do it, but because you have not done it before.” Shae-Lynn’s movements, expressions that females have, movements of the shoulders and fingers, it is a programme where I needed to learn about this area too.

Last year, I learned a different method of expression. For 'SEIMEI’, I learned not so much about the use of the body but about how to have an awareness, that way of thinking. This time, I have to learn properly about the use of the body. Not ballet but ways of expressions related to skating movements, I want to study them.

—Last year’s SEIMEI and 'Ballade’ were really good contrasts. They broke world records, but for Worlds, it’s a pity…..

Now my thinking is, even if the condition is bad, I must be able to do it perfect. I do not want to have that kind of memory again; no matter what kind of ice, I must land on it.
During the time of the 6 points system of Salt Lake City Olympics, if you fall, you’re finished. No matter how strong the skater is, a fall means no podium. So no matter what, you must not fall. So, have to land (jumps) properly. And on top of that, they have to be of good quality. Now, just simply “I jumped it” is not good enough.

—It should be trying to get +3 for GOE, right?

Jump from steps, beautiful position in the air, flow is good, landing is beautiful; the way of landing also needs work. Have to pack various things into one element. Various techniques have been included, so it is becoming a period with a high difficulty level.

—In your case, it’s about getting +3 GOEs and also 10 points which is almost not enough for the 5 components score, if not, you can’t say it is Yuzuru Hanyu; you have come to this point, isn’t it?

Yes, last year’s 'Ballade’ had high scores and 'SEIMEI’ also received very good evaluations. That’s why, the expectations for my programmes this season is very high. But figure skating programmes are not in a series, and each can be made as a completely different thing. So inside me, this season is this season, it is clearly separated. Because of that, there is no negative thinking at all. I just want to be earnestly skating into it and skating into it, and it would be good if more and more comes out of it.

THIS SEASON’S AIMS:

—Approaching the season in a condition that cannot be said as perfectly well, is there anxiety?

Honestly, yes there is. Because of the anxiety, I was always thinking about what I can do at that time at each point, and I was able to do the preparations up to here. Of course it is not perfect, but I have no regrets about what I have done up to now, so I really want to just look ahead and skate.

—Your foot is not fully recovered, you are practising while getting treatment, how do you plan to compete for this season?

My feelings have not changed. I want to progress/evolve with each season. The layout also changes each year. I want to practise more and become better; I want to practise more and jump with consistency, I am practising with this kind of feelings.

The top priority is getting used to the programmes. This season I want to aim for higher. Not just about scores and evaluations, but to go to the limits of my abilities and to keep on aiming higher and higher. The music is also a new challenge for me.
The 'Ballade’ short programme was done over 2 years; something made over one year and something made over 2 years are completely different. I want to make this new one ready as soon possible. There are no limits. In any case, I just want to treasure the skating into the programmes of this season.

This season, there are all sorts of quads, the flow of the era has come.  The era of jumping more than 3 types of quads is here.  My free programme of 4 quads and 2 (triple) axels, it is tough.  I want to be able to do it with a 'constant perfect’, that is a first priority. 

END.

Translated by  yuzusorbet.tumblr.