The final show of this year's Fantasy on Ice bid goodbye to one figure skater who has made an impact in the history of the sport using the opening of Yuri!!! on Ice.
Fantasy on Ice, an annual ice show that tours around Japan wrapped up its final show in Kobe. The show opened up with a song that many Yuri!!! on Ice fans will recognize instantly, as it is likely part of their brain chemistry by now since they first heard it in 2016. A Yuri!!! on Ice fan Mika (@/_mika60_) edited a side-by-side comparison of the original "History Maker" opening against the opening number of the annual ice show Fantasy on Ice, sung live by Dean Fujioka, where numerous skaters, including American figure skater Johnny Weir and double Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu performed.
Yuri!!! on Ice Fan Were Born to Make History
Mika wrote, "I felt emotional while editing this!" a sentiment acutely felt by many fellow Yuri!!! on Ice and Yuzuru Hanyu fans for a number of reasons. Seeing a music number from Yuri!!! on Ice performed in real life by figure skaters will always remain one of the greatest things a fan can see and to see it performed on such a big stage with so many talented figure skaters, with a focus on real-life living legend Yuzuru Hanyu has caused many to shed tears. One commented, "this doesn't feel real I'm crying so hard," and another rejoicing, "YES WE WERE BORN TO MAKE HISTORY."
This particular show is an especially emotional one for Johnny Weir as the three-time National Champion and two-time Olympian announced his retirement from performing. As Weir is a well-known Yuri!!! on Ice fan, the fact that "History Maker" was performed for his final show is fitting. In his Instagram post where he donned a flower crown, an adornment Yuri!!! on Ice paid homage to, Weir wrote, "I never dreamt in a million years I'd be the kind of someone that would have the kind of send-off I did yesterday […] I felt like the champion I'd set out to be and that my moment of glory came for me." He ended his note thanking everyone who supported and loved him: "You made me feel like a champion of something far more valuable than gold, but of hearts. Thank you."
"History Maker" along with the rest of Yuri!!! on Ice's soundtracks have garnered praise. The opening theme song won Best Opening at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, IGN Awards, AnimeLand Grand Prix and Anime Grand Prix. When it aired, Yuri!!! on Ice, indeed, made history as one of the first anime not advertise as a BL to feature a same-sex relationship. Critics have also praised the series for its subversion of traditional representations of gender and sexuality and its sensitive handling of mental health issues.
Yuri!!! on Ice is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Source: Twitter