“Stephane Lambiel once said “it felt like I fell in love” after seeing a performance by Tatsuki Machida, didn’t he? I don’t think I ever hear such impressions in other sports. I saw Machida perform his Dark Eyes program (choreographed by Miyamoto-sensei) at Fantasy On Ice 2010 and Stephane, who had just retired, was also there. I think he was probably drawn to Machida at that time.”
- Sayo Yamamoto, creator of Yuri!!! On Ice (source)