In a since-deleted post, Yuzuru Hanyu and Dean Fujioka pose with choreographer David Wilson. Fantasy on Ice has starts tomorrow in Niigata. Official cutouts have been brought to the training rink, and multiple skaters have photographed them. Johnny Weir made a reel and tagged Yuri on Ice PR.
Maybe it is the copium talking, but my question is why?
Why bring the cutouts? The kiss and cry one is typically only seen at official events. If they are there just for skaters to take pictures with and post - why? Yuri on Ice has been absent from advertising and merchandise for a long time, now. This is helping to bring it back into the spotlight, especially paired with Dean Fujioka performing “History Maker”. This all seems very suspicious.
I personally think this could potentially be a first step towards bringing Yuri on Ice back into the spotlight, gearing up for news coming soon.
Call it OA or anything of the sort but new viewers will not know how big of a thing YoI was in 2016. It basically had Tumblr on a chokehold for two years and when the infamous episode 7 aired, Crunchyroll literally broke down. It was the dark horse anime of the season. No one had any expectations from it but it still ended up being so beloved by viewers and brought together multiple communities: the otaku community, the ice skating community, and the LGBT+ community. For many people, including myself, it was not just a series but something that gave everyone a place to belong. The fandom spaces were filled with nothing but support. People were discovering and rediscovering their passions because of the anime and it was just such a wonderful time. It was also when LGBT+ representation in media was still scarce so having (heavily implied) gay characters on a mainstream anime was a big deal. I remember an incident when Kubo-sensei receiving hate mails from some viewers saying that the show was not realistic enough bc where tf was the homophobia?? To which Kubo-sensei answered that the world already had so much of it that she wanted to create a world where love could flourish without the hate. And it made me appreciate the show even more. Kubo-sensei and Sayo-san were such beloved figures to the community. It was because of their dedication that we could witness something wonderful on screen.
So, yeah. I think I just want to say that I might never find it in my heart to overcome my dislike toward MAPPA. YoI is one of the animes that put their name in the map today. It was because of two women had a dream they wanted to share. It was because of the fandom who forgave every flaw and has patiently waited for the "Next Stage" even after eight years. It was because of the hope to witness more about the two L's of these characters. And yet it was all for naught.
I will always love YoI. It will always have a special place in my heart. And I will forever be saddened that we will never see Yuri Katsuki win gold.
It was a beautiful journey. Until Next Stage, History Makers. 💕
The photo has been reposted, and more followed! According to Japanese fans on Twitter, Yuzuru had the lead role (accompanied by other skaters) in the opener which was History Maker! (I think just the first half though?) I’ve been told there will be a broadcast in about a week!
I still think there is something going on in YOI world 👀 I never expected news from this event, but I do see it potentially being used as a way to reintroduce Yuri on Ice to the spotlight and push it into the front of everyone’s minds. I know everyone says “the hype never died”, and that may be true in our hearts, but fans (understandably so) have gotten less vocal over the years. This certainly has everyone talking again!