Yuzuru Hanyu, the 2014 and 2018 men's Olympic champion who announced his retirement from competition in July, took to the ice Friday in the premiere of his original new show.
Illuminated by a spotlight on the darkened Pia Arena MM ice, Hanyu warmed up for six minutes as he used do in competition before a packed house of 7,900.
After performing to the composition "Seimei," which had accompanied his Pyeongchang Olympic free skate, during which he executed a quad salchow and toe-loop, Hanyu received a standing ovation.
He also debuted a new program he called "Itsuka owaru yume" -- A dream that someday will end.
"The expression and responses I got from the crowd were more than enough," he said. "In that sense, I think I succeeded."
He titled his creation, his first ice show performance since June, "Prologue," in reference to it being the start of the next story in his career.
"I want to do everything I can to push beyond the boundaries of figure skating, and if going forward I have a story, that will be it," he said.
Hanyu will perform the show again in Yokohama on Saturday, and three more times in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 2, 3, and 5.
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