Prince Ice World Celebrates 40th Anniversary
With a variety of programs filled with history
Long-awaited Hiroshima concert for the first time in 10 years
Prince Ice World 2018 - ROAD OF THE ICE - Hiroshima Performance
Prince Ice World celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018. As it weaves its history, the glamour and stage performance capabilities continue to evolve and attract more and more fans to visit. The theme for this milestone was "ROAD OF THE ICE," and for the first time in 10 years, Prince Ice World held a long-awaited tour of Hiroshima with a program filled with the culmination of 40 years of experience, with a total of four performances held over two days on August 18 (Sat) and 19 (Sun), 2018. At the same time, a charity fund-raising event was also held to raise funds for the West Japan Torrential Rain Disaster of 2008, not only bringing smiles and energy in the glamorous world on the ice, but also dreams and hopes.
One of the highlights of this year's Hiroshima performance was the final appearance at Prince Ice World by Tatsuru Machida, who announced his retirement as a performer in October of this year. While he has continued to create new figure skating pieces while searching for a new form of figure skating after his retirement, this will be his last appearance at the Prince Ice Worlds. Fans came from all over the prefecture and beyond, cheering, encouraging, and expressing their appreciation for the fateful coincidence of his first appearance at the Prince Ice Worlds ice show in Hiroshima and his last appearance in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Also appearing for the first time in Hiroshima Prefecture will be Evgeny Plushenko, the world-renowned professional skater and Russia's "Czar of Russia. Many performers will include Takeshi Honda, Nobunari Oda, Miki Ando, Kanako Murakami, Takahiko Kozuka, current active skater Detective Tanaka, sisters Mochiyui Honda and Sarai Honda, and the Prince Ice World Team, the only professional figure skating team in Japan (26 members in total).
In addition, "Sarah Oline," who is said to be "a diva who charms people with her voice that exceeds three octaves and her fantastic violin," appeared as an artist guest. Her voice, which has been scientifically proven to have a healing effect called "1/f fluctuation," and her collaboration with guest skater Kanako Murakami created an atmosphere of elegance and grace throughout the venue.
*Daisuke Takahashi, who was scheduled to perform, unfortunately had to suspend his program performance at the Hiroshima show due to an injury sustained during practice. This report includes his comments delivered to fans at the rink.
This year's program was themed "ROAD OF THE ICE," and featured team dances and group numbers unique to Prince Ice World. Unlike previous years, both the first and second parts of the program started with performances by the Prince Ice World team, interspersed with guest skaters in the middle of the program, and ended with a team performance. I got the impression that the program was not only the culmination of 40 years of history, but also a challenge for the future.
The background music was "Arigato 528," a song created for Prince Ice World by Eikon Hibino, who performs using the relaxing sound of 528 Hz, and was used as the theme song for the 40th anniversary. The theme song was "Arigato 528" written for Prince Ice World by "Eikon Hibino".
After the show, one of the main attractions of Prince Ice World was the "Touching Time," where fans expressed their support and gratitude by handing bouquets of flowers and gifts directly to the guests and cast members, while the performers responded to requests to pose for the camera, expressed their gratitude, and offered other polite services. The performers were impressive in the way they politely offered their services, such as responding to requests to pose for the camera, saying thank you, etc.
*This report is a summary of the second performance on the first day and the first performance on the second day.
venue
Hiroshima Sunplaza Hall
date(s) (e.g. for exhibition)
August 18 (Sat.) and 19 (Sun.), 2018 2 days, 4 performances in total
Composition and Direction
Imamura's shrew (Sorex imamurae)
performance
Regular performers
Prince Ice World Team (total 26 members), Takeshi Honda
Guest skaters
Evgeny Plushenko / Daisuke Takahashi / Tatsuru Machida / Miki Ando / Nobunari Oda / Kotsuhiko Kozuka / Kanako Murakami / Detective Tanaka / Mochiyu Honda / Sarai Honda
Guest Artists
Sarah Orain
organizing
Hiroshima Home Television / Yamaguchi Asahi Broadcasting Corporation / Nihonkai Television / The Chugoku Shimbun / Prince Ice World Hiroshima Executive Committee
special sponsorship
Mitsui Shopping Park Alpark
support
Nishikido / Sekiwa Real Estate Chugoku / Oshu Corporation / Marimo / EDION / Cosmetic Royal / Karada Kobo
support
Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education / Hiroshima City / Hiroshima City Board of Education / Japan Skating Federation / Hiroshima Prefectural Skating Federation / Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Corporation / Ehime Asahi Television / The Asahi Shimbun Company / Hiroshima FM Broadcasting
cooperation
Oita Asahi Broadcasting Corporation / Yume-nanjichi
planning and production
Prince Hotel / GAKUON Unity Face
assistance in news gathering
Venue
Long lines formed around the venue even before the doors opened, and the lobby was filled with fans from start to finish, with limited-edition goods commemorating the 40th anniversary and the Hiroshima concert also on sale.
Commemorative goods for the full house at the Hiroshima concert.
Hiroshima Limited Momiji Manju" by Prince Ice World x Nishikido and "Emadoll" lingerie inspired by the Hiroshima Carp's symbolic color red were given to all the performers by "GAKUON Unity Face", the planning and production company.
Prince Ice World Team
Japan's only professional team of 26 professional figure skaters, the “KARAKE” is a figure skating entertainment show with a long history of 40 years, specializing in "group dances" performed by skaters working together as a team. Since this year's show was the culmination of 40 years of figure skating, the production and costumes for each program were more spectacular and powerful than in previous years, creating a dramatic and dramatic world.
Kids Skater
Guests (in order of appearance)
Detective Tanaka.
Main Results
2016, 2017 Second place at the All-Japan Championships
2018 Four Continents Championships, 4th place
Participated in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics
Participated in the World Championships in 2017 and 2018
Among the hard expressions of high jumps, spins, and other moves performed with elongated limbs, what particularly caught the eye were the eyes overflowing with the strong will of an active competitor who has competed on many rinks, and the expression of a mature man overflowing with melancholy and sex appeal. Fans cheered with joy at the choreography using costumes not seen in the competition.
Takeshi Honda
▼ Main Results
1998 Nagano Olympics
Winner of the Four Continents Championships in 1999 and 2003
2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, 4th place
2002, 2003 World Championships, 3rd place
One of the pioneers of Japanese men's figure skating who has come to be recognized around the world. He has poured his heart and soul into figure skating for the past 20 years since his participation in the Nagano Olympics. At the commemorative performance for the 40th anniversary of Prince Ice World, he carefully and successfully executed each move as if he was building up his own history, and his proud and imposing figure skating performance was met with loud and proud applause.
Takahiko Kozuka
▼ Main Results
2010 Vancouver Olympics, 8th place
2010 All-Japan Champion
2011 World Championships, 2nd place
2014 Four Continents Championships, 2nd place
The audience applauded loudly as he performed the light and challenging steps that have been the talk of the town since his active career. Takahiko Kozuka's sharp glances, dynamic choreography in collaboration with the PIW team, kisses to the audience, and other funny and comical moments fascinated the audience with his unique expressions.
Sarai Honda
▼ Main Results
2017 All Japan Championship Novice B Class Winner
In her solo performance, she showed off her cute and innocent expressions and gestures as a young girl while performing martial arts-like choreography to the tune of "Kung fu Panda," and also performed a series of triple and double jumps with great energy. The audience was entertained from start to finish, and the event gave us high hopes for her future success.
Artist Guest Sarah Olain
As the singing voice echoed through the hall, which has been scientifically proven to contain a healing effect known as "f-minute fluctuation," the atmosphere in the hall changed from the heat of the past to that of a natural silver world with a clear sky and gentle breezes blowing in the air.
Collaborator Kanako Murakami beautifully expressed her view of the world with her feminine and supple skating, and the sound of sighs escaping from fans mesmerized by her beauty could be heard.
Kanako Murakami
▼ Main Results
2010 GP Final, 3rd place
2013 World Championships, 4th place
2014 Sochi Olympics
Winner, Four Continents Championships, 2014
She expressed the grace and beauty of an adult woman with guest artist Sarah Oline. While occasionally showing off her natural innocence, her dignified appearance showed that she has made great strides both as a woman and as a skater.
Honda Nozomu
▼ Main Results
2016 All Japan Novice Championship, 6th place
Participated in the All-Japan Junior Championships in 2017
She used the expressive power she has cultivated as an actress and TV personality to convey the joy of skating with her body, including her fingertip movements and eye contact. The audience cheered loudly when she finished skating with her charming smile, which still had an innocent look to it, and her femininity as she gradually climbed the ladder to adulthood.
Daisuke Takahashi
▼ Main Results
2006 Torino Olympics, 8th place
2010 Bronze medal, Vancouver Olympics
2010 World Champion
2014 Sochi Olympics, 6th place
Due to an injury sustained during practice, after consulting with doctors and trainers, she had no choice but to take a serious medical leave of absence from Prince Ice World Hiroshima. However, for the sake of the fans who came to see the show, she took to the ice and greeted them with a microphone.
I am sorry for the worry and inconvenience I have caused to all the fans who have been looking forward to this event, as well as to the organizers and everyone else involved. Although I will not be able to ski, I have come here to at least say hello to you all. I am very sorry for your loss, but I hope to make adjustments for the competition in October, so that everyone can see Daisuke Takahashi skating in his typical way. My hometown was also affected by the torrential rains in western Japan. It was a very sad event. However, I feel that we should not only look down but also help each other to survive. I will do my best. The situation is still dangerous, but to those who have been affected by the disaster and to those who are going to help, please be safe, put your lives first, and take care of yourselves. Thank you so much for coming today. I look forward to your continued support."
Miki Ando
▼ Main Results
2006: Participated in the Torino Olympics
World Champion in 2007 and 2011
2010 Vancouver Olympics, 5th place
Aggressive choreography that seemed to bring out the best of their abilities from their appearances in ice shows around the world, and a breathtaking collaboration with the PIW team. The audience stood and applauded and cheered for the program, which fully expressed the strength of will to live life in one's own way, emotional conflicts, and sadness, and the applause did not cease until the audience had lost sight of the performers.
Tatsuru Machida
▼ Main Results
2010 Four Continents Championships, 2nd place
2013 All Japan Championships, 2nd place
2014 Sochi Olympics, 5th place
2014 World Championships, 2nd place
He is known as a "philosopher on ice" for his deep interpretation of music and artistic expression. His originality and unadorned appearance captivate the audience from the moment he steps on the ice. Even at the end of the program, the audience was still drawn into the worldview of the skater, with the volume of her music kept to an absolute minimum, the sound of ice shaving, and her own breath. Since the Hiroshima performance was the last time she would appear at the Prince Ice Worlds, fans quietly watched her final skate with handmade banners.
Nobunari Oda
▼ Main Results
2006 Four Continents Champion
2006 World Championships, 4th place
2008 All-Japan Championship Winner
2010 Vancouver Olympics, 7th place
As soon as she stepped out onto the ice, she performed a series of triple jumps with great energy, and the audience was instantly heated up. Familiar songs were played in the medley, and the audience sang and danced along with them. The speed of the dancers did not wane until the end of the show, as they jumped high and high again and again, showing their high potential that has not waned at all.
Evgeny Plushenko
Silver medal, Salt Lake City Olympics, 2002
2006 Olympic Gold Medal, Turin, Italy
2010 Vancouver Olympics Silver Medal
2014 Sochi Olympics, gold medal in the team competition
Evgeny Plushenko, the Russian emperor who has won numerous international championships and two gold and two silver medals at the Olympics. The overwhelming presence of the Russian athletes in the spotlight was a sight to behold. Not only did he show off his jumps and speedy, crisp steps, but he also demonstrated a level of entertainment perfection that can only be described as impressive. For just a few minutes, the audience was drawn into the world of the absolute Plushenko, and the eyes of everyone in the hall were riveted.
Composition/Direction: Imamura Nezumi
Profile
Born in Hokkaido. After working with the theater company Yumeno Yuminsha, he founded THE CONVOY SHOW in 1986.
He wrote, composed, and directed all of the productions, and performed in them himself. He created a stage that incorporated a wide variety of elements and captivated the audience.
In 2006, he went to Korea by himself to create a Korean cast version of his masterpiece "ATOM" and realized a long-run performance. The production received great acclaim and was performed again in 2009.
In 2012, he also started his own one-man stage series "Nez Channel".
Recent major performances include the stage productions of ‘Silk Socks," "THE 39 STEPS - Chasing the Secret Code," "Kisaragi," "Six Weeks of Dance Lessons," "Wojtsek," and others. He has also directed numerous productions. He received the 35th Kazuo Kikuta Drama Award and the 12th "The Hit Maker '99" in the theater category.
Artist Guest Sarah Olain
Born in Australia. Vocalist, violinist, songwriter, copywriter and translator. Multilingual in English, Japanese, Italian, and Latin.
He began playing the violin at the age of five, and his talent was discovered by Perry Hart, the younger brother of Simon Goldberg (a renowned violinist who became concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of just 20), and he studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and then at the University of Sydney, where he graduated with a High Distinction. After graduating from the University of Sydney with a High Distinction, he studied at the University of Tokyo. While a student at the University of Tokyo, he was also a member of the ensemble for the video game "Xenoblade".
In 2012, she made her major label debut with Universal Music, and her voice, which has a range of over three octaves, has been scientifically proven to contain a healing effect called “one-fifth fluctuation”. It has been scientifically proven that her voice, which has more than 3 octaves, contains a healing effect called "f/1 Fluctuation".
Her first album “Celeste” was featured on JAL and ANA international flights and reached No. 1 on the iTunes Vocal Chart, and her second album "SARAH" and "SARAH Deluxe" reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart for 13 consecutive years. Wrote the vocals and English lyrics for "The Final Time Traveler" (composed by Hideki Sakamoto), the ending theme song for the video game "Time Travelers". For this song, she performed with Yuzuru Hanyu. She was also selected to perform at the Grand Prix Final and the World Championships exhibition. From the album "f", she produced the album herself, and her 4th album "ANIMA" was No.1 on the Billboard Classic Chart for 3 weeks in a row since its release.
She has appeared on TV shows, been a radio personality, sung commercial songs, collaborated on figure and ice shows, and sang the theme song for the Moomin movie ”Moomins and The Winter Wonderland” to be released in winter 2017. The Moomin film "Moomins and The Winter Wonderland" is scheduled to be released in the winter of 2017.
The theme song “Little Doll” (NHK Drama 10) from their 4th album "ANIMA" (released on Feb. 22) has already reached No. 1 on the iTunes Classic chart.
Theme song: Eikon Hibino "Arigato 528
▼ Profile
Born in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
In January 2015, he made his major debut from TAICHIKU ENTERTAINMENT. 528Hz was composed from a music theory and medical point of view. His method was highly acclaimed and he won the 57th Japan Record Award. He has established his own position as a 528Hz composer and pianist who creates "music with function", and has created healing spaces as the theme music and BGM at Prince Ice World Oita and Kumamoto concerts held during the Kumamoto and Oita earthquakes in 2016.
He is the only 528Hz composer and pianist in Japan who creates "music with function" that has never existed before.
Venue BGM creates a healing space with visuals and music!
Prince Ice World 40th Anniversary Theme Song "Arigato 528
set list
Act. 1
Opening
The Way You Look Tonight
Time Check
Let Me Entertain You
Guest
New Year's Day
Right Place Right Time
What Are Words
Be Lonely
I Bet My Life
Smile
Guest
Don't Stop Me Now
Act. 2
The Greatest Show
This is Me
Rewrite The Stars
Guest
Begin Again
The Show Must Go On
We Are the World
Story Of My Life
Guest
From Now On
Finale
Let Me Entertain You
Never Letting Go
