Yuzuru Hanyu: “The satisfaction of defeating tough opponents after preparing thoroughly is thrilling. I don’t like not being able to do something – that’s just part of my nature. That mindset, I think, is what brought me to where I am today.”

Yuzuru Hanyu reflects on curiosity, perfectionism, and the joy of discovery.

original source: Hochi News dd. July 17th 2025

To mark his third anniversary since turning professional, Yuzuru Hanyu shared insights about his curiosity-driven mindset and attention to detail in the third installment of a special interview series with Sports Hochi. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Hochi News.

A Love for Details: Reading Manuals and Perfecting Strategy

Hanyu admits that his perfectionism extends to even the smallest aspects of life, starting with his preference for studying manuals before using devices or starting new tasks: “I’ve loved reading instruction manuals since I was a child, though people find it strange. I prefer to fully understand something before starting. I’m someone who wants to know the reasoning behind things before doing them – it’s just part of my cautious personality. You could say I have a researcher’s mindset.”

Even when playing role-playing games (RPGs), Hanyu’s thorough preparation takes center stage: “Most people dislike spoilers and only look at guides after playing through a game to discover things they missed. But I’m the exact opposite – I check guides from the start! I need to examine strategies, dungeon layouts, and how to fight before I can dive in. It’s just who I am.”

This meticulous approach translated into his creative work on his ice story performance, RE_PRAY, where he drew ethical and philosophical elements from gaming worlds to enrich the storyline. As someone who enjoys puzzles and structure, Hanyu’s gaming preferences currently involve exploring various storylines for inspiration:

“Right now, I’m ‘exploring’ – gathering material for stories. I like to play on the easiest difficulty at first to simply enjoy the storyline. Then, after completing it once, I switch to the hardest mode. The satisfaction of defeating tough opponents after preparing thoroughly is thrilling. I don’t like not being able to do something – that’s just part of my nature. That mindset, I think, is what brought me to where I am today.”

The Challenge of Other Pursuits Compared to Skating

Hanyu admits that his high standards developed through skating sometimes create challenges in other areas of interest: “I’ve spent 26 years refining my skills in skating, but when I try something else, I frustrate myself thinking, ‘Why can’t I do this?’ It can make me want to give up. Skating has been my life’s work, and the gap between that mastery and my amateur level in other things can be extreme.”

A Fascination with Music: Bass, Drums, and Sound Quality

While Hanyu’s artistic expression on ice is often enhanced through music, he also harbors a strong interest in playing musical instruments, particularly the bass and drums: “I really want to play the bass and drums. But even if I try hard, I feel like I wouldn’t be very good at it. Maybe I’d get hooked, but my skill in skating is so far developed that compared to that, playing music would feel like I’m in the ‘egg stage.’ It’s like cracking the shell, realizing it’s too soon, and backing out,” he joked.

When asked why he’s drawn to these particular instruments, Hanyu immediately replied: “Because I love their sound quality.”

Hanyu explained that when listening to music, his focus naturally gravitates toward basslines and drum beats: “I might listen to the bassline while following the vocal melody. Sometimes I focus on the bass even before noticing the vocals. But maybe I actually pay the most attention to the drums – I think I listen a lot to the drumming. I must have an ear that’s naturally inclined that way.”

Endless Curiosity: A Source of Creative Inspiration

Hanyu attributes much of his creative expression to his inherent curiosity and openness to exploring new ideas: “Curiosity – yes, I definitely have it. I think it all ties into creativity. Whether it’s the frustration of failure or moments of joy, the swirl of emotions we experience in everyday life becomes the root of all creative work. I want to cherish those emotions while expanding the range of my creative output. Rather than simply drifting through life, I want to truly feel and experience as much as I can each day.”

Related topics: Yuzuru Hanyu