Two weeks prior to the actual show, Kaitlyn Weaver and Mitch Islam sent them choreography videos for the show, and they reportedly got everything perfectly ready in just two days of rehearsal. It also said that Riku and Ryu had been coached by Mitch in Canada.
Their next video after this will be about their dress rehearsal and the actual show of "The Destiny"
https://digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV7Y254PV7YOXIE00NM.html?ptoken=01KZDZXDC2KS8TMM9GVNWFCRYR
(The URL is valid for 24 hours)
Rio Nakata's Column in Asahi Shimbun
I spent June and July watching the soccer World Cup. I was rooting for both Japan and Portugal, though the results were disappointing... Still, I enjoyed the tournament right up to the final.
I actually played soccer until my final year of elementary school and dreamed of becoming a soccer player. My favorite player is Portugal's Ronaldo. My position was, of course, forward—I was a goal scorer. Sometimes I wonder how things might have turned out if I had chosen soccer instead (laughs).
On July 19 and 20, I performed for "Prince Ice World" (PIW) in Yokohama.
Since my father (Coach Makoto) was a former professional skater for PIW, it’s a show I’ve been familiar with since childhood, and I always look forward to it. It’s where I got my start. I’m told that my very first skating experience was skating backstage with Takahiko Kozuka when I was two years old—though, to be honest, I don’t remember it at all (laughs).
My earliest memory of skating dates back to my final year of kindergarten. I was enrolled in a skating class, and a friend who was a first-grader moved up to an advanced class. Wanting to join that higher class myself, I lied to the instructor, saying, "I'm a first-grader too—can I go to the advanced class?"... What I remember most vividly is my father finding out about the lie later and scolding me for it.
I’ve had the chance to watch videos of my father’s performances from the Prince Ice World (PIW) shows. I was struck by how skilled he was—his attention to detail extended right down to his fingertips. I realized that the power in my own skating comes from him. Also, like me, he excelled at the loop jumps. Since the job of an ice show skater is to put on a performance for the audience, watching them really teaches me a lot about presentation.
My father is someone I truly look up to. I rely on him heavily as a coach and respect him deeply as a person. He observes aspects of my skating that I can't see myself and offers me guidance. I honestly can't imagine where I’d be without him.
My mother supports me, too. During competitions, I usually rest at the hotel before my performance time. I’m the kind of person who gets incredibly nervous in those moments, and my mother is the one who helps me relax. We talk on the phone, and she sends me encouraging messages. Words like "Even if today doesn't go well, there's always tomorrow" have really stayed with me.
My mother is from UK, and I was actually born in her hometown of Cardiff, Wales. My grandparents live there, so I visit occasionally; I went there recently after the All Japan Championships. I like it there because it’s cooler than Japan.
My grandparents are just like my mother—they care about me deeply. Even though we’re separated by the distance between Japan and UK, they are always cheering me on. Thanks to the tremendous support of my family, I’m able to keep working hard.
https://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202608030000176.html
Register to view images and the full text for free (in Japanese)
Interview video in Japanese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SGXcJboFvs
>[Initial section omitted]
>―How do you feel about performing your FD program this season, "Akram Khan's Giselle"?
>Kushida: The program we performed today is our Free Dance for this season; the choreography was created with a focus on the atmosphere of modern ballet and contemporary dance.
>Shimada: It involves a very complex theme, which we aim to convey as best we can through our performance. When Kaitlyn (Weaver) and we were working on the choreography, we focused on themes like love and forgiveness within a society marked by inequality—quite heavy subjects—and we are expressing a story that emerges from that divided world. The opening choreography portrays a wall standing right in front of us—it’s something I’d really love for everyone to see (in the original ballet piece). The transitions in the piece, centered around that wall, are fascinating, so I hope skating fans and our supporters will check out the original program (Akram Khan's Giselle).
>―RikuRyu were very particular about having a competition-sized rink for this event. How did it feel to actually skate on it?
>Kushida: Skating the Free Dance here allowed us to perform just as we would in an actual competition; it really felt like a match, and it was very easy to skate.
>Shimada: I was incredibly nervous (laughs). But having the chance to perform our Free Dance for the first time in front of so many people was an invaluable opportunity. We gave it our all given our current capabilities, but since the season is just getting started, we want to keep refining and polishing the performance.
>―Do you find it difficult to skate in regular shows due to constraints on the course layout or rink size?
>Shimada: It’s extremely difficult (laughs).
>Kushida: (laughs)
>―What have you learned from Kaitlyn, like the mindset of an ice dancer? (Notes: In the video, a reporter flattered with the question mentioning Kaitlyn once called Ikura "My Muse" as a singles skater.)
>Kushida: She has choreographed for me a few times, and I truly respect her for her amazing ideas and imagination. She created this ice dance program for us, and watching her skating up close made me think, "I want to be able to skate like that."
>Shimada: As Ikura-chan mentioned, it really comes down to Kaitlyn’s creative ability. She choreographs for pairs and singles skaters too, and you can really sense her talent for production. I think that quality is reflected in this show as well; I truly respect the immeasurable nature and limitless scope of her talent. I would be delighted to have her continued support and collaboration in the future.
>[Omitted: Latter section]
^((For some reason, all the text disappeared when I first posted this. So, I deleted it and reposted this. ETA: and I just realized someone had commented on the one I deleted... I'm terribly sorry ( ﾉД`))...))
https://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202607310000259.html
Register as a member to view images and the full text FOR FREE (in Japanese)
>[Initial section omitted]
>―For the collaboration number, you performed alongside the team of Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava. It was a highly dramatic and intriguing routine that began with a partner swap; what are your thoughts on it?
>Volodin: Minerva will explain the story behind it, but for me personally, it was a fascinating experience—less about skating as a pair and more about skating as a foursome. I’m certain the audience will enjoy it, so please look forward to the performances starting tomorrow.
>Hase: Initially, our choreographer Kaitlyn (Weaver) described it as a duet, but partway through, she suggested we try a quartet instead. I was very curious about what it would entail, but after hearing the music, she told me, "I want you to perform a sexy dance with Luka" (laughs). It was a challenge that pushed me well beyond my usual comfort zone. We performed the full routine with all the elements for the first time during today’s dress rehearsal, and I feel it has become a special, dynamic number that captures the interplay of human emotions. Seeing Nikita dance with Anastasiia was wonderful, too. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the audience reacts starting tomorrow. If it’s well-received, I’d love for the four of us to perform it again in the future—perhaps at the European or World Championship galas (laughs).
>—Staying with the topic of the quartet number: there was a move where the four of you performed a death spiral together—was that a first for you? Also, did you face any challenges in pairing up with someone different than usual, or did you gain a renewed appreciation for the qualities of your own regular partner?
>Volodin: I can’t say one is better or worse, but skating with a different partner changes the tempo; even something as simple as a crossover involves a completely different rhythm. In that sense, there were some difficulties and challenges.
>Hase: Both Nikita and Luca are wonderful skaters with a very high baseline level of skill, so I didn't struggle much to sync up our rhythms. As for the double death spiral, that was actually a trick I learned here for the first time. The pair skaters from Canada and America knew how to do it, so they taught me. Honestly, I didn't find it all that difficult myself. It looks hard, but I think it’s actually easier than it appears.
>[Omitted: Latter section]
More photos below:
The Destiny official homepage (only in Japanese)
Live broadcast on August 2nd (Japan Time) on NittelePlus and Hulu Japan (VPN & subscription)
https://www.nitteleplus.com/program/thedestiny/
https://www.hulu.jp/livetv/902
*Edited to say it's Hulu Japan, which is different from Hulu USA.
ETA again for another link that includes the content of the rehearsal
https://x.com/miurariku1217/status/2082048924274356440/
Cast of The Destiny (Group numbers choreographed by Kaitlyn Weaver)
My prayers are with everyone affected by the Kumamoto earthquake that happened today.
Another Pokemon Skate Challenge event
with Tatsuya Tsuboi, Rena Uezono, Saki Miyake, Mai Mihara and Kaori Sakamoto
A demonstration video of the "POKÉDANCE" (Skating Version) featuring Pikachu in skates and Yuna Aoki, choreographed by Yuna herself. (Japanese subtitles only)
The "Pokémon Skate Challenge" is a joint initiative between the Japan Skating Federation and The Pokémon Company.
This project is held at skating rinks across Japan for children of elementary school age and younger, with the aim of introducing them to the joy of skating and the appeal of Pokémon.
https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/pokemon/
The below link is a making of the above video and the event with Satoko Miyahara, Sota Yamamoto, Keiji Tanaka, Yuna Aoki and Pikachus in skates. (Only in Japanese)
They are starting irregular "Slice of Life (日常/nichijou)" videos. No English, but Japanese subtitles.
Ryuichi wants to do some safe road biking videos, Riku wants to do some cooking and training videos. They are also planning to do some game videos (Momo-tetsu 桃鉄, Power Pros パワプロ, and Tokimeki Memorial ときめきメモリアル in particular). They also talk about visiting various stations in Japan (from their games)
<THIS CONTENT IS FROM LAST YEAR, but fully released today>
Stéphane joins the rehearsal and talks a bit about Shoma and Ice Brave...and his age
from 【A Quest for the "Ultimate Stage" | Behind the Scenes of Ice Brave | Toyota Times Sports】
The new season of Prince Ice World 2026-27 is named "The Revue on Ice"
Starring Ami Nakai, Yuma Kagiyama, Daisuke Takahasi & Kana Muramoto, Shizuka Arakawa, Nobunari Oda, Sota Yamamoto, Wakaba Higuchi, and Shun Sato
(Tatsuki Machida as MC for the special talk show)