CLAMP to Gift Us with Yuzuru Hanyu Picture Book

It was announced earlier today that all-female Japanese manga artist group CLAMP (Cardcaptor Sakura, xxxHOLiC) will draw a picture book tying into skater Yuzuru Hanyu’s upcoming solo ice show, “Gift”.

If you’ve been hanging around The Geekiary long enough, you’ll know that a few of us are major fans of figure skating. In particular, I am a major fan of Hanyu, the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Japan. (A photo of him performing his free skate, “Seimei”, at the Pyeongchang Olympics has been my desktop background since 2018.) Hanyu retired from competitive skating in July 2022 but still skates, even showcasing post-retirement skates on his YouTube Channel.

“Gift” is the latest in a long line of ice shows for Hanyu, who has performed several since retiring last summer. And it was Hanyu who approached CLAMP for the collaboration. According to the show’s official website, Hanyu was looking for additional ways – aside from skating – to express his stories. The book will feature Hanyu’s own words and be accompanied by CLAMP’s illustrations.

Hanyu said, “This time, I have created the story of ‘Gift’ by envisioning many different things. In my imagination, there is also a picture book story called ‘Gift,’ and I wanted CLAMP to bring it to life.”

“We were really surprised when we received this consultation,” said CLAMP. “We want to help deliver another ‘Gift’ conceived by Mr. Hanyu to everyone through this picture book, which is different from the unprecedented ‘Gift’ performance.”

“Gift” will take place at the Tokyo Dome on February 26. Kodansha is publishing the tie-in book. More information about the book will be released on social media and via special newspapers distributed at the event. Hopefully the book will be made available worldwide, because I need that like I need air.

After “Gift”, Hanyu’s next ice show will be March 10-11. “notte stellata” will be held in his home prefecture of Miyagi on the anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Hanyu is from Sendai City and was displaced by the earthquake in 2011.

Author: Jamie Sugah

Jamie has a BA in English with a focus in creative writing from The Ohio State University. She self-published her first novel, The Perils of Long Hair on a Windy Day, which is available through Amazon. She is currently an archivist and lives in New York City with her demon ninja vampire cat. She covers television, books, movies, anime, and conventions in the NYC area.

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