#fanyus

❄ NEW!! Morse code jewellery inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu 2/? ❄

Adding to this collection, you can now order bracelets that read:

CONTINUES WITH WINGS

PROLOGUE

GIFT

RE_PRAY

These pieces are a little different from my other collections - this set is made with iridescent blue beads meant to evoke the colour schemes used in the branding for Yuzu's ice shows.

All of the listings have options to add charms inspired by each show. For Continues With Wings, a feather; for Prologue, a tiny cog/gear; for GIFT, a fan that, when unfolded, reveals the image of a phoenix; and, for RE_PRAY, a little black bead that looks like a pixel or a pink-red heart representing video game lives. Ice skate charms are also available for all of these!

There are custom listings available for this collection too if you'd like any of these pieces in my usual range of colours, or if you'd like a custom message inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu coded into a bracelet or necklace!

You can check them all out on Etsy.

I follow figure skating for some time and actually my overall view was that since I follow it, the rivalry narrative has been mostly created by media and some fans. I follow skating roughly since 2009. I think the most drama is always created by fans not the skaters themselves.

Though ofc there are those old scandals ppl know about like the Tonya Harding story in the 90s or how Plushenko and Yagudin both openly stated that they hate each other while they were competitors. Also how Plushenko didn't respect him finishing behind Lysacek in 2010 and how he stepped on first place first before getting to his position. Yeah there definitely were also other times.

I think though that those extremes were rare and not the norm, but as I didn't follow skating closely then I cannot really tell. I mean even nowadays it's not about how everyone is friends and everyone gets along with everyone, that would be a lie. It's not true. And ofc there are rivalries in training groups and at competitions, but my overall impression is that it's seldomly nasty. I think in the end skaters all are much aware of the sacrifices that everyone has to go through and everyone knows how hard this sport is and how politics influence competitions etc. So with sharing those experiences you can see a bond. It's told by many skaters that the skating community is like a family. And though it's through a social media lense you can see how they often support each other, how they post pictures with one another. I don't think that's fake.

Yuzu is special in many ways. I think how Yuz treats his fellow competitors is mainly rooted in his own experience with haters and ofc his own personality. Yuzu had his own share of bad experience with fans in 2012 Nationals when he beated Daisuke Takahashi, the most popular Japanese skater at that time, and they booed Yuzu for winning. (though ofc there are fans who dement that this has ever been the case, there is video evidence though) I think Yuzu at that point decided that he didn't want anyone get through the same thing and this is why he has always been very supportive of his juniors and also always has been very respectful to the other skaters, especially the winners. I think especially shown his attitude in Nationals 2019 with his own disappointment but still he had only positive words to say about Shoma and even said he was happy for him. A moment I will cherish forever as a fan of Yuzu and Shoma. ❤️

I do think you are right that Yuzu helped create an environment of respect for other skaters. And yes if toxic fans would actually respect Yuzu and listen to his words, they would not act like that. I am not sure if you can really say Yuzu is the reason it became friendlier off-ice, but surely Yuzu was the one to make sure the rivalries he was involved were friendly and respectful and this definitely had an impact on the new generation of skaters. Yuzu does have quite an influence even inside the skating community so I am sure his way helped.

I think a major problem is that the skaters are very much aware of the hatred by fans. Even already back in October 2017 it was reported by newspapers about the fanwars between Yuzu and Shoma fans and Yuzu was quoted saying, that he doesn't like to talk about Shoma much because he wants to protect him from the haters. At another point Yuzu also said he doesn't like to say much about Shoma because his words get twisted to hurt Shoma. Shoma also said at one point "hate me all you want". So it's sad to see that though Yuzu even said things like that it doesn't get respected by his own fans.

Imo toxic fans aren't real fans. Those ppl are attention seekers and trouble makers. I think they are miserable with their own life and cannot tolerate other ppl being happy about things they don't like as they think their opinion is the only one valid. I think a lot of toxic Fanyus are actually only Fanyus because Yuzu has the most fans atm, because he won a lot of titles and because he is unproblematic because he does not share his personal life or opinions on it at all. It's easy to make someone a saint and godlike figure because obviously he doesn't have any flaws according to them. So everyone else in comparison ofc cannot stand against their god. They completely neglect Yuzuru Hanyu the human being who obviously also has flaws, who isn't always perfect, who won't always win, who makes mistakes. I don't deny that they may like his skating too, but I think being this loud and toxic is just for attention and not because they care about Yuzu the human. If they would care they would respect his work, his words about other skaters, accept his flaws and defeat (when he can accept that he lost, why can't they?) and respect his friends and rivals. But they care only for themselves.

The problem with toxic fans on Twitter is that they are not a minority anymore, which is changing the perception of the fandom. Twitter has a general problem with cancel culture in many different fandoms. The more attention those toxic fans get, the more it becomes the norm of how Yuzu fans act, because apparently if a lot of ppl do it, it's ok. (though obviously it's not.) There are accounts that actively create a picture of Yuzu being the victim of everyone and everything and everyone new asking will only get their version. The problem with the "Fanyu cult" is that they actively go after accounts not buying their narratives, they bullied some ppl into deleting their accounts, sometimes even among their own (like Iron_Klaus for example).

I am not sure if the fandom really got more toxic or if I am just more aware of what is going on in the fandom. Fanwars were always a thing I fear. I think the one I first experienced was the Mao Asada vs Yuna Kim aera. I always liked them both equally so when I got more into the fandom I was quite shocked to see the vicious attacks on both sides of fans. There was also some very nasty time when Evgenia Medvedeva rose in the ranks and beated Yuna Kim's records. And also before her when Adelina Sotnikova won against Yuna Kim in Sochi 2014 (imo it should not have happened and this may be my biggest grudge ever, but there is no reason to send death threats to Sotnikova).

Though generally I fear any fandom always has their share of really bad fans who aren't interested in creating a friendly environment but are only keen on getting their own points across, no matter how disrespectful or hateful their opinion is. It sadly is human nature that there are a lot of bad unhappy ppl in the world and some ppl only find attention in fandom.

Just for clarification I don't think Yuzu is at fault for what his toxic fans do. And actually I don't even think it would help if Yuzu would say something about it. It's not in his control. I think it's very sad that fans are turned off from the fandom or Yuzu as a skater because of what his toxic fans do. And imo as skaters can see the hate and use the sns themselves and google their own name even, it also isolates Yuzu within the skating community, I fear that skaters cannot be with Yuzu freely without fearing being attacked (just look at what happened to Boyang Jin and Misha Ge when they shared pictures with Yuzu they got harassed as attention seekers. Or how Andrei Mozalev allegedly got death threats because he apparently was at fault for the hole in the ice that caused Yuzu to pop his 4S.) (Edit: it was brought to my attention that there is no actual proof of fans sending death threats, so maybe it is exaggerated, but Mozalev definetly got his share of bad comments and direct messages sended to him on Istagram, so make up your own mind if true or not)

You dont have to bring someone down to raise someone up. Im mainly talking about ilia here, but there are many, many skaters that some weird fanyus will bring down. If you dont know by now, Ilia malinin landed the 4a in practice. You’d think that people who love someone (yuzuru) thats so kind, so humble, and respectful to everyone, whether they beat him, whether they lost, whoever it is, would actually be happy for Ilia. But, no. Ive seen reposts of his 4a, and some people in the comments/replies decide to throw things at him. Like, “Its not perfect!” Or, “Under rotated!”. Keep in mind, some of these people dont know anything about figure skating. Some just like to throw terms around. Not all, but some. One comment even said, “Its just in practice. It means nothing.” And even though they were the only one who said this, im sure many people have said it on different videos of it. Werent the ones complaining that it was only in practice, the same ones obsessing over Yuzuru’s (not cleanly rotated) 4a in jnats practice (2021)? Saying things like, “G.O.A.T!”, or, “I knew he could do it!”. Im not trying to hate on Yuzuru, dont get me wrong, i think hes one of the best figure skaters out there, but, that doesnt change the fact that his 4a wasnt clean. What im trying to say here, is that fanyus are shooting down someone who landed it perfectly. They’re bringing down a kid. He’s 17, and their making him feel as if his 4a wasnt as good as it is. He said himself that reading what the crazy fanyus are saying about his 4a, makes him feel less excited that he actually landed the 4a perfectly. Fanyus like this, my friends, are the reason that many people in the figure skating community hate fanyus. Stop shooting down a kid, because you’re upset he did something amazing. Ilia is an amazing skater, and has a bright future ahead of him. What i find very funny is that some fanyus are even acting as if ilia landing it personally offended them. I will admit, I understand that they may be a little upset yuzuru wasnt the first to land it, and yes, perhaps i was a little sad when i saw that yuzuru wasnt the first, but, in the end, i was, and still am happy for ilia. So, instead of being a jerk, be happy for Ilia. Thats what Hanyu would want.  Sorry if i made spelling/grammar errors, and good day.

First throwing shit at Javi bc he said that “hey, maybe a hole in the ice can contribute to an sloppy program, but not justify it” by calling him a liar and trying to “Cancell” him for the 5th time, and then attacking Shoma bc he said that Nathan had a great season and was rooting for him at worlds, acting as if he also said that he hated Hanyu with a passion and wished he retired alredy, and, of course, trying to “cancell” him as well, this time being the 4th attempt. Ya bunch even went to attack Brian Orser, his coach, for some likes on Ig posts. What’s wrong with you?!

If you talk about Yuzuru if is not to praise him, you’re the spawn of satan, and if you don’t mention him AT ALL while cheering for your other competitors, you’re the spawn of satan as well. It’s a lose-lose situation with you bunch.