Yuzuru Hanyu discusses bond with Winnie the Pooh in new interview

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original Winnie the Pooh, a special project featuring professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu has been released. The collaboration includes a memory book titled ‘To Pooh: Yuzuru Hanyu and Winnie the Pooh Memory Book,’ which includes a Winnie the Pooh plushie dressed in replicas of Hanyu’s iconic skating costumes, such as ‘SEIMEI’ and ‘Ballade No. 1.’

In a newly released exclusive interview video, Hanyu discussed his emotional connection to the character. He revealed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he had to compete without a coach, the presence of his Winnie the Pooh plushies provided significant emotional support. Hanyu stated, “I was competing alone, but because these little ones were there, I often felt like I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t lonely. I was getting strength from them.”

The memory book set also features a reproduction of a handwritten letter by Hanyu and a large B2 poster. The product has already seen commercial success, reaching the top of the Rakuten Books weekly rankings in the film and other genres category.