We all know that Japan loves cats. But what do Japan’s cats love? If these photos are anything to go by, the answer is simple: figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu.
With seven gold medals to his name, one for men’s singles in the 2014 Winter Olympics, 21-year-old figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu has built up quite the following since his professional debut, without thousands of adoring fans tweeting about him whenever his performances are broadcast on Japanese television.
Known for his signature Biellmann spins and impressive triple axels, Hanyu’s technique has impressed judges and won over viewers the world over, but none more so, it would seem, than Japan’s feline residents, whose owners have been sharing photos of them staring at the skater on their TV sets, seeming transfixed by his performances:
▼ “My cat concentrating hard on watching Hanyu skate. LOL Even after I took this he continued watching for over a minute!”
https://twitter.com/0324_Rin/status/670583472914698241▼ “My cat is also transfixed by Yuzuru Hanyu.”
うちの猫も羽生さまに魅了された模様です。 pic.twitter.com/8bSlczUMqJ
— 30までに結婚出来なかったら〇ぬ (@peeee_moe) December 13, 2015
▼ “He’s rooted to the spot watching Hanyu spin…”
https://twitter.com/kaya0628/status/675271701974806529▼”Hanyu was amazing, wasn’t he? Even Kohana got excited.”
https://twitter.com/mikohamin/status/676042009220538368▼ Yet more feline love for the young skater.
羽生さんPチャンではテレビにくっついて全然見せてくれなかったうちの猫、ダイスの時はどけてくれた pic.twitter.com/6DHaPsr9Ne
— ろこひー (@uroko65) November 1, 2015
▼ “I couldn’t watch Hanyu’s amazing performance because the cat was in the way…”
https://twitter.com/FunLolcat/status/671950408886181888▼ Adoration or jealousy?
猫さんも興奮しちゃう程の羽生くんの実力‹‹( ˙▿˙ )/››ｼﾒｼﾞ pic.twitter.com/FJvAHuLh1Q
— えのきとしめじ(猫) (@eno_shime_cats) December 13, 2015
▼ “He’s been like that ever since Hanyu appeared…”
羽生くんが出てからずっとこう pic.twitter.com/E0LbyYw7tH
— まろとえん (@hi_maro_ho) December 13, 2015
▼ “He stole the best spot for Hanyu’s performance.”
そしてこちらが、羽生くんが滑る時に急にテレビの一番前に陣取り出したうちの猫(♀5歳) >RT pic.twitter.com/EVxP53PEBn
— suika@目黒マドンナ (@raki723) December 14, 2015
▼ This cute little pair love Hanyu’s crazy spins!
https://twitter.com/10969kaho_mfs/status/676024659687563264
Perhaps we’ve been getting cats wrong all these years by giving them fluffy toys to chase and posts to scratch; maybe what they really want is to glide majestically across the ice and perform spins before an audience of adoring fans…
Source: Naver Matome
Featured images: Twitter 1, 2, 3
Champion figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu to make on-screen acting debut as samurai lord!
Star Wars on ice: Video of figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu with a lightsaber is as cool as it sounds
Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu announces retirement from competition
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu performs nine-year medley of his routines, but not on the ice【Videos】
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu shows gamer cred with Super NES recommendations in interview【Video】
Starbucks Japan adds new Sweet Potato Frappuccino and Latte to the menu, but do they deliver the taste of autumn?
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Solo travel in Japan: $3 all-you-can-drink deal at this conveyor belt restaurant is a fun time for one
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Mini CRT-lookalike Final Fantasy figurines are awesome pixel art music boxes [Video]
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Champion figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu gets … his own line of Xylitol chewing gum!
Digimon staff give skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu a present he would not likely soon forget
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
Tokyo Ghoul creator, anime’s star celebrate Yuzuru Hanyu’s Olympic win
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
Older female fans’ steamy comments about gold medal skater Yuzuru Hanyu spark debate online
Yuzuru Hanyu launches own YouTube channel, fans flock to subscribe
Figure skating, shogi prove real life can beat anime feats
Fail News: Popular Japanese mascot falls during ice-skating routine, can’t get up【Video】
Figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva receives hate mail in Japan, fans respond with viral hashtag
Controversy as journalist asks Olympic broadcasters to stop saying “Japanese people are amazing”
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Sliding onto the World Stage【Pt. I】
Japan now has “Gyoza for Athletes”, thanks to figure skating Olympian Yuzuru Hanyu 【Taste test】
Taiwanese ice skating fans come to the rescue when power blacks out during skaters’ performance
New “Love Dance” takes Japan by storm, thanks to a Japanese drama and a handsome J-Pop star
Japanese Twitter users prove that cats and expensive TVs don’t make good friends