In 2008, Hanyu moved up to the junior level and debuted at the ISU Junior Grand Prix. He placed 6th in the short program and 4th in the free skate, finishing 5th overall at the event in Merano, Italy. Following his Junior Grand Prix event, Hanyu won the gold medal at the 2008–09 Japan Junior Championships. At 13, he was the youngest male skater to win the Japan Junior Championship. This result also qualified him for the 2009 World Junior Championships.