Ayaka Aikawa

**Ayaka Aikawa** (愛川 彩霞 *Aikawa Ayaka*) is a Austrian-Japanese ladies' singles figure skater and the main protagonist of *Yuri!!! On Ice: Dance of Ayaka.*

## Appearance

Aikawa is a attractive young woman of tall stature for a female figure skater and slender yet fairly curvaceous figure. Her hair is straight dark grey that reaches just above her hips with side parted fringe and two pieces framing her face. Along with this, she usually wears three pins on the right side of her fringe and a bunny barrette on the back. She has pretty indigo eyes that are kind-looking.

When warming up or training, she wears a black and dark blue long-sleeved jacket, layered over a plain black t-shirt. Along with midnight blue training pants with a black stripe on the side. Typically, she wears blue-bladed black skates, sometimes opting for white skates, despite white skates being the norm for female figure skaters.

### Short Program

During her short program, Ayaka has her hair in a braided low bun with a white rose secured on the side. She wears a white sparkly dress stopping above her thighs. The dress has a plunging neckline and back decorated in sparkly black pointed strips and crystal-like embellishments, along the clear sleeve and full sleeve. The dress features some more sparkly embellishments especially around the edges.

### Free Skate

During her free skate, Ayaka has her hair in a high ponytail secured by a sparkly light blue ribbon. She wears a light blue dress with that slants on the skirt part, above her mid-thigh. The dress features straps with one side draped in light blue fabric over the shoulder in icicle-like shapes. The fabric has dark blue steaks blending into the light blue which fades to white at the ends with sparkly crystal embellishments all over.

### Exhibition

During her Exhibition, her hair is in a high bun adorned by black petunias. She wears an all black dress in a halter style, with the halter neck piece silver and sparkly, leading to a plunging back. The back part of the skirt is slightly longer than the rest, layered over in black lace. In the front, the dress has sparkly embellishments reminiscent of the stars in the night sky, a few placed like constellations.

## Personality

Ayaka is known by many to be the "Austrian Pixie." She is tenderhearted and flamboyant and can be easily swayed by those around her. On the contrary, she can be rude and distasteful to those she finds unpleasant, such as her first coach. She is bashful when meeting new people, but attracts lots of attention due to her flamboyant nature. Ayaka is portrayed as somewhat insecure, doubting herself and her figure skating abilities. Despite this, she can be quite competitive with her fellow ladies figure skaters, trying to avoid contact with them when she can.

Once being the student of Nijiko Kasumi, she becomes more confident, and is no longer swayed by those around her and is more bold. She becomes set on following her goals of winning the Grand Prix Final on her senior debut. Although she can easily swayed by her very own thoughts and confusions. She is also shown to not care what the media has put out about her, and minds her own business unbothered.

## Background

Ayaka was born in Flover, Salzburg, Austria, where she was raised by her single mother Sayuri, and later her younger half-sister, Mizu. Although it is unknown who her father was, it is said he left Sayuri when he found out she was pregnant. Her family owns a flower nursery and a abundance of orchards, which are the only ones in the town.

She began skating and taking ballet at the age of three, and began figure skating at the age of four when she saw Victor Nikiforv perform. Her family heavily encouraged her to be the best figure skater she can be, and to follow her dreams no matter what happens.

Currently, Ayaka is the No. 1 figure skater certified by the ASF (Austrian Skating Federation), and ranks No. 2 in internationally in Ladies' figure skating, just under her coach Nijiko Kasumi. When she was

When she was 11, she met her coach Abree Fiore at a competition in Milan, Italy. Ayaka ended up staying for two years. While there, became close friends with her neighbor, Oscar Pellegrino whom is a fellow figure skater. She is later brought to Russia by Victor Nikiforv, and she goes under the guidance of Yakov. Although after a season she takes a year break before coming back to figure skating for her senior debut.

## Skills

### Step Sequence/Spins

Ayaka has well developed and step sequences and combination spins. She has clear sequences, being able to perform without much problem. Ayaka is good at holding spins for long periods, showing she had well maintained flexibility.

### Jumps

Ayaka is most well-known for her jumps, shown to have amazing jumping ability since a young age; performing a Quad Toe Loop at the age of thirteen. She can land them nicely, having a very stream-like performance being fluid with her movements. Although she can have other problems with some other quad jumps, such as the loop. Which she learned with time, eventually performing a Quad Flip and Lutz.

### Ballet

Ayaka has been taking ballet slightly longer than she has been figure skating. Ayaka is talented and flexible in ballet, which helped lead her into ballet. She is said to be very talented in ballet, and it was this that lead her into figure skating.

## Relationships

### Nijiko Kasumi

Ayaka had become a fan of Nijiko since she was a little child and looked up to her just as she did to Victor Nikiforv/ She hoped to one day skate on the same level as her, and one day, skate a program choreographer for her by Nijiko. They first meet when Victor takes her back to Russia, and she is star-struck by Nijiko's skills, as they become rink-mates. Although during this time they seem to be quite distant.

Nijiko comes into her life again when she watches Ayaka recreate Nijiko's senior debut "Madame Butterfly". As her coach, Nijiko found her hard to read and only trained her physically, not really taking time to know her personally. Ayaka was excited at first, but didn't want to mess up in front of her. Although as the days go on she is more easy going around her and doesn't worry about it, and they become much closer and more trusting. Ayaka's free skate is eventually dedicated to her and someone else.

The two become very close, and Ayaka wonders if Nijiko wants to quit her job as coach. This thought is later shut down by Nijiko, and she asks Nijiko to stay being her coach throughout the following seasons. Further, Ayaka sees Nijiko as someone she can always trust, no matter what. Wanting to impress Nijiko, she changes her last jump to a Quad Lutz, which was originally the first jump. In response, Nijiko gives Ayaka a kiss on the cheek, and they embrace in a hug, and tells she couldn't think of anything to surprise her more than she surprised her. In Barcelona, before the Grand Prix Final, Ayaka gifts Nijiko a white gold ring as a thank you gift (she also purchases one for herself). When asked about the rings later, they are presumed to be dating one another, to which Ayaka denies.

After the Barcelona Grand Prix Final, Ayaka moves back to Saint Petersburg, Russia, to be with Nijiko,

### Yuri Plisetsky

Ayaka had seen Yuri previously in Junior Competitions, but didn't meet him till she was taken to Russia by Victor. She was aware of him being the infamous "Russian Punk" and despite them being the same age, she found him intimidating. Originally, Yuri was hostile and slightly jealous towards Ayaka, seeing her as his top rival., and envious of the attention she received from Victor. Which he felt, he had to work for, when Ayaka didn't. Even when they were rink-mates the two didn't have much interaction but would still talk to each other from time to time. Ayaka admires Yuri for his talent and confident presence on the ice. She hopes to be as confident as him on the ice, and hopes to skate with him one day. Even so, she sees Yuri as a dear friend, hoping the best for his happiness and cheering him on and off the ice. Although he is originally hostile towards Ayaka, overtime he opens up, even blushing sometimes when she is around. He shows kindness to Ayaka, helping her polish her Quad Salchow, and offering her a Nikuma before her performance in China. Yuri sees Ayaka as talented and worthy rival, wishing her the best on the ice, and becomes angry when she was nit-picking her performance she was unhappy about. At the Rostelecom Cup, he even shows support for her, appearing at her free skate and wishing her luck, which she partly dedicates to Yuri. After this, things between Ayaka and Yuri are much friendlier and they openly support each other. In Barcelona, when she wins the ladies' Grand Prix Final, her and Yuri hug in each other's embrace, and after when he wins the mens'.

### Victor Nikiforv

Ayaka originally looked up to Victor as a skater, and looked up to him more as a person when he took her to Russia. The two then became rink-mates with her going under Yakov as her coach.

Victor had taken interest from watching her previous competitions and thought of her as a very talented figure skater, So much so, he helped her choreograph her would to be senior debut. However, Ayaka decided to take a year off of figure skating and didn't use it. Although Victor told her he would choreograph another senior debut when she decides to return to the ice. She then makes a promise to Victor to continue to skate better and better to impress him more, and prove herself to the world as a figure skater when she returns. He later choreographs her a short program, along with helping her to create her Free Skate.

The two have a very sibling-like relationship, teasing each other from time to time, especially Victor. He enjoys supporting Ayaka in her career as a figure skater, and promises to be thee for her when she needs figure skating advice.

### Oscar Pellegrino

Ayaka and Oscar were neighbors and rink-mates during their time together living in Milan. Oscar is very familiar with Ayaka's skating style more than anyone else, and the two are extremely close, almost doing a season of pairs together. He is also the person who taught her Italian, making them even closer. In return, Ayaka would help Oscar with his Quad Jumps and help him brush up on his Japanese. Their flashbacks together show themselves sharing their dreams together and having a good time with each other.

### Sara Crispino

Ayaka and Sara initially have met many times at competitions in the past. Sara appears to be quite friendly towards Ayaka, and looks up to her as well, as she thinks Ayaka is very talented. Although Ayaka finds Sara to be annoying and tries to avoid contact with her as much as possible. Ayaka finds Sara to be easy competition, previously passing Sara while she was just in her junior days. During Ayaka's senior debut, she finds Sara to be more competition and she enjoys skating against her.

### Mila Babicheva

Ayaka met Mila when she was brought to Russia by Victor Nikiforov, and they became rink mates. The two aren't especially close but they appear to get along pretty well. Ayaka can be annoyed easily by Mila's antics but looks up to her in a way as a figure skater.

### Abree Fiore

Ayaka met Abree at a competition in Italy, and was interested in Ayaka's jumps and spins. She had already had a coach at the time, but her coach had requested more salary than she could afford, so she took Abree's offer. Although she soon realized Abree's training style was much different than other coaches, making her train all the time with little time for her personal life. But as a young figure skater, she thought it was just her style, so she ignored it. A year later, she meets Victor Nikiforv, who thinks her coach might not be fit to be a coach, to which Ayaka says she is fine. Another year later, Victor tells Ayaka that her coach is toxic and to join him in Russia. She decides to join Victor in Russia.

After that, Ayaka and Abree act very hostile towards each other, Ayaka realizing her expectations were way to high, and her training was too vigorous. She usually says some kind of insult to Abree, rather it being direct or indirect, in fact, she considers Abree to be her mortal enemy, and hopes to never speak with her. Although they are seen to have a small rough chat in Barcelona. Following this, they never talk to each other again.

## Programs

### Short Program - In Regards to Love: Agapic Eros

This song is one of three different arrangements written to encompass three aspects of love. Agapic Eros is defined as selfless, romantic or sexual love. This type of love is somewhat in-between both, giving it dual traits. It was also said by Victor Nikiforov to be the hardest to come to terms with and find what your Agapic Eros truly is.

This program features four jumps in all, two being in combination. The first half of the program features her first jumps of a Quad Salchow, Flying Camel Spin, and a Change of Foot Sit Spin. The second half consists of a Triple Axel, Quad Toe Loop-Triple Toe Loop combination, a delicate and fluid Step Sequence, and lastly a Flying Change of Foot Combination Spin. This program scored her 111.82 points, making it the highest ladies short program, and the second highest short program in all of figure skating.

### Free Skate - Dance of Ayaka

Dance of Ayaka is an original composition created by Liliana Holy, one of Ayaka's friends growing up in Austria. The song was originally written to represent love for figure skating, but has been rearranged to not only encompass love for figure skating, but also her journey in what Friendship and Affection truly means to her. The program was choreographed by her with help of Victor Nikiforov.

The program itself features ten jumps in all, with six of them being in combination. The first half of the program features a Quad Toe Loop, Triple Axel, laidback spin with a change of foot, Quad Flip and a step sequence leading into the second half of the program. The second half consists of a Quad Toe Loop-Triple Toe Loop combination, Triple Lutz-Triple Toe Loop combination, and Triple Flip-Euler-Triple Toe Loop combination, and the last jump of a Quad Lutz and Choreographic sequence, Combination spin with change of foot from a butterfly entry, and a final combination spin with a change of foot. This program was judged at 219.76 points, with 331.58 in all with her Short Program, winning her gold at the Barcelona Grand Prix Final.

### Exhibition Skate - Duet: Stai Salla Mia Parte

This song is an soprano opera piece, and was her original senior debut. It was choreographed by her and Victor Nikiforov when she was having a hard time adjusting to her training away from home in Russia.

The Exhibition Skate consists of a Quad Lutz, Triple Axel-Euler-Triple Flip combination, Flying Combination Spin, Step Sequence, Quad Salchow-Triple Toe Loop combination, Triple Toe Loop-Single Loop-Triple Salchow combination. The second half consists of, a Triple Loop, Quad Lutz-Quad Toe Loop combination, Triple Flip, Flying Change of Foot Sit Spin, Choreographic Sequence, and her last of a Butterfly Entry Change of Foot Combination Spin. *Stai Salla Mia Parte* is Italian, it translates to "Stay by My Side".

## Quotes

* *"The ice is universal to anyone, no matter who you are! Don't let anyone stop you from following you dreams."* (To Denko Miyazaki)
* *"Nijiko is one of the few I want to keep close to me. I have been unsure for a while what to call that emotion, but I have finally decided to call it affection.* (In a interview)
* *"Nijiko, you don't have to do anything. All I wish, is that you believe and have trust in me. That is everything I want right now."* (To Nijiko Kasumi)

## Trivia

* Her name **Ayaka** means "Colorful, Mist" (彩霞) and her surname **Aikawa** means "Love, River" (愛川)
* Ayaka's favorite food is pizza due to living in Milan for a few years, but her favorite Japanese food is Cold Soba
* Ayaka's skate blades are blue and are a standard lightweight model
	+ Although as a junior figure skater, she wears newer model skates that are better for jumping
* Ayaka speaks German, Italian, Russian, Japanese, and basic French
* "Dance of Ayaka" is heavily inspired by Nathan Chen's Free Skate for the 2019 World Championship although it was modified to make it her own to give slightly higher marks
	+ "In Regards to Love: Agapic Love" is heavily inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu's Short Program for the 2020 Four Continents Figure Skating Champtionships although two of the spins were changed
* Ayaka's Free Skate score at the Barcelona GPF would have exceeded the ladies' real-life world record by 53.14 points
	+ Her Short Program score at the Barcelona GPF would have exceeded the ladies' real-life world record by 26.37 points
* Ayaka owns the newest iPhone
	+ Her phone's lock screen features a selfie of her, Nijiko Kasumi, and Victor Nikiforv
* Ayaka's instagram is aikawa\_ayaka
* Ayaka possess a large interest in fashion
	+ She has a large collection of clothing and accessories
* Ayaka is talented with makeup and cosmetics