Ilia Malinin is currently lighting up Japan with his appearances on the Stars on Ice 2026 tour — and he just delivered one of the coolest exhibition performances of the year.
During the Osaka show, the Olympic champion and three-time World Champion stunned the audience with a high-energy, Naruto-themed routine set to Babymetal’s “Gimme Chocolate”. Complete with anime-inspired choreography, dramatic jumps, and his signature explosive style, Ilia fully embraced the “Quad God” persona while channeling the legendary ninja.
Fans in Japan went absolutely wild, with many calling it the highlight of the entire Stars on Ice tour. The performance perfectly blended Ilia’s world-class technical ability with fun, theatrical showmanship — something he excels at during exhibition galas.
The 2026 Stars on Ice Japan tour features a stacked lineup including Olympic champions Alysa Liu, Madison Chock & Evan Bates, and other top skaters. Ilia has been performing in multiple cities, including Osaka and Tokyo, receiving massive cheers everywhere he goes.
This isn’t just another exhibition for Ilia — it’s a victory lap after an incredible season that included Olympic gold and another World title. His joyful, creative performances in Japan show why he’s become one of the most beloved and exciting skaters in the world right now.
Have you seen Ilia’s Naruto performance yet? What’s your favorite exhibition program from him — the Naruto one or something else?
