Xen

Next time please send La Campanella while you're at it too?

Violin pieces, with a lot of trills and runs (like Nijinsky)is not easy on the SS, especially if you want to do it properly. It's not for the type of SS that is based on extensions and just gliding on edges (that people usually associate with SS), but SS that is based on mastery of quick precision pin-point accuracy. Otherwise, the turns, the counters, the leaps, twizzles, will never match up to the pacing of the violin trills and runs. And yes, of the current men, that's what Yuzu's SS excels at. No one else could match it probably. And that's what makes his interpretation of violin pieces so interesting. (and why I'm crying tears of joy over it. Ah, if he ever ever ever does La Campanella, Devil's trill sonata, Rondo aaahhh....)

...I have my birthday not long before worlds. If he announces that then, I might have to re-define my notion of "Birthday presents" to include hair-shedding.

Almost like he...lurked. >_>

Nah...if it's one thing about Yuzu, it's that the choreo during competition will be the same if not more complex. He's a stickler to his choreo. =) As for Lv4...who cares? He's had seimei stsq level get downgraded to 3, so while maybe he does care and wants a lv 4, I think he does care more for the overall impression and package. Ah, I love this program. I love how someone, someone is finally brave enough, and capable enough, of incorporating all those little jumps and leaps into a violin piece. Twizzles, turns, and so many leaps, that all fit the staccato vibe of violin runs and trills. So few skaters do that. T_T Even if not everything is on the note, as some consider necessary to be musical, what sets Yuzu apart is that he innately understands and tries to embody the overall flow and feel of the music. Soft when necessary, folded when called for, fully extended when needed, each movement different and embodying the idea behind the music. This is musicality.

Yes....insane. I think his original stable quad jumps are more or less back. I really should be working...but instead I'm babbling on a fansite, going gah gah over a 2 minute (not even) clip of his free program, and crying tears over a frickin' stag leap? Totally normal, right?

Just a tad forward in the air, and the only one I'm spotting is the 4S3T below, and the 4TLo3S that some video had before? But that's it. His 3Lo looks easy. Edit: in case it hasn't been hammered in enough, I love all the little leaps and jumps that have similiarities to ballet jumps, just woven into the choreography. It really does feel like a tribute to ballet's contribution to FS. It's just little little stuff liek this, so frequently seen in his programs, that make his programs stand out.

I like the footwork. Think he's improved his twizzles. XD Remember how I said he had a side of twizzles that was visibly slower? It's improved....it's slower than his strongest, but way way faster than last season's. And his jumps look okay from what I'm seeing? He's a bit forward on landing, but not so tilted that he can't control it. It looks more like where I'd expect them to be, if he's only gone back to full jump training for 2 weeks (which given his recovery period makes sense).

We're so excited we haven't come up with a proper song yet. Last year was "One Day More" -what should we do this year?

What is with this news speed? Slowly dripping by slowly slowly....man, has media learned his do-S ways and decide to slowly torture us and draw out our exhiliration for as long as possible?

I already love the little leaps that has been incorporated into the LP, from what clips we've been shown. It really makes you think, "Oh, this is ballet inspired" and so fitting-he's got such airy jumps, it looks rorgeous when he does them. I wonder if Plush is impressed- not always do you get to have the 2 time OGM (first in 66 years), who happens to be a fanboy, doing a tribute to you, and possibly even better than what you did.

You mean more like: Yuzu: Shae, what do you think about me doing that Nijinsky program from Plu-sama? Shae: ? Well, I didn't think you'd like ballet... Yuzu: Why? Shae: well, there were some articles about balletic and how you might not be that balletic... Yuzu: O_O *kuyashii fires visibly burning* >_> Shae:....okay, we'll make it the most balletic program in the universe...

I've only got access to the NHK one, but I'm watching it on loop, having a super un-productive friday at work. Ahhhh....the stag leaps. I love it. Shae is really making him fly- so many leaps that were inspired by ballet all on display. Gods, I haven't seen the full program and already, I'm in love with that movement set from 1:17 below: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180831_14/

Yes, as stubborn as your avatar (banana-levels) =P

You know after tomorrow, you'll fall in love with his programs and decide, maybe a tango can wait.

So...did anyone get the music choices for the SP and LP correct? Is anyone rejoicing that we were wrong to guess musicals and tango for his programs? @SparkleSalad

I'm waiting for a ballet inspired costume with tights for Nijinsky. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaslav_Nijinsky#/media/File:Vaslav_Nijinsky_in_Le_spectre_de_la_rose_1911_Royal_Opera_House.jpg Hmm, this could work for otonal.

Given Kyodo's recent track record? Not always accurate. But I would argue that the english bit he probably meant that during 17/18 and maybe even before then, up until PC, the focus wasn't exactly on "enjoyment." I find it hard to believe Yuzu doesn't enjoy skating, but rather his focus was kuyashii driven on winning. And with that comes burdens and demands that don't always let you do what you what since the focus is on "winning." I think Yuzu can now focus more on "enjoying" skating, even though the competitive mindset he has won't go away. But he's already achieved a mission-2OGM back to back, so now he can indulge himself. Besides, as he said he now feels he can entrust Shoma with the torch of carrying the Japanese men, he can allow himself mistakes that maybe, he previously would not allow (this is probably necessary for him to really go for the 4A). @CupidsBow : beat me to it. Tldr: Yuzu has less external pressure now, so he can go at his pace to do what he wants to do. That's what enjoyment means I guess. Can't wait to see what he does....truly, koi dance coming to an ice show near us?

I'm waiting to see our dear laundry detergent/dishwashing liquid/ air-freshner spray salesman at work again.

I'm curious what the ChSq will look like. With the time reduction, my guess was that ChSq will be hit hardest...but that's also a section where he can do awesome toe-pick steps like Yagudin's Winter. So who knows...*fingers crossed* what if he does a giant giant change edge spiral? O_O

...That does sound like his logic.

Well I like the new ANA jacket. It's pretty form-fitting. I don't think he'd say it even if he has an idea. It's one of those mental things- if you know and say you'll retire anytime soon, judges might start holding down your scores (see Patrick Chan 2017/2018), and you yourself might mentally start giving yourself "breaks" and "permission" to do less than perfect work. Neither of which sound like Yuzu.

His layout....unless he intends the 4A to be the last jumping pass, I'm not buying it. Then again, it is mr Yuzuru-"I jump 3As in my sleep/for health recovery" Hanyu, so hmm, who knows....

What did I wake up to?! I still have meetings Yuzu!

But you know, if you think about it...latin dance/ tango music is one genre he hasn't tackled yet. So.....