KatjaThera

It wouldn't be fair if she had less of a say, IMO... but who knows? It could also be the Team Canada gold gave her extra confidence... (competitive is one thing, but you need a lot of confidence to welcome such a rival on your home turf, I think. Either that or a somewhat more relaxed attitude like Javi had.)

If it's true Evgenia's going to TCC, I admit I'm surprised, mostly that Gabby ok-ed it. Admittedly, she trains more with Lee than Brian, but still... it's not really comparable to Yuzu coming when Javi was there, because Yuzu wasn't so far above everyone else like Evgenia is (well, except Alina, of course >_>) and Javi never really saw himself as champion material, so I guess he minded competition less than the average athlete. Gabby didn't strike me as confident enough to accept Evgenia as rinkmate, but maybe I'm wrong (I admit I don't really know her anyway). I admit I do fear both the shippers and the 'stay away from Yuzu!' fans... both would be unbearable (and I admit both are a reason why I'd rather she didn't go there ^_^; But if it's what's best for her...) But I am a big fan of TCC way of doing things (and have been lukewarm on Eteri based on some comments, while hoping I'm just overthinking things), so... good for her, I guess. Whether it'll work for her or not, remains to be seen. I know you're joking, but I don't get why some (other) people assume pictures she posted on SNS and now deleted were posted without his permission? I'm pretty sure she got his permission every time (and in a way, in this day and age, "May I take a picture with you?" tends to have an implied "and post it on my SNS" at the end of it, anyway). If she deleted that it might be that she wants to avoid any shipping whatsoever. We know Yuzu was pretty mad last time there were dating rumors about him - and he knows he gets the idol treatment and his more fanatic fans will harass any girl closely linked to him - so they might actually put in an effort to maintain a distance... We'll see, I guess...

Either that wasn't there when I went, or I'm blind... But there were lots of messages from Yuzu, so I guess I might have overlooked it... I agree with Hydro, I'm pretty sure his comprehension of English is much better than his speaking, including reading. He might skip some of our longer rambles - of which I am often guilty myself lol - but I think he should have no problem with the short posts.

Ok, I can't help but laugh at that... three people are crowded together in about as much space as Javi occupies by himself, with his legs wide open...

Also at Rostelecom, the banner was right behind Brian when he was rinkside. The only way Yuzu could have missed it would be if he truly had tunnel vision And it's great to see so many new people I guess we'll reach 3500 pages by the time of FaOI... Also, since some people are wondering about Yuzu at FaOI when he's still rehabilitating, at the garden party or the prime minister event or one of those - sorry those days are a blur to me - he said he has one more month of rehab. It will have been a month by the first FaOI day (the garden party was Apr. 25th and I think the other was Apr. 26th? FaOI is May 27th ) (PS: I'm still confused... what are Potato Sack Pants? lol)

I've finally sort of caught up on this thread (and sleep a bit; some 35 hours passed between leaving my hotel in Tokyo and arriving home >_<). So before my next flight, quick impressions from Madame Tussaud and comments on what I remember seeing discussed in the thread. So, because I had some time to kill, I decided to go to Madame Tussaud after all. To those who haven't been there, Yuzu is right near the entrance (first there's Bruce Willis in the elevator, Leonardo DiCaprio immediately after, then the 'political room', then you turn the corner and find the sports area and Yuzu is immediately on the right. Generally, I thought the status look a bit better in reality than in pictures - as in, if you look closely, they look more like who they're supposed to be, from some angles at least. I think part of why they generally look bad is because some people just need to be animated to truly look good. And also, I remember once finding some pictures of a musician I like and I almost didn't recognize him at first. I'm not sure if it was the angles or what, but he looked very different, so it made me think how sometimes in media we only see some angles and some images where they look most like their best known image. So it could be the statues end up emphasizing more the angles and such we don't see. But that's still a bit of a failure on the makers' part lol. (IMO, Mao's statue looked much better, but that could be because hers was in motion and even the pose was a motion was, so in a way it was harder to analyze too closely) Overall, yes, Yuzu is super slim. That waist is to die for, but his legs in that are very slim, too. Height wise, I was probably right and I'd maybe reach his nose lol What surprised me was that his hands were smaller than I expected lol. I tried taking a selfie, but honestly, I couldn't decide who looked worse, me or him, so I'm keeping that to myself lol (There was an ojisan salaryman who had his picture taken crawling between Yuzu's legs which was... interesting; I was trying really hard not to look too closely, though >_>) As for the topics here, I've said it many times. The NHK fall was not because of the 4Lz. It just so happened that it occurred during the 4Lz, but he's probably fallen while jumping that dozens of times that we don't know of. However, because Lz, Lo and F put a lot of pressure on the right ankle because of the take off, I think the future of 4Lz (more so than 4Lo, because that is already pretty stable), depends on the state of his ankle. It's not even because of the NHK injury, but because that ankle has taken a lot of pummeling over the years (he's had it sprained how many times? Three? More?). So there might be some semi-permanent damage. Nothing bad enough to prevent him from skating, but he might have to always be careful with it. And intensively training 4Lz might go against that. I hope it's not the case, but only he knows (and we might find out only at some point in the future). However, it's also possible, that like with his left foot issue (my brain is still too tired to remember what that was called right now), he might simply have to switch focus from quantity to quality. He said his toeloop became as super stable as it is, because he had to not jump it as much. So he focused on its quality and the few times he jumped it being good, instead of jumping lots. The same will probably happen with the 4Lo. Whether the 4Lz is at a level where that will work as well or not, we don't know. It could be. Or it could not be. So, basically, IMO, it's a wait and see. I'm sure he'll want it back, but I'm also looking forward to the Yuzuru Hanyu who will choose choreography for his programs to fit his aesthetics, rather than with scoring in mind. Though I doubt he'll be able to completely put it out of mind lol He'll still want to win. I think he'll just be willing to sacrifice a lot less than before, in order to win. As for 4A, I also tend to think he wouldn't speak of it like this if he hadn't already made some progress (there have been hints he's been working on it, after all), but I can't really imagine when... summer of 2016 was mostly a race to recovery. Summer of 2015 was to stabilize 4Lo and Summer of 2017 was to stabilize 4Lz. Aside from programs and ice shows. But it could be he did some 4A in between. I guess we'll see... (One of my biggest concerns is I won't recognize it when it happens lol His 3A already almost looks like a quad to my untrained eyes, so yeah...) I do think it's funny how last year this time we were all "OMG Nessie!" and not seriously believing it was a possibility in the near future, but now that he openly mentioned it, we're counting down the days and it feels a lot less like a myth lol I guess after that, quints will be next... (Also, I'd like to point out that if Yuzu is determined to try Nessie and even quints, but is not sure about Beijing, his estimate is that it'll take somewhat less than 4 years for those...) Oh and since someone pointed out quints don't have points, I wonder, VERY HYPOTHETICALLY, if he mastered a 5T, for example, if he might not, in his current 'just skate what I want to skate' mindframe, jump it anyway, if it fit in the aesthetics of the program, even if it doesn't get points... but that sounds a bit like fiction just yet, still lol

Oh if it's live, they might catch the sun shining... Though right now it's hard to imagine it... They might need rubber boots for the mud, though 😅 Ah, seems it's let up a bit...

Has it been announced what time is the party today? It's pouring down and heavy winds right now in Tokyo, though it's supposed to clear up by 1pm or so. Was wondering if the weather might affect things. (Was also thinking about going snooping, since my flight was moved to the evening 😅. Though I'm sure the public won't be allowed anywhere near that. lol)

Seeing that picture is scarier than having been in the middle of it... All things considered, people behaved well... There were a few people who collapsed, because 30C in direct sunlight in that crowd is tough! More impressions to come later (maybe in the other thread). I'm heading back to Tokyo now...

Thank you very much for the info! That sucks... I gave up yesterday because I was too tired after the wristband adventure and now I wish I hadn't. I had heard the picture gallery opened romorrow, so I was sure it'd be open... But I'm also thinking of going to Tohoku again tomorrow in search of sakura. Maybe I'll stop by Sendai again and go then ... Though actually it's pretty awkward since I don't even skate ^_^;

So, I'm in the shinkansen on the way to Sendai and decided to catch up a bit. I'd say out of all the current top skaters, the one I would expect Yuzu to get along with best as a teammate is Boyang. However, I don't expect it would be anything like it was with Javi. Someone mentioned a few pages ago sportsmanship as the key to Yuzu and Javi working well together. I think it's a lot more than that. Based on what Yuzu said about Javi and something Brian said in that Olympic Channel interview, I think Yuzu went to Canada expecting to learn from Javi and then beat him. Not necessarily because he thought he was better, but because he would work hard to make it so. I'm pretty sure he did not go there expecting to be friends. And I think it's because Javi is such a nice guy, they did become friends. Add to that the TCC family/community atmosphere and it's set. But I'm not sure Yuzu and Javi would have worked so well together just with that atmosphere. (Also, while it bothered me that he put it like that, I can see what Javi meant when he said it's not his fault if their relationship sours at times. I don't think Javi ever really minded losing to Yuzu, but Yuzu always minds losing, even if he can be happy for Javi as well. I think Boston especially was bad for them.) As for the Brian books, I have them. They're about more than just Yuzu, so maybe that's why only bits have been translated. They are pretty interesting though. (And they've made me wonder about the language barrier, too.)

IMO, scarves are more inconvenient. They're bigger so can slip off and they're harder to remove whem going through warm areas and you can end up sweating. Masks are much easier, and even a normal one makes a difference. (I don't have asthma, but my sinuses are in pain when it's cold and especially when I have a cold, so I use masks. I also used one during my flight, because I could barely breathe with how dry the air was >.<)

Finally caught up... Another exhibition? I'm not sure I can survive another one lol I'm sorry, yesterday when I got back to my hotel, I was too tired to do anything other than eat and sleep. So, Takashimaya exhibition. And I think that's it lol

The 20th is what I remembered, too. Usually EMS does take about two weeks here, including customs procedures, so it might be fine... I'll see lol Question: does anyone have any idea if the Yuzu Pyeonghcang medal ceremony cutout is still at Haneda? lol I was supposed to land at Haneda and planned to stop by and check and take a picture if it was still here, but since I changed my flight, now both arrival and departure are from Narita. But I'm ready to take a trip to Haneda to see it if it's still there

Me, too... they shipped earlier than they should have, so now I'm really worrying when they'll arrive lol (I'm out of the country for the next two weeks, except just one day...) Hoping for the best...

It's pretty obvious that DM thing - can't really call it an article - is just meant to criticize everything and anything, without any particular rhyme or reason. Especially as long as they don't praise any of the outfits, so you can't get an idea of what does look good by their standards. They probably just picked a few pictures and searched for something bad to say about each of them. (I admit I snickered at Nathan being included, though, especially given the big deal they made out of his costume being designed by Vera Wang ^_^; ) Also, you can't even assume those they left out are ok, because I can't imagine a Universe in which Shoma's costumes are better than Yuzu's - for example. Though, you know... different people have different tastes... lol

I'm getting a bit scared... after 21 hours of flying and another few of navigating Tokyo, I was planning of tackling the exhibition, hoping the crowds had decreased... At this rate I might be dead before the parade >_>

OK, if no cataclysm happens, I'm quite surely going to Japan next week. I managed to change my flight to KLM and as far as I know, they're not prone to spontaneous strikes lol I plan to go to the Takashimaya exhibition on Thursday and then spend the weekend in Sendai, to get wristbands and scream out my thanks. And the swans I didn't give away at NHK are also coming with me... I'll do my best to get new, loving homes for all of them I'll also try to post reports/updates/interesting bits/whatever here... but I think I'll also make a twitter for it to be easier for me lol After NHK and Worlds, I can't really believe I might really get to see Yuzu next week, but... have to keep trying, right? lol Even if he won't be skating lol

Since the topic came up, my two cents... I do find what Javi does for figure skating in Spain is very admirable and I think it's great he has such big plans and I really hope they work out, but I'm afraid a day will come when he'll be badly disappointed, because he really is alone in this battle and the "oooh, Olympic medalist!" charm will wear off, sooner or later. Especially since he's retiring. It would have been different to go hard at it while still active, I think. OK, he did that a bit after his first world title and GPF in Barcelona, but it was hard while also training and it didn't really take off. I don't know, it feels a bit like he's fighting windmills (which I guess is somewhat appropriate ^_^; ). I sometimes wish he were a little more selfish and do more for himself. The million ice shows are for himself, yes. But I do think he should try to further increase his popularity in Japan, where the FS money really is... (I'm always surprised that although he is popular among Yuzu fans, and he did gain some popularity when he was dating Miki, he doesn't seem THAT popular in Japan? Or maybe I'm wrong and he is...) If he misses CiONTU as it now seems he will, I think that's actually not a great decision... (unless, of course, he didn't actually get invited, but that would be even weirder, to me). But we'll see I guess. He knows his priorities better and all we can really do is support him. And I really hope in the future his ice shows will happen earlier in the year, too, so I can go, too!

I wonder if skating boots count as sports equipment and can be transported in cabin under special conditions... what with the sharp blades and all...

I remember I did some research when we were waiting for him to arrive in Korea and discovered ANA is in a group of airlines with a lot of big airlines, including, I think Air Canada (or some other transcontinental company, forgot, really). Of course, I have no idea if that means they can extend their services across other airlines in the same family or not... We've heard of other skaters - and Javi specifically - having luggage lost, but we never heard that about Yuzu. (I vaguely remember something about being held up in customs once, though, but I can't remember if that was fact or fiction ^_^; ) They might keep it hidden for reasons... No idea... As for ninja-ing, I think it depends. He does get recognized sometimes. But it might depend on the people around. I think Japanese people tend to be very respectful of private lives (especially if they're not in groups lol). I've once sat behind a local celebrity on a plane, but never went to my SNS to mention it (admittedly, I also wasn't a fan lol). And on my last trip back from Japan, waiting for the flight, behind me was a famous flamenco dancer giving an interview sort of or talking to a reporter. I never really mentioned that either. So it depends on the people who happen to share his flight. He might also be really good at not getting recognized... who knows, really lol If we knew, he probably wouldn't be ninja anymore lol Maybe he actually dresses super fancy and in ways fans would never expect him to dress to go unnoticed lol I think also, despite the "never flew first class" comments, that he probably does fly business (I'm pretty sure there's a difference lol) at least sometimes and that might add another layer of privacy.

Aside from my own ethical issues with things like this, I still wonder how they're going to do it, because there's a limit for how much a person can get and that limit is very small. Especially with how big the demand must be. So I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of fans not getting the stuff they hoped for and needing refunds...

*adds hunting for Yuzu Xylitol in donki to to-do-list* Finding anything in donki is an adventure in itself, though ^_^;;; I wonder if they're not in regular supermarkets, though and if not, why not...

I think you're right about the concept and that's probably the difference I couldn't put my finger on. The Sendai exhibition was about the Sendai Broadcasting Company's relationship with Yuzu and it was more personal and more intimate and as you said, homage to the hometown hero. This one is more just about Yuzuru Hanyu, Double Olympic Medalist and Yomiuri's mostly just the organizers. (Although they're not a sponsor, they're a media company as well, unless I missed out on some info. That in a way makes it even more interesting.) However, I would say it obviously also has more Yuzu input. Having his own medals, costumes, boots etc, and also all the goods including his handwritten message (printed, of course, but still). So it really is a completely different kind of event. And yes, Japanese and queues... I hate queues lol But actually, it should be interesting, because being a foreigner, I'm pretty sure I'll end up talking to someone sooner or later, even if there are queues. That should be fun. (I also still have swans!) I totally agree with the sponsors thing. They must feel like they hit the jackpot lol I doubt any of them ever imagined how big he would become... (they still seem to not fully understand, given the sell-outs today lol)

Now I wonder if Yuzu is at least partly to blame for that, too...