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I'm not an enthusiast of their music by any means, from what little I've heard of it, but image-wise, I think they present a more mature and maybe sophisticated front than the usual teenage idol groups and they are leggy, like kpop idols. And they are not afraid to show them off. I think they're actually a major selling point of these ladies, in fact. xP Lol. Maybe it'll turn out to be a pre-recorded thing he did at ciontu itself. He'd have turned in his summer homework like whoa! 4 months early! >_< So much for leaving it for the last minute. It's so weird to see him wave around a tankard tho. Pirate or not, he's way below the drinking age then. He looked more like he should be swabbing decks so a deck brush would've made him look more convincing. >_< I didn't understand what everyone was talking about until I realized there's a spot shaped like a person where all light seemed to be getting absorbed...

Perfume sounds like a good choice for idol representation. But Japan's music scene is a broad one and isn't limited to idol pop. They've got other great contemporary stuff as well. They've got all-time fan faves like Southern All Stars and Mr. Children and Yuzu (the band), and they've got a lot of popular rock bands (like that poultry bump one Hanyu likes so much) and solo artistes across various genres as well. Personally, I'm hoping for Daichi Miura. There are so many to choose from that don't necessarily have to come from idol roots (tho Miura kinda does but he evolved into a master artiste like Timberlake did). I don't think there are many musical acts they can include because the events aren't musical concerts at the end of the day but for the few they can, I do hope they choose wisely.

I don't see why not. He seemed to have made it his mission after his first Oly win, and if he'd appeared faithfully despite injuries in the quad he had the most to lose, what's to stop him from doing it now when he's no longer got anything to lose and is healing well from his last injury? I mean there aren't any guarantees he would and even if he doesn't owe it to anyone to appear, if he doesn't, there's gotta be an extremely good reason. But even then, I'd probably still find it odd if they asked him and he chooses not to do it. I mean, it's almost like a habit to him now and the guy is nothing if not a creature of habit... Yeah...I'm thinking it'd be kinda hard not to top the twitter ranking and subsequently the popularity one when the friggin Olympics is tweeting about you every other day like clockwork. I can't seem to not put my foot in my mouth, it seems. I apologize, although I don't have anything redeeming to say about Johnny's and his stable of performers. No wait I do! I think some of them are more than decent actors. Like Nagase, and Okabe, and Ninomiya. ^^But I don't enjoy their singing and dancing. And I've never come across a number sung by a Johnny's group that I liked.

This is all.so...convoluted and complicated. Not to mention vague. I'm beginning to think the judges shouldn't be scorned but commended for being willing to judge at all...

!!! Sorry! I just realized I came off sounding like a jerk, especially to those who enjoy the genre. I hope I didn't offend you too much. I have nothing against Akimoto. In fact, I think he did and is still doing a fantastic job (I think he does it so much better than ol' Johnny...sorry to those who enjoy the bands under his jimusho but...yeah) and his songwriting skills are legit, almost right up there with his producing ones, but I don't think his brand of culture should be used to dominant effect in something like the Olys. Like, even as dominant as kpop was as a theme at PC, the traditional elements were equally as strong, if not more so. While I think there should be some pop elements at the Tokyo events to represent the fun and bubblier aspects of Japan's modern culture, I'm hoping the overarching theme for the Tokyo Olys would be a more austere one. ^^; And with Mansai at the helm and the other two seeming to be professionals selected to deliver a more tasteful package, I think we may be getting that after all. ^_^

Well, if they're gonna judge on a constrained scale with the new +5 being the new +3, it stands to reason that the new +2 would be the new 0. It's pretty simple and sound logic and completely reasonable, in ISU's books. Anyway, isn't this whole thing more about simply repackaging the surface rather than really revamping the mechanics? Kinda like, if what they're serving before was beef stew, what they're saying is they're serving something "different" called chuck goulash now in a different colored dish and look! They even changed the utensils and the table cloth! So they do hope you enjoy their earnest effort to improve upon the previous dish, even though the food itself essentially looks and tastes the same.

Meanwhile, I'm just glad that the events will get the classy and culturally deep treatment they deserve and not what they would have gotten had the job gone to that fellow who produces all those ABC123 idol groups. Had this been anything else less-related to Hanyu, I might have been more inclined to agree fully with the above sentiments but given that these are the Olys and in Japan, it's pretty much synonymous with Hanyu at the moment, plus the fact that he won PC with a program Mansai inspired, I don't think it's unreasonable to want to use his name as a lead-in. I'm wondering if Mansai's ties with Hanyu and his Olympic winning FS isn't a part of the reason behind his appointment, actually. They'll probably be considered even without Hanyu in the picture but I'm wondering if Hisaishi and Umebayashi are among the shortlist of composers JOC is considering to approach. Or have they decided on someone already? Oh no, it's not the ABC123 dude, is it? Cos I heard he's a composer, too. Please, please, pleeeeeease say isn't so T.T Lol. He was beaten in almost every category (tho he was doing pretty good for some of them despite not really actively making appearances on those other mediums) until his Twitter explosion basically blasted everyone else into the stratosphere. >_< And aside from his legion of faceless fans, I'm pretty certain that Gallagher and the Olympic Channel were far-from-insubstantial contributing factors...

I always find it a bit puzzling when people say the rule changes are skewed in favor of Hanyu (Orser being one of them). Sure, he may be the only one with the biggest possibility of hitting +5s at some point, if he sticks around long enough and doesn't go into decline, but people seem to forget that judges seem to judge on a relative scale. Others weren't getting +2s and +3s, deserved or no, so easily until Hanyu began consistently getting them. There's always this mindset to level the playing field. It wasn't so obvious before because while there were leaders, there wasn't anyone singularly so far above and beyond others they were unreachable without having to resort to blatantly stretching the points of the nearest competitors to sort of...give everyone else a fighting chance? So, for now at least, I fail to see how this increased range of GOE will bring about any huge difference except to widen the gap between the more technically adept and the ones who are less so. I mean so long as everyone on top delivers a cleanish performance, the scores are going to be given on the same ratio as before, with every +4s and +5s Hanyu manages to score, others would simply be getting +2s, +3s and +4s rather easily, when the same quality that would have only gotten them ,+1s, +2s (and sometimes even +3s, something we've seen happen before) when in reality they should have been 0.5s to mid-range +1s, at best. Even if they suppress Hanyu's scores to only allow him to hit the +4 range at most, there will be those who will be hitting the +3 one without having to really deserve it. With the BVs being lowered and the reduction of one jumping pass, overall scores would either stay the same as before or only be slightly less but the relative differences between each top skater delivering a cleanish performance would stay largely the same, I think. So even if we have to wait and see, I don't foresee any significant changes for the better, just more of the same. I mean, we may see some skaters on top being replaced by fresher blood if they deliver the quadz (quality notwithstanding) but I'm thinking the relative differences will likely follow the same pattern as the past couple of seasons. So rather than hoping that the judging would change with the scores and new rules, I'm more hoping that the skaters would be able to improve their skills enough to justify their scores a little bit more than before to give the audience and themselves better quality performances and technical feats. Because, scores aside, isn't improvement something everyone should be striving for in the first place?

1) I guess I'll be sad but only in the way one is sad when something comes to a close. While I can't honestly call myself a fan of the sport itself even now (I still have a lot of trouble sitting through entire competitions and performances of skaters whom I'm not even a little invested in unless their choices are bold ones), it was him who opened my eyes to how fascinating it can be. I mean I've come a long way from thinking men's figure skating is basically like what I saw in Blades of Glory. I wasn't even sure if the Iron Lotus wasn't really a thing, I was that ignorant of it lol...I mean I wasn't a fan of any sport to begin with (although I am a fan of seinen sports manga haha) and never in my life have I followed an athlete as closely as I have followed Hanyu as, being far from athletically-inclined and a non-sports fan, I've always found athletes hard to relate to. Since he's about the only person doing what he does in the way he does it, FS with him in it seems so much more exciting in a way it had never been to me before I stumbled upon him. So when he leaves the competitive arena, unless someone else strikes a chord in me, I probably won't be paying as much attention to it, besides checking back every now and then to see performances of some skaters I quite like and follow up on their progress. But I won't be tracking anybody's progress closely anytime soon. I'll most definitely be mostly pumped for whatever new endeavor he decides to invest his time and effort into (albeit it'll most likely be one where he won't be in the limelight as much, if at all) because as much as I love his skating, in supporting the guy as a person, it excites me to be able to find out what else he has to offer. :)) 2) I honestly have no idea. I guess it could just go back to the way it was before Tornado Hanyu came along and tore up the field but with some changes thanks to said storm leaving behind a changed landscape. There won't be sell-out of arenas and phenomenons like the pooh storm anymore for some time, I do not think, but there could be a significant increase of fans compared to before depending on how the ISU plays their cards, I feel.

I think he was sorta already doing this with SEIMEI and H&L. He never seems to be overly bothered whether or not the judges will buy them. He seems to me to run on the logic that so long as he sells them, they'll happily buy whatever he's selling, the end. I don't mean he doesn't feel apprehensive about his choices, he definitely does, and maybe it's this part he's feeling less of now that he's achieved most of his goals (imagine that. 2x OGM and the guy's still got unfinished business...he probably always will), but on the flip side, he definitely also harbors confidence that if he manages to present what he has in his head, it'd be quite hard for judges to not jump on board his ship. Guy wouldn't be chasing his ideals so stubbornly and doggedly if he wasn't at least sure of that. And he wasn't exactly wrong either. He may have wondered if H&L was too introspective for the judges to be more generous with their scoring of it but I truly do think the main reason behind why it didn't get the score it really deserved despite his close to perfect showing of it is due to circumstances (first to skate in his group eith the judges still holding firm to a 6.0 mentality). Had he skated the way he did last or second last, I'm pretty sure the judges would have lapped it up like they did SEIMEI. At this point, as long as the guy skates clean, I sincerely do think he can do whatever the hell he wants and still have them all eating out of his hands. That's the overall impression I'm getting looking at his career from a bird's eye view.

Thank you, Denis. Your time with us may have been an all-too-short one but the effect you had while you were around is an immeasurably profound one. The gaping hole in your shape that is your absence tells me how much your presence meant, even if I hadn't realized it before. Rest assured that the legacy you have left behind will live on in your stead. And may your loved ones be able to move on with pride in their hearts, and be well taken care of. Skate happily among angels, Hero of Kazahkstan, and Champion of Life.

Hanyu, Lambiel, Uno and Buttle can start a lil mini-club of their own. 😂

I dunno about them being used in a program but I really like Will You Be There and Man in the Mirror. These two are on my list of all-time fave tunes. And as far as MJ-themed progs go, albeit only just for show progs, Balde really made it work. Higuchi's showing of it was pretty awesome too. I think something from the Over the Garden Wall soundtrack would be really good. Like the opening, Into the Unknown. It's not gonna happen, I know, but it's a thought worth relishing nevertheless. (:

Haha! Is Jin's one so funny they have to open and close with him? And the way Hanyu's features seem to migrate to the center of his face makes it look like he's been made to suck on a lemon. >_< @the alcohol topic: Iunno. When he said alcohol ain't for him on that show and then that account of him that made him sound like an extreme lightweight after just a bit of sake, I just took it to mean that alcohol ain't something he's super tolerant towards *shrug* Didn't mean to imply anything more than that. And since he'll likely reject the content, but it's really what's printed on the can that's making waves, I just thought that giving him the can sans content sounds valid? Guy did very explicitly say he liked having all eyes on him when he's skating. But I only meant it as joke anyhow.

The guy in the black polo tee also made a punny joke that pokes fun at the two (without making fun of Hanyu at all--very smooth) but it doesn't work in English at all. >_< ...well, daaaayum. LOL. Maybe Hanyu was astral projecting and his spirit got drawn to her cos of her costume and unwittingly possessed her. What for? It's not like the guy can consume it. >_< Brian should just gulp it down himself and then toss him the empty can.

Just to make myself clear, when I made the comments I did that have since been deemed as NSFW about the left image here: What I was seeing in my head was this: Though I also won't deny the fact that his LGC persona is...exactly what most everyone's id is telling us it is. It doesn't matter whether one likes the program or not, or thinks his costume is fantastic or fugly, it is what it is. He did Prince great justice and then some by delivering the program the way it was meant to be delivered. And then some. Peace out.

I was about to ask the same then realized I have it saved on my phone. Would upload it but then I dunno who to credit so I'll leave it to someone who does. And I wouldn't call doing this crazy, just deeply touched and devoted. >_< It was a beautifully edited piece of image, one that he probably didn't imagine to turn out the way it did even when he provided the fodder. I wish I had editing skills like that.

Has anyone seen this? The reenactment scenes are pretty godly. Lol. This actually has some pretty quality content, though. Here's a rundown of the gist of it for those need it: But man, those reenactment scenes sure are something else. >_<

Nope. I read the whole thing and "How to Save Money" is all I got out of it, and therefore think is the most appropriate title. xD For people who are so penny wise, they sure know how to raise a son who turn others pound foolish. >.<

I know the answer to the first question. It's "How to Save Money". And he got healthier alright. He can now probably crush someone's head with those thighs of his.

I'm going to go ahead and believe that's not going to happen. While I don't think it's a bad costume per se, it's a piss-colored shawl too many to qualify as one of his more decent choices in my books. Maybe if he got rid of that thing and switches it to something else less...irksome to the eye... And his competition costume choices for the past few years have been on the correct side of decent to me so imma believe he's gonna keep his zeal for sartorial theatrics (in terms of costumes) in check...or at least I'm hoping Ito-san will... That aside, none of his choices has ever made me *really* cringe, even Vertigo 1.0, which, to me, is the most unfortunate out of his less fortunate choices. The worst he's ever done when it comes to costume choices was make me think that there are better things he could've worn so, he ain't doing so bad.

Why would he not? Guy's the king of "if it's perfect the way it is, why fix it?" (Which also means if it's less than perfect, he'd take a sledgehammer to it and rebuild from the ground up. But if it's close enough to it, he'll apply super precision tools to it to get it just the way he likes it.)

Nah, I showed it to some of my Japanese co-workers and while they think the comparison was a wee bit tasteless, they thought it was an innocent mistake on Kozuka's part and that he was more impressed by Hanyu than anything. People apparently just chose to zero in on one small bit instead of interpreting what he was saying as a whole, is all, because who doesn't love drama? ^.~ Japanese people are the same as the rest of the world, after all. That and I think these people are all just really protective of Hanyu. Which is good, because the guy does apparently get a lot of flack in his home country despite all that he did. All in all, I think it's not a bad thing people are standing up for him. Just hope there aren't any casualties in the process. I only vaguely recall that bit and I can't be bothered to watch the clip again but off the top of my head, I think they were asking if his love for pooh was real and were thoroughly amazed that a grown dude like him could still get away with playing with cutesy toys in front of the whole world where anyone else would just come off looking weird doing it like what is *it* with the guy that makes the things he does work so well for him that can't easily be copied by others. Something along those lines.

Costumes actually look better on him they they do on the mannequins. Guess he's just one of those hateful people, then. Le sigh.

Hmmm...I don't imagine the Belgium vs Japan match would've been too apt of a comparison either, unless you assign Hanyu as Belgium. Given that in the FS world, Hanyu *is* basically Belgium, the team that's outgunning and far out of everyone else's reach when they're at their absolute best, even when the team isn't comprised solely of their top-tier players. ...and that's only if Belgium is the strongest team around bar none. Which I'll only consider them to be if some of their top picks sit out of the Final and they still soundly beat France. But in the interest of keeping things simple and within the perspective of the current context, in the Belgium vs Japan match, I'd think Hanyu was Belgium and all the other top dudes are Japan. That, to me, makes for a better comparison. ...I cant be the only one who didn't hear it that way. Despite the slip, all I heard was a guy who's well and truly awed by the fact that someone like Hanyu truly does exist, someone who could go out there and win despite all the odds stacked against him, and thanks to being made to see that, now has a wider perspective on things (as per his last comment on Hanyu). That yukata is waaaaay too big on him. That ain't Massot's body, but it could've been his yukata nevertheless. xD