LadySnowblood

That is a more forgiving way to look at it! You're right... I was just kicking myself because this has been discussed before, but I totally forgot until his iPod was mentioned (I can see why now):

Is this just me, I felt that the "skating for himself" stuff was put out there to lower expectations for Yuzuru as much as anyone else. Like he did have some fear that he might not recover fully enough to compete at the level needed to win after PC, but that fear is gone now. When he asked in CiONTU to be allowed to continue just a little bit longer, it felt like he could see the light at the end of the tunnel but still wasn't sure he'd make it out. But he did and it is really like he's been reborn! Kuyashii and all. Until/unless he changes the layout of his SP, I still believe that he cares about his own performance more than scores, but they're so tied together... The loooooong pause after that question about jumps in the first half made me laugh, but it's a worthy challenge for him to try winning in a different way, and I think he can do it. Certainly no one else is going to try it!

Do you still need feedback? Very much the same, I was only using my phone both days so wasn't here during his SP/FS but when I checked in right before & after SP I saw the green & white notice. Didn't try to post much immediately after either to avoid duplicates, because new reply notices seemed delayed. I was at work for SP, not for FS so probably not a fair comparison, but it seemed generally slower for FS.

Corrected, there is a story of a god who took the form of a three-legged crow, who maybe becomes a man in this telling... Feeling very "duuhhhh" for not making the connection earlier but incendiary beauty will do to a person that I guess (along with a dash of Western cultural bias) His head movement in the beginning is very crow-like and the burning, smoldering look of the costume truly is of the sun, just in a darker way (like sunspots). ETA: If he is a crow turned into man, would the open/bare areas of the costume be from shedding or molting? I thought of those as being burned patches but a creature of the sun wouldn't be harmed by it.

Origin is like instant infatuation so I have to say that but I loved Otonal when I first saw it... Like a gentle sigh! It looks beautiful in the program and I was excited to see a reference to Johnny right up front like that. Not as flattering as Origin but I think the idea was to soften the edges, appear less angular, and it succeeds in that. Impressive since it's totally fitted except for a small ruffle... no loose flowy pieces, which is what I had been expecting! One thing about Origin, it really needs LGC hair to work. I heartily dislike that teaser clip of Origin + bangs.

Some of this is here too: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/09/bb43f662df88-figure-skating-hanyu-reflects-on-bumpy-start-to-2018-2019-season.html I love how questions are posed to kind of give him a way out (new program, 4 minutes, etc.), he refuses to entertain any excuses and keeps returning to what he can do to improve and move forward. Champion!

https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/09/22/yuzuru-hanyu-wins-autumn-classic-despite-shaky-performance/

The tinkling chimes (?) in Otonal made me think of ice crackling or icicles beginning to melt and that reminded me of what he said about the costume not having a theme, only matching his impression of the music. But then seeing Jeff explain the looking back, change of seasons theme I thought people were right to describe it as blue HYK! Even if it's an accident. I adore Origin, it's just magical and I love that it is dark. Made me think of a phoenix emerging from smoldering ashes, which seems to fit with what Yuzu's said about going back to his roots, and the concept Shae-Lynn described... except there isn't really anything about a phoenix turning into a beautiful prince-- but this is new mythology! Beyond gorgeous, I gasped when I first saw him.

Yes I do too. I apologize, I didn't mean to be unkind or unsympathetic but I can see how it looks that way. This got kind of long, and I guess to me it isn't really Yuzuru-related, so: I hope you're feeling OK!

It's in the article so probably silly to keep putting under spoiler but,

At first I read this thinking, yeah! Finally something definite about his physical condition, then I read it again and it's, "Hanyu says has no special injury problem. Right now, he seems to be injury free, Orser agreed." I guess he would always say he has no problems physically if he can still jump, he is a tough athlete after all... But I've been worrying on and off that the pinky is some kind of distraction and this didn't help! Comparing pursuit of 4A with that of 4Lz just reminds me to keep praying for him Also,

How funny I used to be really interested in trying this scent but worried about wasting money, now I want to check it out again. I think the black currant made me hesitate. I find all the prediction games beyond impossible... For costumes my only thoughts are that Origin will be relatively spare, formal and classically handsome, and Otonal will be the perfect opposite or complement. In that vein I do imagine dark for Origin, light for Otonal but no matter what they will be worth waiting for (wish fulfillment)!

Jack betrays himself

Many thanks, this has been a joy to read. Go Sota!!

Re: Nathan I thought Javi meant something like, wow only a crazy person would go for 6 quads (and succeed). He seems quite amused by the comic book idea for Yuzu, as if he had a specific type of character in mind, wish I knew what it was!

Me too. After PC my impression was that he was overwhelmingly happy, relieved, and grateful but also trying to settle himself with the possibility that sacrificing his ankle might mean no more competing... then CiONTU brought him back full circle and seemed to give him a different idea of how to actually continue into next season. I hoped that he would bring CiONTU with him somehow but it was all just vague wishing & dreaming... I cannot wait to see the new programs in their entirety. It's like the grim determination to succeed in spite of endless hardships, melted away after reaching that nearly impossible goal. Now he's putting himself first and doing what makes him happy, with joyful resolve. He definitely earned it!

I'm superstitious about liking this but it is a beautiful sentiment, love love love his determination and spirit in all things

I am in the USA and I agree, or it's not even that explicit but the personal comfort level is very narrow. But then I can't think of many skaters I'd want to see in less conventionally "masculine" costumes. Bling isn't really feminine but I think some back away from that to emphasize "sport" over "art." I think it was a happy accident that Johnny's style worked well for Yuzuru and that influence carried on. I can't imagine anyone else who could do it better and I love how he goes all-out in his costumes... It's just one more thing which shows his commitment and ability to see the bigger picture. The performance is what counts, not his personal feelings about seeming manly or whatever. But then unlike a lot of men, he can wear almost anything... Like the all gold Plushy costume is a joke and would never happen, but it still gives me some interesting ideas! Another thing I like about his costumes, because they are only true to his performance or artistic vision and not whatever is in the current mode, they can't really be dated (I think this is true for Johnny too)... Somehow it's more effective than the boring "trying to be classic/timeless" stuff.

Peace to Denis, his loved ones and all who love him... Some fine tributes here

This sounds like "Experimentation" from dance show featuring skaters, Love On the Floor but I can't find video now... Or maybe remembering it wrong

My main discomfort with the doodles is because of how some skaters are repeatedly drawn to look very generically "Asian." I know that's just something I'm sensitive to but it is still hard to get around. I do like other drawings which actually makes me more annoyed/confused about the Asian caricature shortcuts... seems to show that they are really not necessary yet the artist keeps choosing to use them.

Confirmed!!

An angel, a prince? Mystery, disenchantment! This strange child, "Dory"

Sorry for the late, late reply but learning that anyone sees Yuzu as a twink might have broken my mind... I hope it just means the word is used differently than I remember I think alpha/apex predator is a great way to describe his place in the skating world, especially because of how it fits with the concept of him as an alien or super-evolved human. The first of his kind (on Earth), a class unto himself, unprecedented and unmatched!