EisElle

OUCH x100 laywoman's question here, but... once things are solved on the health side (trusting science that they will be, or that, at least, we'll all reach a new normal where there is a way to safely hold big events), wouldn't it be possible to "just" shift the whole olympic calendar, so Beijing and Tokyo still get their slot, only postponed further, if needed? This pandemic has screwed all best laid plans anyway, even in thosa nations where preparations for 2024 and 2026 were planned. They, too, must be suffering delays on their schedule (ETA: I saw they would be France and oc Italy. I'll be extremely non-patriotic and confess that I wouldn't be surprised if my own country were late on the schedule even under normal circumstances) and if Beijing won't happen in 2022 and they'd just cancel it, it would mean winter sports athletes would need to wait till 2026 for a shot...that's 8 full years since PyeongChang. In competitive terms it's a very, very long time

it does make me uneasy, but for a different reason - a beauty context isn't exactly where I hoped to see her next, after her previous eating disorders and issues with her body image. Sure, it might be that she's taking on this challenge because she now feels confident in her body, and if that's the reason, kudos to her, but... idk, I'm just worried that this might be, instead, her way to search for confirmation. She is gorgeous and she is worthy inside out, and I hope she knows, and she believes this

awwwww I'm imagining the scene how it must feel, for a man who has dedicated his life to help developing FS in Japan, a sensei who stoked the fires of ambition in that smol mushroom, to see something like Nessie so close to actually happening? Tsuzuki sensei must be so proud! as for the love discourse, Yuzuru could be aromantic and utterly disinterested in pursuing romantic love for what we know And well, his "intention" to marry at 25 had probably sunk the moment he has scrapped all his previous plans to retire after PyeongChang and he chose to dedicate himself to comps for a little more (tho I reckon he still has time to pull a Kolyada gosh today's boys are so chaotic) Of course his fame in itself doesn't make it easy to just... meet people and hang out together and get to know them in the "normal" way. I do hope that if he wants to pursue relationships (be it of the romantic type or friendship type) his public stature won't be a burden for him, that it won't be the reason for forced isolation (it is in part a burden, now, but it's also still in part a choice, too). All I can do is wishing him to find happiness in whatever the futute holds for him And with this I bail out of any further speculation (tho I'm curious about the context of that sentence by his old sensei) oh gosh, if that's the case I strongly symphatize with Yuzu I suspect many of us have endured well-meaning (but a tad too-insistent)relatives not-so-subtly prying to know if you're in a relationship or looking at your hand to spot The ring. Even when they don't ask directly, you can be sure they wonder, 'cause that's the common expectation I didn't know the title of the piece, but I did know the vid and loved it. So beautiful, it lifts the heart and soothes your mind In hindsight the title fits so much: H&L was indeed Apollo's Triumph, the sun chasing all the darkness away I don't remember if this had been posted I'm posting it because, while reading, it struck me that this was exactly the kind of piece that I expected to read by Olympic channel about that award -- instead of that terrible thing we got. It's a short piece and it doesn't add anything for anyone who was already following Yuzuru or the awards, but for someone who doens't know Yuzu at all (or who has only heard about him vaguely), it's a good summary: it reports about the occasion, the reasons the award and a bit of additional background about the winner. The background mentions some of his impressive results, hints to his popularity AND to his character too (a fan's comment on facebook might not be considered as the most unbiased of sources, but that quote will suggest the readers that Yuzuru is a very nice person, on top of being a great athlete). And it looks like the author is from USA (tho now based in Japan), so...Oly channel could just choose their contributors a bit better. True, this was more of a targeted congratulatory piece, rather than an article centered on the awards themselves. But I greatly appreciate that there's no whatsoever stirring drama and that Yuzu is not depicted as a mere cash cow ETA: I wanted to add that to me (but tbh it's something objective) it's Yuzu winning MVS that validated the award, not the other way around. A fake token award di NOT validate his being the most valuable. He already was, he will still be even when they'll decide to give it to someone else (bet: next season) The boycott would have certainly worked a lot better is Zuzu had NOT won. I'm kinda annoyed that ISU still managed ot get what they wanted: make people talk about their awards, thanks to Yuzu winning one

@Henni147 I'm so sorry that you're having such a hard time. Condolences for your aunt and sending all the best wishes for your grandad and friend to get better Thank you for sharing something that made you smile despite everything, it's even more precious And yes, Yuzu makes for a very lovely Apollo! And it looks like the Universe agreed with you: it gave us those NHK pics so we could finally see the truth! @Ewa welcome to the Planet! I'll make full use of the skills of google tranlation to read your article, the subject is very interesting (not only because of Yuzu). And you choose a gorgeous pic

afaik the Challengers mentioned in JSF statement were all scheduled before the start of senior GP, so I understand why this first announcement by JSF is only about JGP and Challengers. I wish ISU had found a different way to handle Challengers -- I do want skaters who are able to go to earn something out of it, but I'm worried that so many Jpn skaters will be affected by the "loss" of those ranking points. Especially if Russian skaters, instead, are able to go (entirely possible, so many options for challengers within Europe, possibly without excessive travel restrictions), even skaters like Satoko and Kaori, who are still rather high in WS, could be affected in terms of starting order in following comps. For the other skaters it will be even more costly. Maybe ISU could design more Challengers later in the season (thinking about all those comps in Jan/Feb, though most of them are in Europe too) to give Jpn skaters (and others who can't take part in earlier Challengers) a chance to compete internationally (of course, assuming that by then covid situation would be better). Now I think about it, tbh the only skaters in whole TJ who won't lose much (though still lose the opportunity to test programs with int panel) are Yuzuru and Rika (Rika especially has a larger cushion). Even Shoma would have needed the opportunities of a Challenger (wait, but is he in Japan now or went back to Switzerland? There could still be the chance that skaters whose training base is abroad could get some exception. Which, I reckon, would be unfair to the rest of TJ, and might be the reason why JSF prefers to just use a blanket ban) ISU thought it was perfectly fine to hold Jr synchro WC even when some Countries had pulled out, iirc USA among them (even setting aside the nonsense of hosting such a comp after Montreal had been cancelled and WHO had declared pandemic, this stuck to me as unfair towards the teams that didn't go. It's not like the reason for their WD was some individual accident of the teams or some internal matter of their countries, it was the darn world pandemic!). Hence, I don't expect ISU to suddenly become symphatetic to skaters who are prevented from gaining ranking points by choices that are not in their own hands. On the other hand, I'm also side-eyeing ISU for not wanting to give prize money to winners. If you think a comp meets all requirements for Challengers and should give ranking points, there's no reason not ot give those prize money, too instead they chose the option more convenient to them - Challengers will be held, if they meet requirements they give the points, but ISU keep the (meager)money for themselves (I hope that at least those money will go to support skaters, not in benefits for managers or paying for a happy hour in Phuket) About senior GP, I'm guessing that JSF will wait for ISU to decide something before making some unilateral announcement like for JGP and Challengers. Yes, it's likely that the cons of a blanket ban on whole GP series for all jpn skaters will weigh more on JSF decision (even just for the much bigger economic interests involved in GP and especially NHK). All the more reasons for them to wait and see how other feds are moving... But in all honestly, atm JSF is among the "good" feds who are dealing with this unexpected situation and aren't just hiding their heads under the sand and praying for a vaccine, a cure or a miracle. Though the bar with ISU is so low that it's pretty easy to look good in comparison

not only STEM satellites, I see so many people whose fields aren't exactly (or even remotely) STEM that are always ready to explain and just, you know, share their knowledge. I think about things like the lesson by @cvdnce, about photographers, all the lovely artists, the linguists on this Planet that always give so many precious insights whenever we talk about Zuzu's english improvements, about our Japanese satellites that always add further cultural context and draw attention to little things that could go undetected to the rest of us...... There's always this will to explain(and also research for)the "why" behind an opinion, a statement. I find this attitude really amazing True, thought, that STEM brains are geared towards GIMME THE DATA! tho sadly some "scientists" sometimes forget this. This pandemic brought to the forefront that working in scientific field (and even being extremely successfull in that field) doesn't mean they are people of science. I'm having particular beef with certain "experts" who use their curricula to make their point, instead of bringing evidences and they have such a BIG following thank you!!! you had missed that take? I guess it had more resonance on twitter, and it was soon replaced by some other eyeroll-worth thing Media/bloggers/random dudes(*) never run out of bad takes to keep us busy (*)dudebros, we remember you though they were right in the end, Figure Skating is NOT a sport. Not if you look at how governing body, media and part of FS fandom treat it

yeah, that was such a weird wording. Like, didn't they heard directly from Chinese organizers, before making this announcement? Anyway, the reasoning "but GPF is a olympic test event, hence CoC must take place too"" looks... a bit of a stretch to me. GP series could go on with less than 6 events anyway, ISU should just alter a bit the rules. Heck, they could even just drop the number to "only" 4 events, but with bigger line up. Of course it could be problematic to have so many more skaters at once. But even then, logistically, organizing fewer GPs (and have comps with 24 skaters instead of 12) wouldn't be that different from ISU championships or, heck, even JGP and their 6h long events...(ok, probably there won't be 6h long events this season, but still) I (&everyone else, probably) have the feeling Japan won't be as willing to send skaters to SA, this time (of course a miraculous improvement of US covid numbers could still happen)

do legal offices usually post about FS? Or is it all part of some evil fanyus' masterplan to spread hanyuism among their peers? Either way, amazing question: should we add Heart arsonist to the Glossary? I've never added the Desk Calendar thing either and now it's hard to track back that episode: if I search desk calendar Hanyu I get... well, Yuzu's calendars LMAO both Roman and Kevin replied to that post Roman is just so precious happier times indeed choosing when to speak out and when, instead, just ignore a bait is tough, but there are indeed things that can't just be ignored. Not to won an argument vs someone (that's never gonna happen, if deep prejudice is already ingrained) but to win over eventual third parties who are just starting into this world and still don't have an opinion in one sense or the other. People who, when confornted with calm, articulated arguments, might realize that things are different from what how they'd been painted at first One thing that always impressed me (and still impresses me) is that Yuzu fans seem to have a penchant for questioning, learning, analysing and for bringing corroborating data whenever possible (*) You'd think such an inclination would be well-received, but alas, more often than note good ol' authority principle is used to shut down any meaningful discussion. And of course good ol' customs too, because if something has always been done a certain why it must mean it's good, right? (*)Also lots of self-awareness I mean, on twitter we spend like...half of the time calling each other out which can sometimes get really tiring but it's also good, to keep us rooted, to remind us there's not just one "right" way to see things. Well, some things, at least right??? It's mind-boggling that a sport feds has been literally blessed with the perfect spokeperson, a larger-than-life phenomenon, and they are just...so eager to kick him away? It's not even about just "using" Yuzu for their purposes. They could do that while still keeping a façade of respect towards him... instead they use a token award to look smugly at us and say "look! We value him!" but, not even one moment after, they are already dumping on him again. Just...be consistent? I get it, they are used to the average FS fan having short memory, but...they couldn't even leave Yuzu alone for 24h! side note: looking at things like sponsorships and relationships betweeen sports orgs, media and managment companies makes me feel like a conspiracy theorist LOLsob but it's not my fault, there are patterns everywhere

I wonder if this will be the season Yuzu will go back skating at some minor local comps in Japan. He'll need to try out his programs at a point(especially if he has new programs). Tho of course senior GP might still somehow go on as usual(kinda), so he might not need to wreck havoc at regionals, after all😆

me virtually screaming at cameraman, 10 years after: gosh can't you zoom out a bit and keep ALL of him in the frame? Second rewatch went better, felt less dizzy. BUT! How could they butcher most of WL stsq like that? And the spin? Well, it's high definition new (old) content, so I can't really complain, can I? (Also, was that Kanako?) zig costume always looks better in HD. When footage is more blurry it does remind me of strawberry, but in HD all the colors are so vivid, the black is blacker, the lacey(?)parts stand out more and you can see all those lovely sparkles Bb swan was sweet it was the last season without a quad in the SP (and without 3A out of crazy entry). I see here he did A-spin instead of Biellman. And you know what? I really like Zig! But I'm so glad that now Zuzu can breath somewhat normally for most of his FS now (and despite increased difficulty). Back then his struggle for breath was more noticeable, poor bb. And yet, even if you could see him desperately wanting to catch a breath, he didn't let go for a moment till he he hadn't finished the program! I loved the small smiles he sent to the audience while performing! as for what casual fans read or not, if I still were the newcomer who was getting into FS and trying to "catch up" and learn about FS, I would have read such articles. Once you're in, you learn to know which sources are more reliable, which journalists&bloggers are trustworthy. Generic pieces become less releveant because you don't need to have someone else sum up what's happening, you already know everything. And of course the general audience wouldn't even bother reading an article about some unconsequential FS award. But oly channel does contribute to shape general views. Especially contribute to shaping "first impressions", and many would stop at those first impressions (unless they have reasons to delve deeper). So, if I were a newcomer and I was, say, an Alyona fan who had landed on that Oly channel article after searching for Alyona content, I wouldn't have had the best impression of this Hanyu guy who won MVS. I'd probably feel bad for the poor boy who had been left empty handed despite being so.much.better. And this is what annoys me the most, how people who don't know any better will get a completely wrong idea. ETA: wait, did a prison really tweet about Yuzu?

I'm thankful they didn't wait till August to make this call. I'm sure it wasn't an easy choice, though it's very reasonable one, in current context. I hope other feds and most important the darn ISU will make some kind of announcement in one sense or the other soon, instead of leaving everyone hanging (I know Canada has been cancelleing some events, and I wouldn't be surprised if Chinese fed, like JSF, refused to send their skaters abroad in early season comps, too) I wonder how much ISU decision-makers are scrambling rn to save what's salvageable of JGP... I feel a tiny little bit (but only a tiny little bit) sorry for them, these are unprecedented times and I'm pretty sure none of them was prepared for this

or maybe it was a Freudian slip Everyone knows we are one giant hive sharing only one single braince....WAIT! NOPE! That's the ISU+USFSA&Rusfed+Olychannel+NBC+IMG Trash lessons must really be in meager times, if they're baiting us so hard I almost wish we truly were one Singular Fanyu and act as one body to just let Trash lesson slide into the obscurity they deserve. But alas, we are not One Fanyu. Everyone chooses for themselves, so someone will still give them too much attention. Anyway, a pity. Trash lessons have, sometimes, got some things right (like discussing some abuse cases, and it looks like they're talking about Nini too), but I just can't stomach them. I suppose they feel the same towards fanyus, but we're not the ones who try to bait those we despise so we can make money out of their clicks LOL I saw that one too, it was brilliant! Anyway, we've been swallowing in the mood for one day too long Let's talk about better things! uplifting things! Like, are the Yuzu Ice Jewels photobooks already available in digital format? Will they be available on amazon.co.jp? Should I surrender my wallet? (yep, that's me disguising my search for info as a selfless change of topic ) also, was this posted? I can't believe this pic was taken through a water bottle I'm in awe of photographers' skills

as others suggested, it could easily be done as part of Banquet too (skaters are asked to dress formally for that one, anyway, they'd be spared the need of finding two different fancy outfits). Maybe use it to open the banquet and then leave skaters alone so they can have their usual fun. Or maybe, yes, keep them virtual. Better, they would be more free with calendar and could keep the vote open till after last comp, then use the event to bring a bit of "excitement" (read: something to talk about) in off season, so more casual FS fans can be reminded that yes, FS exists! The Oly channel article was a disappontment. I expected the usual rather inane (but harmless) fluff, but instead the parts about Yuzuru (or should I rather say, about why Nate isn't MVS) could have been written by another skater's agent or H*rsh (who has written the article? I have screenshotted parts, in case someone makes the sensible choice of editing things out, but I can't find the author, tho iirc sometimes he had wrote for them). Yuzu said he hates when they speak as if he were a fossil. Well, Oly channel did exactly that. Forgetting that: he has won one of the 3 major events of the season (blame ISU ranking points, other skaters' strategic choices that turned out bad in hindsight, covid or just adverse fate, but it's a fact that 4CC is a major comp and Yuzuru won it); he set a new highest score in the short; he landed a new quad combo; in SC he had gotten mightly close to the fake Saitama WR; and he got scores >300 twice in int comps this season (vs the clearly dominant skater one time) All the article does is (not so subtly)hint that Yuzu is an has-been competitively, and that the only good thing to recommend him now is that he has many dedicated fans. Fans that apparently buy him a stupid award that others would have deserved more Well, I totally expected the downplaying&narratives would come back strong once pre-oly season truly started... but I didn't think they'd start so early not even one day after ISU had reluctantly gritted their teeth and "celebrated" Yuzuru We can summarize Yuzu getting the MVS thing like this: this is an excellent point I guess that, originally, live music and a few performances were supposed to liven up things (tough, when were the medallists supposed to skate, if skaters had been asked to dress up in formal attire?) but still, only 1/3 of the surface would be left for the very thing people had bought: the skating And what if one had bought a seat that was on the opposite side of where the (limited) skating happened? What if people who had paid to be ice level and found themselves eye to level to a platform instead? Whenever there is an arena with a stage somewhere, the seats have different prices according the position of the stage, too. Would people with obstructed view or far from the "skating zone" been offered partial refund or switching seat? I doubt it And you're right about the first and main reason why we've never quite liked the awards: the breach of trust from organizers was blatant and shameless. And never once addressed by any media. After than, any proclaim was just empty.

I'm a well-watered and happy cactus today not thanks to you know what, but thanks to the magic combo of 3h of old Zuzu rewatching + new Zuzu appearing and reminding me that's he's such a wonderful person, other than skating GOAT he truly is too good for this sport (and yes, I'm definitely not as good as he is) Yuzu, we love you and this shower of hearts is all for you: I haven't listened much to Charlie and Tanith's commentaries, but I remember Charlie being so sweet and toughtful when interviewing Yuzu after WC17 SP and Tanith being nice in the NBC OWG specials, so I'm glad they were good hosts here too In the video montage about MVS Yuzu they put those two amazing fans wearing pooh onesies in Turin too! They always make me crack up so much because they were just SO HYPED and they're clearly NOT media's fave stereotypical "japanese" fans I also got soft seeing on of our banners felt a bit as if I was holding it myself. The MVS video was actually really lovely! A pity ISU is... ISU and had to ruin a potentially nice (or at least harmless) idea As for TrashLessons, they wish they had as many people ready to throw money at them as we do for Yuzu (yeah, I know this is petty and materialist , but it does give me a bit of satisfaction and isn't nearly as petty as the not-so-veiled preemptive self-victimization) I almost wish ISU was shameless till the end and gave that stupid award to someone else, if could mean we would be spared more trash opinions cutie patootie? it sounds about right well, there was the chance of new Yuzu content, especially since there was always the chance of Yuzu getting a "consolation prize" to make ISU look good(&make us displeased fans look bad and silly) and have some acceptance speech. I'm happy he delivered, and even happier that he didn't stick to a couple of cold, formal sentences but showed all his thoughtfulness and kindess and sincerity<3 But while he might have felt sad that something about his beloved sport was being actively avoided by many fans, I feel that he, more than anyone, would understand why many of us just couldn't stomach to give our share of views to ISU streaming. After all, he's always been more symphatetic with the kind of issues we've been pointing out than anyone in the merry brigade of Ari&ISU&assorted media ETA: small Anyway, I suppose this is our July quota of Yuzu vids. Now it starts the wait for August Gosh, i miss him already... Also, the saga of The White Wall goes on. What can we expect next?

LMAO I KNEW IT (that the Gods of Random Draws would be against me this time too) ETA: it won't stop me from trying again tho congrats to the winners and I can't wait for the streaming party to start! (I almost feel as before a comp, but without the anxiety, only excitement!) thank you all for organizing this event

good that he isn't like her, but if all the arguing with his wife does nothing to stop the abuse...

Re: Nini's mother interview I've read how the woman even picked a name for her child that would be skating-related. In different circumstances, it would have made for a cute origin story, but instead it was just a symptom of an unhealthy obsession. Now there's Nini living in her mother's twisted dream and there's no way to know if Nini would have ever loved and chosen FS on her own (with all the sacrifice it entails even when skaters are raised and trained in a better environment) It's bad enough when it's the coaches being abusive, but when the parents themselves, who are supposed to watch over their children and support them and protect them, are the source of abuse it's... it feels hopeless. Who will protect Nini, if her own mother is forcing her own twisted ambitions on her, through physical and psychological abuse? Will coaches and authorities be the one stepping in? Will they prefer a potential medal to the wellbeing of an athlete? I'm not hopeful. I do hope that the article didn't get the reaction they expected, if what they expected was admiration. Apparently someone had, in the past, reported Nini's mother for child abuse, but were there any actual changes for the better? It doesn't look so ETA: also, what the f*** is Nini's father doing, doesn't he realize his daughter is suffering at the hands of his wife? On a more general note

maybe they need all that time to find a way to explain why the MVS didn't get the MVS more prosaically, it could be that there will be lots of spoken parts, and most will be in english or other languages, so they prefer to sub/dub the whole thing properly. And maybe they'll insert some bonus content from their own footage from past comps/interviews/specials to make the whole thing more interesting If they really wanna keep it, they could at least be sensible and have them at a WTT, and leave WC alone

re: the digital comp proposalthread, I can see the good intentions BUT for starters, a "virtual" set up would require an extensive employment of technology. Not all countries will have their own adeguate tech equipment, or even adeguate rinks. Also, specialized video operators, in charge of the official footage like in ISU events, would be required. So ISU would need to deploy proper, standardized tech equipment AND the personnel, in several countries, all at once. Now, we all know ISU. Thus far they couldn't even add a second camera for tech panel in one rink Heck, ISU hasn't even been willing use teleconference in place of their physical congress, and a teleconference is a thousand times easier to host than a whole FS comp (let's not even start about how utterly comic it would be if ISU started acquiring official footage remotely when they still don't allow skaters to upload their darn music without physical CD) then, there would just be such a massive danger for fixing behind-the-scene (I mean, bigger than what happens now). In other sports, where a result can be decided only thought the use of standardized, tamper-proof equipment, having athletes compete in different place might be difficult, but still doable. But in FS standardized, tamper-proof equipment is just the start. There are already judges breaking the rules in public (I'm not talking about forgetting the handbook, that's a given, but things against the code of ethics, like talking to each other while scoring). If judges aren't all at once in the same place, under public scrutiny, how to be sure they aren't on some The merry companionship of the ISU chatgroup, exchanging tips? Should we trust the word of one or two officials eventually there to "watch over" them? (who might as well be those suggesting how to score?)

So no CoC but yes to GPF? Will ISU change rules so GP series goes on with one less stop or try to replace it? They still haven't announced a replacement for jpn JGP, right? (I don't think many places right now would jump at the perspective of suddenly hosting an interational event, especially when audience attendance is a big question mark) Well, I suppose that olympic test event could still have a different format than the "usual" gpf... Standing current situation, ISU should just refuse to let USA host an international event like SA, even if USA government said: yay welcome!!! (and I'd guess that, if skaters training outside USA had a choice, they'd pick any other hosting nation other than USA) Then again, I don't expect ISU people using their one shared neuron to protect something as "trivial" as their skaters's health. I feel that Canada will be very cautious about allowing foreigner skaters in (let alone int fans). Idk what to expect about NHK, on one side Japan has chosen to cancel JGP, on the other NHK has bigger economic interests. My guts says that IdF and RC at the moment sound as the most likely to go on as planned(kinda), though maybe with restrictions for audience. I can see a GP series where intercontinental travel is limited e.g. skaters based in Europe get invited to European GPs only and so on...but then there would be the issue of skaters whose coaches actually are abroad (and who might have joined them abroad by the time of GP) and that e.g. two GP can't possibly fit all the Russian skaters. Furthermore, fields would be severly unbalanced. Even if skaters, coaches, judges got special exception to enter a country without needing quarantining, they'd probably be required to get tested both before leaving and after landing, and who should pay for those tests? ISU? Skaters' feds? There should be arrangements in place within the hosting nation for some lab to give priority to analysing those tests too. While doable in theory (big football clubs are already getting their players routinely screened), idk if ISU has both clout and money to arrange something like that. (re: judges, I also wonder if ISU is considering amendments to their policy of having judges all from different nations and continets. Pretty sure USA and Rus have more than enough judges to fill not one but several panels. Even if that would mean even more biased panels, I'm inclined ot think that ISU would prefer to find a way to justify such a choice rather than entirely kissing goodbye to a comp, e.g. SA)

maybe adding some fabric here and there... oops now I'm actually imagining that poor costume ending like Bruce Banner's clothes when he turns into Hulk (sorry for the comics reference, better comparisons escape me, at the moment) All right, Zu, you can keep that costume hidden&safe in your closet

precious vid and such a precious bb mushroom! (but I bet that later he felt a bit kuyashii over not keeping his Biellman as long as Mari did Towards the end, smolZuzu couldn't suppress his bubbliness, Mari was so composed while he couldn't keep his arms stilla bit of a flashback of bb Romeo who couldn't stay still on 2012WC podium and that costume was so good too! That's how you make black costumes! None of that drab VW stuff! I'm guessing Mama Hanyu sewed it. Really great costume that could look 100% gorgeous today too and easily compete for most beutiful costume (sparkles on trousers too) ngl, I'd love it if that costume could made a come back in some CiONTU2. Maybe it won't fit tho. True, Zu can still wear stuff that was made when he was 16yo, but here we're talking about when he was only 14yo...

thank you @sweetwater for translating I love hearing about how photographers view Yuzuru (how many he's conquered thus far?) You'd expect them to keep some kind of detachment -- after all, they are there "just" to do what they're paid for -- and it's heartwarming when you hear not only about their committment and passion about their own job -- how to capture a certain expression, how to convey a whole performance thorough small moments frozen in time -- but also how they themselves, as viewers, develop genuine admiration for the subject of their photos. I can see what Wakasugi means, when he says that he wants to show Yuzu's natural self Some of his photographs look somewhat..."humble", so to say, intimate, not focused on a grand moment, and yet they are precious all the same. Like in the NHK gala one he mentions or the one where he captured Yuzu's peaceful expression during the Otonal spin Small moments that maybe can get lost while watching the whole thing, you really stop and take in them throught pics Also Thank you, Wakasugi san! GPF may not have been Yuzuru's best comp, but he had most definitely not forgotten to perform

Ahhh new (old) Yuzu footage!!!!! (when will Jpn broadcasters be like Jordan and release all the hidden goods? There are at least 10 years of footage somewhere in their archives!) Yuzu bowing is already lovely&special in normal speed, with slow mo even better. THAT smile at the end, while looking into camera? That really makes you feel "seen"

I've read how YT counts views too, and since then I'm looping different playlists (and yes, also making use of that VPN licence that I bought by mistake) on the other hand, there is this one vid (a reupload of BESP WC FS) that's been stuck for days (and it has a very low views). Even with all the restrictions in place, why doesn't YT add at least one view? On the contrary, it went down of 5 views LMAO I wonder what's wrong with that vid in particular