Valkyria

I've been craving something all black with red sparkle since the talk about a Black Swan program. You have my vote. we'll die a happy death

...bury me with a blue version of SEIMEI

It's certainly seen battle. Some he's won, some he's lost... but he's all out to win the war, now

The murderface new favourite word, btw is the best part, obviously

I'm with you. The couple we've seen from the open practice were so smooooth

Regarding layout, some of us are still considering the option of a 4Lz because it would make more sense in a 5-quad layout; otherwise he's taking out a 3A to repeat a 4T/4S, which would mean relatively little BV payoff for the added risk. But still, as @CupidsBow said, none other than Yuzuru has gotten close to the scores he got with the 3-quad SEIMEI. As long as he's clean (and consistency/high average has been the goal for a while), he'll be fine. So, while I'm still holding my breath for the posibility of 4Lz if he feels it's ready, I'm not worried about his chances overall: he's confident, healthy, and he's putting in the work; that's all anyone can do at this point. And regarding the recycling, I do get why some people are disappointed and it's completely fine to feel that way. I was mostly expecting it this time and SEIMEI is such a powerful, obvious Olympic program that I came to terms with it much sooner than Chopin tbh, but I understand where the frustration is coming from. It might seem reactive the SP is, in a way and safe with the similar layout so far, but at the same time he's taking the challenge to go up against the ghost of himself and the monster scores he got with these two programs. Yes, judges may nitpick everything he does wrong and pull him down because they know he can deliver almost perfection, but he's also forcing their hand if he goes clean; they can't score these versions lower than the previous ones if he does, so. At the end of the day, Yuzuru has taken the two programs he's more comfortable and confident in and worked to make them more. If that's the way he feels is right to deliver then it was the right decision for him, because when he delivers he's still untouchable.

I'm gonna keep a reserved prognosis about the layout. He's shown a bunch of things that are on the table and explained a couple, but notice he's still keeping his options open and not really confirming much of anything. Yuzuru plays the long game, I wouldn't fully trust anything right now

It's almost 4 am here, I'm throwing down the towel. Let's see how much more stuff I wake up to tomorrow...

He's confident in his choices, healthy and fitter than ever, and out for blood. How can I not be happy? Bring on the season

Come on, we've been very good today. We deserve a reward

That 4T-Lo-3S, so smooth *_______________*

Other men: trust no 3A Yuzuru Hanyu: wonder what would happen if I tried a 3A after a hydroblade...

He's come so far, hasn't he? Now let's hope he stays healthy so his body is in top shape to unleash the beast

I'm sure different opinions will start appearing the more people get the news. Nothing bad with that, as long as everybody is respectful. I understand that some will be disappointed that he's repeating both his programs...

You're being the most poetic, today and very truthful

He will murder you with his lazer-beam stare of doom, it is known. But seriously: a new program, no matter its potential, would've been an unknown; but Chopin + SEIMEI... everybody knows exactly the impact it can have. It's a very charged statement.

I was watching and got to thinking: how is the competition going to feel, knowing they're up against this? Must be a little bit daunting, at least. Those performances were the stuff of legends.

Todo el mundo bien por aquí? Vaya día llevamos: primero que si nos lo cuentan, luego no, de repente explota todo... SEIMEI!! La verdad es que en cuanto se mira más allá de que sí, está repitiendo ambos programas, desde su punto de vista tiene mucho sentido. Con la subida técnica y la experiencia que ha ganado en este tiempo, creo que va a ser fantástico de ver

@SparkleSalad I'm dying at your new location, just so you know

Come on, Max is crying more than all of us combined XD

As long as he wants 5 quads and two 3A, he needs the 4Lz. There's no other way.

I expected him to keep the CoD since he worked so hard to wrangle it into submission, but it's good to know the 4T-Lo-3S is here to stay

This is so Yuzuru, tbh. 'Beyond the ideal', he said; well, here we go

Oh, Max. Very subtle, there

THE SALT WILL BE BACK STRONGER THAN EVER