And "macho image skaters" are not universally appealing either. I, for one, do not care for Elvis Stojko's style or image (though I do respect him greatly for his technical innovation and his courage through injury).However, his market is very specific He is no John Zimmerman, or some macho image skater like Elvis. For those who like effeminate boys who hold stuffed animals. His popularity is the Asian or Japanese market he does not have the mass appeal of Joubert or Candelero.
And for the record, I too wouldn't say Hanyu's on his way to becoming the most popular male skater ever (how do you even measure that?). But saying he can't become as popular as Joubert/Candeloro/Stojko just because he's an "effeminate boy who holds stuffed animals" is kinda demeaning and pretty incorrect.