Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[Elaine666]

BTW, if not being shared yet (I gotta admit that I skipped some pages), for anyone interested, next season's NHK will be held in Osaka, the same city as in 2014's NHK as well as this year's Nationals.

 

[Raomina]

I do, though, have devices, I mean. I get the same impression on mobile (newest android with up-to-date youtube apps) and up-to-date browsers on desktop windows. I even get the same impression when I download the vid and use a player to watch it, and believe me, I tested many browsers and players because this issue just wouldn't leave me alone last year. It just seems slower, like some sort of slow motion quality. I know it can't be actually slower because the music plays perfectly fine, there's no lagging, and the movements are as on music as on regular videos and yet... I thought that perhaps it's due to the very nature of lower fps, the fact that there are fewer frames meaning the motion is less smooth and therefore more dynamic.

I don't know, maybe it's just me. I can also always tell when a TV has an enforced frame creation on and I dislike it usually, so maybe this is the way I perceive higher fps.

For example, when I compare Yuzuru's SP by Universal uploaded by sabinfire in 60 fps and Yuzuru's SP from APEHA uploaded by 1tvDance, the one by 1tvDance seems faster and more dynamic, even though it's less sharp.

If anyone's got spare time, perhaps give it a watch and tell me your impressions? The same or not?

I get the same feeling too, especially on the spins: 60fps vs not

Sometimes I'm like, why is he spinning so slowly, but then I don't get the feeling in other videos. The step sequences too, like last year's Chopin. There were some where I actively think he moves slower in the video but faster in others for the exact same competition and viewpoint and it takes away from the feeling of enjoyment while watching.

 

[Raomina]

Not sure if this news segment video was shared before: [video link]

It's an interesting news segment on Nathan, Yuzuru and quads, which is always fun to watch! Also, I really love it when other skaters say it's an honour to compete against Yuzuru because they look up to him.

Btw, is there a full video of the ex with that video angle shown here? It's different from the official one, which I thought didn't have as good of a viewpoint as the one from SCI in some moments, so I was hoping to watch it from another angle.

 

[Rissa]

I get the same feeling too, especially on the spins: 60fps vs not

Sometimes I'm like, why is he spinning so slowly, but then I don't get the feeling in other videos. The step sequences too, like last year's Chopin. There were some where I actively think he moves slower in the video but faster in others for the exact same competition and viewpoint and it takes away from the feeling of enjoyment while watching.

I guess I'm not alone then!

Heh, when I want to show somebody the best of Yuzu I'm always careful not to show the 60 fps video just in case the other person would see it as slower.

 

[Raomina]

I guess I'm not alone then!

Heh, when I want to show somebody the best of Yuzu I'm always careful not to show the 60 fps video just in case the other person would see it as slower.

I think the blurring effect can make it seem like it's faster, since that's what we associate fast things to look like in reality. You can check this to make sure your display can really show the difference.

 

[Raomina]

Translation of Yuzuru's talk with Akiko before the NHK gala:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/161...f_t=group_post_mention¬if_id=1480323247496469
There is this part which is the most interesting:

Hanyu: Yes, it’s quite uncommon to put all the edge jumps in SP.
Akiko :You mean loop, salchow and axel…
Hanyu: As my belief or my pride, I am trying to jump all salchows along the short side of the rink, because edge jumps are usually executed along the long side of the rink, I mean through a curve. But in my case, I have decided to jump salchows along the similar path as toeloops."

Digging this up as the thread moves so fast, I'm not sure I understand what it means that edge jumps are usually executed along the long side of the rink? Is his 4Loop and 3A combos considered being executed along the long side? It seems to me that they are executed at the ends of the rink along the curve as well, like the toe loop. Is he trying to make ALL his edge jumps that way or am I missing something?

 

[itiahs]

Did Nobu say that? How nice of him!

According to some tweets Nobu said this during the japanese broadcast of the NHK exhibition. I checked this video and it was right after swan before the encore (Nobu, thank you for existing too )

 

[Rissa]

I think the blurring effect can make it seem like it's faster, since that's what we associate fast things to look like in reality. You can check this to make sure your display can really show the difference.

Huh, That was really interesting. Could be.

 

[itiahs]

I've meant to ask opinions about it: is it really better? The video seems definitely sharper, as if it had higher resolution, but the movement looks slower to me, the skaters seem oddly sluggish. Personally I much prefer 25/30 fps videos because they look more dynamic which imo is super important in skating. I noticed it when sabinfire started uploading vids in 60 fps a year or two ago, and it still holds true. Her 60 fps vid of Yuzuru's SP look less dynamic than HD 25 fps videos.

Thoughts?

I do, though, have devices, I mean. I get the same impression on mobile (newest android with up-to-date youtube apps) and up-to-date browsers on desktop windows. I even get the same impression when I download the vid and use a player to watch it, and believe me, I tested many browsers and players because this issue just wouldn't leave me alone last year. It just seems slower, like some sort of slow motion quality. I know it can't be actually slower because the music plays perfectly fine, there's no lagging, and the movements are as on music as on regular videos and yet... I thought that perhaps it's due to the very nature of lower fps, the fact that there are fewer frames meaning the motion is less smooth and therefore more dynamic.
...:

A lot of it does have to do with human perception as well as your hardware setup. For example, filmmakers often prefer "lower" framerate like 24fps for cinema because that allows people to paint in more details themselves (rather the visual system automatically does this) and therefore be more engaged in a story. However, it is critical for games to be at a high FPS or it becomes really hard for the player to actually control the action, it's laggy. To me, 60fps just looks smoother, but maybe I've become accustomed to the higher frame rates through gaming For people that are not used to it already it may take more adjustment. Another reason to want 60fps is choice: we can get 30fps from 60 but not the other way around.
There's lots about the visual system that's adaptive, for instance I've heard of an experiment where people were made to wear glasses that turned everything upside down eventually they became so accustomed to it that taking off the glasses made everything look in turn upside down again! (I don't know how long it took to adapt though).
(Sorry for the tangent, although I'd like to think this is somewhat relevant since yuzuru is such a gamer )


Some interesting discussions about fps: (x)(x)

 

[Danibellerika]

BTW, if not being shared yet (I gotta admit that I skipped some pages), for anyone interested, next season's NHK will be held in Osaka, the same city as in 2014's NHK as well as this year's Nationals.

Yeah I heard at the end of the Gala. I was so jealous. I love Osaka (even more than Tokyo if I'm being honest). It'd be so cool to attend an NHK there!

 

[Rissa]

A lot of it does have to do with human perception as well as your hardware setup. For example, filmmakers often prefer "lower" framerate like 24fps for cinema because that allows people to paint in more details themselves (rather the visual system automatically does this) and therefore be more engaged in a story. However, it is critical for games to be at a high FPS or it becomes really hard for the player to actually control the action, it's laggy. To me, 60fps just looks smoother, but maybe I've become accustomed to the higher frame rates through gaming For people that are not used to it already it may take more adjustment. Another reason to want 60fps is choice: we can get 30fps from 60 but not the other way around.
There's lots about the visual system that's adaptive, for instance I've heard of an experiment where people were made to wear glasses that turned everything upside down eventually they became so accustomed to it that taking off the glasses made everything look in turn upside down again! (I don't know how long it took to adapt though).
(Sorry for the tangent, although I'd like to think this is somewhat relevant since yuzuru is such a gamer )


Some interesting discussions about fps: (x)(x)

Thanks for the point of view, and for the l9nks! Looks like a must-read for me!

ETA: so probably the motion blur is the answer... Huh, I've always thought the blur I see at youtube videos was created by imprecise de-interlacing during the upload to youtube, but perhaps not.

 

[hamaguri]

I come to Matsuoka-san’s talk!

I want to share is Matsuoka-san’s words after interview. From Raomina’s comments, Chinese translation is quite to the point… that’s the thing which Matsuoka-san found about yuzu newly this time. he could say what he is doing is quite difficult and…etc. but he didn’t. if he had said so, the bar for him would have got lower.. but he didn’t and pressured himself more, since he knows how to overcome it.
It’s my view. His way like that doesn’t work always. Actually, he failed at Boston and got target of criticism and scorn by media, skating fans, etc. His attitude like that may seem too confident and arrogant to some people and when he fails, their criticism get higher. But he is not the person who loses his honor by humiliation. Nothing can damage his honor and pride. That’s the thing I could confirm after Worlds to see his words and attitude.

Further, right after the air of the talk Matsuoka-san stated that he’s talked with yuzu like this, but they really are different dimension talks! The way Matsuoka-san says that is so real! he must truly feel that in speaking with yuzu. Yuzu believes Matsuoka-san and opens his heart to him.

Thank you for the English and Chinese translations! It seems like there is no English translation for the comments after the interview was done, which I found was really interesting too from the Chinese translation. My Chinese is a bit rusty, so if someone can translate directly from the Japanese or translate the Chinese better, please do so! I'm just trying to summarize and interpret what I'm understanding.

Matsuoka also mentioned that when he told Yuzuru that everyone expected him to get full marks, Yuzuru only had to say 'That is very challenging to accomplish' and we as the audience would lower our expectations already because he IS adding a new quad, challenging a 4Loop that no one else is doing, so even if he made any mistakes, we would still be supporting him. But he didn't back off and that is very 'Yuzuru Hanyu' style. He can adjust his frame of mind positively, giving himself pressure to make himself stronger, because he knows how to overcome the pressure.

 

[daisy616]

Hi,
I went to Sapporo for NHK Trophy and watched Yuzu's SP and Free program!
It was a long wait to me. Last time I watched Yuzu was in NYOI last January. After the defeat in Boston, injury news, the canceled shows(I had to go to many shows knowing he wasn't there. It was so sad...), all the anxiety for the new programs and 4lo, finally I was able to see his skate!!

Honestly, I couldn't fully enjoy any performances before the men's second group. I even regretted coming here because I was so nervous and didn't feel good. But then, the 6 minute warming up practice began, and it was so much fun!
First, I spotted his pants weren't white, and when he took off his Japan jacket, we all saw his shirt and vest also changed. That roar in the venue! Everybody screamed from excitement and surprise. I bet he must have enjoyed that moment, too. Then, he jumped his second 4Lo right in front of me. How beautiful it was. I thought,"this 6 minute warm-up only is worth flying all the way!"

I have to say, though, I don't like his new pants The upper part of the costume is great, very gorgeous, but the color of the pants looks so ugly to me.
I think he skated rather cautiously his Prince program, the speed was not very fast, and perhaps he could sell the program more, but his 4S3T and 3A were great. I was so relieved and immensely happy (especially with that 4S3T was finally landed). The entire arena exploded with joy.

I was more relaxed the next day, still getting very nervous when Yuzu's group began 6 minute warm up. I noticed his free costume looked much more beautiful than watching on TV. The colors looks brighter, and Yuzu looks so beautiful in it. I absolutely love this costume.

The first part of Hope&Legacy was perfect. 4Lo was saved, how huge were our cheers and clapping! 4S was amasingly light. The step sequence was so elegant that I nearly cried. Well, I was surprised at his second 4S fall, because his jumps had been very secure before that. I think after that fall, he began to get tired and was getting notably slow. I whispered "Ganbare! Ganbare!" Still, his Ina Bauer was breathtakingly beautiful. I wish It would last a bit longer. When he finished, the arena exploded again! Everybody stood up, clapped hands, waved their banners and threw the flowers, with joy and tears. What a happy moment for Yuzu and his fans.

I sang national anthem along with Yuzu, which was truly nice experience. Our national anthem is a bit boring, so I rarely sing it Do you remember Yuzu looked very surprised on the podium? This is because people in the front seats rushed to the very front to see him in the victory run and it made a huge sound like avalanche. I, too, was surprised at the sound and thought something fell down or destroyed!

I can't decide which program(SP or Free) I prefer now. Perhaps Hope&Legacy? I found his skating very soft and smooth at Hope&Legacy. I love it.
I now miss every moment of Yuzu in NHK Trophy. I already regret that I didn't try to get tickets of nationals, and I am really envious of those who are going to GPF! How lucky you are! I wish all of you a safe and happy journey, and hope you will see Yuzu's big smile again

(Sorry for the looong post!)

 

[cherryncy]

You are so lucky! I still don't know when I can watch him with my eyes I kinda like the purple trousers because it shows his thighs better but I am looking for a further improvement too!

Well, I was surprised at his second 4S fall, because his jumps had been very secure before that. I think after that fall, he began to get tired and was getting notably slow.

Is there any skater here? I always wonder the impact of a fall to your stamina

 

[alia jackson]

Nobu admires that the beauty is something would make him say to yuzu, “thank you for your birth and getting figure skating". Further his beauty is based on his certain techniques.:luv17:

According to some tweets Nobu said this during the japanese broadcast of the NHK exhibition. I checked this video and it was right after swan before the encore (Nobu, thank you for existing too )

Translation of Oda and Akiko comments on Yuzu's the Swan performance by Angelica @YHIFG FB:

The 2 Japanese commentators were totally overwhelmed (and they are skaters themselves). I will share what they said when Yuzu finished his performance.

Oda: Ahhh........ I have just seen a most amazing thing......

Suzuki: It feels like we are in a dream.....

Oda: Ahhhh... It's so beautiful that you want to tell him thank you for being born into this world and skating for us......aahhhh........ it's so wonderful.......

Suzuki: I want this moment to last forever......

 

[Danibellerika]

I guess I'm not alone then!

Heh, when I want to show somebody the best of Yuzu I'm always careful not to show the 60 fps video just in case the other person would see it as slower.

I do video editing so I could tell that it was slower in 60fps compared to 30fps, but that's not really surprising because that's what happens with dropped frames. It's just so subtle that most won't notice. We all see images in snapshots and our brain fills in the blanks which is why we think we see constant motion. Keep in mind that we also have seen it more often than anyone we show it to so in our mind it may seem slower because we have a frame of reference but to them it's their first time seeing it probably comes off better than you think. How he looks in the 60fps is closer to what I noticed on tv. But tv looks SO much more glorious!

 

[hamaguri]

Photo collection by noto-san at nhk cup!
https://sportiva.shueisha.co.jp/smart/contents/photo/2016/11/29/nhk/index.php FS

https://sportiva.shueisha.co.jp/smart/contents/photo/2016/11/24/post_215/ official practice

Truly love his photos of yuzu. The expressions he captures about yuzu seem somewhat different from others.

 

[narcissa]

Photo collection by noto-san at nhk cup!
https://sportiva.shueisha.co.jp/smart/contents/photo/2016/11/29/nhk/index.php FS

https://sportiva.shueisha.co.jp/smart/contents/photo/2016/11/24/post_215/ official practice

Truly love his photos of yuzu. The expressions he captures about yuzu seem somewhat different from others.

great photos! i swear, he is ALWAYS smiling in action shots, haha, except when he's giving that famous glare

 

[narcissa]

I remember after the short at NHK, the female commentator of eurosport said something like "some of the choreographic touches would feel a bit silly if you had a meltdown on the technical front, but Yuzu is so confident in his abilities that he would never look silly"

I was sort of thinking the same exactly thing throughout the program, like "wow if someone fell on all of their jumps would they still do some of that?" and then I was like "nah, I know Yuzu would just do it." He always gives a 100% show even when the jumps aren't there.

 

[Fayruza]

A VK Yuzuru group features an interview with Shae Lynn published in Japanese. Is there any hope it might be translated into English as well? - it's very... nice.