Main questions for the next season:
Will shoma finally take the lead or Yuzuru will still the emperor?
I think they'll be even closer in scores (PCS especially) than they have been so far, provided both are healthy. But I predict unless Hanyu returns to 4Lo or performs a 4A (oh heaven, I hope he survives it :hopelessness
, the next season will end in a tie for these two.
Will Kazuki Tomono be definetely the third man?
He well might. But let his skating next season do the talking. Now is the time to prove he's consistent, when he's become the one others chase after rather than the chaser. I am not a fan of some of the hype posts I've seen here so far; haven't we learned what overhyping led to with such a consistent skater as Nathan? I hope they let young Kazuki breathe, and Keiji as well.
Can Sota Yamamoto be on top again and fight for one of three spots?
This is touching a sore spot for me, as I saw the high school championships video yesterday and the lackluster FP (when did he last mess up the final spin and stumble in the steps?) sent me into a fit of worry. Yes, I know he performed much better the following month at CdP, landing the lutz and the flip. But, I do hope he's not rushing and trying elements he's not yet ready for, like 3A and 4T. Medals and placements are not worth the risk to his health and losing joy in FS alogether because of that. That was not 'a little pain' after the FP as I seemed to hear the high school championships commentators speculate, that seemed like quite a deal of pain. So, to cut a long reply short, no, I hope for his own sake he doesn't become a contender for one of the spots, what with the expectations that go with it, and the pressure to land at least a 3A. Maybe if someone was not healthy at NHK Trophy, and Sota had shown a couple of clean programs, he could get assigned there even if the 3A wasn't there yet. But I'd rather he rest and take tiny steps on his road to recovery, even if it means repeating his 9th place at Nationals. He needs patience and time to heal (and a kind male coach who's good at teaching jumps to join the ladies coaches at Howa; dare I hope?). Per his own words in an interview, his foot is still
not fully healed. I hope he gets to be a late bloomer: people are speaking about 2022, but if he doesn't overburden his body, he could well put out lovely performances as late as 2026.
Is Keiji Tanaka a lost case or can he finally have decent placements all the season?
I don't like how this question is worded. He might have issues with nerves and other things, but he doesn't deserve this dismissive attitude. He's not the only inconsistent skater around, and I see nothing he should be ashamed of in his placements. His skating pales in comparison to Shoma's and Hanyu's, but apart from Kazuki (who is a question mark b/c let's not forget Keiji beat him soundly at Nationals, in both SP and FP, and on tech so not on 'reputation marks'), who's there that's so much better than him? I hope he gets NHK, he's usually on fire in front of home audience.
Can Japan have another medal contender in seniors?
Kazuki and Keiji could sneak among the medalists at GP if they do well; but unless top world skaters bomb, I don't see either becoming a top contender. And, I wonder, can Murakami perform a comeback? He seems to be a bit forgotten although he placed in top 5 at Nationals.
As for juniors, I don't follow them much.
the next season is going to be between these two and I cannot wait to see it 
(although I miss Javier already :hopelessness
Thanks!!
