Does anyone know how is doing?
Has he made any public appearances this season?
If cleaning the river area and other public places can be considered a "public appearance"...
Is he at home quietly working on his programs?
He was in Canada for some time in September to get a new SP. He had to cover the expenses himself. He probably will not be able to afford a new LP. He did not work with Wilson, either. No idea who he worked with, actually.
All I know is the things that Nobu's fans managed to find out, as there was no official statements at all.
His layoff from competition could make him rusty -- or he might come back rested, refreshed, and loaded for bear!
Again, if by "rested, refreshed, and loaded for bear" you mean "exhausted, mentally ill and afraid if his own shadow..."
There was no time for rest for him, certainly. He worked as a "volunteer" as a part of his punishment - cleaning public areas and working for the Kansai Rink.
His training time was very limited - he was asked not to come to the Kansai Rink in "normal" hours in order not to call negative attention to the University. He was allowed to train only in very early or very late hours, and his home is about 1,2 hour away from the rink, so I don't know when he slept at all.
For a month he was not even sure if he will be allowed to continue his education (he is 3rd year student at the Department of English Literature) and use the Kansai Rink. After a month, Kansai Uni officials "graciously" said that he had been punished enough and therefore they will not throw him out (yet).
He had been announced to compete in the Japanese Regionals some time ago, but he was scratched off the list. Official reason: SP not ready. Personally I suspect he was not ready mentally rather than technically; he was able to prepare LP before Wolds in much shorter time, and if the new one wasn't ready, he could always skate to Fly Me to the Moon...
There were two reports concerning his training. One fan wrote on Japanese BBS boards that he/she saw him langing fully rotated quad Lutz.
Some time later an user on Mao Asada fan board who trains in Mariposa said that he practiced with Nobu at the same rink. Nobu was apparently landing quads ant 3A with ease and making other skaters envious.
Before that, at Japan on Ice camp he was reported to land 3A-3T-3L, 3Lz-3T-3L, 3F-3T-3L and jumps and combinations with arms in unusual positions. At DOI he wowed fans with much improved flexibility and new spins.
Not many news after that, I'm afraid, because Nobu seems to avoid people. One time that a fan spotted him, he was wearing a cap and sunglasses trying to hise his face.
This hit me the most, I met him in Canada once and he was the nicest, friendliest person I've ever met in my entire life. He had such a strong positive aura the room he was in was glowing. Made me think that if there are people like that in the world, maybe the world isn't such a cesspit after all.
Do you think he will be ready for Japanese Nationals and for a shot at the World team?
To say the truth, I don't think he will ever fully recover mentally.
He could not recover after his stopping the program at FCC 2006 - a year later when asked about his most frustrating moment he said that he could not forgive himself for stopping his program and had tears in his eyes.
There's one thing that makes me hope that he will survive: the constant support from his family, girlfriend, friends and fans... And the childlish hope that goodness of heart should be appreciated and rewarded.
Technically, he certainly has the ability to make the team and the World podium. When I saw him at DOI I thought this was going to be his year - none of the other male skaters impressed me as having made as much progress as him, even though his jumps weren't quite there because he was breaking in new boots.
The problem is if he'll be able to recover mentally, Nobu never seemed to have any belief in his skating. Now when he lost belief in himslef as well, describing himself as worthless trash... well, my heart just breaks.
I think Daisuke can handle the fact that he's got competition in his own country. I even think it's good for him.
Yep. Daisuke himself said that it was Nobunari's strong will and the ability to work hard that inspired him.
In the Olympics fluff about Daisuke and Nobu, "A friend in my Heart", Daisuke said: "Oda-kun, please forgive me that after taking the spot away from you I did not deliver. I will do my best to improve, so to the next Olympics we can go together."
They are great friends off the ice. Daisuke nearly cried when he was asked why he thinks about Nobu's mishap; he said he wanted to see him ack on ice as soon as possible. Miki Ando was also reportedly devastated and did not agree with JFS decision (I hope JSF doesn't know about it and won't throw a hissy fit).
He's practicing in his Kansai Univ.
Are you sure? I thought he just went back to Canada and trains in Mariposa.
Just to credit sources of info: Japanese Yahoo Message Board - Nobunari's fans thread, Japanese fan blogs, Mao Asada fan forum, z4mboni's posts and Okami's translations.
Please forgive me if something is inaccurate; I quote everything from my memory, and well,
memoria fragilis est.
