2025-26 Japanese Pairs and Ice Dance

[cocteautwin]

What I would hate the most is, they get sent to different challengers and people start comparing the points given at different competitions. Ice Dance judges seem to give not absolute but relative evaluations, and different judges give very different evaluations. Some competitions happen to become easier to get higher points and some do not. I am hoping that they all get to do Kinoshita Cup, then I wouldn't mind people start comparing the points given at the same circumstances with the same judges.

Ideally, they all do at least two challengers (kinoshita cup plus other) and some early minor competition before they go to sectionals. Not sure if it's realistic for ShoMarin but other teams definitely should get assigments.
I also wish Japan will use all three spots for ice dance at NHK. That;s another chance to compare them before heading to nationals.

 

[cocteautwin]

Sneak peak of UtaMasa new RD. Waltz and samba. Not sure if the music in the video is the one they will actually use.
New lift? Entry for sure.

 

[synesthesia]

Sneak peak of UtaMasa new RD. Waltz and samba. Not sure if the music in the video is the one they will actually use.

Ooh, they used "Makeba" by Jain in this clip, the music of KanaDai's popular first new exhibition program after retirement (with choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne). That would be a unique choice for a samba. I think it meets the requirements (it might have to be slowed down a bit), even if the music itself originates from a completely different cultural sphere, and would be a strong contrast to the waltz.

____________​

I read today that IkuKo will be using a tango as complementary rhythm for their RD:

島田高志郎「関係性が人生を豊かにする」櫛田育良と駆け抜けた１年／単独インタビュー - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ・プレミアム

フィギュアスケート・アイスダンスの島田高志郎(24=木下グループ)が、5月9日に都内で開かれたコラントッテのイベント後に単独インタビューに応じました。ミラノ・コルティナオリンピック(五輪)シーズンに櫛田育良とカップルを結成。1シーズンを過ごした思いを振り返り、新たなシーズンへの意気込みなどを語りました。コラントッテに出演した現役選手の単独インタビューは、15日の友野一希からスタートし、山本草太、鍵山優真、三浦佳生とお届けしてきました。21日の最終回は中田璃士の声を配信します。 - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）。

www.nikkansports.com

 

[cocteautwin]

Ooh, they used "Makeba" by Jain in this clip, the music of KanaDai's popular first new exhibition program after retirement (with choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne). That would be a unique choice for a samba. I think it meets the requirements (it might have to be slowed down a bit), even if the music itself originates from a completely different cultural sphere, and would be a strong contrast to the waltz.

____________​

I read today that IkuKo will be using a tango as complementary rhythm for their RD:

So we have waltz-samba, waltz-tango. I wonder how many actual waltzes we will see in the waltz season . I hope for some. Still, I'm excited to see what they cooked, this clip from Utana is very nice. I wonder who did the choreo, I believe they are in Japan rn and Kaitlyn Weaver was recently at Kinoshita rink (and she liked that post ).

 

[synesthesia]

So we have waltz-samba, waltz-tango. I wonder how many actual waltzes we will see in the waltz season .

They all have to use an actual waltz, but at least one additional rhythm is required too, so the RDs will all be hybrids. (https://www.ice-dance.com/site/return-of-the-waltz/)

Still, I'm excited to see what the cooked, this clip from Utana is very nice. I wonder who did the choreo, I believe they are in Japan rn and Kaitlyn Weaver was recently at Kinoshita rink (and she liked that post ).

It would be amazing, if they worked with Kaitlyn - she is one of my favourite choreographers atm!

 

[elektra blue]

They all have to use an actual waltz, but at least one additional rhythm is required too, so the RDs will all be hybrids

yet another funtastic idea from the panel, they're spoiling us

 

[Anna K.]

yet another funtastic idea from the panel, they're spoiling us

Who has the heart to tell @4everchan ? Oops...

 

[4everchan]

Who has the heart to tell @4everchan ? Oops...

 

[4everchan]

So just to get this straight : there is a pattern required that will be the golden waltz.. and then, another rhythm... so are we ready to hear a shift from 3/4 to whatever gets picked as a second rhythm ? I mean a tango or a rhumba is usually in 4/4, polka in 2/4, etc

 

[4everchan]

So just to get this straight :

I was just told that since it's pride month, instead of what I wrote up there, we need to use :" so, just so we're queer "

 

[UmeYoSake]

Chris Reed Trophy 2026 will be held in September and Allison Reed is invited as a guest coach!
It says, the detailed info is coming later this month.

 

[Sai Bon]

Sneak peak of UtaMasa new RD. Waltz and samba. Not sure if the music in the video is the one they will actually use.
New lift? Entry for sure.

Funky and fun! Go UtaMasa!

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

I also wish Japan will use all three spots for ice dance at NHK. That;s another chance to compare them before heading to nationals.

What does it take for skaters to get these host spots? I wondered why Japan wasn't using all of them.

 

[cocteautwin]

What does it take for skaters to get these host spots? I wondered why Japan wasn't using all of them.

I'm not sure, last year they probably didn't want to assign spots to the teams that did not compete internationally so far and were very new to the disciplne at the moment. Maybe fed has some internal rules/criteria/mins to assign host spots. I wonder if Ayumi and Lucas have a chance to get one in pairs.

 

[Anna K.]

I'm not sure, last year they probably didn't want to assign spots to the teams that did not compete internationally so far and were very new to the disciplne at the moment. Maybe fed has some internal rules/criteria/mins to assign host spots. I wonder if Ayumi and Lucas have a chance to get one in pairs.

I need to ask @TT_Fin how exactly this rule worked but I think there was a clause that the host country had to have 3 skaters/teams within the top 75 season's best results to get three host spots. If the country doesn't, it only has one host spot.

 

[cocteautwin]

I need to ask @TT_Fin how exactly this rule worked but I think there was a clause that the host country had to have 3 skaters/teams within the top 75 season's best results to get three host spots. If the country doesn't, it only has one host spot.

From what I read in different thread, at least one skater/team has to be within the top 75 SB. Currently Japan has two teams in top75 (UtaMasa and IkuKo).

 

[TT_Fin]

Yes, I asked last year why Finland announced "Finland has one spot in men" why only one, is it an expression or is it really so or have they decided. They answered "a Federation must have at least one skater in top75 SB list to get more spots.". It does not mean all skaters or even not selected ones, just one skater. I think Nordeback last year was host spot selection, and Maybe M. Selevko, so probably it is possible to invite someone else on top75 list.

 

[synesthesia]

I'm excited to see what they cooked, this clip from Utana is very nice. I wonder who did the choreo, I believe they are in Japan rn and Kaitlyn Weaver was recently at Kinoshita rink (and she liked that post ).

We now know that Kaitlyn worked with IkuKo, at least - their FD was choreographed by her (Cathy creates/created their RD):

櫛田育良がアイスダンス専念を決めるまで　島田高志郎、「しょまりん」復帰で思ったこと - フィギュアスケート専門情報サイトDeep Edge Plus　最新ニュース・充実のコラムをお届け

目次 CLOSE 来季のプログラムは「試行錯誤中」 しょまりん結成に、島田『わぁ、頑張るか』 アイスダンス専念の決心と、覚悟 いつものオリンピックと違ったミラノ大会 楽しみと怖さと 2年目の気持ちの変化 三宅星南選手の振 […]

deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp

 

[cocteautwin]

Prince Mikasa Cup Ice Dancing Competition took place today at Kose Shin-Yokohama Skating Center. Some teams debuted their new programs, icluding Yamashita/Nagata and Shibayama/Kimura.
Here are some photos: https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20260607/mpj/00m/050/144000f/20260607mpj00m050129000p
I'm intrigued by AyuTomo bold costumes and wonder what's the theme of their new free dance. Edit: Apparently it's Black Swan.

 

[synesthesia]

Prince Mikasa Cup Ice Dancing Competition took place today at Kose Shin-Yokohama Skating Center. Some teams debuted their new programs, icluding Yamashita/Nagata and Shibayama/Kimura.
Here are some photos: https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20260607/mpj/00m/050/144000f/20260607mpj00m050129000p
I'm intrigued by AyuTomo bold costumes and wonder what's the theme of their new free dance.

The competition also marked the debut of a new junior team, consisting of Noa Hozumi (Waseda University) and Takuya Tanabe (Toyo University) (who both performed in Kassouya - Volume 2 this year). I'm intrigued about them as I thought that, even among the very talented Kassouya cast, Noa stood out for her dance and performance ability! According to this article Takuya extended the invitation due to being impressed with Noa's performance at last year's Mikasa Cup. Besides them and AyuTomo, Erika Oue and Eisuke Kumano competed in the junior free dance.

Ryota Kitamura competed in two events, the solo free dance (fans in attendance reported that his music was "Cry me a river") and the Silver Class event with Suzumi Kawae. Apparently, he is still looking for a permanent partner.

Last but not least there was a "surprise appearance" by Yoshimitsu Ikeda, who, after his official retirement, partnered Saho Otake in the OB Gold Class event.

Source: https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/news/178240/