I think that the World team for the men will be Daisuke, Yuzuru and Takahiko again. I don't think that Yuzuru is going to overtake Daisuke, though, not yet anyway. After last year's Worlds, everyone thought Artur Gachinski would become a big threat, but this year he finished what? 18th? (Not that he can't come back from that and be a huge star.) Same thing could happen to Yuzuru, although hopefully not, and probably not. But you never know. He's young and could be unpredictable. And he had a coaching change, too, which is probably a good thing, but could take some getting used to. I do think he will be the future of Japanese skating (thinking maybe 2018 Olympics?), but I don't think he will overtake Dai next year.
Daisuke's getting better, too, so that's why I think he'll be the top Japanese man at the 2013 Worlds. He had been having trouble with his quad for the longest time, but I think now he is finally getting it solid and somewhat more consistent. Plus, he performs programs and interprets them like no one else (IMO) which results in good PCS.
The third spot on the team I think will go to Takahiko. Yeah, he had a rough season, but that doesn't mean he can't come back. I think he will be better next season; he has so much potential. I have no clue what Nobunari Oda is going to bring, I haven't seen him skate in so long. But with the whole injury he had and everything, I don't expect him to skate well enough to make the World team, especially because I think Taka will do better next season than he did this season.
As for the ladies, if Miki comes back, I think it will be Miki, Mao and Akiko on the team. As much as I love Miki Ando, though, I kind of hope she doesn't come back. I think she has accomplished what she can, she's a two-time World Champion, and she should just stay retired so she can quit while she's on top. I'm not sure what else she can do. Although, I'd love watching her skate again, so I'm torn.
So if Miki's back she will almost certainly be on the team, and I think Mao will, too. She's their star, and even though she's had a hard couple seasons, she's on the comeback trail.
As long as Akiko skates as well next season as she did this past season, she should be on the team as well. She was amazing this season, she won a World medal, and I really hope she can keep it up
I think Kanako will do better, but Akiko was really the #1 Japanese lady this season, so I don't think Kanako will make it.
But, hey, it's not for a year. A lot of things could change; we'll have to see how the Grand Prix goes
It's kinda like the stock market (simplified).
On the other hand I think he will benefit greatly from Wilson choreo and will score big if he skates clean, enough to overtake Takahashi.
