2018-2019 State of Japanese Men's Skating

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Kazuki Tomono's new SP: 'Nuovo Cinema Paradiso', choreographed by Misha Ge: http://wolfieonice.tumblr.com/post/175642074606/kazuki-tomono-dreams-on-ice-2018

Lovely program with tension and softness at just the right moments - could be one of my fave SPs of the season. His arms are quite refined and elegant, and nice sweeping edges. Hopefully he can get a second quad in there to be more competitive but wow this is a great start. His posture and upright extension in his neck and back in particular is lovely - best posture of any Japanese man, and arguably any man in the field, IMO.

 

[KiraraChin]

Lovely program with tension and softness at just the right moments - could be one of my fave SPs of the season. His arms are quite refined and elegant, and nice sweeping edges. Hopefully he can get a second quad in there to be more competitive but wow this is a great start. His posture and upright extension in his neck and back in particular is lovely - best posture of any Japanese man, and arguably any man in the field, IMO.

As a Kazuki fan, I'm really glad you liked it.

I must confess at first I found it weird because we're used to seeing him doing high-energy coreo. However, the more I watch it, the more I like it. I think he can grow into it really nicely. I also love the fact he's trying to do different things and add a new dimension to his skating!

 

[surimi]

Lovely program with tension and softness at just the right moments - could be one of my fave SPs of the season. His arms are quite refined and elegant, and nice sweeping edges. Hopefully he can get a second quad in there to be more competitive but wow this is a great start. His posture and upright extension in his neck and back in particular is lovely - best posture of any Japanese man, and arguably any man in the field, IMO.

I agree on the bolded part, but I have to ask - since you added you place Kazuki's posture above any other senior man, have you seen Sota's? Posture-wise, he's on the top of my imaginary podium; that straight back is to die for.
Anyhow, I have high expectations for Kazuki in the new season. Good luck to him, he seems to have a lovely personality, and a good competitive mindset.
-----
On a different note, since I've been a bit remiss with keeping up with the top 2 men (the sheer amount of posts makes it usually difficult to follow, especially in Yuzuru's thread), do we know where Yuzuru might perform his new programs? I've read he's going to have 2 new programs (good!), but any info beyond that?

 

[Haleth]

I agree on the bolded part, but I have to ask - since you added you place Kazuki's posture above any other senior man, have you seen Sota's? Posture-wise, he's on the top of my imaginary podium; that straight back is to die for.
Anyhow, I have high expectations for Kazuki in the new season. Good luck to him, he seems to have a lovely personality, and a good competitive mindset.
-----
On a different note, since I've been a bit remiss with keeping up with the top 2 men (the sheer amount of posts makes it usually difficult to follow, especially in Yuzuru's thread), do we know where Yuzuru might perform his new programs? I've read he's going to have 2 new programs (good!), but any info beyond that?

Unless something new has come down the pipe this afternoon, We just know he’ll be doing something new (not sure if he confirmed that both programs will be however). I’ve not heard of who will be choreographing either. Just a vague mention some weeks (months?) ago that he would be listening to music. Over the course of FaOI he became solid on the 3A, 4T, and 3Lo. Tried 4S but my impression is that it wasn’t at the level of the others yet. Lutz was absent. I’m sure others can correct me if I’m wrong, make additions, etc.

From recent interviews it sounds like he is coming back slowly. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to do choreography after returning to Toronto. He’s close to Jeff, David, and Shae-Lynn there. Regardless, he didn’t do a program that was designated as a competitive program during FaOI which means we’ll probably see it after media days or at his first competition, which could be a Challenger or on the GP circuit.

Happily, Yuzuru does have a beautiful new ex by David “Haru yo, koi” with a gorgeous costume. So I’m already looking forward to that developing. It already changed over the course of its FaOI performances. There was also an earlier new program that appeared in the first half of the FaOI tour he performed with Chemistry from the Gundam Seed Destiny soundtrack. Afaik it was an ex maybe only for FaOI?

 

[kiches]

Unless something new has come down the pipe this afternoon, We just know he’ll be doing something new (not sure if he confirmed that both programs will be however). I’ve not heard of who will be choreographing either. Just a vague mention some weeks (months?) ago that he would be listening to music. Over the course of FaOI he became solid on the 3A, 4T, and 3Lo. Tried 4S but my impression is that it wasn’t at the level of the others yet. Lutz was absent. I’m sure others can correct me if I’m wrong, make additions, etc.

From recent interviews it sounds like he is coming back slowly. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to do choreography after returning to Toronto. He’s close to Jeff, David, and Shae-Lynn there. Regardless, he didn’t do a program that was designated as a competitive program during FaOI which means we’ll probably see it after media days or at his first competition, which could be a Challenger or on the GP circuit.

Happily, Yuzuru does have a beautiful new ex by David “Haru yo, koi” with a gorgeous costume. So I’m already looking forward to that developing. It already changed over the course of its FaOI performances. There was also an earlier new program that appeared in the first half of the FaOI tour he performed with Chemistry from the Gundam Seed Destiny soundtrack. Afaik it was an ex maybe only for FaOI?

Somewhere during his shows he mentioned he had already decided on the music for his programs and the layout, which he said he’d rethink after the new rules came out. He did mention new music but didn’t say if both programs would be to new music. We likely won’t know what it is until his media day in August.

 

[mau]

Kazuki Tomono's new SP: 'Nuovo Cinema Paradiso', choreographed by Misha Ge: http://wolfieonice.tumblr.com/post/175642074606/kazuki-tomono-dreams-on-ice-2018

I loved it, IMO it made his best qualities stood out, softness and elegance. His smile at the end is cute too.

Kazuki is really a must see next season, I hope his LP will be as good as the short.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I agree on the bolded part, but I have to ask - since you added you place Kazuki's posture above any other senior man, have you seen Sota's? Posture-wise, he's on the top of my imaginary podium; that straight back is to die for.
Anyhow, I have high expectations for Kazuki in the new season. Good luck to him, he seems to have a lovely personality, and a good competitive mindset.
-----
On a different note, since I've been a bit remiss with keeping up with the top 2 men (the sheer amount of posts makes it usually difficult to follow, especially in Yuzuru's thread), do we know where Yuzuru might perform his new programs? I've read he's going to have 2 new programs (good!), but any info beyond that?

No I hadn't seen Sota (only heard of), and from watching him he also has superb posture. I think Kazuki has just a tad more extension and finesse but then again Sota's spins have more flexibility and nicer lines. It's a close call though but thanks for introducing Yamamoto - a very pleasant skater to watch and definitely a textbook example of good posture.

 

[gizmo]

Kazuki Tomono's new SP: 'Nuovo Cinema Paradiso', choreographed by Misha Ge: http://wolfieonice.tumblr.com/post/175642074606/kazuki-tomono-dreams-on-ice-2018

Really like Kazuki's new programme, there is definitely some Misha in it, its beautiful! I think he can be great!

 

[Sai Bon]

Lovely program with tension and softness at just the right moments - could be one of my fave SPs of the season. His arms are quite refined and elegant, and nice sweeping edges. Hopefully he can get a second quad in there to be more competitive but wow this is a great start. His posture and upright extension in his neck and back in particular is lovely - best posture of any Japanese man, and arguably any man in the field, IMO.

He seems to have matured all of a sudden! He reminds me a bit of Tatsuki Machida.

 

[surimi]

No I hadn't seen Sota (only heard of), and from watching him he also has superb posture. I think Kazuki has just a tad more extension and finesse but then again Sota's spins have more flexibility and nicer lines. It's a close call though but thanks for introducing Yamamoto - a very pleasant skater to watch and definitely a textbook example of good posture.

Fair enough, I can live with that Glad you liked.

Thanks for the Hanyu info, Haleth and Kiches!

Unrelated, but the host spots are usually decided after the first Challengers, aren't they? I'm torn between wanting to see Takahashi return, and wanting to watch three or so lesser known skaters compete for the spot with all their might.

 

[yume]

I know that he had a cape last season on his free skate costume, and seems like he really loves capes. But this looks to much to Yuzuru's Dory cape to not be done on purpose.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hmjjEjuT__I
Sota has many Yuzuesque costumes.

 

[ioanna]

He seems to have matured all of a sudden! He reminds me a bit of Tatsuki Machida.

Kazuki has listed Machida as his idol and used to train with him too.

 

[surimi]

I know that he had a cape last season on his free skate costume, and seems like he really loves capes. But this looks to much to Yuzuru's Dory cape to not be done on purpose.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hmjjEjuT__I
Sota has many Yuzuesque costumes.

Innocent until proven guilty When was Hanyu's Dory introduced?

 

[yume]

Dory costume was introduced at an FAOI show before heroes and future i think.

 

[KiraraChin]

Kazuki has listed Machida as his idol and used to train with him too.

Oh, I didn't know that! *Looking up Mashida*

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

He seems to have matured all of a sudden! He reminds me a bit of Tatsuki Machida.

I thought the same when I watched him. Doesn't rely on being flashy - just pure, lovely, expressive skating.

 

[KiraraChin]

I thought the same when I watched him. Doesn't rely on being flashy - just pure, lovely, expressive skating.

I'm really curious as well about the development of his tech - I loved that triple axel in Cinema Paradiso! I have no doubt that he's been working really hard all off-season, I wonder if he managed to control his Quad Sal and lands his Quad Toe?

 

[tsuyoboogie]

13 year old Kao Miura's 4S and 4T
https://www.instagram.com/p/Blh-AoggHEm/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=2s01ojvdz55t

Also, Yuma Kagiyama's recent 3A
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlX7d0sBj1F/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1aon4f31c364

 

[yume]

13 year old Kao Miura's 4S and 4T
https://www.instagram.com/p/Blh-AoggHEm/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=2s01ojvdz55t

Also, Yuma Kagiyama's recent 3A
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlX7d0sBj1F/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1aon4f31c364

Wow i didn't know that Kao Miura was working on quads.

 

[TallyT]

I know that he had a cape last season on his free skate costume, and seems like he really loves capes. But this looks to much to Yuzuru's Dory cape to not be done on purpose.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hmjjEjuT__I
Sota has many Yuzuesque costumes.

I thoroughly approve of young skaters using Yuzu as inspiration, but of all the things they try to copy, his costumes seem to be slowly growing in number.... even the ones I adore are mostly Only He Can Wear. On the other hand, even Sota is young, it takes a while to develop your own style (as the Weir fanboy would agree)

Dory costume was introduced at an FAOI show before heroes and future i think.

Yes, it was the first FOI this year, which was shown on Japanese TV (again?) last weekend. I remember the almighty fannish screech at the first picture of Doryzu (which to be fair was a bad picture) but I've gotten rather guiltypleasure fond of it especially after some kind souls photoshopped the cape white and/or completely off.

But after that and Shoma's opening costume salvos....