Mao Asada

[yhmafan]

Mao's Jupiter new costume

ED : Mao's spin with Yuzuru.

 

[Interspectator]

Mao's altered Jupiter EX was so pretty, my mom was crying her eyes out next to me as we watched it on TV. Gorgeous, Beautiful, Healing.

 

[nolangoh]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwItu_0KL2o

This is the first video of Mao's Jupiter 2.0 I can find on youtube. Enjoy!

Update: This has a better quality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F08iD416AHk

 

[nolangoh]

Also an interview during the exhibition with Mao, Yuzu, and Plushenko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pncRMkNjJk4

 

[gotoschool]

Here is a very good copy of Mao's Jupiter. Very beautiful, soulful, hopeful and sorrowful all at the same time. Mao does a lovely and picturesque arabesque at the beginning and she is so expressive. It moved me to tears.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ljyvo_2016年01月09日-ｍａｏ-ａｓａｄａ_sport

 

[turquoiseblue]

More videos from today's show:

Puttin' on the Ritz
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ljhp6_sp-ex-3_tv

Jupiter
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ljj1w_sp-ex-8_tv

 

[Franklin99]

Guys, stop spoiling me!

 

[Franklin99]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwItu_0KL2o

This is the first video of Mao's Jupiter 2.0 I can find on youtube. Enjoy!

Update: This has a better quality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F08iD416AHk

I can't believe Mao actually attempted a 3A with almost no speed going in. :eeking: For her to come so close is amazing.

 

[gotoschool]

Mao did a magnificent job with the choreography to this new version of Jupiter because I love it more than the original one. To me, this goes beyond the world of scores and championships. This is why I love Mao's skating so much. This program is such a beautiful work of the human heart that symbolizes the endurance of the spirit through connection between the generations. All of Mao's movements are done with fluid elegance that transition smoothly from one element to the next in one continuous stream of natural expression from the long opening arc of the arabesque to Mao's genuine interaction with the children. I love the part where the children synchronize their swaying movements kneeling on the ice in a circle with Mao. Then, a boy and a girl skate towards Mao as her face is cast down in sorrow. As they link their hands together, a bright smile beams across Mao's uplifted face as they skate away together and form a small circle. Then, as they quickly let go and dash away Mao's look of wonder and surprise as she turns to the other side is so genuine and expressive. I also love when she makes S turns in between the children and then they all skate away together in a large circular pattern encompassing most of the skating rink as Mao transitions into a lovely arabesque atop the silhouette of a large pine tree projected on the ice. This is an image of the miracle pine- a 27 meter tall symbol of hope - which was the only tree among 70,000 to survive the 3-11 tsunami along the Japanese coast near the town of Rikuzentakata. The pine tree also symbolizes longevity and youth. Mao, in answer to your concerns about fulfilling the expectations of fans- you have exceeded my expectations with this program immensely. Streams of tears attest to the fact that my expectations are overflowing. One of the most beautifully human performances I have ever seen and the children were wonderful as well.

 

[gotoschool]

Here is a very recent picture of Mao in a gorgeous red dress at a party thrown by arsoa, but Mao is more stunning than the dress. Thanks to silenceisgolden for the original post and info:

https://twitter.com/hrn5106/status/686078667382849536

 

[Danibellerika]

OMG that dress is darling! And cute shoes too! She looks 15 lol.

 

[musicfan80]

Here is a very recent picture of Mao in a gorgeous red dress at a party thrown by arsoa. Thanks to silenceisgolden for the original post and info:

https://twitter.com/hrn5106/status/686078667382849536

Mao is just gorgeous! I think she pulls off the red dress better than Audrey Hepburn did in her pink dress version.

 

[yhmafan]

OMG that dress is darling! And cute shoes too! She looks 15 lol.

According to some photos, looked like she was almost no-make up at the party event.

 

[yhmafan]

Here are some Mao lovely pictures from the NHK Special EX. :luv17:

Ritz
https://36.media.tumblr.com/1a42556e536a0d749223abe4f284c4d2/tumblr_o0q18wHEDS1uv57j0o1_500.jpg
https://41.media.tumblr.com/9c62bf95721155b4f7f47d29f9ceb42b/tumblr_o0rpe7JYtj1uv57j0o1_540.jpg
https://40.media.tumblr.com/3ed928ed0398cbd9951d36c1737b4d78/tumblr_o0rpe7JYtj1uv57j0o2_400.jpg

Jupiter
https://40.media.tumblr.com/b980738a7dbf960556d9288f14b1bc81/tumblr_o0q186h2Ns1uv57j0o1_540.jpg
https://41.media.tumblr.com/afa306a36393ebf1db20de10cdbabb98/tumblr_o0q15sU1Ns1uv57j0o3_400.jpg
https://40.media.tumblr.com/ffa134ccad4cd09e5cd9b505621b2399/tumblr_o0q5fq52n51uv57j0o1_400.jpg
https://41.media.tumblr.com/05ceb4ab82060a59f16972d00a723742/tumblr_o0q5fq52n51uv57j0o2_400.jpg

https://40.media.tumblr.com/a9290d203650dd6e4b6d92cc0c75400a/tumblr_o0q5fq52n51uv57j0o3_400.jpg
https://41.media.tumblr.com/b7063d3a8590341719a5c19970b86ce1/tumblr_o0q5fq52n51uv57j0o4_400.jpg
https://41.media.tumblr.com/043123448b4245ea0f5aa63b5c090c4f/tumblr_o0q5fq52n51uv57j0o6_1280.jpg
https://40.media.tumblr.com/81ff8afc8ed175bce4d8d6654b2eebd8/tumblr_o0q5mhp8a01uv57j0o1_540.jpg


At the fainal
https://36.media.tumblr.com/058f65684d1ebb15af7e1fc258bf4e73/tumblr_o0q0wrNmZY1uf9g8fo1_400.jpg
https://40.media.tumblr.com/513e26c0fc47a82ea94c05484f038456/tumblr_o0q0x9JaJU1uf9g8fo1_540.png
https://40.media.tumblr.com/b7fff496c7791403e68908bdda16f3f8/tumblr_o0q5b0ImUF1uv57j0o1_1280.jpg
https://36.media.tumblr.com/a88c3d79bdfb91f88f2dc312fc73ca8b/tumblr_o0q5b0ImUF1uv57j0o2_1280.jpg

 

[gotoschool]

Here is a photo of Mao taken with group boy's choir, Libera. Thanks to silenceisgolden for posting:

https://www.facebook.com/liberarecords/posts/1520762744918873:0

Here is a page with a video of Mao talking about her feelings towards retirement with Mai and then her decision to continue at Nationals. The video has been posted before, but I really like this page because it has a lot of very emotional comments by Japanese people about Mao, cheering her on and showing concern. google translate doesn't do them justice, but some of the meaning can be picked up.

http://skating.livedoor.biz/archives/51941992.html

 

[yhmafan]

I thought these were worth to post here in Mao fan thread. They are from "Mao's Jupiter 2.0" thread in the edge.

To give some background, it is a programme she produced, inspired by a famous tree called 'a miraculous pine tree'. There was a famous beautiful pine tree wood along the coast of Iwate, northern part of Japan, but when the tsunami hit the northern part of Japan in March 2013, all the 70,000 trees were washed away, except one. That one tree survived remains until now as a memorial to the disaster and is called 'a miraculous pine tree.' The photo of the tree appears in the middle of the programme.

The music is specially sung by Libera, a English boy's choir. The Japanese lyric added was written by Mao herself, which says 'As long as the life lasts, keep hope in the heart. Let a light shine toward the future.'

I can't quite articulate in words, but that 3A in the latter half brings me into tears. You know, people often talk about technique meeting with artistry in competitive programmes, but here I see something exactly opposite. It is like a show number which is given life by Mao's ceaseless challenge for the sport, her message to keep hope in one's life becomes all the more convincing by that 3A attempt. Very very touching.

As the miracle pine tree is incorporated in the new version of Jupiter program, I think it is only used symbolically. In her interview with Mai just broadcasted from Mai's 'Young Japan Action' radio talk show, Mao says in addition to the famous miracle pine tree, the choreography (which she co-worked with Lori, yes it was reported that Lori was @ Morioka for the show) tried to describe how the area was hit by tsunami (I believe that's the very beginning of the program, Mao's powerful action is portraying the tsunami). Not only so, she also hope to deliver the concepts including hope, courage, vitality, and power to ppl through the program. As for skating to live singing by Libera members from GB, Mao says it's a new challenge for her as well.

Other 'behind-the-scene' stories I got from twitter:
- the new costume was made by a Japanese designer, Tomoko Yasuno. Yasuno also designed Mao's Sochi Oly SP/FS costumes before.
- The new version of Jupiter with Japanese lyrics by Mao will be recorded by Libera and the new album will come out in Feb.
- the whole production of the Jupiter 2.0 took Mao more than half-a-year's time to put everything together

Finally, as far as I understand, Mao rarely talks openly about the hard time she's been through with the passing of her mother. Surprisingly, she mentions this in her written message printed in the Ex pamphlet. Thus I've never thought any expression of sadness in her program(s) would be OTT, and it comes naturally with the life she's experienced. And I do like the part in Jupiter 2.0 when the little boy tried to cheer Mao, and Mao does that in return to cheer the boy later on. It's just like what Mao says in the news report: she wants to cheer them up and encourage ppl who were affected, and in the end, ppl also cheer her up in return.

Thanks Perdita and cohkaix!!

 

[gotoschool]

Here is a post I thought it would be best to put here, since it is about one of Mao's performances.

Mao's step sequence in her SP Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen SP is one of my all time favorites

Here is her performance of it at the Cup of China 2015- I am going to be optimistic that Mao can come back with 4 performances that make her as happy as this at 4CCs and Worlds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lSPnBevRcM

Maos' tear-shaped Biellmann spin transitions into tantalizing twirls at the beginning of her scintillating step sequence. She flashes a wide grin and makes broad, sweeping gestures with her arms in the corner of the rink, as if unveiling the curtains for a fabulous Cabaret show. Then with smooth deep edges, Mao rhythmically carves steps in crescendo to the music, as she throws her head way back and continually glides across the ice with the savory flow of liquid butter. Her arms and legs move in a sinuously smooth fashion with limber twists and dashes as she grooves gracefully, as if she were chasing the melody escaping from a silky saxophone. One more dash forward with her head thrown back while flashing a wild smile to the audience, then she sweeps into a series of swift twirls that accelerate into a high leg kick that sends her airborne, as the words Bella, Bella, Bella! blare out at the climax. She brings it on home with a couple of more twirls, shakes her arms loose at her sides, as she pauses to straddle the tips of her blades. Then, she finishes with a camel transitioning into a cross sit and ideal I spin. Simply mesmerizing!

liquid butter- came from Lori Nichol

 

[gotoschool]

I know Mao wrote the following words for her Jupiter performance in Japanese intending them for something more important than skating. But in terms of Mao's competitions at the 4CC's and Worlds, I hope they will help Mao regain her mental and physical strength after enduring a difficult time:

'As long as life lasts, keep hope in the heart. Let a light shine toward the future.' Thanks to perdita for the translation.

I am optimistic that light will shine for Mao in her upcoming competitions. The most important thing for me is to see her with a bright, smiling face after her performances.

 

[nolangoh]

NEWS!!!!!!!! Mao has withdrawn from 4CC, saying that she wants to focus on Worlds. Kanako will now go to 4CC.


Sources:

http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160116/k00/00m/050/032000c

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/1592640.html

 

[urara]

NEWS!!!!!!!! Mao has withdrawn from 4CC, saying that she wants to focus on Worlds. Kanako will now go to 4CC.

I think it's a good decision. Lori was in Japan last week, so they may have polished programmes a lot.

I met Mao at a party last Sunday, and she was fine and cute as ever.
Good luck, Mao