Shoma Uno Program Discussion: Favorites and Underrated Picks

[gsk8]

Shoma Uno had such a wide range of programs throughout his career. Some became fan favorites immediately, while others seem to have gained appreciation over time.

What program was your favorite and why? Which program do you think was the most underrated?

Feel free to include specific performances too — Nationals, Worlds, Olympics, etc. I'm interested to see whether people lean toward the iconic choices or some less-mentioned programs.

 

[lariko]

Stairway to Heaven for both categories.

 

[gsk8]

I liked Stairway as well!

 

[frompolandwithlove]

Great Spirit. Shoma was not the most expressive skater and oftentimes I had the impression he is pretty disconnected from the music, like somebody else has picked it for him and he just went along with it, but doesn't really care about it that much. Of course he was a great skater, so most of the times he made it work beautifully, but for me Great Spirit is the program that is 100% *his*. He connects with the music right away, sticks to the theme to the very last second, energy is high, performance is almost uninterupted by compulsory elements. That's why it worked so wonderfully for shows as well. I love it. I've watched it roughly three million times.

And show version (cool lights make it better):

 

[DancingCactus]

Probably Nessun Dorma because I'm just a sucker for this piece of music.

Or Air on the g-string.

There are so many great Shoma programs, especially his last few seasons.

 

[Arigato]

Fave still true to this day. Timestamped:




His skating style and demeanor were different prior to his move to a new coach.
I called him "the matador."

 

[4everchan]

Probably Nessun Dorma because I'm just a sucker for this piece of music.

Or Air on the g-string.

There are so many great Shoma programs, especially his last few seasons.

G string what you wrote is something else

 

[farornaskonung]

He's had so many great programmes. I didn't follow him as junior and had recently started following figure skating again when in autumn 2015 I watched Skate America and recognised there was something special with this young skater. Have enjoyed his skating and all his programmes since. Both programmes his last season are very special I think, but I tend to get too emotional when watching them.

However, one I tend to come back to and think is a bit under rated is Gravity. I remember thinking "he is the music" when I watched him. Loved the timing of the triple axel. Happy I got the opportunity to watch that programme live (gpf)

 

[4everchan]

I loved almost everything...hard for me to think of one program I didnt like...I'll have to rewatch which is a good thing...will come back later to answer the questions in the OP

 

[yuumagical]

Stairway to Heaven for both categories.

Specifically the Japan Nationals version!!! So painful to watch (due to his injury at the time) but oh so good...



As for my other Shoma-related opinions, I too will really need some time to think about them...

 

[4everchan]

For me, the most underrated program of Shoma Uno is Spiegel. It doesn't help that it didn't give him any wins that season. I saw it live in Montreal worlds and it was heartbreaking. However, it's a very beautifully conceived piece of choreography showcassing Shoma's skating skills and flow. It also demonstrates Shoma's beautiful embracement of music. His interpretative style is what I prefer : the entire body is the music. Shoma has always skated like this, even since junior years but in this program, it's special because there is not much in this music but Shoma portrays it perfectly.

My ultimate favourite is Shoboe. I think Shoma skates very well to baroque music and it is not a surprise for me others have mentioned Winter and Air on the G string programs. There is something about Shoboe, probably the way he moves in the step sequence with the musical highlights that make it so special to me. Baroque music is often chosen in figure skating, for instance with the 4 seasons. However, Shoma just has his own way of interpreting it. It's raw, intense and passionate and I think it does suit the rhythmic drive of the musical excerpts he chose. Of course, he is also a master of the lyrical phrase, like in the first half of Shoboe.

 

[rabidline]

I have to chip in with his Time After Time EX by David Wilson, it was nice to see him do some chill jazz. Even his throwaway EX programs are easily watchable and it's really because of that natural musicality.

 

[dorispulaski]

Re Shoma's singles career, I have a soft spot for his 2015-16 FS program to Turandot. Even flawed as it was at 2016 Worlds, it was still a wonderful program.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

I am very interested in Shoma's initial ice dance programs with Marin Honda!

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

 

[frompolandwithlove]

For me, the most underrated program of Shoma Uno is Spiegel.

That is absolutely true. Spiegel made me realize he was ready to be set free from competition, because what he did was beyond points. No scoring system would do this program justice.

 

[Arriba627]

I've followed Shoma very closely since I first saw him live at his Grand Prix debut at Skate America 2015. I would have to write a tome to mention all my favorite programs of his. And the most wonderful thing, he had new programs every year. I loved his choreo from his long-time coach(since the age of 5), Mihoko Higuchi, and always felt she "got" him and did some of his best choreo, always with cool step sequences. I was blessed to see him live many times, and many of my favorites are tied to happy memories of live performances.

My top favorite will always be "Ladies in Lavender". Favorite part -- the big swelling of the music and his landing a perfectly-timed-to-the -music, beautiful 3A. Mark Hanretty went crazy for that move at 2017 4CC. At Worlds 2017, Tatiana Tarasova shrieked, " How beautiful! How musical!" So happy to see it live!!!! (video below)

"Shoboe" is also in the running. He really had to fight in his Sk Amer '21 performance after popping the opening 4F. The look of determination as he knew he HAD to "fight for the 3T" (LOL) in the 4T-3T combination was memorable. Leaping with joy after skating it perfectly at Worlds '22.

"Winter" was another beauty. Skate Canada 2017, two ladies whom I later learned were judges were sitting in front of me. He skated. The one judge turned to the other and said "Now THAT is the way you skate a short program!"

For the free program, I'd probably pick "Mea Tormenta Properate", although I do love a good "Turandot" and grew to love "Loco". I thought
" Dancing On My Own" was underrated, as many thought it had more of an exhibition feel to it. I loved that one tho and the way he moved so freely to it and looked so happy while he skated it.

(ADDING). "Lavender" video. Very interesting commentary.



I'll never forget him, and for me, he didn't skate to the music, he WAS the music.

 

[4everchan]

I've followed Shoma very closely since I first saw him live at his Grand Prix debut at Skate America 2015. I would have to write a tome to mention all my favorite programs of his. And the most wonderful thing, he had new programs every year. I loved his choreo from his long-time coach(since the age of 5), Mihoko Higuchi, and always felt she "got" him and did some of his best choreo, always with cool step sequences. I was blessed to see him live many times, and many of my favorites are tied to happy memories of live performances.

My top favorite will always be "Ladies in Lavender". Favorite part -- the big swelling of the music and his landing a perfectly timed to the music, beautiful 3A. Mark Hanretty went crazy for that move at 2017 4CC. At Worlds 2017, Tatiana Tarasova shrieked, " How beautiful! How musical!" So happy to see it live!!!!

"Shoboe" is also in the running. He really had to fight in his Sk Amer '21 performance after popping the opening 4F. The look of determination as he knew he HAD to "fight for the 3T" (LOL) in the 4T-3T combination was memorable. Leaping with joy after skating it perfectly at Worlds '22.

"Winter" was another beauty. Skate Canada 2017, two ladies whom I later learned were judges were sitting in front of me. He skated. The one judge turned to the other and said "Now THAT is the way you skate a short program!"

For the free program, I'd probably pick "Mea Tormenta Properate", although I do love a good "Turandot" and grew to love "Loco". I thought
" Dancing On My Own" was underrated, as many thought it had more of an exhibition feel to it. I loved that one tho and the way he moved so freely to it and looked so happy while he skated it.

YES

I'll never forget him, and for me, he didn't skate to the music, he WAS the music.

You should change your username. 4evershoma

 

[ladyjane]

I love many, many of Shoma's programmes. But this would be my top scorer.

.

Not faultless, but that expression on his face with the mistake is adoreable. Best Bolero ever (and I've seen a few!).

 

[Arriba627]

@ladyjane . This video is blocked for me. Which "Bolero" performance is this?

 

[ladyjane]

@ladyjane . This video is blocked for me. Which "Bolero" performance is this?

I am so sorry, It's from the World Championships in 2022 (in France). Can you find it elsewhere? Otherwise I'll go and look further.

 

[Arriba627]

Found it! That was funny when he did the famous Uno Flip in the combo. You can see him laugh. Nice performance and love the K & C too. I was there in the 3rd row.