Skaters on Team Japan

[ioanna]

I'm so disappointed PIW Tokyo won't be broadcasted this year. I don't understand at all, last year it was live! Unfortunately we will miss the chance to see

a) Yuka's new program
b) Sota's new program
c) Tatsuki before he disappears and comes back in May 2017 (unless he'll do CaOI; I'm secretly hoping he'll compete at JO but that's way too much to ask)

 

[mikaboo]

I'm so disappointed PIW Tokyo won't be broadcasted this year. I don't understand at all, last year it was live! Unfortunately we will miss the chance to see

a) Yuka's new program
b) Sota's new program
c) Tatsuki before he disappears and comes back in May 2017 (unless he'll do CaOI; I'm secretly hoping he'll compete at JO but that's way too much to ask)

That's too bad it won't be broadcasted. The person who inquired about it to BS Japan said that there may be a slim chance if people request for it but she doesn't know if there were even TV cameras there.

I actually went to see the last show of PIW Tokyo yesterday. Yuka skated pretty badly. Her jumps were non existent - fell once and popped twice. She looked out of shape or it could have been just exhaustion. She looked understandably disappointed at the end of her program. I continue to worry about her inconsistent jumps but on a positive note, she did well during the group skate with Wakaba, Sota and Nobu.

Sota on the other hand was His jumps are still doubles and triples, but he looks better than ever and I really love his SP. Akiko did a good job. The only concern I have is that his SP and FS seem too similar, both are from musicals with male vocals. His costumes might make all the difference though. A partial standing ovation. He can be the inheritor of Kozuka’s spread eagle. Btw, I read that his FS chore. is by Kenji Miyamoto. I'd have to watch his SP again, but I think I prefer Akiko's choreo to Kenji just from first impression. I actually forgot that she had choreographed it until much later.

For Machida, I don’t particularly like the music he chose this season but he was as refined as he was last year at DOI. I’m not an uber fan (not part of the Machida swamp ), but watching him skate to the lyrics, he made me feel like I’ve been thinking about him 24/7 for the past year although that’s not the case at all. A standing ovation including myself and the loudest cheer from the crowd. He was the only one I stood up for although I would have stood up for some of the others if I didn't have stuff on my lap. Machida actually made me want to put them down to stand up for him (have I mentioned that I'm super lazy?) I hope he continues to skate every year, even if it’s only at PIW.

My favorites of the show were Sota, Rika, Machida, Shizuka, Nobu, Wakaba - OK, almost everyone I'm glad I got the chance to see Takeshi Honda before he retires from ice shows, whenever that'll be (I regret not seeing Yukina Ota in her last PIW last year) and he was actually better to see in person than on TV.

 

[Arriba627]

My favorites of the show were Sota, Rika, Machida, Shizuka, Nobu, Wakaba - OK, almost everyone I'm glad I got the chance to see Takeshi Honda before he retires from ice shows, whenever that'll be (I regret not seeing Yukina Ota in her last PIW last year) and he was actually better to see in person than on TV.

Thank you for that detailed report. I almost feel like I was there myself! Sounds like you enjoyed yourself. Can I ask, how did Shoma do? I'm assuming he did his EX?

 

[mikaboo]

Thank you for that detailed report. I almost feel like I was there myself! Sounds like you enjoyed yourself. Can I ask, how did Shoma do? I'm assuming he did his EX?

Unfortunately, Shoma wasn’t skating yesterday. I had to choose between Shoma/Kanako and Sota/Wakaba and I had a hunch that Shoma would skate to his ex (not really interested in ex programs) so I went with Sota/Wakaba.

 

[Arriba627]

Unfortunately, Shoma wasn’t skating yesterday. I had to choose between Shoma/Kanako and Sota/Wakaba and I had a hunch that Shoma would skate to his ex (not really interested in ex programs) so I went with Sota/Wakaba.

Oh darn! But I agree, an EX really isn't all that exciting. Plus I'm sure it was great to see Sota.

 

[hamaguri]

That's too bad it won't be broadcasted. The person who inquired about it to BS Japan said that there may be a slim chance if people request for it .

Thank you mikaboo for a long report!
Im worried about my love, yuka.. I read a twitter saying that her white skin is shining and incredibly beautiful when you see her closely.
And I know well about the deep love of those who in Machida swamp.

 

[hamaguri]

My favorites of the show were Sota, Rika, Machida, Shizuka, Nobu, Wakaba - OK, almost everyone I'm glad I got the chance to see Takeshi Honda before he retires from ice shows, whenever that'll be (I regret not seeing Yukina Ota in her last PIW last year) and he was actually better to see in person than on TV.

Yukina had retired from ice shows? Ive never known a ballerina like her. :hopelessness: Her positions and skating are truly gorgeous!

 

[ioanna]

For Machida, I don’t particularly like the music he chose this season but he was as refined as he was last year at DOI. I’m not an uber fan (not part of the Machida swamp ), but watching him skate to the lyrics, he made me feel like I’ve been thinking about him 24/7 for the past year although that’s not the case at all. A standing ovation including myself and the loudest cheer from the crowd. He was the only one I stood up for although I would have stood up for some of the others if I didn't have stuff on my lap. Machida actually made me want to put them down to stand up for him (have I mentioned that I'm super lazy?) I hope he continues to skate every year, even if it’s only at PIW.

I'm not a fan of the music either but I guess it was an experiment for him to skate to the lyrics - and according to the WFS ice show magazine, the last program of the "tragic love trilogy"; the other two probably being Je Te Veux and Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra.

Knowing that he received a standing ovation and the loudest cheer from the crowd warms my heart. I'm glad people appreciate his work, which is why it would be a shame if he doesn't become a choreographer or just limits his talent to skating at PIW shows. He should be touring the world.

I think I'm the leader of the overseas Machida swamp and I can tell you, being a fan of his is as dramatic and overwhelming as he is. Anything new about him, even if it doesn't have much importance, the swamp will discuss it over and over. But that's what happens when your favorite skater abruptly goes from #3 in the world standings and a serious contender for the 2015 Worlds gold medal to the life of an ordinary student. After all, apart from his once-a-year blog posts, we haven't heard his voice or seen him outside of PIW since December 2014. Looking back, it was a cruel separation for us fans.

 

[mikaboo]

Oh darn! But I agree, an EX really isn't all that exciting. Plus I'm sure it was great to see Sota.

The best thing would have been if they were in the same show together. I didn’t think Sota had time to make an ex yet so I was expecting to see J&H but got his new SP instead! :hap93:

Thank you mikaboo for a long report!
Im worried about my love, yuka.. I read a twitter saying that her white skin is shining and incredibly beautiful when you see her closely.
And I know well about the deep love of those who in Machida swamp.

I wish I had better memory to give a more detailed report. I’m a bit of a goldfish brain. Yuka is my sentimental favorite along with Wakaba but she just looked lost yesterday. But I know she can do better and she skated perfectly the day before. Better to have disappointing skates during shows than in competition
She's definitely very beautiful but I was feeling too sad for her by the end of her program to really notice Shizuka, on the other hand, was glowing and she's so much better to see live than on TV. I now understand why she's called a "Goddess". Rika is very pretty too.

Yukina had retired from ice shows? Ive never known a ballerina like her. :hopelessness: Her positions and skating are truly gorgeous!

I read that Yukina retired from PIW because she became too busy as a coach/choreographer but she hasn’t retired from ice shows yet. But besides PIW, I’ve only seen her in ice shows in Europe so I’m not sure if she’ll be invited to other shows in Japan.

I'm not a fan of the music either but I guess it was an experiment for him to skate to the lyrics - and according to the WFS ice show magazine, the last program of the "tragic love trilogy"; the other two probably being Je Te Veux and Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra.

Knowing that he received a standing ovation and the loudest cheer from the crowd warms my heart. I'm glad people appreciate his work, which is why it would be a shame if he doesn't become a choreographer or just limits his talent to skating at PIW shows. He should be touring the world.

I think I'm the leader of the overseas Machida swamp and I can tell you, being a fan of his is as dramatic and overwhelming as he is. Anything new about him, even if it doesn't have much importance, the swamp will discuss it over and over. But that's what happens when your favorite skater abruptly goes from #3 in the world standings and a serious contender for the 2015 Worlds gold medal to the life of an ordinary student. After all, apart from his once-a-year blog posts, we haven't heard his voice or seen him outside of PIW since December 2014. Looking back, it was a cruel separation for us fans.

His skating matched the singer’s voice and the lyrics well so I think it was a successful experiment. I forgot to mention that his spins were exquisite. I guess he’s so good at everything else that I never considered him as a spinner. They were as good as Nobu’s. And it didn’t feel like it was possible for him to make a mistake (and he didn’t) during his program. When he came out in the opening, he seemed like an out of this world being I noticed that he stumbled on a jump during the finale. I'm wondering if it was a 3A which he did at one of the previous shows.

 

[mikaboo]

More PIW reports from what I can remember.
Wakaba skated really well. Very expressive, beautiful, emotional performance. Her costume looked kind of heavy on TV, but it was sparkling and beautiful to see live. A perfect skate and a partial standing ovation. Choreo. is by Nanami Abe.
I sat next to a lady (a big Machida fan) who also watched the 1st show yesterday and when I told her that I was there mainly for Wakaba, Sota and Yuka, she said that Wakaba was particularly good in the 1st show. During the intermission, she said that Yuka didn’t skate well in the 1st show either and that Sota was much better in the 2nd show.
Nobu skated to Top Hat. He stepped out on the 3A but everything else was perfect. He’s such a charming human being. During the finale, he was skating next to Machida, and imitating his pose (one hand on hips, one hand stretched out horizontally with a serious face) as they made their way out which was hilarious. It's this pose on the top right but it was done side by side with Machida.
I really liked Rika’s SP. It’s not overwhelming for her and her gold pants didn’t distract me as much as they did on TV (but they did for the lady sitting next to me). I forgot to mention that she did 10 double axels in a row in the opening. It was quite surprising and funny at the same time.

After seeing Rika and Wakaba I’m already feeling sad that there is a high possibility that one of these 2 will be left off the Helsinki Worlds Team. It’s going to be devastating no matter who it’s going to be.

 

[ioanna]

His skating matched the singer’s voice and the lyrics well so I think it was a successful experiment. I forgot to mention that his spins were exquisite. I guess he’s so good at everything else that I never considered him as a spinner. They were as good as Nobu’s. And it didn’t feel like it was possible for him to make a mistake (and he didn’t) during his program. When he came out in the opening, he seemed like an out of this world being I noticed that he stumbled on a jump during the finale. I'm wondering if it was a 3A which he did at one of the previous shows.

Spins were his weakest elements. He always got level 3s for his camels and he never had the most impressive speed or positions. But it looks like he continues to improve even after retiring, he skates better now than before. His jumps are still big and explosive, including his 3A (or so I've read on twitter). I wonder if he still tries quads in practice. Nevertheless, it feels like he can still come back in competition now.

 

[YesWay]

I really liked Rika’s SP. It’s not overwhelming for her and her gold pants didn’t distract me as much as they did on TV (but they did for the lady sitting next to me). I forgot to mention that she did 10 double axels in a row in the opening. It was quite surprising and funny at the same time.

*boggle* O_O

Would really like to see that...!

 

[mikaboo]

Spins were his weakest elements. He always got level 3s for his camels and he never had the most impressive speed or positions. But it looks like he continues to improve even after retiring, he skates better now than before. His jumps are still big and explosive, including his 3A (or so I've read on twitter). I wonder if he still tries quads in practice. Nevertheless, it feels like he can still come back in competition now.

Maybe that's why I don't remember him as a spinner. They really were very good although I wasn't counting positions and rotations so I don't know if he would have received level 4s here They were aesthetically pleasing to look at, very fast and centered.

 

[ioanna]

Nobu skated to Top Hat. He stepped out on the 3A but everything else was perfect. He’s such a charming human being. During the finale, he was skating next to Machida, and imitating his pose (one hand on hips, one hand stretched out horizontally with a serious face) as they made their way out which was hilarious. It's this pose on the top right but it was done side by side with Machida.

He did that in other shows as well, I posted pics in Machida's fan fest thread.

"Nobunari vs Tatsuki"
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cnae6xQVYAAfhie.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cnae6y0UMAA-hGc.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cnae60xVYAAVylV.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnpUBESVIAAc3xX.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnpUCxwVMAA48W2.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnpUEqKUEAAofxE.jpg

 

[Arriba627]

The best thing would have been if they were in the same show together. I didn’t think Sota had time to make an ex yet so I was expecting to see J & H but got his new SP instead!

I'm beginning to wonder if we'll see any more Shoma / Sota adventures, especially since they have different GP assignments.

You remembered a lot of details. I think I will have to take notes at Skate America.

 

[mikaboo]

*boggle* O_O

Would really like to see that...!

She's been doing 6 to 7 double axels at every show but I don't think anybody was expecting 10. She seems to be in a really good condition right now. She didn't pop or fall once. I don't know about URs though.

I'm beginning to wonder if we'll see any more Shoma / Sota adventures, especially since they have different GP assignments.

You remembered a lot of details. I think I will have to take notes at Skate America.

I remember a lot of irrelevant things, but easily forget the important ones!

I don't think we'll see them together until Nationals unless they both make it to GPF.

 

[ioanna]

Wakaba skated really well. Very expressive, beautiful, emotional performance. Her costume looked kind of heavy on TV, but it was sparkling and beautiful to see live. A perfect skate and a partial standing ovation. Choreo. is by Nanami Abe.

I think she changed her dress.

Her dress at DOI
http://67.media.tumblr.com/3f1f5dbbd6778c7fd2edf8e14ba5e213/tumblr_o9n80b1fY11qfbp2ao1_540.png

Her dress at PIW
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd...._=1474893805_303f6ed9354122ff723d18f1934fff22

 

[mikaboo]

I think she changed her dress.

Her dress at DOI
http://67.media.tumblr.com/3f1f5dbbd6778c7fd2edf8e14ba5e213/tumblr_o9n80b1fY11qfbp2ao1_540.png

Her dress at PIW
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd...._=1474893805_303f6ed9354122ff723d18f1934fff22

Maybe she did! Didn't notice at all.

 

[yhmafan]

Mura removed his mole??


ETA Never mind it just reversed the photograph, appalentely.....

 

[Interspectator]

Mura removed his mole??

Isn't it on the other side?