The difference between Yuzuru and Daisuke is that by 2010 Daisuke was barely starting to get the results he wanted and he was deprived of a competitive season because of his injury. The Worlds 2011 incident pushed him to want to continue his career dreaming of the ultimate goal - the OGM. Yuzuru has already accomplished all this.
Part of that difference is, the scoring system allows disproportionately outlier technique (that favors youth) to join the ranks of more complete skaters (and barring many factors, I suspect a crucial difference between Chan and Hanyu as poster boys for COP is as stark as the difference between the structured, if dying breed of classical pedagogy by Colson, and more guerrilla-style, quick fix solutions under Abe.)
Add to this a well corporatized culture of skating in Japan, in which the star potential of top ranks must not only win medals but also the "hearts and minds" of a seasoned, discerning fanbase that long supported this culture.
So Hanyu ends up under a microscope, to live up to all that's historically associated with his titles. (Curiouser for me, is icons like Plushenko and Browning who are well aware of Hanyu's shortcomings with his points-getting layout, still pin high hopes on him: perhaps human nature for a new hope whether he turns out an Anakin?
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His artistic seniors on Team Japan, on the other hand, first made artistic breakthroughs at older ages (20~21+), at a more merciful pace without such intense scrutiny.
Then they became even more refined as we know and love today, around - even after - the age Hanyu recently announced to retire.
(Though Dai bore his share of expectations early on, if you'll fill in for us.)
So if we're interested in the biggest stride for the sport's artistry over the course of a career, it seems reasonable to look to those already with big head-start: artistic talents like Jason, Shoma, and Nathan.
Think Akiko touched on this, that you don't get to Kostner's level of artistry without reaching a certain age (well, her Ave Maria is definitely screening at my funeral xD) Lambiel and Browning's latest programs also give their older classics a run for their money, in terms of minimal basics and maximal, even complex expression.
Longevity as much as competition results, bears its own fruits to treasure.
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Yuzu content:
Absolutely addicted to his layback spin in the FOI finale. Could more experienced fans critique his speed, centering, combination and recommend similar examples to enjoy? Just exhilarating like his younger, explosive self.
His program for Hiromi Go song aimed at detergent-buying aunties:
In just under a month since Prince ice world, his posture's straighter, less octupus arms of an aerobic gladiator, even more care shown to edges and balanced flow of entire program...but at cost of being cautious support to vocals. Biellmann looks less painful in an easier layout.
Nice, keep going kid.
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again (that was a close one)
(I say this as someone who was kinda pulling for Machida to win Worlds... but from a technical standpoint, not an artistic one). It's unfair to compare Yuzu to Dai, who is possibly the most artistic male skater for the past fifteen years.
