#fs yuzu costumes

[yuzu-all-the-way]

Yuzuru Hanyu's Senior FS Costumes

I. Origin 1.0 (Prince of Darkness)

Note: All the references (interviews, translations, etc.) used for this post are listed below the cut

In the 2018-2019 season, Yuzuru Hanyu came to compete as the newly crowned double Olympic champion. He dedicated his short program (Otonal) to Johnny Weir and his free program (Origin) to Evgeni Plushenko, two skaters Yuzuru admired since childhood.

Origin 1.0 - the costume which has the aura of the Prince of Darkness, as described by Satomi Ito herself, the costume designer¹. I consider this one of the top iconic Yuzuru Hanyu costumes because it deviates from the usual brightly colored ones (think about the blue-based costumes, for example) and he embraces the dark. I do not mean dark as in only color, but also judging by the vibes. The only other costume I can think of as channeling dark(ness) is Masquerade.

There is a striking contrast between the relaxed, skating around Yuzuru Hanyu and the competition mode ON Yuzuru Hanyu. The difference is made specifically by his expression. However, in both instances, the costume seems to create a barrier between him and the rest of the world. Origin 1.0, a black and gold lace-top paired with black velour pants, is the first competition costume worn by Yuzu after winning his second Olympic gold medal and I like to think this costume is made to emphasize that Yuzuru Hanyu is untouchable.

The base of the top is a skin-coloured fabric with overlaid black lace. On the front, the chest's jagged opening creates the illusion of feathers spreading protectively, a subtle dynamism enhanced by the diagonal, slightly winding fabric and golden details orientation. In contrast, on the upper back, the gold fabric follows the curve of the shoulder blades and ribcage, like an exoskeleton, while the lower back's lines are naturally flowing downwards, highlighting the waist. Here and there few dark-red beads can be noticed which confer depth and nuance to the costume.

Origin 1.0 is based on Yuzuru's surname: 『The non-human born of feathers』². As such, the most important detail is represented by the feathers - around 100 handmade black and white feathers by Satomi Ito, applied manually, and the white ones airbrushed black in the middle to maintain the costume's cohesion. Another subtle detail lies in the purple rhinestones. They are seamlessly integrated within the costume so much so that these become noticeable only in close-up photos (see below).

Contributing to the depth of the costume are the purposefully ripped holes within the lace. Satomi Ito took to making those herself in the process of bringing Origin to life². The holes convey a subtle ragged look, of someone who has seen darkness and embraced it. They complement the entire look beautifully, adding to the Prince of Darkness theme.

Origin 1.0 is one of those costumes made of multiple layers with various details applied without looking heavy or overly ornated. It maintains an apparently basic pattern while being full of hidden gems.

At the end of another 'incomplete' season (Yuzu injured his ankle during 2018 NHK's FS practice, winning the event despite it, but having to withdraw from GPF and Japan Nationals), Yuzuru commented in a post-Worlds 2019 interview that the black and gold costume was meant to be "accessorized" only with gold medals (paraphrased)³.

--------------------------------

Personally, I have been quite vocal on this blog about my undying love for the Origin sisters. They are in a constant battle to be my favourite.

Today, Origin 1.0 won for four reasons:

1) the theme is right up my alley

2) there is an easily found translation of an interview with Satomi Ito about the making of the costume (and I'm proud to say I understood the costume and the vision before reading the interview)

3) Yuzu won for the first time both of his GP assignments - he really was determined to have only gold associated with Origin 1.0.

4) 2019 Worlds Origin deserved the gold

1. Translation by @/marika_yuzu

2. "Figure Skating Fan" Magazine 2018-2019 『Born from feathers』 Translation

3. 53:57 YT video

[yuzurujenn]

[2024.08.29] FS Life Extra - Yuzuru Hanyu PROFESSIONAL Season 2: Tanaka Keiji

The depth of his dedication to his performance is like he's putting his life into it As peers who have spent their second year as professionals, with a common bond, we asked him about his thoughts on skating.

This year, you performed with Yuzuru Hanyu in "Notte Stellata 2024" and "Fantasy on Ice." How was each of them?

-The concept of last year's ‘notte stellata’ (to send out hope to areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake) was carried over for the second time. Compared to normal ice shows, the ‘notte stellata’ show is not so much about ‘fun’ as it is a show with a deeper meaning given the time of the year, so in that sense there was a rather solemn atmosphere last year. Although the direction was similar to other shows—aiming for audience to enjoy themselves—I felt that Yuzu's own emotions were a bit heavier. I felt that while skating as a fellow performer, and I was able to approach it with a very focused attitude. This year, the event took place at a slightly different time (March 8th-10th) and not on March 11th, but my own impression was that Yuzu skated with a slightly brighter, more forward-looking feeling compared to last year.

Hanyu also said that after last year's performance, he thought about making next year a little brighter. It's impressive that you understood that without even him having to say it.

-Yes, I felt that way.

What made you feel that way?

-At the venue, his focus was always the same from practice to the actual show, but maybe it's during the practice and rehearsals. I just felt that way a little.

This was your first performance of your program "HOPE." What was the meaning behind the program?

-At first, I wasn't thinking of performing it at "notte stellata," and I had prepared it as an exhibition for this season. However, as the title of the song suggests, it also has the implication that moving towards hope is not something you can do in a straight line, and it expresses the idea that you can only reach your goal after facing pain, setbacks, and obstacles.

The choreography was done by Kohei Yoshino, right?

-Yes. Thank you, Kohei-sensei. Last summer, I told him, "I want to skate to this song," and we had many discussions about how to edit and direct it, and then we decided on it.

It's a program with a lot of innovative and cool movements.

-It's quite rap-like, so if you capture all the sounds, the movements would be choppy, so we edited it a little bit. Like, put in a different part in between, stop, and then start moving again. Kohei-sensei also researched how to create that kind of image. That's how we choreographed it, matching each other's senses. I think it's interesting to discuss and create together. Kohei-sensei and (Sasahara) Keiichiro-sensei (choreographer for "Run Boy Run" and "The Phantom of the Opera") are about the same generation, so before we start choreographing, we would have a discussion like "What should we do with this?" We would have a long chat (laughs). I think that's how it becomes quite elaborate.

Both of them are Gundam otaku

So, what did you think of "Fantasy on Ice"?

-Yuzu only performed "Fantasy" in the first half this year in A Tour. "Fantasy" was the same as usual, but this year I was really excited (laughs). I was talking about it with Yuzu and I asked him, "What are you collaborating on?" and he said, "Meteor," and I was like, "Seriously?" (laughs). Yuzu had said that he choreographed it himself, and I thought, "That’s great". We were both talking in a geeky way (laughs). I think it was a song that got him really excited, and that he had a lot of feelings for, so it was well-made and I think that’s what led to that performance.

Did you see the performance?

-Yes, I did. We had the same practice time. I was like, "He must really like (Gundam)~" (laughs). I really felt that he loved it and did a lot of research on it.

Did you see the costume?

-I know the show too, so I was wondering who it would be based on, then I saw it and thought, "Ah that one?" (laughs).

What did you think it would be like?

-I thought maybe it was the main character, but then I thought about it more and decided it was more like Gundam. That was the right answer (laughs).

A Mobile Suit Gundam collab is sure to get you excited.

-At first, I wondered what Nishikawa Takanori would be singing as a guest. I had no idea until I arrived at the rehearsal venue. Of course, I knew my own songs, and I also knew who else would be skating with me, and that Yuzu would be collaborating with him, but I wondered what song Yuzu would collaborate on. After all, it's Nishikawa-san, and I figured Yuzu might be a Gundam fan, and he did pick the best part (laughs). I was happy just to hear "Meteor."

Did you want to skate to "Meteor" yourself?

-Well, I'd be happy no matter what song came up, but I thought it would be even more fun if Nishikawa-san sang a Gundam song.

So, when you were asked to do "BEYOND THE TIME"...

-I was really excited (laughs).

Your costume was bright red, so the moment you came out I thought, "That's Char!"

-I tried to go all out (laughs). Kenji Miyamoto, the choreographer, wasn't very familiar with Gundam, so I had to explain it to him, but in the first place, I hadn't seen Char’s Counterattack, so I watched the whole series up to that point. I watched the first one, and then ‘Z’.

So, you watched it after you received the song.

-Yes. From the very first Amuro (Ray) to Char’s Counterattack, it took me about half a month to watch all of them (laughs). I’ve probably watched about 100 episodes. After all, the story started with the first Gundam. It was a good series, no doubt. Originally, I had watched the recent Gundam movie “Gundam SEED FREEDOM”. But revisiting the start of Gundam made me realise that this was where it all began. I can see why this is a series that has a lot of fans.

What kind of thoughts did you put into the program?

-Is it okay to talk about this first? It's going to be a long story (laughs). I talked too much at the "Fantasy" fan meeting too.

Well, I'll ask you about that separately (laughs), but please tell us if you have any stories about your time with Hanyu during the ice show.

-We had the same practice time for "Fantasy," so we spent a lot of time on the ice together, but that also meant that we didn't have much time to talk. But I watched him practice a lot. This time, Yuzu skated to two programs, so I got the impression that he was practicing those two programs and warming up the whole time once the show started.

I had the impression of Hanyu always being next to you during rehearsals, but what did you talk about this year? You said that last year you only had casual conversations that didn't stick in your memory.

-Ah, we did talk. But I don't remember it this year either (laughs). I don't recall it... Even though I've been with (Fantasy) for three years, I do look forward to the collaborations with other artists. Watching Yuzu, I can definitely feel the effort he puts into that, and I’m trying to follow his example. I wonder what kind of feelings he has when he performs.

Embodying the image of a professional

You've both just finished your second year as professionals, but have you noticed any changes in yourself or Hanyu?

-I think Yuzu embodies what it means to be a professional. He's in a place that no one can imitate, and even though we can't imitate him, there are things we need to learn from him. Of course, I can learn a lot from him as a professional skater, and although it may be difficult to get the chance, I think there are things that current skaters can learn from him and things they need to learn from him. So, I hope everyone will watch him.

What do you think you have learned from him, and what do you want current skaters to see in him?

-It’s related to both, on how he concentrates on the ice show and how seriously he takes each performance. Of course, everyone takes it seriously. But among them, it’s his level of concentration, and his attitude of using all his nerves and exerting himself mentally to perform. He stays focused throughout the performance, so even when you think he might get tired and unable to move, he still stays focused right to the end. It feels like he's burning his life into it. I want everyone to see how passionate he is about skating.

Now we’re both focused on skating

Finally, do you have a message for Hanyu here?

-A message in the magazine (laughs). Eh, um... he wasn't on the B Tour this year, so I wish he'd been there? (laughs).

Did you miss him?

-I'm only in my third year with Fantasy, but I felt that the atmosphere was different from usual. But rather than feeling lonely... (at the Shizuoka performance) I had the opportunity to go to a hot spring, so I wished we could have gone together (laughs). After all, we were in the same show, and he really showed me the attitude to have as a professional, so as I've always said, I hope that when he can take a break, we can spend time together with the old members.

You certainly said that last year as well.

-Yes, I’ve been saying that for a long time (laughs). Now, it feels like we can really face each other properly at the skating stage. It’s also easier to talk when we’re focused on skating in the same space. I’m curious to see what kind of conversations we’ll have when we eventually strip away all of that someday. At the moment, as a professional skater, I’m meeting new artists and having opportunities to speak with various people. I often think that if I weren’t doing this, I wouldn’t have had these encounters. So, I think it will be more enjoyable to have a relaxing chat in the hot spring after we’ve explored this phase a bit more, but now we’re focused on skating, with that awareness, I think there are more suitable things to talk about from that position.

Source: FS Life Extra PROFESSIONAL Season 2, pg 92-95 Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594622488 https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594622771

[myjunkisyuzuruhanyu]

Ich habe 2.072 Mal im Jahr 2022 etwas gepostet

Das sind 556 more posts als 2021!

1.001 Einträge erstellt (48%)

1.071 Einträge gerebloggt (52%)

Blogs, die ich am häufigsten gerebloggt habe:

@petitmimosa

@yuzu-all-the-way

@shomagravity

@rabidline

Ich habe 2.069 meiner Einträge im Jahr 2022 getaggt

#figure skating – 712 Einträge

#yuzu – 592 Einträge

#shoma uno – 558 Einträge

#shoma – 429 Einträge

#replies – 370 Einträge

#yuzuru hanyu – 338 Einträge

#beijing 2022 – 314 Einträge

#faoi 2022 – 148 Einträge

#montpellier 2022 – 106 Einträge

#fs translation – 94 Einträge

Längstes Tag: 138 characters

#i think in the weakest episodes of an athlete you can truly see who firstare the real fans and 2nd that ppl really love yuzu beyond medals

Meine Top-Einträge im Jahr 2022:

#5

Vollständigen Eintrag ansehen

588 Anmerkungen – Gepostet 4. Februar 2022

#4

Vollständigen Eintrag ansehen

732 Anmerkungen – Gepostet 7. Februar 2022

#3

Vollständigen Eintrag ansehen

1.708 Anmerkungen – Gepostet 19. Februar 2022

#2

Shoma is doing live interview at TV Asahi 😭❤️

1.926 Anmerkungen – Gepostet 10. Februar 2022

Meine #1 des Jahres 2022

Yuzu and Shoma costume supremacy! 😍😍😍

Also how both their costumes fit the arena perfectly!!!

Photos by the incredible Yaguchi Toru

2.163 Anmerkungen – Gepostet 8. Februar 2022

Hol dir deinen Tumblr-Jahresrückblick 2022 →

[tutuandscoot]

I think it was really interesting early in the interview Rod starts talking about the state of figure skating and a bit of the history of it and how it’s popularity has really dropped off and lost it’s wow factor recently both domestically and internationally and how VM really were the golden age where 🇨🇦 was so strong across all disciplines, and the generation/s before had these stars like Kurt and Elvis. Then Scott jumps in and asks quite broadly if FS is an accessible sport for the general public to watch and people to get interested/active in, and Rod starts to nod affirmatively like ‘yes absolutely it is’ and the way Scott posed the question was kind of rhetorical because straight away he says ‘no it’s not really’.

Now there are those who know far more about FS than me (and Rod) but as a sportscaster he had been around it for a long time whether he knew the details of it or not, he saw the evolution of it and more from a viewer/media perspective, but it’s just interesting those two very differing perspectives of Rod’s yes, it is accessible and Scott’s no it isn’t- but they need to make it accessible again.

It’s very obvious FS has dropped off the radar esp in the last olys the interest was way down and the only thing that tuned people in was the doping fiasco- which it’s never a good thing when it’s doping or judging or Nancy and Tonya that makes people watch the sport coz then it becomes not about the sport- it’s about the artificial headlines. There was of course many years of accessibility brought on the talent of skaters like VM, Yuna, Yuzu and earlier skaters like Michelle, Sasha, maybe even some of the Russian men..? and others also.

It’s the kind of thing where there’s got to be something truly interesting about it on its own- no scandals, for it to be accessible to casual viewers. There’s got to be the skaters with the excitement and wow factor that makes people who don’t know much about the sport and just see the jumps and the spins and the pretty costumes and thinks it looks easy when really it is one of the hardest sports you can possibly do, find satisfaction in watching it. This last cycle or so esp in ice dance I think that has become really obvious- singles has had the increase in the jumps which to laymen is pretty impressive, but ice dance doesn’t have that built in physical wow factor- teams have to create that themselves and this is kinda jumping off the post I wrote the other day about Canadian nationals that it’s just boring now for the casual viewer. It’s nice and pretty but there’s no wow factor. It was the same with the 2022 olys.

VM have their own way of justifying it in that the stories they tell are universal so people can relate to them but also people related to them coz they were two humans just dancing together, and also had this unbelievable athleticism. That’s one of the other things that puts them in that top echelon of skaters. They were different. At that top level all teams are nice and good but for the average viewer across the board there is no excitement there.

So when Scott says is it accessible? not really, I think he’s looking at it from both the inside workings of the judging and politics and the affect that has on an event’s legitimacy but also creating athletes that reach beyond the boards of a rink and make it interesting for the casual viewer. I think that’s gonna take a long time and very few will actually achieve it and blatantly I don’t think anyone will ever do it like VM.

I think the sport as a whole is really going through a period of redefining it’s self maybe like it never has before because of the change in media environment as well, you can watch stuff anytime any where/ some 5 second clip of a 13yr old doing a quad, but that’s all you get and that’s what today’s entertainment is designed for- you don’t have to put a full package together coz peoples’ attention spans don’t last that long- so to hold an audience for 4 minutes is getting harder and harder. (On this note T also made some great remarks on the entertainment environment being so saturated with options, there’s only so many ice shows you can go to- either Stars or Disney on Ice type shows before it just gets repetitive. That’s where they made a small indent with their tours but the industry needs more reinvention like that).

I just thought those were some interesting points and a really honest self-examination of the work he and the skating community has ahead of them.

Again just some of my own person thoughts I don’t claim to know everything about the inner workings of this sport

[luineile]

Preordered Yuzu's book 😳 Feel so happy 😊

Just two years ago I had the same happy feeling when ordering Ito's book on FS costumes as a gift to myself for passing my C1 😜 And here I am ordering another book (that I can't read yet) shortly after my N5 exam 😁 (no idea if I passed this time though 😅) 😁

[sugar-petals]

yuzuru hanyu: greatest figure skater of all time, 19 world records, double olympic gold

also yuzuru: cute. ice duckling. pouts

[kawaiifigureskating]

Yuma Kagiyama’s Ina Bauer

Kanto Regionals, JP: Lord of the Rings Musical FS (later changed to Avatar)

[schneeloewe]

I haven't watched figure skating since the pandemic started. Came back for Beijing 2022 and oh it's a whole circus here

[locria-writes]

Hey, and it's not that I don't have faith in you, but please don't stress yourself trying to deliver us an update by the month's end. Have a happy, relaxing holiday if you can.

anon, i can guarantee you that writing is the least stressful thing happening to me this christmas(but thanks for the concern!)

[fordangerouskid]

I'm in love with Origin 1.0 and 2.0 costumes.

Petition to wear figure skating outfits as casual clothes

[jennibeultimate]

Personal recap Olympics 2022 - Men FS

Don't know if anyone is interested anymore, but I do it nonetheless. Again this is a personal recap, so feel free to agree or disagree with me. I needed some time to process what happened in the free skate.

I think this free skate as a whole was kinda a bit opposite to the short program. A lot skaters made many many mistakes. Some smaller mistakes, some bigger mistakes. If memory serves me right Jason Brown is the only skater without a single mistake, but ofc he wasn't performing quads while everyone else at least tried one...

First I am beyond proud of Yuzu and Shoma! ❤️ You fought well!

I like to talk about Yuzuru Hanyu first because I think him coming to Beijing was brave. He was and is still dealing with a massive injury (he iced his ankle just right after the skate), he won everything this sport has to offer, he is already in the history books not only as the first to land the 4Lo but also as the first to win a superslam, a thing no other male single skater achieved - there was no need to show up and try to defend his title. And also he knew his name would bring the media attention (his first practice was so full of reporters some had to stay out) and with all eyes on him tremendous pressure (just like Shoma acknowledged in the press con) BUT he took the challenge, he even challenged the 4A - a jump that is deemed impossible - and he was damn close in making it happen in the free. He had a gap from the SP and if he would just have wanted a medal he could have played save, but he didn't. Yuzu didn't come here to be 2nd or 3rd and he said before he knew he could only win with a landed 4A. The 4A was his primary goal, not a medal. And getting the credit for being the first skater to call himself to go for a 4A, this he has achieved. (all other so far tried 4As cannot be called 4A, because they were downgraded) Yuzu didn't go down without a fight. Yes he had two falls, yes it wasn't enough for the podium, but he was 4th in the end. He delivered the rest of his program beautifully. Yuzu had a beautiful costume and I am always in awe of this unusual unique program and music. 😍

Yuzu - I have no words to describe my gratitude for all you have done for this sport for Japan. You are the reason I got to like and watch men figure skating. I will forever be thankful to you. ❤️

Shoma Uno might be the happiest Bronze medal winner you can find at the Olympics.

Congratulations on your Bronze medal! 🥉 The 3rd Olympic medal too! Who would have thought that after all these years of struggle between Pyeongchang 2018 and now? Many ppl thought his career was over after IdF 2019 and even after last WTT2021 ppl counted him completely out of any medal contention or some were even wondering if he would make it to the Olympics. But he fought. He found a new love for skating and he found a new will to fight for the top. This is why this medal is so significant for him.

Shoma was visibly nervous during his free skate. I think he did better Bolero programs through this season, but I think no one - even if I wished for it - thought he would deliver a clean skate. Especially not with nagging injury and training loss. As you may know I am not the biggest fan of Bolero, but this version is quite catchy and not as boring as the original. Especially the step sequence was lit 🔥 the later cantilever to end is gorgeous! 😍 Yeah he had some unfortunate mistakes, but he did 5 quads! He did miss a combo and yes the free skate was obviously struggld, but there were good elements too. The spins and steps, both 3As, the 2nd 4T, the opening 4Lo. He gave away lots of points, but the high BV saved him from falling further down the ranking. Though he had a singled Flip and a combo missing, he had a whopping 88,53 BV - the 4th highest behind Nathan, Yuzu and Daniel Grassl. This and his SP gap saved him the Bronze 🥉. (and even if we would give his 4S an UR and a little lower PCS, he still would have placed before Yuzu, but ofc the gap could have been smaller, but Yuzu also had the disadvantage of the earlier group and the PCS cap applied for multiple mistakes. And seems like PCS is not applied for pops in this comp or Jason, Nathan and Yuma all would have had one major mistake, but it wasn't seen in their PCS. And Shoma's PCS would have been to be capped at 90 as well.)

Congrats to Yuma Kagiyama for taking Silvee🥈 !

Admittedly I am not the biggest Yuma fan, but I can very well see his basics are phenomenally good. He has very smooth skating just like his idol Shoma and just like his idol Shoma he took Silver at his first Olympics. I think it was one of his best performances of this program. It builds quite well. And he has very clever layout with the 3Lo combo and also adding the 4Lo was pretty gutsy considering he didn't land many of them in practice. I just feel he doesn't emote as well as others to the audience yet. And that's why - especially live in the arena - his skates don't really touch me. I mean Shoma is also small but he just has this presence on ice, ofc in the free Shoma was nervous, so he wasn't as good as he could be, but Yuma is small but also has small presence. He is cute and his reactions are absolutely adorable, but he just doesn't have the same appeal. I think on TV it's better hidden than live in the arena as TV is closer to the skater and can do some of the transport to the audience. Not to be mistaken I think he does it totally fine for his age, just I am a little astounded how high his PCS got in so little time. But I guess delivering good programs over the season helped. His Silver is well deserved. And he is definitely one of the main contenders for the next years if he stays healthy.

Congrats to Nathan Chen! 🥇

I think going back to Rocket Man was the right choice. There is no doubt about his consistency and this is also what kept him a constant frontrunner for the past years. I think his win is totally fine. He delivered two clean programs. And he really looked as if he enjoyed his program even if it only showed in the last minute. BUT wth are those 97 PCS? 😱 This is over the top, just no way justified. My continuous problem with Nathan is the way he is scored. It's not his fault and contrary to some others I don't think his quads deserve no GOEs, so I think apart from the 3A his quads are very good and his TES are mostly deservedly high. I have some beef with his spins as the positions are not pleasing to my eyes. I will never be a Nathan Chen fan as I still find his basic skating rather scratchy and I miss a good knee bend, but we all know PCS are attached to TES and this may not be right, but it can't helped. And anyone thinking Nathan deserves 7s when the last placed skater get 7s is really delusional. I have seen Nathan live couple of times and he is fast on the ice and his performance ain't as bad as some make it out to be, but is this deserving of 97 PCS, just no way. He would have won with 88-90 PCS too. Overall I think the PCS are too high and there is too little difference to distinguish between the skaters.

Junhwan Cha is my newfound love this season. And he continues to amaze me. ❤️ After that awful fall he fought so good. And his Ina Bauer is just so amazing 😍😍😍 the 5th place is a superb finish for the 4CC champ. 👍

Jason Brown - his skate was beautiful. I think it was one of the best programs of the night. But I don't know why only he is able to get sky high PCS with lower TES? And also almost everyone would probably have more transitions and more complex programs if they would skate with triples only and this is probably what gets a bit on my nerves when ppl say "Jason deserves so much better everyone else could also tone quads down and get better PCS then" but yeah only if your name is Jason you get such GOEs for triples and the PCS too. Yes I know PCS and TES should not relate, but how come TES and PCS go together for everyone, but not for Jason? Deniss Vasiljews has an equal amount of beautifully performed triples but neither his TES nor PCS reach slightly the same heights as Jason's? Maybe the passport plays a part? I am glad Jason made it to the Olympics, but he is probably the last person to get away without a quad.

Daniel Grassl moved up quite a lot. He had the 4th best free skate and I think the 3rd highest TES. I think his skating style is aesthetically unpleasing. His jump form is wild and his programs are weird, but you can see his effort. So I applaud the try. And Daniel best European skater. Well done!

Extremely happy for Boyang Jin. I think this was the first free skate in years he was really good. And that magnificent 4Lz is to die for 😍😍😍 I am sad he lost a lot on his consistency, but this is why I am so happy about his 9th place finish and it gives me hope that one day soon we'll have Boyang fighting for the podium again. 👍

The post becomes endless again that's why I will stick to some of my personal highlights:

Adam Saio Him Fa - what a cool unique stunning program full of energy. ⚡⚡⚡If he learns to control some of his energy he could also be a contender for the top!

Kevin Aymoz - maybe one of the most beautiful performers out there. 😍😍😍He seemed to have overcome a bit of his struggles during the season. I think 12th place finish was all he could hope for.

Deniss Vasiljews - such a beautiful program! ❤️ Sadly the 4S didn't happen in the free but still great effort! ❤️

Keegan Messing - he is just such a charming person and skater and he was oldest in the field. He always has very personal programs and I always smile when Keegan skates. ❤️ His baby is so adorable! What a proud dad!

Congratulations to all Olympians! May y'all have a good rest now! 😊

Thank you for reading one of the longest takes! Here is your well deserved cookie 🥠!

[yuzu-all-the-way]

This weekend, I'm kicking off the Yuzuru Hanyu's Senior FS Costumes series

Unlike the YH's Senior SP Costumes series, there won't be a specific ranking of the costumes. I'll just do them one by one depending on what I feel like looking at.

The first costume(s) I'll be checking out will come as no surprise to anyone who knows this blog (me) well enough.

[dreamsburntdown]

After very silent months in the summer of 2016, we got news that Yuzuru was back in training, and a bit later, that he would skate to two new programs in the upcoming 2016/17 season. Yuzu chose 'Let's Go Crazy' by Prince for his new short program, which was again choreographed by Jeff Buttle. For his new free program he chose Japanese contemporary classical music, View of Silence and Asian Dream Song by Joe Hisaishi and he named his program 'Hope and Legacy'. It was chorographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne.

Yuzu started the season at the Autumn Classic International in Canada where he became the first man who landed the quadruple Loop at a competition when he landed it in his short program. We could see his quad Loops at galas before, but it was finally time to introduce it at competitions, too. It was Yuzu's own decision (as opposed to Brian Orser's), and later it turned out that it was a very smart decision from him.

His new SP was fun, intricate, with extremely difficult step sequence, or spins. Even if the 4Lo was a new jump for Yuzu, he put it in both the SP and FS. He also changed to 4T-3T combination to 4S-3T in the SP. His new free program was beautiful, elegant, and very complex from start to finish with great choreography, transitions in and out of the elements and great spins as well. Yuzu increased the difficulty of his jumps, he not just added 4Lo, but he had 4 quads and 2 triple Axels overall, from which there were two quad Salchows, the second one in a combination in the second half of the program. The triple Axels were also in the second half.

In the Grand Prix Series, Yuzu won the NHK Trophy. It was this competition where he changed his white costume in the SP to a purple one, which was even more form fitting than the white costume. The NHK Trophy short programs were in the morning on Friday in Europe so it meant that I had to watch it at my workplace - in secrectly, of course! I still remember vividly when I saw in the warm-up that he had purple pants on, and seconds later he took off the jacket and the top of his costume was also purple. I smiled so much but I had to contain myself there. The program was very rock starish but in a different way than Parisienne Walkways, when Yuzu was still a teenager. The SP was great choice and the costume looked great on him. Not many could wear a costume like that, but Yuzu could do it!

So, at the Grand Prix Final Yuzu became the first (and so far only) male skater who won four consecutive gold medals. His SP was the best there in the season even if the landing from the 4Lo wasn't completely perfect.

Yuzu decided to compete at the Four Continents too, which was held in PyeongChang, in the arena which would host the Olympics in 2018. The last time Yuzu was at 4CC was in 2013. He again collected a silver medal, albeit he would have deserved to win this time. The sudden rise of points, especially the components of the young American Chen raised eyebrows.

I was a bit sad that I couldn't watch Yuzu in person in 2015/16 especially because GPF was held in Barcelona then. So I decided not to miss the opportunity and I traveled to Helsinki for the World Championships to watch Yuzu and cheer for him. It was a really important competition, firstly because it was the qualifying Worlds for the 2018 Olympics and also because Yuzu didn't win in 2015 or 2016 either. The pressure on him was so much.

Helsinki Worlds was the most exciting competition of my life and I won't forget what I saw there. The rollercoster of emotions was overwhelming.

In the SP, Yuzuru kneeled down from the landing after his 4S, so he couldn't add a Triple Toe-loop on it (the 2T he added got invalidated as well), and he was only 5th after the SP. Oh no.

I felt sorry, really sorry for him. I even cried a bit later, because I didn't find it fair after what Yuzu went through in the past months, years. Javier skated a good short program and he got 109 points for it, so the difference was 11 points. Then I remembered that the situation was a bit similar a year before and anything could happen.

On the day of the free skate, snow was falling in the cold streets of Helsinki. I headed to the arena with a newly found optimism, while I was walking I was listening to the epic music of Yuzu's Romeo and Juliet 1 program and I remembered his roaring he made during the program at Worlds 2012. I thought: 'Fight, Yuzu, fight, you can do it!'.

Yuzu skated first in the last group. And what he did on that day will never be forgotten. He was completely in the zone and he laid down the most gorgeous performance ever. Everything was perfection from start to finish, the 4Lo, the spins, the the quad Salchows, the step sequences (the StSq as well as his spins all got level 4), everything he did was in the highest possible quality. The complexity of his program, the elegance of his performance can be barely described with words. It was magnificient and magical. The spectators were in tears, there was standing ovation for Yuzu. He got a new world record for his performance (223.20) which was - despite being the highest score - still a bit underscored compared to what he showed on the ice there. With this fantastic performance, Yuzu finished from 5th to 1st, and he became a two-time World Champion. It was so well deserved for Yuzu! He could bring out his best at such an important competition.

I was so happy and grateful that I could witness this and that I could cheer for Yuzu at this competition.

On the last day, Sunday, I met some photographers from my country who had media accreditation for the competition. One of them was an elderly man, who proudly showed to me that he got a signature from Yuzuru before the gala rehearsal. We had the same flight back home so he gave me Yuzu's signature for the duration of the flight. I was really cautious not to make it dirty etc. (the batter of my camera was empty but I could take some pictures of the signature with my not so good phone). What an end was it for my trip! I was really happy.

After Worlds, Yuzu also competed at World Team Trophy where he won the gold medal for Japan.

This was a very successful season for him. Firstly I was happy that Yuzu came back after his very bad injury and he did so well. The first man who landed the 4Lo, the 4th GPF title, the second Worlds title, two fantastic programs, etc.

I was very looking forward to the Olympic season and I hoped everything would be okay for Yuzu.

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] - to be continued soon.

[annainnorth]

My Phantom of the Opera (or free choice?) Thursday~ 

At this point I'm assuming the programs Yuzu ran through his gala practice in Beijing are dear to his history and part of his personal "greatest hits", is not because they are all coincidentally my favorites as well at all. 

POTO was such a good FS, tainted by the early memories of Cup of China, but so triumphant when it came to the GPF on that season. 

Also, one of my favorite costumes of his (I don't consider the 1.0 version of this program), and one the best, if not THE BEST editing of POTO music I heard in figure skating. 

Such a tortured artist dramatic rendition of it, suits him <3

[nevergeneralize]

I drafted a list of favorite Men’s division skating programs at the end of last season and since I’m currently catching up on the Grand Prix I dug up the YouTube links to rewatch them all.

These aren’t necessarily my favorite versions of each program but content restrictions ruin my life (I can hardly find ANYTHING from Worlds let me LIVE nbc!!!)

Deniss Vasilyevs EX: “It’s a Sin”

every competition that didn’t have Vasilyevs’s Yuri on Ice costume Elton John Years and Years song exhibition routine might as well not have happened at all this is gay culture

Nikita Starostin SP: “Latch” 

an absolute joy to watch. the step sequence of all time

Roman Sadovsky FS: “Chasing Cars”

honestly just beautiful vibes I can’t remember which competition made me fall in love with this program but it’s lovely

Kevin Aymoz FS: “Outro”

the king of ice cartwheels and his beautiful free skate to M83 

Adam Siao Him Fa FS: Daft Punk

no one has more fun on the ice

1:38:50

Vincent Zhou SP: “Vincent”

SPECIFICALLY AT WORLDS UGH I WAS SO EMOTIONAL FOR THIS ONE VINCENT CAME BACK AND CRUSHED IT AND I WEPT

Ilia Malinin FS: Autograf/Woodkid

you absolute mad lad you’re gonna live up to your Instagram handle and win everything forever

Yuzuru Hanyu EX: “春よ来い”

Hanyu-sama, Yuzu, what can I even say, all-time great

1:44:30

[aimeejses]

Yuzuru Hanyu's Side Lunge (Pistol pose)

《Parisienne Walkways》 2014 OG SP

Highlight:

★Yuzu debuted his signature pistol pose in his Parisienne Walkways.

★Yuzu changed lunge to side lunge (pistol pose)

Yuzu's pistol poses in Parisienne Walkways are very dramatic, I have mentioned them here.

《Let's Go Crazy》 2016 GPF SP

Highlight:

★ back couter into 3A + high hick + side lunge + illusion for sit spin

EXTRA = Yuzuru's whole existence!!!!!

I like both the purple costume and the white costume😍😍😍

《Seimei》 2018 OG FS

Highlight:

★Seimei is the first FS program in which Yuzu puts the side lunge .

I LOVE the step sequence in Seimei.

The Murderface (Yuzuru's demonic expression when he has his "Competition mode" ON.)

▼Go to Planet Hanyu for further introduction of The Murderface😈

《Origin》 2019 WC FS

Highlight:

★CRAZY 4T3A + footwork + side lunge + leap

The king on ice ♠

《Let Me Entertain You》 2020 JN SP

Highlight:

★When the singer sang “So come on”, Yuzu performed the coooool pistol pose.