Japan Super Challenge 2012

After the Nagoya Skating Festival, the next thing we'll have to look forward to is the 2012 JSC!!

http://www.tokai-tv.com/figure/
http://tokai-tv.com/event/jsc2012/index.html

Event date: Fri, Jan 6, 2012 19:00-21:00
Location: Nihon Gaishi Arena (in Nagoya)

TV air date: Sun, Jan 15, 2012 16:05 - 17:20 on Fuji TV

Skaters participating:
Miki Ando
Mao Asada
Kanako Murakami
Akiko Suzuki

Takahiko Kozuka
Daisuke Takahashi
Yuzuru Hanyu
Tatsuki Machida

(I hope Taka-chan and Mao are on the same team!! )

Miki skating again. Awesome!

I love Jupiter, but hope Mao will skate the Chopin Waltz jazzy number. Just to put the program to good use.

cherriee wrote:

Miki skating again. Awesome!

I love Jupiter, but hope Mao will skate the Chopin Waltz jazzy number. Just to put the program to good use.

Hmm, I wonder if part of the reason that Mao doesn't skate the Chopin waltz EX is because that costume is so cumbersome (huge floppy skirt)... But maybe TAT sent her a new costume for Christmas like she did last year, and maybe we will see it...?

That EX was also a lot of fun, so I hope to see Mao skate it again, but I have a feeling that "Jupiter" holds a special place in Mao's heart, and also that of many Japanese viewers...

On a happier note, I think it ONLY makes sense if Taka-chan and Mao are on the same team.

Both Dai and Mao are the Japan National champions, so they are probably going to be the team leaders. So then, both of them will get a #2 person on their team. That means Dai + Akko, and Mao + Taka.

Then, to keep the gender and ranking balance, it will be Dai + Akko + Yuzuru + Miki and Mao + Taka + Kanako + Machida. YEP, I think that makes the most sense!

Batsuchan wrote:

cherriee wrote:

Miki skating again. Awesome!

I love Jupiter, but hope Mao will skate the Chopin Waltz jazzy number. Just to put the program to good use.

Hmm, I wonder if part of the reason that Mao doesn't skate the Chopin waltz EX is because that costume is so cumbersome (huge floppy skirt)... But maybe TAT sent her a new costume for Christmas like she did last year, and maybe we will see it...?

That EX was also a lot of fun, so I hope to see Mao skate it again, but I have a feeling that "Jupiter" holds a special place in Mao's heart, and also that of many Japanese viewers...

On a happier note, I think it ONLY makes sense if Taka-chan and Mao are on the same team.

Both Dai and Mao are the Japan National champions, so they are probably going to be the team leaders. So then, both of them will get a #2 person on their team. That means Dai + Akko, and Mao + Taka.

Then, to keep the gender and ranking balance, it will be Dai + Akko + Yuzuru + Miki and Mao + Taka + Kanako + Machida. YEP, I think that makes the most sense!

Batsuchan, I like your allocation but I want to exchage kanako with Miki since it's more fun to see Taka and Miki together then Yuzuru with Kanako.
Miki was so cute as Taka's older sister when they attended events or game shows

shikure wrote:

Batsuchan, I like your allocation but I want to exchage kanako with Miki since it's more fun to see Taka and Miki together then Yuzuru with Kanako.
Miki was so cute as Taka's older sister when they attended events or game shows

But unfortunately having Yuzu and Kana on the same team might be unfair, because they are both Top 3 skaters from Nat'ls, and Miki and Machida are not... (Aha! Are you shipping Yuzu+Kana? )

But you are right that Taka + Miki would be fun...especially since Miki always seems to do things like push Mao towards Taka-chan!

Batsuchan wrote:

shikure wrote:

Batsuchan, I like your allocation but I want to exchage kanako with Miki since it's more fun to see Taka and Miki together then Yuzuru with Kanako.
Miki was so cute as Taka's older sister when they attended events or game shows

But unfortunately having Yuzu and Kana on the same team might be unfair, because they are both Top 3 skaters from Nat'ls, and Miki and Machida are not... (Aha! Are you shipping Yuzu+Kana? )

But you are right that Taka + Miki would be fun...especially since Miki always seems to do things like push Mao towards Taka-chan!

No, I am not shipping Yuzuru + kanako
Yuzuru likes short and cute girl but kanako grows too much LOL

I like the chemistry between Miki and Taka --> the S-Miki v.s. M-Taka and I like Miki was sort of teasing them all the time
and even Miki didn't compete this season--> the combination of Miki + Yuruzu is way stronger than Michida + Kanako, that is the other reason I thought Miki should be in Mao team

Miki definitely ships Taka+Mao

I think Miki and Mao can't be in the same team, since both of them are top contenders.
Mao is the current national champion while Miki is the world champion.

In the past JSC, has there been some kind of trend? like for example the ladies No.1 teams up with No.4, while No.2 and No.3 are in one team? or maybe it's ladies No.1 with No.3, and No.2 with No.4? (though team with No.2 and 4 will be at a disadvantage in my opinion)

If it's the former, I think it will be Dai + Machida + Miki + Akiko and Taka + Yuzuru + Mao + Kanako

In the past, the teams have been larger (like 6 people each?), including some very junior skaters, so I think it was easier to keep the ability levels of the teams fairly equal. Plus, Nobu was supposed to skate instead of Machida, and that would probably have made it more fair (assuming he weren't injured). Hmm...

But I totally agree, Miki is a total Taka-Mao shipper!

This is totally off topic, but shikure, did Yuzuru mention in an interview or something that he likes short and cute girls?? I saw something like that on someone's twitter, so I was wondering where it came from. (So among the internationally competing skaters, that means he would like...Narumi-chan?? Muahahaha, I'm so terrible!!! )

Batsuchan wrote:

This is totally off topic, but shikure, did Yuzuru mention in an interview or something that he likes short and cute girls?? I saw something like that on someone's twitter, so I was wondering where it came from. (So among the internationally competing skaters, that means he would like...Narumi-chan?? Muahahaha, I'm so terrible!!! )

It's from the interview by Mai https://yorimo.yomiuri.co.jp/csa/Yrm0301_P/1221762084392
you need to register for details or you can google the title "羽生結弦選手インタビュー 浅田舞のスポ友" to get the full interview posted by bloggers:)
since I am not sure if those bloggers are willing to be directly linked, I need to let you search it by yourself (sorry)

he likes cute girl rather than pretty one, and he said he would like to date skater.
Since he is the only male in his rink (or something like that forgot the details), he is everyone's romeo..LOL

In addition, they still have the same size of team and there are four junior skaters here, including Miyahara (!!!).
I hope this time she can skate to her lovely ex with smile on her face since you can see that she was extremely nervous in MOI and everything was shown on her face
but actually she did very well and didn't need to worry too much.

日野龍樹、宮原知子、本田太一、松野真矢子

shikure wrote:

he likes cute girl rather than pretty one, and he said he would like to date skater.
Since he is the only male in his rink (or something like that forgot the details), he is everyone's romeo..LOL

In addition, they still have the same size of team and there are four junior skaters here, including Miyahara (!!!).
I hope this time she can skate to her lovely ex with smile on her face since you can see that she was extremely nervous in MOI and everything was shown on her face
but actually she did very well and didn't need to worry too much.

That would make an interesting fanfic idea if we find someone to ship Hanyu-kun with...

Miyahara-chan has potential!! I'd also love to see her smile during exhibition... maybe it'll come later on? I mean, it's her first time to skate like that with the veterans like Mao, Dai, Taka, etc...

Thanks for the info, shikure! You totally are a Japanese figure skating encyclopedia!

I was able to find the interview here:
http://chubu.yomiuri.co.jp/tokushu/supotomo/supotomo110918_1.htm

Mai asks him, "what kind of girl do you like?" and he replies, "Among celebrities, I've always liked Aya Ueto. I like cute girls that make you want to protect them."

Hmm, interesting! Uh-oh, here goes my wild imagination!
I have to admit, ever since I saw that picture from the CoR gala where Mao and Yuzuru are holding hands and smiling so brightly, I've been thinking, "wouldn't it be interesting if Yuzuru developed a little innocent crush on Mao?" If you ask me, Mao is definitely "cute," and even though she's older than him, she definitely has this ethereal & gentle side to her that makes you want to protect her!
Of course, Mao would be completely oblivious, as usual, and only ever think of Yuzuru like a sweet little brother, and nothing would ever happen. But Taka-chan would notice, and be totally jealous whenever Yuzuru and Mao are talking, and Mao smiles at him...

ANYWAY, back onto the topic. Somehow I totally missed the fact that there will be a bunch of junior skaters! It should be a fun event!

Thanks for the info, Batsuchan and shikure!

Both of you guys really know so much about the Japanese skaters

I didn't know Yuzuru liked Ueto Aya; he could have named a lot of different actresses or idols that are closer in age as him like Takei Emi or one of the AKB girls that are popular right now, but he mentioned Aya, huh...hmmm....I could easily fathom him having an older girl crush on Mao too- yes, yes Batsuchan, I'm liking your shoujo manga scenario; if Armin is thrown in the mix it totally could be in the reverse harem category.

I'm looking forward to this event too! I hope Mao is pacing herself well, though. I want to her to have a great comp at 4CC and the best one at worlds!!

Batsuchan wrote:

Then, to keep the gender and ranking balance, it will be Dai + Akko + Yuzuru + Miki and Mao + Taka + Kanako + Machida. YEP, I think that makes the most sense!

Batsuchan~bingo

Team blue: Dai + Akko + Yuzuru + Miki
Team Red: Mao + Taka + Kanako + Machida

order
Red: Blue--> winner prediction by me LOL

Kanako vs. Yuzuru (blue)
Hino vs. Miyahara (blue)
Matsuno vs. Honda (?)
Machida vs. Akko (Blue)
Taka vs. Miki (?)
Mao vs. Dai (Red)---> I like both of their EX but I think Mao will win

ETA: Taka wasn't there last year but team blue got Dai, Miki and Akko too--> ppl said it's almost impossible for team Red to win. since they only can rely on Mao's charm.

Hmm I still think team blue is stronger it would be better for team red to change Machida for Yuzuru. I think team blue will win again

polosatik wrote:

Hmm I still think team blue is stronger it would be better for team red to change Machida for Yuzuru. I think team blue will win again

polosatik, I thought the same way but I just checked my twitter that ppl said Machi made a new EX as a samurai with Japanese sword (!!!) and the EX sounds very nice.

hope this can help red team

If i can switch, I still want to switch Miki and kanako

ETA: Taka did GLEE (!!!) and Mao did 3-3

shikure, Thanks for the updates! Where are you getting the updates from?!

roma wrote:

shikure, Thanks for the updates! Where are you getting the updates from?!

you are welcome
I read twitter of Mao fans do you guys want to know results ?

shikure wrote:

roma wrote:

shikure, Thanks for the updates! Where are you getting the updates from?!

you are welcome
I read twitter of Mao fans do you guys want to know results ?

I do! Because I will not be online later. You could PM me them? Or send me them on facebook?

shikure wrote:

polosatik wrote:

Hmm I still think team blue is stronger it would be better for team red to change Machida for Yuzuru. I think team blue will win again

polosatik, I thought the same way but I just checked my twitter that ppl said Machi made a new EX as a samurai with Japanese sword (!!!) and the EX sounds very nice.

hope this can help red team

If i can switch, I still want to switch Miki and kanako

ETA: Taka did GLEE (!!!) and Mao did 3-3

OMG, really? Glee was super great!!! And Mao did 3-3!!! I'm so excited!! it means she will probably put it in her competitve program!

Yes ~ Mao did 3F-3Lo and team Red won

shikure wrote:

Yes ~ Mao did 3F-3Lo and team Red won

Ahahaha, we're wrong!!! Yey! Congrats team red!!!!!!!!!! Did Mao skate to Jupiter?

I'm glad Mao's team won! Btw, Do we have a clip of Mao's 3F-3L that's not the FNN version?

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/f-sp-tp0-20120106-886013.html
http://www.47news.jp/CN/201201/CN2012010601001662.html
Dai fall three times and he skated to his SP..what are you doing Dai...
(ETA: some wrote twice and some wrote three times...uh...he didn't get his best jumps)


http://www.jiji.com/jc/p?id=20120106220743-1939792&j3 (pics here)
Mao skated to Jupiter and added 3Lo after her original 3F in the program; Taka skated to glee (surprise!)

wow team red won!
yey, finally! i think this is the first time team mao won, right
just when everyone thought team blue has the advantage lol

congrats! team red!!! i wanna see the clips
^{i wonder if there are taka-mao moments again this year}