Yukari Nakano picked her 2009-10 programs!

http://yukarinakano.jp/en/profile/program.html

SP: The Phantom of the Opera
FS: The Firebird

Hmmm, interesting!
I guess wanted to stake her claim early, to prevent a "Battle of the Giselles" like last year.

I hadn't heard the "Phantom of the Opera" orchestral version - so I went to check it out. The piece is called "Phantasia." I think Star85 mentioned that she'd like to see Mao skate to "Phantom of the Opera" music, but when I was listening to the "All I Ask of You" part, all I could think of was, "Oh, I really wish Mao and ~Taka-chan~ would skate to this in an EX!"

Thanks for the news!

Is Phantom of the Opera a popular music choice for skating programs? Seems like a lot of skaters are using it these days. Can't wait!

Speaking of EX pair programs, Yu-na skated a pair program with Stephane Lambiel on "Phantom of the Opera" in her ice show!!

If only Mao could do one with Takachan as well... Wahaahahahah~~

I really hope to see Yukari in the Olympics!!

Thanks for the info Batsuchan! I'm definitely looking forward to Firebird, and Yukari certainly has the polish to pull it off, I think. It has been used before (Miki, Yuzuru Hanyu) by other Japanese skaters but I won't exactly call it an "overused" piece of music so that's a relief.

Oooh!! I also agree that Phantom of the Opera is popular, so it will be interesting to see her take on it compared to other skaters.
I am also looking forward to seeing her "Moulin Rouge!" exhibition.

Ok, this is about Yukari but not about her music choices...

She's going to be on Fuji TV's "Junk Sports" special on May 10!
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/b_hp/junk_s/

According to the website above, "Figure skater Yukari Nakano will talk about episodes from the 2008 World Championships party. Everyone got excited and started to dance. Daisuke Takahashi escorted her to the dance floor, but when they were about to dance, Daisuke was in high spirits and started dancing all around, leaving Yukari by herself, so she was sad."

Aww, that is cute but also really funny!!

I bet they will ask her about Mao! If she says something like, "Mao? Oh yes, Mao was dancing with Takahiko Kozuka," I might Heeheehee!

Thanks for the heads up Batsuchan! Junk Sports is yet another variety program that I enjoy watching. I can only hope I can find it (and Tokyo Friend Park) after it airs...

Also: Golden Week is coming right up in Japan, which might explain the sudden influx of "special" episodes of TV programs in general.

clovera wrote:

Thanks for the heads up Batsuchan! Junk Sports is yet another variety program that I enjoy watching. I can only hope I can find it (and Tokyo Friend Park) after it airs...

Unfortunately I have not been able to find a video!

The best I could do was find a transcript of part of the interview, but it doesn't say anything about the Worlds 2008 banquet beyond what I already described above.
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/js/new/talk01.html

I wonder if it is the same music piece Kiira Korpi used previously for her lp? Because if so, it's a really romantic interpretation. I never felt Korpi made the music her own, so to speak, so I hope Nakano will fare better.

Here's the video of Yukari Nakano on 'Junk Sports.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDQimw2h3nE

I'm too lazy to translate everything, but one other funny thing she shared was this - apparently they had asked her what kind of guy she likes when she was on the show before, and she said someone like Hiroshi Tamaki (actor). But she thought he was out of her league, so someone like Hiroshi Neko. So then they asked her if being on the show had any effect, and she said yes, she received a lot of fan letters, including one from Hiroshi Neko! So she thought, 'wow, Junk sports' power is amazing.'

Most of all, this show made me think, 'wow, Japan really has so many amazing (and attractive) female skaters!' They seriously need more than 3 spots for the Olympics!