Haruka Imai or Kanako Murakami?

[MikiAndoFan#1]

Which of the two new Japanese ladies on the senior circuit do you prefer?

[burntBREAD]

I like both but for some reason that I can't put a finger on, I prefer Imai.

[pinky166]

I prefer Imai but its clear the judges think Kanako is better.

[burntBREAD]

I prefer Imai but its clear the judges think Kanako is better.

Yeah. Kanako's PCS is higher although I think Imai is a little undermarked in PCS.

[pinky166]

Yeah. Kanako's PCS is higher although I think Imai is a little undermarked in PCS.

Agreed. I think performing consistently and attempting the 3-3 should help build up her reputation though and then her PCS will likely improve. She was only competing on the JGP last season and she had a disasterous JW in 2009, so right now she's a bit of an unknown, not to mention she probably suffers from being the 4th Japanese lady.

[judgejudy27]

I like Kanako better. Imai is good and I enjoy her but she doesnt have the IT factor that seems to suggest future greatness.

[judgejudy27]

Agreed. I think performing consistently and attempting the 3-3 should help build up her reputation though and then her PCS will likely improve. She was only competing on the JGP last season and she had a disasterous JW in 2009, so right now she's a bit of an unknown, not to mention she probably suffers from being the 4th Japanese lady.

Imai right now is the 5th Japanese lady behind Asada, Ando, Suzuki, and Murakami.

[chipso1]

Imai just posted the highest SP score of any Japanese lady this season at TEB (58.38).

Murakami has a great on-ice presence, but her jump technique is worrying. Her flutz and high kick into the flip and flutz do not look like they'll hold up well after a growth spurt.

Imai, while perhaps not as exciting at Murakami, has wonderful jumps and a stellar 3Lo+3T combo.

[jlai]

actually I'm not impressed with either's jump technique. Both have some rather awkward entrances to jumps.

[siouxdonym]

I prefer Imai. Kanako's technique is borderline grotesque

[pinky166]

Imai right now is the 5th Japanese lady behind Asada, Ando, Suzuki, and Murakami.

Ooops, my bad, I said 4th thinking 4 were ahead of her. 5th just makes her situation even worse. I love her 3lo-3t combo though!

[ks777]

Neither.. I like Kanako but her jump techniques will hurt her when she go through a growth spurt. She will try to fix it and will end up losing her flip and flutz jump.

[Lookingood]

I prefer Kanako. She is just joy to watch.
Imai also really good if i have to choose one i pick Kanako.

[briancoogaert]

Iami has a big problem with her free leg in the landing (of jumps). The 2-foot landing is always questionable. I think it will cost her a lot of points.

[Loves_Shizuka]

I need to see more of Imai. I like Kanako; she has "IT" but I agree, her technique is worrying (/ugly)

Btw, OT I know, but what has happened to Nana Takeda?

[Eris]

Kanako. Such an inspiration on ice!

[bek]

I think Murakami is the stronger skater. One only has too look at their results the last few seasons, it seems Imai has issues with free skating and also rotating her jumps. Say what you will about Murakami but she rotates.

[burntBREAD]

I think Murakami is the stronger skater. One only has too look at their results the last few seasons, it seems Imai has issues with free skating and also rotating her jumps. Say what you will about Murakami but she rotates.

Not really. Imai was really, really off in the LP at TEB, the salchow is one of her strongest jumps, thus why she does it twice. She actually rotates more often than Murakami, she even rotates her falls.
Murakami NHK
SP: one UR
LP: four UR
Imai SC
SP: no UR
LP: no UR
Murakami SA
SP: one UR
LP: three UR
Imai TEB
SP: no UR (and a 3Lo-3T)
LP: one DG, one UR, both on salchows

[Dilng]

Ladies skating is so boring now except for Kanako. This has been the worse year for ladies ever!!! Haruka was exceptionally boring she doesn't even come close to Kanako in my opinion.

[RunnersHigh]

I saw them both live and much prefer Haruka Imai.