Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup - Update 3

February 23, 2014, 7:38 am

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Day 3 is the main event!  Individual Finals!  100 competitors! ©Sasuke Malaysia

Finally! After a long year and a half, multiple delays, a full rescheduling, a last minute change in location, the big day has arrived!  Day 3 hosted the Individual Finals for the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup.  Under VERY hot weather conditions in the South Pacific (35C/98F) the day is finally here! (Day 1 was Malaysia qualifying and Day 2 was Open/worldwide qualifying)

Day 3 highlights ©1Malaysia For Youth

100 competitors chosen from Open qualifying the past 2 days along with the 5 competitors from Team Japan all participated today for a chance at 4 different sets of medals.  (more on that later)

Day 3 highlights ©1Malaysia For Youth

Under hot conditions but electric atmosphere the event seemed to go without a hitch (at least anything anyone complained about - which was none) as all the competitors had fun competing and enjoying each other's company.

Opening Ceremonies ©Ryan Stratis

The day started with an Opening ceremonies with each of the competitors, team colors and all enjoying the festivities. It was nice seeing that they did some sort of ceremony to start the event.

Opening Ceremonies ©Nidzam Syaamil

I swear.. Shingo ALWAYS screws up photos.. LOL He just can't keep still!  But seriously makes this photos hilariou!

 Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Masato Inui

Then the last-minute special guest arrived at the event held at Dataran Petaling Jaya in Malaysia.  The one and only, Sasuke Legend and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Nidzam Syaamil

A highlight in many fans lives where their hero was there in person introducing the event and congratulating them for their support for this inaugural tournament.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠
Quote: The King has arrived! The place blew up. Everyone was screaming 'Nagano! Nagano! Nagano!'©Azhan

LOL And of course as it happens whenever Makoto speaks the crowd goes nuts!  Thanks to Azhan for not just the photos but the play by play!

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠
Quote: The king in a rare moment of awkwardness ©Azhan

Ahahahaah the chant actually threw him off that he forgot his lines!  So he had to take out a piece of paper that had his speech!  I'm totally having kittens here! Makoto girly giggle™

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Nidzam Syaamil

More photos of the opening ceremonies with Makoto Nagano speaking.  Again, nice to see fans being allowed to take and share photos!

Team Taiwan enjoying the festivities ©Nidzam Syaamil

I'm adoring this festive atmosphere created during this event. If it's THIS inclusive during their inaugural year and everyone had fun, I'm really looking forward to the development of this event for future years!

Ryo in the crowd during the opening ceremonies ©Nidzam Syaamil

LOL New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 being a total fan-boy and taking photos of all the festivities.  Would love to see those photos!

Team Japan warming up and getting interviewed ©Azhan

I'm laughing at the silly grin on Shingo's face right now!  He really can't do a public speaking thing with a straight face can't he? LOL

Azhan with Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Azhan

Thanks Azhan for the amazing photos! I hope you found your camera battery! I'm happy you did manage to get an awesome fan photo!

 Team Japan
Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 with Shin Sedai (新世代) literally "New Generation" member Kazuma Asa朝一眞, New Generation member Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and Sasuke Veteran and Former Finalist Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次 and Sasuke Veteran Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 ©Ekamil Razali

Already qualified from last year's Sasuke 29, Team Japan came in cool Blue uniforms for the Individual Finals.  They also compete in the Team Finals on Sunday.

Awesome shot of The Gallon Throw (ザ・ガロンスロー) ©Sasuke Malaysia

I wish this event was televised.. it looked like so much fun.  Either way, the following are highlights of the competition.

The Spider Walk (スパイダーウォーク) ©Nidzam Syaamil

Organizers again encouraged everyone to take and share photos so again I had a HUGE amount of photos to chose from.

Sasuke 27 Veteran Ryan Stratis ライアン・ストラティス ©Ryan Stratis

Long-time Sasuke fan "Strat" as he's known in the Sasuke/Ninja Warrior community, coming all the way to Malaysia with his Sasuke 27/ANW shirt ready to compete again.

 Awesome shot of The Gallon Throw (ザ・ガロンスロー) ©Ekamil Razali

I know this obstacle is much smaller than it was in Sportsman #1 but I'm tickled pink seeing this event here!  Makes for great photos!

 Sasuke Veteran Brett Simsブレッド・スイムス famous America shorts) ©Ekamil Razali

So nice to see Brett also fly out to Malaysia.  I blogged about him a few years ago being one of the first G4 sponsored Americans to Sasuke way back in Sasuke 19 (and 20).  He did well in this competition wowing the crowd and even getting videos posted of him. It's strange for me seeing him grow up before my eyes!

 

 New Generation member Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 and Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介©Masato Inui

Team Japan seemed to be enjoying the company of their fellow athletes. I love the uniform btw.  Awesome blue color!

Proud UK resident Ben Da Silva-Jones ©Ben Da Silva-Jones

I love photos like these.  Another brave soul traveling from the other side of the world to participate representing the United Kingdom.  He so loved this event he vowed to come back next year with a UK team!  The organizers showed they had interest in making the event bigger and with the inclusion of the team event I'm sure this will get more popular in the future!

 Michelle Warnkey trying to beat the heat ©Ekamil Razali

Michelle Warnkey is a rising star on the American Ninja Warrior scene.  She also came all the way over to Malaysia to participate and caused quite a stir with how well she competed!

Michelle Warnkey ©Sasuke Malaysia

Scenes like this want me to bug TBS again to revive Kunoichi!  I mean seriously, why can't we have another Kunoichi? I mean.. seriously.. bring it back!

Michelle Warnkey ©Nidzam Syaamil

Actually there were a few women in this event. I was happy to see them compete!  I hope more women come out and support this event in the future.

 

 Team Japan goofing around with other competitors
New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞, Sasuke Veteran Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次 on top of the shoulders of American Mike Bernardo and (kneeling) New Generation member Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

I'm so happy everyone was having a ball during this event.  Something reminded to me of those who have been to Sasuke, this isn't the same atmosphere. It was a huge party there in Malaysia.

Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, Nidzam Syaamil and New Generation member Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志,©Nidzam Syaamil

Sasuke fans had a rare opportunity of posing with Sasuke veterans for photos. There were dozens upon dozens of photos of fan meet and greet during a day of competition.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 with Drew Dreschel©Drew Dreschel

Sasuke 27 Veteran Drew Dreschel posing with Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠.  For those who remember, Drew was part of the powerhouse American team (the last of the G4 sponsored Americans) in Sasuke 27 that dominated that event.  Drew unfortunately came down wrong on angle on the Half Pipe Attack and broke his leg.. yes.. on the course.  TBS cut it but ANW showed it in slow motion many times. He had surgery and was back competing in a very short time.  He was here supporting the event and hanging out with his fellow ANW buddies and being a general Sasuke fan-boy!

 Volunteer group posing for photos

Cool photo of the female volunteer group helping with the running of the event!  Good work everyone!

SAOC Volunteer with Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

More fan photos from the volunteer group.  Who wouldn't resist taking a photo with a Sasuke Legend?

 

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Sasuke Malaysia

Speaking of Nagano, he was part of an impromptu "show off" session with all the competitors between a break in the action.  His turn came up to show something and he decided to become a Saiyan (From the anime Dragonball) and do a Kamehameha on the crowd! (Video here)

Team Taiwan led by Sasuke Veteran Lee En-Chih (リー・エンチ)(李 恩至).

Also making the trip was Sasuke Veteran from Taiwan Lee En-Chih (リー・エンチ)(李 恩至).  He came here with a team ready to compete in the Team Finals to be held on Sunday. This day he's competing in the individual event.

Competitors eagerly looking for their scores ©Zai Joehurry

After all the runs were calculated you had people looking over the television screen that had the running totals of the top times. Then fairly quickly the final results were tallied and shown on the monitor.

 And here they are!  The Individual event results for the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup 2014 ©Sasuke Malaysia

Btw FULL Scores for all 100 competitors who participated in the Individual Final are already on the main website.  Please visit here : http://www.sasukemalaysia.org/DL/Finals.pdf For those a little confused about the pdf file and how the scores worked, they had broken up the course into the 3 stages I discussed yesterday.  3 groups were competing simultaneously around the 3 stages.  Each stage was labeled into what the obstacles were trying to achieve: Jump, Hang and Power obstacles.  The numbers represents the time it took for them to complete each stage.  The 2nd set of scores are for the time penalties for failing on top of your stage time. So if someone fell off an obstacle or missed a connection or something else, a 30 second time penalty (along with disqualification from completing that stage) was added to your time. At the end of the competition, all times including the penalties were added up.  The list on the pdf has the scores ordered by their registration number.  I hope they have one in order of times since the form is a bit frustrating to read.  Top times in each of the categories were given medals:  The chart above was only showing the Top times in each of the categories.

Jump:
Drew Dreschel (USA)
Wang Jun An (Taiwan)
David Campbellデイヴィッド・キャンベル (USA)

Hang:
Drew Dreschel (USA)
Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 (Japan)
Awg Mohd Hasnal Husna Bin Ahmad (Brunei)

Power:
Drew Dreschel (USA)
Alan Connealy (USA)
Kenji "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 (Japan)

Sasuke 27 Veteran Drew Dreschel with Esma Dainal B Md Isa ©Esma Dainal

So after all times are factored in, all the times are added together to come up with an overall winner. These are then awarded with their own medals and a reported but unconfirmed cash prize.

Overall Top Times:
Drew Dreschel (USA)
Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 (Japan)
Awg Mohd Hasnal Husna Bin Ahmad (Brunei)

Team Japan's Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 ©Ekamil Razali

I'm happy to see Yuusuke do well in this event. He's been training for months for this event, ever since he was named the first member of Team Japan.  Count me as proud as well for doing an interview with me before the event started!  I'm stoked for Drew as well since most in Japan only knew of him as the guy that broke his leg in Sasuke.  Congrats also to Team Brunei for getting on the overal podium as well!  Hasnal was incidentally featured in his hometown newspaper back in Brunei just before the trip even started!

After the competition ©Drew Dreschel

I'm ecstatic that the event was well received by the competitors.  Despite the hot conditions, last minute changes and overall size of the event, they all made the best of the situation and made it into a memorable event for all of them.

Esma Dainal enjoying the day ©Esma Dainal

I was so happy to see everyone from all walks of life compete. Outside of posting pics quickly on twitter this guy even shared video of some of his run in the event! Truly the embodiment of the Sasuke Spirit.

 

 A somber New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©Masato Inui

Not all was well though, in the chaos of the competition, Asa lost his cellphone.. I hope someone found it and returned it.

 New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 and Sasuke 27 Veteran Ryan Stratis ライアン・ストラティス ©Ryan Stratis

What followed was a slew of photos of the partying!  Seems all the competitors banded together and got something to eat at the same place.  So what transpired was an all out party with selfies, food and entertainment.

 Muscle pics! ©Ryan Stratis

I loved this!  Lee, Asa, Kong, Shingo, Ryo, Kanno along with various other competitors from the competition all posing for photos and goofing around.

Sasuke 27 Veteran Drew Dreschel with Shingo ©Drew Dreschel

I'm sure in the next few days I'll see more of these photos! I'll most likely do a compilation blog later in the week to put more.  The photos from this event were amazing!

 Sasuke Veteran Kenji "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 with Sasuke 27 Veteran Drew Dreschel©Drew Dreschel

Flat out.. I LOVE THIS PHOTO!  Kong knowing he's known for his passion and screaming at the top of his lungs.  This.. is priceless! Snowy must be having kittens!

Best selfie EVER! ©Ryan Stratis

And again another photo of the competitors being total fan-boys! This is my favorite selfie of the event (so far). This blog took me over 4 hours to compile just trying to sort through all the photos (and finding the sources to correctly credit them).  Phew one more day to go!  Team Finals was Sunday!

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Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup - Update 4

February 24, 2014, 2:58 pm

≫ Next: Official Sasuke 30 announcement!

≪ Previous: Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup - Update 3

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Medals!  Gold, Silver and Bronze!

International Team Category ©Nidzam Syaamil

This is Day 4!  The International Team Finals! Day 1 was Malaysia qualifying and Day 2 was Open/Worldwide qualifying and Day 3 was the first of the main events - Individual Finals. Today is the 2nd of the main events and the final day of this 4 day competition.

Wow.. that's gorgeous!  Team Final Plaque ©Nidzam Syaamil

Okay I'm officially impressed. I love these kinds of mementos.  Half the fun of showing up to a big event (like most fan's dream - Sasuke Japan) is to take home proof of your participation. That's why competitors save their saddlecloths and frame their numbers.  It's a keepsake of a moment in time. This is gorgeous.  There will be 3 sets of awards.  Champion, Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up (Gold, Silver, Bronze).   This one plaque is for the top team though. I'm curious who will take it home? or is it one of those "pose with it and we keep it" like the Stanley Cup?

Organizers Zai Joehurry and Alex Cheah with Special Guest Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Sasuke Malaysia

A special Shout out to the organizers of this event. Yes.. TWO of them.  They made the impossible happen!  That's Sasuke Malaysia (and Sasuke ASEAN) Director Zai Joehurry and Alex Cheah.  This is a good first start! Those in attendance were so thrilled with the event that they can't wait until the next Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup! They proved they can do it, now let the floodgates open!

Draw ceremony ©Zai Joehurry

After a great International Individual Finals the day before, the scene shifted to the International Team Finals.  Here they were drawing for starting orders.  The teams were set at 5 members each.  As of this blog, I wasn't sure how the teams were created (outside of Japan which was determined before the event started) .  Many came with several prospective teammates, however top times in Individual may have played a part in the selection of the 5 chosen for the Team Finals.

 

 Draw ceremony - Teams USA, Taiwan and Singapore (can't tell who the team on left is) ©Zai Joehurry

From reports there were 8 teams total with 5 competitors per team for a total of 40 competitors.  Unlike Saturday's event with 100 competitors all competing at the same time, you had everyone running in a preset order determined by the draw ceremony.

 

 Draw ceremony - Teams Japan, Malaysia and unsure of the team to the right ©Zai Joehurry

But as you can tell from my math here.. the teams I remember being told were competing were Japan, USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and..  Brunei? That still leaves us with 2 teams missing.  I'll fix this line later if/when I get more information on the full composition of all the teams in attendance.

Edit (from comment section below): The team on the right is Indonesia.  A few of them were injured at the Power Course during the Team challenge. They didn't proceed afterwards.

 Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒©Masato Inui

Before the event started though, Sasuke Japan Director Inui posted this hilarious photo.  Hardcore Sasuke fans would know who these guys are and find what they are doing really... unusual.  The caption was pretty much "celebrity clean up crew".   Neither are competitors in this event (Nagano was a guest speaker and Ryo was an obstacle tester) so they instantly became volunteers!  So.. what does Makoto do?  That's right.. order his subordinate to do the work! LOL

 Team Malaysia ©Nidzam Syaamil

Something just occurred to me.  Was everyone provided Team shirts?  (Edit: Nope each country made their own jerseys) I was so enamored with the Japan blue (Edit:  Ube was correct, they were inspired by the Japan National Soccer team) that I didn't even realized that EVERYONE in the Team event had a numbered 1-5 generic Team Shirt.  I find them cool!  I know a few countries had their own shirts made though (Like Taiwan and Singapore).  These are the yellow jerseys for Team Malaysia with head coach being Sasuke Malaysia winner and Sasuke 27/28 veteran Farid "Cat" Ishamモハメド・パリド・イシャム  (orange shirt).

 Team USA (Drew Dreschel, Mike Bernardo, Ryan Stratis and Brian Kretsch) ©Ekamil Razali

"This is how we roll" is what I hear when seeing this photo. LOL No idea wtf Strat is doing but it's hilariously intense.. which is about what I always see from any Strat photo.  I assume the phrase is Ryan is "Stratigizin'?  Brian is playing cool and just strutting away from the meeting.. and David is too cool for this photo. LOL

 

Sasuke Japan Director Inui with his team (Morimoto, Shingo, Asa, Kanno and Kong) ©Masato Inui

By now Team Japan seemed a bit more relaxed.  Both Kong and Morimoto had a couple medals under team Japan's belt in the individual category from yesterday, so this time they were going for the Team Final. They seemed to be having a great time (as evidenced by the party the night before! LOL).

Team Taiwan ©Ekamil Razali

The competition went on with each of the teams going through each stage back to back.  It wasn't a head to head competition (like in the USA vs. Japan in Las Vegas), but it was a top times overall competition using 5 competitors. (Just like the individual event)

 Team Singapore ©Ekamil Razali

 Team Malaysia ©Nidzam Syaamil

 Team USA (Drew) ©Ekamil Razali

 Team Singapore ©Ekamil Razali

Team Japan ©Sasuke Malaysia

 Team Malaysia ©Nidzam Syaamil

 Team USA (Strat) ©Ekamil Razali

 

 Team Competition ©Ekamil Razali

Team Japan ©Ekamil Razali

Team USA (Bernardo) ©Ekamil Razali

Team Japan ©Sasuke Malaysia

Drew Dreschel©Ekamil Razali

So then the wait began.  The organizers went in to crunch the numbers and determine which country has won the inaugural event! In the meantime, people started to take photos of each other and mingle.

Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 (Japan) ©Ekamil Razali

Team Malaysia being interviewed ©Mat Redho

Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介, Nidzam Syaamil and New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©Nidzam Syaamil

Kenji "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 (Japan) ©Ekamil Razali

The celebrity clean up crew were also gofers! ©Nidzam Syaamil

 New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

Finally the wait was over and over-sized checks were brought out!  So not just medals for the winners, but cash prizes!  I'm laughing at Nagano trying to figure out wtf that is. I'm sure he's going "wait.. how much do they get? I won the big course and I got practically nothing.. this better not equal my old prize money.. I wonder what the conversion rate is for this thing in Yen.. oooh it doesn't have a name.."

Jump Category ©Nidzam Syaamil

1st - Drew Dreschel (USA)

2nd - Wang Jun An (Taiwan)

3rd - David Campbellデイヴィッド・キャンベル (USA)

First they start off by awarding the winners from Saturday's Individual Finals (all times and leader board are in the Day 3 blog).  These were the top times of all 105 competitors broken down into 3 categories.  They start off with the Jump category.  For those trying to figure out how much money that is.  The lowest prize was $1000 RM (Malaysian Ringgits) for 3rd place.  (That's approximately $305 USD).  2nd was awarded $2000 RM.  Champion was awarded $3000 RM.  Team USA had 2 competitors on the podium and Taiwan made their appearance in 2nd place.

Hang Category ©Nidzam Syaamil

1st - Drew Dreschel (USA)

2nd - Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 (Japan)

3rd - Awg Mohd Hasnal Husna Bin Ahmad (Brunei)

Next award ceremony for the Individual Finals was the Hang Category which Drew won as well.  Yep, that means he got another check for $3000 RM.  Japan getting on the podium and Brunei making an appearance.

 

 Power Category ©Nidzam Syaamil

1st - Drew Dreschel (USA)

2nd - Alan Connealy (USA)

3rd - Kenji "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 (Japan)

And last of the Individuals was the Power Category which Drew won another .. wait.. that's not Alan Connealy.. that is most definitely Brian Kretsch.. a stand in?  I'm sure I'll find out later.. but that was definitely NOT Alan on the podium! LOL Anyway Drew with the Hat Trick winning the top time in all 3 of the categories. USA getting in a 2nd place with Alan's time and Team Japan scoring 3rd with Veteran competitor Kong.  Awww Kong is hoisting Drew's arm up!  Either way I'm STOKED he is on the podium.  Go old dudes! No wait.. he's younger than me... /cries okay okay I'll swallow my shame.  GO OLD DUDES!

Team Malaysia - 2nd Runner Up ©Nidzam Syaamil

And finally the results of the TEAM Competition.  In 3rd place/Bronze Medal a VERY stoked Team Malaysia!  The home team edge out Team Taiwan (who was in 4th). If someone can be so kind as to provide me all five names of the team members in order I'd GLADLY post their names under the caption!

 

 Team Japan - Runner Up ©Nidzam Syaamil

Sasuke Veteran Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 with Shin Sedai (新世代) literally "New Generation" member Kazuma Asa朝一眞, New Generation member Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 and Sasuke Veteran and Former Finalist Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次

In 2nd place/Silver medal is a very happy Team Japan!  Team Japan took home 3 medal positions in total!  2 Silvers for Morimoto and a Bronze for Kong.

 

 Team United States of America (USA) ©Nidzam Syaamil

Sasuke Veteran  David Campbellデイヴィッド・キャンベル, ANW's Brian Kretsch, Sasuke 27 Veteran Drew Dreschel, ANW's Mike Bernardo and Sasuke 27 Veteran Ryan Stratis ライアン・ストラティス

And in 1st place/Gold Medal to a very overwhelmed Team USA.  Drew Dreschel had a ridiculous weekend sweeping all gold medals!  Team USA also added a Silver with Alan Connealy and a Bronze for David Campbell.

 

 International Team Finals Podium 2014 ©Nidzam Syaamil

And there you have the podium for the inaugural Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup!  What a great presentation for the medals as well! That's actually more than I expected!

 

 Medal ceremony ©Drew Dreschel

 Team USA ©Nidzam Syaamil

Team USA had a hell of a tournament. I'm so happy they flew halfway around the world to participate and support this fledgling event. I don't think they even expected this ovation.

Medal ceremony for the 2014 International Team Finals ©Nidzam Syaamil

Oh snap they did the country anthems as well?? I see them placing their hands over their hearts.. I think they are playing the Star Spangled Banner!

Medal ceremony for the 2014 International Team Finals ©Nidzam Syaamil

Wow I wasn't expecting this. LOL  That's awesome! I'm really really impressed! Nice touch!  I wonder if seeing this will make more countries send athletes to see if they can win the team event!

Sasuke Malaysia (and Sasuke ASEAN) Director Zai Joehurry ©Nidzam Syaamil

My hat is tipped to this woman. She totally thought of this and figured people thought she was crazy. She made it happen through thick and thin. I commend a job well done! Now do it again next year! LOL no .. seriously.. do it again!

Team Japan ©Nidzam Syaamil

In a rare display of nuttiness you have of all the countries, Team Japan hoisting a competitor!  Not sure who that is though it looks like Shingo.  LOL at Nagano also throwing him in the air!

Team Malaysia ©Nidzam Syaamil

What followed was a WHOLE bunch of photo taking opportunities with the checks and medals.  Interviews with cameras (no idea who the television stations were) and general mugging for the camera.

King of Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup 2014

USA's Drew Dreschel©Nidzam Syaamil

Drew had one HELL of a week.  Applying to the event and being accepted, then figuring out how to pay for a flight there, then flying to Malaysia after being sponsored by fans using crowd funding, then qualifying on Day 2 to the final, then winning EVERYTHING (all 3 categories + overall champion), then doing it again the following day with a team for the Gold in Team Finals.

King of Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup 2014

USA's Drew Dreschel©Drew Dreschel

He posted this on his Facebook: For now I will only post one picture for today. It still has not sunk in. I took the fastest time in all three stages, best overall time, and USA won the team competition.. now what do I do with my life?

 

 Team USA - Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup Champions ©Ryan Stratis

Waiting for results yesterday I ran into this tweet from Ryan.  This is such an epic photo! LOL I'm proud of you guys!  Congratulations to the Sasuke Fan boys!

 

 Team USA ©Nidzam Syaamil

From this point forth there's a lot of photos of the ceremony from various country perspectives. I enjoyed that there were so many!  Thanks for allowing these photos to be on the internet!

 Team USA ©Drew Dreschel

Team Japan ©Nidzam Syamil

Celebration with the Taiwan Flag ©Nidzam Syaamil

Team Malaysia members Amirul Ashraf and Muhammad Zaki Nasarruddinwith Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Nidzam Syaamil

Team Japan ©Masato Inui

Celebratory photos with Taiwan Flag ©Nidzam Syaamil

Team Japan ©Masato Inui

Teams USA and Japan ©Drew Dreschel

Teams Japan and USA ©Drew Dreschel

More celebration photos! ©Sasuke Malaysia

At this point everyone is starting to pile up on top of each other as they notice this is now going on video camera!

Chaos! LOL ©Sasuke Malaysia

LOL Ryo is cackling as he's almost being trampled by the Video operator! LOL I think Nagano just got swallowed!

Cheers! ©Sasuke Malaysia

The video camera operator just learned what personal space is and stepped back to get the whole crew.

Celebrations ©Sasuke Malaysia

Lee from Taiwan having a moment with Nagano in the middle of this chaotic scene! LOL I can't keep the photos straight as it seems some people were swapped in and out of the photos as I place them on my blog.

More celebratory photos - this time celebrating Drew Dreschel ©Nidzam Syaamil

By far the most chaotic scene as it seems EVERYONE is in this photo. What's cute is that everyone starts to point at the Grand Champion Drew Dreschel!

"SASUKE chants were echoing into the night once the event finished! What a great time!!"©Ryan Stratis

LOL Nagano is totally hogging Drew now. That's the craziest I've seen him in a photo! LOL MAN I love these photos!  Thanks everyone for posting these amazing photos!

Team Japan with Sasuke Director Masato Inui and a rare appearance of Sasuke Producer Hiroki Kikuno 菊野浩樹 ©Sasuke Malaysia

Party is dying down but the mugging still continues! I'm happy Japan is sharing photos as well. Rare to see the Sasuke Producer Kikuno actually being photographed!  He's on the far right of the photo all the way in the back behind the Director Inui. If you want to know who the Sasuke boss is now? That's Kikuno.

The party spills back onto the course! ©SAOC

Winding down I want to thank everyone for making this happen. To the Hundred plus athletes from around the world who participated and supported this fledgling event. Just in Sasuke Japan's history you get the glimpse of Sasuke 1 with Shingo in his short shorts and the indoor arena, this footage will be played for future generations as the first Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup.

The Partying continues! ©Dustin Sims

The hardcore fans of Sasuke who were brave enough to take a chance on something new. I applaud mightily.  Thank you for keeping Sasuke alive.  This new flicker I hope grows to be a roaring flame for the future generations of Sasuke believers around the world.

Official Sasuke 30 announcement!

March 11, 2014, 3:10 pm

≫ Next: Team Japan Afterthoughts - Sasuke Asean Open Cup 2014

≪ Previous: Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup - Update 4

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Sasuke 30 Official Announcement!

Today we got confirmation for what we've been hearing for the past week.  A new Sasuke tournament is returning!  Director Masato Inui 乾雅人 is returning to direct another tournament.  Returning to numbers after a break calling it Sasuke Rising, Sasuke 30 is officially slated for "Summer".  TBS created a page for Sasuke 30 on their Sasuke Rising website. There was quite a bit of confusion when "Sasuke Rising" title came out for Sasuke 28-29.  To help explain it further though, in the past we only had "Sasuke" at the title all the way up to Sasuke 27.  After the bankruptcy of Monster 9 however, the title changed to "Rising" delineating when the tournament was under full TBS control.  For this one, commemorating their anniversary though, they are going back to numbers!  In fact, on the website they call it the 第30回記念大会開催！ "30th Anniversary Show!" If history repeats, they will use the 2901-3000 saddle-cloths.  I'm excited!

Team Japan arriving in Malaysia

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠, Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, Sasuke Veteran Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 with Shin Sedai (新世代) literally "New Generation"Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Sasuke Veteran and Former Finalist Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次 and New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©Yuusuke Morimoto

Along with the official Application is the announcement of Sasuke Trials, this time going around the country of Japan. (Sasuke 29 trials were set at Midoriyama and Sasuke 28 auditions were held in 2 different cities in the country).   The roaming trials will be held in different cities in Japan during the end of the month of April.  In fact the application process is very short!  Deadline for this tournament is March 31 now April 10!

It is unknown at this time how international competitors will be handled.  If I find more concrete information on the subject I'll post.  Though it is my understanding that future tournaments will handle foreign participation via Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup participation.

Team Japan Afterthoughts - Sasuke Asean Open Cup 2014

April 1, 2014, 8:21 am

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Team Japan going to Malaysia (Narita Airport)

Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, Shin Sedai (新世代) literally "New Generation"Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Sasuke Veteran Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 , Sasuke Veteran and Former Finalist Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次 and New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©Yuusuke Morimoto

I've been meaning to do this post for a month, but haven't been feeling well lately. Sorry for the delay.  Earlier in March, I had another interview with Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介, who was kind enough to give me a report after the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup 2014 in Malaysia.  If you remember, he also did an interview before the tournament started.  I 'm happy he was willing to speak with me again on the subject so soon after his previous interview. Along with his thoughts, I also in my researched ran across the messages written by other members of Team Japan. So, I decided to put them all together in one blog.

Team Japan arriving in Malaysia

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠, Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, Sasuke Veteran Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 with Shin Sedai (新世代) literally "New Generation"Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Sasuke Veteran and Former Finalist Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次 and New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©Yuusuke Morimoto

I wanted to do an overall impressions blog that focused on Team Japan. After all, my blog has always been about Sasuke Japan and in particular the Sasuke All-stars. Here we had two of them in the event along with other fan favorites. I couldn't resist.  I kept waiting for other reports to come in and then I got distracted, and then sick.. and well that's why the long delay.  I did however, get a report of a very touching post made by one of the guys from Team Japan.  It was unexpected and very moving. Here's what Asa had to say.

New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 with USA's Tim Koren (notice the pants! Those are Asa's famous Sasuke pants!) ©Tim Koren

(Message from New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞 on his private Facebook account - reprinted with permission.  Translation by Carol Hui Akiyama - also with permission)

Sorry for worrying everyone
But I got my phone working again!

Sasuke Asean Open Cup 2014 has ended and I returned home safely.

Sasuke is the greatest!
This was by far the best three days of my life!
A huge THANK YOU to the producers, staff, Nagano-san, Matachi, the Japanese team and the participants from around the world.
We had such an amazing time.
I wish I could have stayed in Malaysia longer…

My emotions, oh, my emotions!
When I was beginning to lose confidence in myself, Inui-san ran to me and slapped me hard on the back to get me back to life.
From the time I was selected on the Japan team, Takayama-san fought along with me.
And Kikuno-san who cheered on our team until his voice was coarse and was both disappointed and happy about our results.
Thank you to Sugiyama-san and Yamamoto-san, and the other members of the TBS team.
Then there was Nagano-san who despite having the flu and sweating away like crazy, still slapped everyone to motivate us.
And Matachi who came to Malaysia earlier as a tester, who became darker than the locals and gave us advice.
Morimoto was the youngest, but he always remained calm and knew what he came here to do.
Kanno, with whom I represented Japan twice with (in Las Vegas) was a constant source of support for me.
And there was Kong who used his body as a vehicle for jokes and creating such a fun mood for everyone.
My last thank you goes to our team captain Yamamoto-san who was such a tremendous leader and showed everyone what the spirit of Sasuke is all about!

The bond of the Japan team resulted in the silver medal!
This silver medal is my treasure!

My emotions, oh, my emotions!!
My feelings of trying my best will continue!!
I want to express my most sincere gratitude to everyone involved in creating this special experience!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
And to everyone who sent me messages, comments to support me!
A Big Thank you to you too!!
I will continue trying my best so please continue supporting me!!

New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠©Dustin Sims

(Japanese text - Kazuma Asa朝一眞)

心配おかけしました、
皆さん携帯復活しました！！

SASUKE　ASEAN OPEN CUP2014終わり、無事に帰ってきました(^^)

SASUKE最高＼(^^)／
人生の中でホンマに最高な三日間になりました！
producer、staff、長野さん、又地くん、日本代表チーム、世界各国の選手のおかげでめちゃくちゃ楽しめました！
もっとマレーシアにいたかった笑
気持ちや気持ち！
自信をなくしかけた僕に何も考えずに突っ走れと背中叩いてくれた乾さん、
俺も日本代表だよって行きから帰りまでずっと一緒に戦ってくれた高山さんを始め、
声が枯れるぐらいまで叫んで応援してくれて選手の結果を悔しがり喜んでくれた菊野さん杉山さん山本さんTBS関係者の皆様、
インフルエンザなのに汗だくになりながら背中叩いて応援してくれた長野さん、
先にマレーシアに行ってシュミレーターとしてアドバイスしてくれて現地人より黒くなった又地くん、
最年少にも関わらず落ち着いて自分の役目をしっかり果たしたモリモッロー森本くん、
ラスベガスに続き二度一緒に日の丸を背負って戦った心強くて頼もしい管野くん、
熱い気持ちで鼓舞して奮いたたせてくれたり体を使ったギャグで場を和ませてくれたコングさん、
そしてキャプテンとしてteamを一つにまとめてくれてSASUKEの楽しさを改めて皆に教えてくれた山本さん、

日本の絆で勝ちとった銀メダルです！
銀メダルは宝物です！

気持ちや気持ち！！
これからも気持ちで頑張っていきます！！
本当に貴重な経験させてもらい感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです！！
ありがとうございました！！
そして応援してくれた皆さん、メッセージやコメントとても励みになりました！
ありがとうございました！！
これからも頑張っていきますので、応援宜しくお願いします！！

New Generation member Kazuma Asa朝一眞

I was moved by Asa's words (remember that he lost his phone - and no, he never found it. He reported it stolen and had to get another one) given his previous international event (Las Vegas) where the experience was quite.. different (and definitely not as positive). I was moved by the fact that he mentioned, given his age and experience, that this weekend in Malaysia was the best in his life. That's quite a strong statement to make. It's rare to read what he says publicly since he's new to us in the fan-dom (especially Facebook). It was interesting getting his insights. It was also fun to confirm how passionate this guy really is. Even when writing you can FEEL the emotion coming out of him.

Sasuke Veteran Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 posing under the Japan Flag ©Yuusuke Morimoto

Morimoto is quite the opposite of Asa in terms of outward emotions. He can talk about Sasuke for hours on end so he's hardly shy.  He was so proud to be on that Japan Team.  A highlight to actually say he was on an international team and that they actually medaled. He's never left Japan before so this was a trip to remember.

Team Japan goofing around with Team USA ©Tim Koren

(L-R)  Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介, Kazuma Asa朝一眞, Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次 on top of the shoulders of American Mike Bernardo with (below him) Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and below him is Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟

I remember talking to Morimoto about the team dynamic.  Especially since his polar opposite, Asa was present and competing on the same team.  Similar to what we've known about the original Sasuke All-stars, where each person is so different from one another, this group had the same vibe. Given that the team was made up by the results of Sasuke 29, you couldn't put a more different group of people together.  Confirming also what I've learned during my interviews, even though Morimoto is the youngest, he's by far the most quiet.  He only speaks when he feels he can contribute. He's modest, reserved and truly focused.  Could be his country upbringing.

Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 and  Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 ©Shingo Yamamoto

Then there was Shingo.  He became the de facto team leader.  It wasn't anything anyone really did or voted on, it just .. happened.  His presence, personality and experience made him the team leader even before the plane left Japan. And besides, just look at him! LOL I'd love to hang out with him!  Everyone did take time to say much about Shingo and him being the leader.  Again, hard to put into words, but spending time with him was actually a highlight on their trip.

 Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 with Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠, ©Yuusuke Morimoto

Especially when hearing about how sick Nagano was (he had the flu before he left Japan - his son Kaiou first contracted it), it was awe-inspiring to see how open he was with posing for pics and generally mingling. I know fans (and fellow Team Japan members) were so happy to see him be a part of the event.  And yes, feel free to laugh at me as I laugh at the placement of that water bottle. Just saying..

 Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 with Ryan Stratis ライアン・ストラティス

As you can tell, everyone was happy Nagano made the trip. LOL Sorry.. I just had to share that photo.  For those who don't understand what that is.. it's the Fusion dance from Dragonball Z. Ah so many funny pictures to chose from.  Oh.. and I'm not sure who owns that photo. It's probably Ryan but I saw it on Sasuke Malaysia's Facebook feed. If I do confirm that I'll edit the copyright. Speaking of Facebook, another message popped up that was translated by Carol (thanks Carol!)

 

Team Japan during the opening ceremonies ©Yuusuke Morimoto

(Message from Sasuke Director Masato Inui 乾雅人 on his private Facebook account - reprinted with permission.  Translation by Carol Hui Akiyama - also with permission)

I returned home.

And I have a serious message to share.

I really want to express my gratitude to the TBS and SASUKE Malaysia organizations for creating the opportunity to turn a television show into an international sports competition.

A Kochi University student
A tree trimmer
A janitor/ (self-proclaimed) silver accessory designer
A former gas jockey
A delivery man

These are the five representatives of Japan at an international sporting competition. Is that not the most amazing thing ever?
Oh, and the special guest who spoke in front of honorable representatives at this event was a -- fisherman.

In 1997, we created this show with the concept of it being “an Olympic for the unknown athletes.” Indeed, this was exactly what the three days were all about.

At the end of the awards ceremony, competitors from seven countries began chanting “Inui, Inui.” I entered their circle of camaraderie. I’m so glad that I worked hard to help create this show. And from today, I’m going to continue working hard.

Team Japan ©Yuusuke Morimoto

(Japanese text - Masato Inui 乾雅人)

帰国。
ちょっとだけ真面目な話。

単なるテレビ番組がスポーツ競技種目の国際大会になるという場に立ち会う機会を与えていただいた事に感謝しています。
TBS関係者の皆様、SASUKE Malaysiaの皆様、ありがとうございました。

高知大学の大学生、
庭師、
清掃業バイト(自称シルバーアクセサリーデザイナー)
元ガソリンスタンド店員
運送業

こんな5人が日本代表なんてスポーツ競技、凄いじゃないですか？(笑)
そして、大会の名誉ゲストはそうそうたる方々の中でスピーチまでした漁師(笑)

97年、番組を作るときに目指した
「名もなきアスリートのオリンピック」
それが現実になった3日間でした。

表彰式終わりで参加した7カ国選手達から「INUI！INUI！イヌイ！」コールで呼ばれ…
みんなの輪に入りました。
なんか…良いっすよね、テレビ番組を頑張って作るって。
今日から、もっと頑張ります。

Medal ceremony ©Dustin Sims

Inui's message was also something unexpected. Since coming back to Sasuke it's been difficult to get the pulse of the current fandom.  Especially the foreign delegation.  There he had the opportunity to meet the foreign fans up close and personal.

Medal ceremony ©Dustin Sims

He's right that the spirit of Sasuke was present during the small event.  The spirit of camaraderie among people from all walks of life prevailed during the event.  They were fans of each other!  Always remembering that this isn't a pro event, it's a fan event turning into something bigger. Something different, but with the same spirit behind it.

Team Japan celebrating their medals ©Yuusuke Morimoto

Overall they enjoyed the weekend.  Not even because of the results, but because they finally got to mingle with other Sasuke fans around the world.  While now I expect the event will become bigger and the differences between Sasuke ASEAN and Sasuke Japan become more apparent, it's really good to take time and enjoy the beginning of it all.

Mugging for the video camera ©Dustin Sims

A special event where everyone banded together and made the impossible dream happen and finding out that one small family is actually a much larger family in the process.  The Sasuke Spirit lives on in a new form while still holding on to what it was that made us love it in the first place.

Sasuke Veteran Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 with his double silver medals and prize check ©Yuusuke Morimoto

To Yuusuke, thank you for again sharing your photos and insights during this whole process. I thank him for his patience with me while I put together these blogs!  I'm happy that he didn't come home empty handed.  So color me bias on that front.  Thanks also to Asa and Inui for allowing the private Facebook messages to be translated and shared with the worldwide audience.

The home of Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 ©Shingo Yamamoto

Finally, I thought this was touching.  Shingo posted a photo of his wall: various prized photos, a group photo from Sasuke, wedding photos, Sasuke his belated dog and other mementos.  He framed his Team Japan Uniform!

Sasuke related news

April 5, 2014, 2:02 am

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 Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Makoto Nagano

The 23rd Annual Maguro Festival 第23回串木野まぐろフェスティバル will take place the end of this month in Kagoshima Prefecture on Saturday April 26 and Sunday April 27, 2014 in the city of Ichiki-Kushikino. This of course happens during Golden Week in Japan (this year it is the weekend just prior to Golden week). This is a local Tuna event for the port city of Kushikino. It's pretty much a county fair including games for kids, music, food and other activities for the whole family.  This will be my 6th year covering this event on my blog.

Close up of the Sasuke corner during Maguro Festival ©Makoto Nagano

The past few years the company Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 works for, Takasui Corp. has participated in the event (since they also use this fishing port) and they have Nagano design and build a Sasuke set where he could demonstrate his skills along with a few of his friends to the local crowd. More information can be found at the city website.  No word on exactly which All-stars will accompany him in participating this year during the 2 day event. (Edit: Seems at least All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 will be returning per Facebook comments)

On a personal note, I'll be doing my very first Sasuke panel at an anime convention called AnimeNext.  The panel is named "Rambling Rican presents: Sasuke/Ninja Warrior impact in the USA Market".  Since I'll be at an anime convention, I'm sure if I just put Sasuke most people people there will think it's a Naruto panel. LOL My goal is to cover the history of the event from it's inception in Sasuke 1 all the way to present using the lens of the foreign viewers.  The anime convention is as the graphic says, at the Garden State Exhibit Center on June 6-8, 2014 in Somerset, New Jersey. I'm not entirely sure which day I will be getting (hopefully the Saturday) but I'll post any news on that as the date gets closer. Wish me luck!

Sasuke 30 Official Announcement!

As you know already, Sasuke 30 has been officially announced to be taking place and airing this summer. Japanese auditions will take place later this month in several cities across Japan. The application deadline for the auditions in Japan is April 10, 2014.

Sasuke related news

April 28, 2014, 1:35 am

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Sasuke 30 auditions (Tokyo) ©TBS

As you know already, Sasuke 30 has been officially announced and will be taking place soon ™.  It is expected to be airing this summer in Japan on TBS. Japanese auditions took place in April, 2014 in the cities of Osaka (April 18th) and Tokyo (April 27th).

Sasuke 30 auditions (Tokyo) ©TBS

TBS has been unusually active on Social media this time around with a new Twitter account and the Facebook that they started last year.  It was also unusual to see a rare, behind the scenes photos of the process of this year's Trials (which was actually an audition similar to Sasuke 28).  Usually this process is secret and anyone posting would have been barred from the show. So, if you can imagine, I was shocked to see these 3 photos from Tokyo.  I was thrilled!

Sasuke 30 auditions (Tokyo) ©TBS

Both audition sessions (Osaka and Tokyo) consisted of 2 parts (and if you were lucky, 3 parts).  The first part was a push up contest where you had to do 100 pushups.  Then, was the 30 second appeal (basically where you stand in front of the director and TBS crew and explain why they should put you on the show).  If you passed both sets you were brought back for another set of interviews (this time specific questions based on your application).

Mr. Sasuke as a guest during the Sasuke 30 auditions (Osaka) ©TBS

Tokyo hopefuls still have to wait until the middle of this week to find out if they have succeeded in getting on Sasuke 30.  Either way, we are full speed ahead with taping coming soon™ and airing sometime later this summer! I can't wait!

2014 Maguro Festival Photos

May 11, 2014, 7:57 am

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(top row) New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞, Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 (holding on to son Taiou 太皇), New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒  and New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

(bottom row) All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 (with Nagano's son Kaiou 塊王) and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 ©Hitoshi Kanno

As is tradition here on Rambling Rican, I'm writing about the Maguro Festival again!  I've mentioned I'd be doing this before and this year didn't disappoint with the amount of photos I was able to get within just a day or two! I believe this year was a record for photos!  Thanks everyone for being patient.  This year real life issues including illness and death in the family had delayed this blog post until now.  For those who aren't familiar with this at all, the 23rd Annual Maguro Festival 第23回串木野まぐろフェスティバル took place in Kagoshima Prefecture on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday April 27, 2014 in the city of Ichiki-Kushikino. This of course happens during Golden Week in Japan. 

 23rd Annual Maguro Festival 第23回串木野まぐろフェスティバル Poster

This is a local Tuna event for the port city of Kushikino. It's pretty much a county fair including games for kids, music, food and other activities for the whole family. The past few years the company Nagano works for, Takasui Corp. has participated in the event (since they also use this fishing port) and they have Nagano design (as he's famously done in the past.. fresh from a hospital stay) and build a Sasuke set where he could demonstrate his skills along with a few of his friends to the local crowd. More information can be found at the city website.  

 

   Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠, Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 ©Shingo Yamamoto

This incidentally is my 6th year covering this event on my blog.  The first year I knew of it's existence was during the Sasuke Mania days.  My first blog on the event was part of the now defunct Sasuke Maniac episodes that ran during May, 2008.  TBS ran 2 episodes on the festival alone. (Part 1 and Part 2)  The following year 2009 was a lot quieter as Sasuke Maniac had gone off the air.  Thanks to Ube I was able to get photos of the event.  We did however get video for the first time on Youtube of their individual runs.  In 2010 we had less pictures but another set of Youtube videos.  In 2011 we had more photos than usual but less video.  In 2012 we had more photos than usual but no video.  2013 we had a good number of photos but no video.

 

 New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Along with 3 of the 6 All-stars (All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠), 3 Shin Sedai (New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞, New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒) made the trip to Kagoshima. For those still getting used to the name Shin Sedai (新世代) literally means "New Generation" (or the "New Stars" deriving from the All-stars).  Seems the changing of the guard is happening even down in the Maguro Festival.  More focus on the new generation is being placed now that some of the All-stars are officially retired (Bunpei and Akiyama).

Kanno's wife Emiko 笑子 with their son Yuuto 雄仁, New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟

Dinner the night before ©Shingo Yamamoto

This year we had a lot of personal photos from them as they traveled, each from their own regions. The group coming in from the Kanto Region all flew together.  They shared many photos from arriving at the airport to eating dinner together when they arrived.

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 and Kanno's son Yuuto 雄仁 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Takeda, who was visiting with Shingo, also flew with the crew and joined them for breakfast.  Seems he shaved his mustache and beard before heading to Kagoshima as well!  Here he is posing with Kanno's baby Yuuto.

Kanno's son Yuuto 雄仁 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Shingo's turn to play with the baby.  Seems the boys just swapped out of the same seat for the photo! LOL

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Makoto Nagano

Later that morning they met up with Captain Nagano, who incidentally is the host of the Sasuke corner at the event.  For those who aren't used to seeing the cabin, this is his new ship, The 50th Konpiramaru 第50金比羅丸.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠, Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 ©Makoto Nagano

I love how Shingo always goofs around with the photos.  And by the way I now also have the same shirt that Shingo has.  Thanks Sasuke Malaysia!

Goofing around out at sea ©Shingo Yamamoto

What proceeded was a slew of photos of all 6 guys playing around on Nagano's ship deck.  This photo in particular is hilarious to me because of the unfortunate placement of Kanno's hands.. it looks like he's caught stripping!  By this point though, Shingo is becoming an expert selfie taker!

New Stars Kazuma Asa朝一眞, New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 ©Makoto Nagano

Again, I know this isn't the Maguro Festival but this is the first time we get a "behind the scenes" scrapbook before the event officially started.

 All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 ©Shingo Yamamoto

And.. because THIS is my favorite photo of them all.  If you haven't figured this out yet, Takeda and Shingo are reenacting the famous scene in the 1997 movie Titanic. I literally spit out water all over my keyboard when I opened this photo. I was not at all prepared.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the movie Titanic

Though in all fairness.. Takeda's hands should be at Shingo's waist.  Still though, we instantly figured out what they were doing, so all is forgiven.

  New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 (with Yuuto 雄仁) and his wife Emiko 笑子 ©Shingo Yamamoto

Not to be outdone, Hitoshi and Emiko also did the pose. However, I'm sure they aren't on the ship so it doesn't count! LOL  Granted Hitoshi can't hold his wife with both hands as he's holding their baby. That said he did get one hand on the waist so I give them partial credit!

  Goofing around out at sea ©Shingo Yamamoto

I'm not even going to ask what they are doing. LOL  Still though I'm happy they had gorgeous weather to go out at sea like that. The past few years it was either raining or dreary/overcast.

  Sasuke boys hanging out on Nagano's boat ©Shingo Yamamoto

I'm happy they had fun!  Them standing at the edge like that with no railings though is totally freaking me out right now...

Maguro Festival grounds ©seiiji

Now we turn our attention to the event itself.  It took place over 2 days.  You'll notice the weather was up and down over the weekend so some photos are sunny and others are cloudy. I don't believe it rained though, so that's good news.

  Maguro Festival grounds ©aokinagano

Here we are at the entrance to the Festival marking the 23rd year.  Just like any county fair, there's a lot of events and food kiosks to partake. Sasuke Corner is just one event.

 

 金比羅丸船長 (Konpiramaru Captain) Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

All-Stars Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 and Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩

New Stars Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©aokinagano

Tucked in a corner is the Sasuke event.  There are 4 demonstrations during the weekend.  Each day at 11 am and again at 2:30 pm.  Seems Ryo was a last minute invitation as his name was not on the poster this year.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

And yes there are/will be live fish for the kids to play with/catch to take home.  As with previous years, this is actually a coveted event for the kids where they have to draw lots to have a chance to get in the pool.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Looks like they haven't updated the obstacles for the event again this year.  I personally think it's fine. By this point they have memorized how to build this course and have tested it with the crowd for a few years.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Especially since children also partake in these obstacles it's good that it's not crazy difficult.  Just enough difficulty for the stars to show off and easy enough that kids can play around on it.

 Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

The way the event works, the set is open to pretty much anyone to play with (within reason, there are people monitoring the course), then during the 2 demonstration times the guys come out and do a small course run through for those in attendance.

 Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Overall though I'm happy the event still continues year after year.  Not sure how much more it will continue to do so. I know it's become a staple in the Maguro Festival so I doubt it will be going anywhere anytime soon.

 Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©aokinagano

A reminder that this event is held by the port authority in the city and the Sasuke corner host is after all a local fisherman.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Most of the photos today concentrated on the Warped Wall (in Japan it's known as the Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁).

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Seems they added the Crazy Cliffhangerクレイジークリフハンガー as well for this year. I'm not focusing too much on the obstacles, but since I know many do want to see them, here they are.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

And another view of the pool with the obstacles above them and the log balance thing across the center.

 Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 (holding on to son Kaiou 塊王's hand), Kazuma Asa朝一眞 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 ©Koteku

The full crew have arrived!  7 of them this year. Geez Kaiou is growing up fast! I'm LOL about Kaiou brandishing a toy gun.  He will be 5 years old this June! Btw, anyone catch the spray paint on the can that sprayed that shirt on to Takeda? LOL

New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞, Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 ©Koteku

I'm going to just post the photos back to back as I don't think I need to comment on all the photos. Enjoy!

New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Koteku

 Raise your hand if you're Sure!

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Koteku

New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Takeda going up the warped wall ©kzum1

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 mugging for the camera ©kinacco_marinn

Takeda seems to be a chameleon!  He's trying a few different hair colors and styles this year.  Seems every photo of him he looks different.  Shingo is getting goofier as he ages. I love it!

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠  ©aokinagano

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Hitoshi Kanno

New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 holding a festival goer with Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 monitoring the line and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 helping out another festival goer ©Ryo Matachi

Not sure if Takeda is overly enjoying touching a girl's legs or not.  Kanno looks annoyed he has to wait in line. Nagano's probably happy he can delegate this year!

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩, All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Ryo Matachi

Adore this photo.  Seems they are chilling out having tuna for lunch AND posing at the same time. I love how they all get along.  As usual.. check out Shingo! LOL

Sasuke corner ©Ryo Matachi

I laugh at the Warped Wall photos.  How many people does it take to raise a kid up the wall? Apparently 5!  Takeda again is delegating!

 Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 ©Makoto Nagano

Proof that even if he's wearing shorts.. Shingo will hike them even HIGHER!  I wonder what he will do if he wore speedos?

New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 with his son Yuuto 雄仁 ©Makoto Nagano

Proud papa holding his son.  Most people haven't seen him.  Should be a pretty long Sasuke Navi story on him. LOL I want to see the wedding photos!

New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 helping Nagano's son Kaiou 塊王 ©Makoto Nagano

Geez Kaiou is growing up so fast.  I blinked and he's grown into a little boy from a baby. I also see Ryo still is recovering from that massive sunburn from ASEAN Cup.

 New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 with a festival goer ©Makoto Nagano

New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Makoto Nagano

Warped Wall ©kinacco_marinn

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 with a fan ©seiiji

New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Koteku

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Koteku

"Shhhhhhh....  just stay in that position. That's right.. shut your mouth.. I don't want to hear you..."  Nagano is a sadist. Kanno is a bystander.

 Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 ©Koteku

I had like 10 different quotes for this photo. None I care to repeat.. publicly. For now, I love watching friends spend time with each other.

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 ©Koteku

 So.. is he talking to himself? Someone in particular? or singing to himself? Or out to lunch?

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠, New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Koteku

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志©Koteku

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Koteku

Ah.. I knew he wouldn't disappoint me.  Here's the annual Nagano annoyed™ look. LOL "Wtf are they doing down there.. seriously.."

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒©Koteku

New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©Koteku

New generation loves showing their underwear or nothing at all. Maybe they are wannabe underwear models?

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Koteku

New Stars Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 and Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Koteku

I am convinced "crunchy orange" is sold by the gallon in Japan.  Seriously folks. I thought the whole point of dying your hair is to look DIFFERENT than everyone else? Kinda defeats the purpose if everyone has the same hair color...

New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Koteku

"Check out dem guns!" Wannabe underwear model flashing his pecs. He works hard for the money so you better treat him right.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Koteku

Nagano now officially personally enjoying posting to Facebook. Only took him almost 40 years to learn how. LOL

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©Koteku

Yeah yeah.. I'm being yelled at for calling him old.  To be fair, we are only 5 months apart in age. but.. at least I knew how the internet worked for a long while. LOL

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠  and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 ©Koteku

Takeda showing the crowd how to do a proper Sasuke caning™ ritual.  And.. seriously.. how tight is that shirt? I mean will he totally rip it if he opens his arms more? I guess we found another use for Sasuke Spray™.

aokinagano and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 ©aokinagano

Here's one of my photographers today!  I actually don't know his name. Just his twitter handle.  He's been kind enough to send photos for the blog for a couple of years now!

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩, New Stars Kazuma Asa朝一眞 and Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 ©aokinagano

 

 New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©aokinagano

 aokinagano with Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©aokinagano

Oh! He's a smart guy! He burned the CD Single (since it was sold as an MP3) where Nagano sings and put it in a CD case with the printed cover.

aokinagano with Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 ©aokinagano

And to top it off Nagano is totally cheesing over the fact that he autographed it!  I sooooo want to get him to sing that song somewhere.

 New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©aokinagano

aokinagano with his friends at the festival ©aokinagano

Here's the group that aokinagano hung out with.  Included is actually Keita Tomino富野恵太 (#4 Cliffer) (middle)

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 ©aokinagano

New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠  ©aokinagano

aokinagano with New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 ©aokinagano

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Seems Asa fell and is totally cheesing on the floor of the Warped Wall!  Did he drop that girl? Or did he slip before she tried to go up?

Sasuke corner  ©aokinagano

Maybe it's an excuse to place their hands on each others butts? Yes? No?  Seriously.. it's a small kid.. why are they trying to hoist each OTHER up? LOL

 aokinagano with New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©aokinagano

 Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 and New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 ©aokinagano

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

  New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©aokinagano

Sasuke corner  ©aokinagano

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

I wonder that made Ryo totally facepalm in this photo!  Asa is doubling over laughing.  wtf is Takeda doing? LOL

aokinagano with New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志  ©aokinagano

Sasuke corner  ©aokinagano

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩, New Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠  ©aokinagano

LOL Kanno looks like he's saying he fills out the black wifebeater™ shirt better than Nagano does!  At least it looks that way.

Sasuke corner  ©aokinagano

Thanks to everyone involved for providing photos.  Seems with the good weather people were able to freely take great photos and post them online for everyone to see. They seem to get better every year! If I get more I'll add another blog entry. No word yet on videos.  In the meantime the next thing on the event is Sasuke 30 (sometime this summer).

Sasuke 30 is officially recorded

May 19, 2014, 6:17 am

≫ Next: Gold Sun to air Sasuke Rising in Taiwan

≪ Previous: 2014 Maguro Festival Photos

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Sasuke Rising's Final Stage Tower ©Masato Inui

As I mentioned before, Sasuke 30 was officially announced. Over the weekend it was finally recorded!  So Sasuke 30 is in the books folks!  Unusually (and I'm quite happy about it) the production team and TBS took to social media to give updated reports FROM THE SET as it was happening!  This never ever happened under Monster 9.

Testers a few days before the start of the tournament in front of Sasuke Rising Startline Sign ©TBS Sasuke Facebook

A few days before taping, they started to post photos from the set being built and tested. It was very smart of TBS to understand that in the age of social media, if you are open with information (even if it's small bits of information), then you can control WHAT is being said. During that week when the final tower was being assembled and people can see it from their houses at a distance, they all went to social media to post that Sasuke was being built. It was visible from people's houses from a distance (more on that later).  TBS was ahead of that news by posting what it looked like up close, so the excitement could build without having security compromised. I hope this continues.  Fans just want to know if it's being taped and that's all really people want to talk about.  They want to share in the excitement. I'm happy TBS realized that and embraced it.

Sasuke Veteran Kenji "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 approving of the long-awaited and final appearance of Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平 ©Masato Inui

The other, of course, is the Sasuke Director Masato Inui 乾雅人.  He was brilliant in understanding what information fans wanted to know.  The MAJOR news for any hardcore Sasuke fan was the presence of this man: Sasuke All-star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平.  It was awesome to see Kong celebrate his long-time fellow competitor and welcoming him back after a 6 year competition absence.  While Bunpei is still not 100% (and probably never will be) he was gracious in accepting the Anniversary invitation. It is clear however, that this is his final competition.  He is physically unable to compete regularly. He's just not healthy enough to do so.  Having competed on Saturday, he is now officially retired from Sasuke competition.  That said, I was sooooooooooo happy to see him there. And soooooooo happy that Inui posted the moment he arrived for registration. THANK YOU!

Hedgehogヘッジホッグ ©Nobu Horita

More shocking was seeing actual obstacles shown in great detail.  They were not shy in sharing photos of the obstacle course. Again, obstacle fans just want to see WHAT obstacles are there and not necessarily WHO passed them. That is what the official airing is for.  When I first saw this photo above  I was thinking "oh there's another banned person from the show.." LOL However Lost in Ube reminded me that Horita is one of the set designers for the show.  Either way, it was interesting to see Sonic the Hedgehog is back.  While a bunch of us were speculating who could possibly pass or fail that obstacle (as Takeda did the last time) I read a tweet that utterly stunned me.  I was thrilled to hear when the First Stage was officially completed.  We didn't have to guess, it was told to us by TBS directly in real time!

Sasuke 30 at dusk ©Nobu Horita

With more teaser photos I was stunned to see he above photo. At first I didn't see the additional obstacle until I read a post by a forum poster.  But once I looked for it in the dark photo the obstacle was VERY CLEAR.  The Gallon Throw (ザ・ガロンスロー) from Sportsman #1 (and the most recent Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup).  How on Earth they are going to incorporate that is beyond me.  So needless to say the forum members went wild with speculation.  Personally I love the obstacle and enjoyed that segment in Sportsman #1. I miss that show....

Second Stage ©Masato Inui

The tweets continued with more and more spoilerish information (more on that in a later).  It was really cool seeing the completed stages all lit up.  They have been testing the lighting for a couple of days already and so people saw THAT in the distance during the evening hours. Again, social media went wild in Japan (those who aren't avid followers of the show) with various tweets asking "oh.. Sasuke is taping?" and various tweets asking if Yamada was going to fail again. LOL

Third Stage (with Final Stage in the background) ©Masato Inui

As was noted by several people on the forums (and I had to check to make sure who was posting the photos) it was uncanny how much the lighting for this particular Sasuke reminds us all of ANW now with the red white and blue lighting. I literally had to make sure they weren't re-posting photos of the Vegas ANW course.  The premiere of ANW6 is literally around the corner and TBS International Sales' Twitter has been re-tweeting the articles with the press releases for the NBC premiere on May 26. I thought it was just more of that, until I saw the current Sasuke obstacles were being represented in the photos while ANW5 still had last-generation obstacles in Las Vegas. Either way, the Vegas set won't be built until June anyway so it wouldn't have been photos of the already built new set. Also, ANW prelims don't have the Final Stage Tower (only the Vegas Final does) so that ruled out which course I was actually looking at.

Competitor's point of view of the Third Stage ©Masato Inui

Oooooooh that's... pretty... This is a friggin' awesome view of Sasuke's Third Stage from a competitor's point of view!  We never see that.  That's epic from this angle. LOL For those confused.. this is taken from the start-line in Stage 3 and this is what a competitor sees. I swear I love the Inui phone photos the best. LOL

Third Stage ©Nobu Horita

Another view from one of the set designers.  This one is purple.. I love purple!  So yep it's Sasuke and not ANW. LOL Again, I'm so excited seeing these photos. No crazy secrecy and no need for anyone else to post obstacle photos. This is JUST enough information to get people excited and want to see the event happen on television.

Final Stage Tower ©Nobu Horita

I love the Sasuke 17 style final so I'm happy to see Sasuke 30 also has that same final (I'm sure tweaked in some way) fully assembled so we had no doubt what the final was comprised of. It has always been my favorite. What you are looking at is a Spider Climbスパイダークライム into a Tsuna Nobori綱登り (Rope climb). It's just enough random (things like slipping, etc.) that can happen in addition to the rope climb at the end).  Unsure of the exact length of the tower (or time limit), but that's for the forum people to obsess over. Lord knows we saw Nagano fail this 3 times before he finally defeated it in Sasuke 17. Each final attempt being completely different from each other. And who can forget the Spider Climb fail from Jordan Jovtchev from Sasuke 8?

Sasuke 30's Final Stage Tower ©Masato Inui

This is what it looks like completely lit. It's.. beautiful even though I felt like I was looking at an American Tower. LOL  Still though I love the lighting and they should be commended for a gorgeous job. If THIS doesn't inspire people, nothing else will.

Sasuke 30 lit up from a distance ©H.Matsukawa

And here is the proof that people can see the course at night from the rooftops of their own homes. This photo was taken from someone who lives not far from Midoriyama studios. It's literally impossible to not know what is being recorded.  With the tower being lit up so dramatically and all 4 stages backlit, it was clear to the entire town that Sasuke was being recorded. I saw dozens of these photos on social media from the neighbors. Now if it was me living there, I would have employed a telephoto lens. LOL!!

Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二  awaiting his turn in Sasuke 30 ©Kenji Darvish

I'll create a separate Official Airing (OA) post when we get it from TBS in the future. However, there was a post made by Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二 (whom you might remember from Sasuke 28 - he is the air drummer for a group named ゴールデンボンバー (Golden Bomber)) where he references an announcement from his management agency saying that the date for Sasuke 30 on TBS (Japan) was July 3rd.  However, I was told by Inui himself it was July 1st.  So, until I read it on the TBS site I'll just say Sasuke 30 airs early July, 2014 which is still a month and a half away. Until then, I'm excited to have as much information as we have now!  Thank you to the Sasuke production team for the awesome information! Btw, as an aside.  Notice the awesome T-shirt the cameraman has that had the taping dates printed on the back of the friggin' shirt!  Yes, Sasuke was recorded over two days.

New Generation Member Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and Sasuke 27 Veteran/Sasuke ASEAN Open Champion Drew Dreschel©Drew Dreschel

Now the elephant in the room.  TBS was so gracious in giving live information that they gave out the same amount of information that they would in a television commercial.  So hints at stages and terms of completion of said stages were not only hinted but outright told.  The live tweeting also from Midoriyama also hinted how far they got into filming throughout the course of the weekend. So, if you are NOT one that wants to know levels of completion (and no they didn't say who advanced past the first stage) then you may want to avoid my blog or the TBS Twitter or Facebooks. I always yelled in the past that TBS doesn't promote their stuff more often however, I can't say that anymore with the Sasuke Rising production team. I am HAPPY this is happening.  So far it's just social media, I'm unaware of how they do in print or local television yet. Still, it's no different than in the past where they would do commercials with the announcer yelling "zomg someone is in the final please watch".  I used to make light of that information in the past and as more and more "new" viewers are introduced to the TBS media style they are shocked at the levels of information that is shared.  This, is not new how they function when they do care about the show. So far, this is the most information shared given how far in advanced we have received it.  This is usually saved for the television commercials. Still, there are people in the past (and present) who have been consistent in avoiding ALL "spoilers" including these types of information which I consider official. So, with that in mind, this is their official warning to not read my blog posts from this point on as well until July, 2014's official airing.  Obviously boards as well as this is the whole purpose of the forums.  As far as this current set of facts is concerned, it was plastered over social media as an extension to their promotion of the show by the official production team and official television distributor. I have only posted official information as rumors don't interest me and can cause more trouble than it's worth.  Personally when I find ANY information to be "official" and part of the advertisement process I will post it. I don't have spoiler tags on the blog for that reason.  As such, I will be following it closely, especially when they start the video commercials. Also if/when a competitor list is officially posted on the TBS site, I will do that as well. All that said, I'm so excited to watch this event!  As more official information is released I will be posting updates.

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Gold Sun to air Sasuke Rising in Taiwan

May 29, 2014, 12:55 pm

≫ Next: AnimeNext Sasuke Panel Update

≪ Previous: Sasuke 30 is officially recorded

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©Golden Sun TV

As many of you know by now JET TV is no longer showing variety TV and thus dropped the Sasuke license way back in 2009. With Lee En Chiリー・エンチ doing consistently well throughout the years it was a shame that Taiwan had stopped showing Sasuke.  We had hope when a new broadcaster (Gold Sun國興衛視 or as others call it "State TV") bought the license and showed Sasuke 24. However, that was short-lived with Monster 9 wanting an extraordinary amount of money for the newer shows.

and because there are so many versions of his name and this one is the one I kept for this long.. Taiwan's Lee En Chiリー・エンチ from Sasuke Rising (Sasuke 28)

 

With the death of G4 and the format of Ninja Warrior (edited by G4TV), the death of Sasuke being shown in Taiwan, and then finally the death of Monster 9 when they went going bankrupt.. it was a grim 3 year void of Sasuke worldwide.  In that interim 3 new tournaments under the title of Sasuke Rising had been taped (2 aired and 1 upcoming) in Sasuke 28, Sasuke 29 and the upcoming Sasuke 30.

 Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

Stateside USA had it's own issues with NBC renegotiating it's contract with TBS to exclude the provision of being forced to carry/edit Ninja Warrior as part of their license to buy out the ANW license.  Worldwide distribution was screwed when Comcast decided to balk at editing Ninja Warrior and canceling their Sasuke distribution license - affecting millions worldwide.

 Taiwan's Lee En Chiリー・エンチ

JET and Gold Sun however were the only ones showing the original TBS broadcast with just Chinese subtitles.  They were the only ones who didn't buy the Ninja Warrior format.  We thought this wouldn't affect Taiwan.  However, even after sporadic showings in Taiwan after Gold Sun got the license, once Sasuke Rising started to air in Japan, all worldwide distribution of Sasuke just stopped. 

 (Left to right) Sasuke All Stars Kazuhiko Akiyama秋山和彦, Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩, Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟, (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己 and Makoto Nagano長野誠

So the news now of Taiwan officially buying Sasuke Rising in it's original format is encouraging. There are also rumors of UK's Challenge picking up the Sasuke Rising shows with Challenge editing them themselves (rather than buying the Ninja Warrior format).  I hope this trend continues.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and Taiwan's Lee En Chiリー・エンチ

Anyway the current airings in Taiwan of Sasuke Rising are coming up in the next couple of days.  Gold Sun actually posted on Youtube a short clip (thanks TCM for the link and Lee for posting on Facebook) with Nagano and Lee (presumably from Sasuke 30) asking people to watch. Here Nagano is introducing himself in Japanese.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and Taiwan's Lee En Chiリー・エンチ

Lee introduces himself and asks the support of everyone for the premiere of Sasuke 28 this upcoming weekend!  Thanks to Lee for having the presence of mind to do that while he had Nagano with Sasuke as the backdrop.  The man is brilliant and a huge asset to Taiwan.

***********************

 5月31日 晚間七點 極限體能王（上）6/1 13:00~15:00[重]

6月1日 晚間八點 極限體能王（下） 6/2 00:30~02:00[重] 11:00~12:30[重] 15:30~17:00[重]

 Saturday, May 31st : 19:00~21:00 (GMT+8)
Sunday, June 1st : 20:00~21:30 (GMT+8)

 

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and Taiwan's Lee En Chiリー・エンチ

 
Broadcast over two nights, the premiere of Sasuke Rising in Taiwan during prime-time is finally happening!  It was cool of Lee and Nagano to do a short video clip that could be used to help promote of Taiwan's return to showing Sasuke Rising.

 

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 and Taiwan's Lee En Chiリー・エンチ
Youtube VideoLink

 

My hope in all of this is that Sasuke is revived in Taiwan and ultimately worldwide. Everyone knows my passion for the show and my frustration at the death of worldwide distribution of the show. I hope this is the start of international distribution again.  Congratulations to Taiwan for taking that first step by ushering in Sasuke Rising's era outside of Japan.  I pray many other countries will follow in their footsteps.

AnimeNext Sasuke Panel Update

June 2, 2014, 8:21 am

≫ Next: Sasuke related updates

≪ Previous: Gold Sun to air Sasuke Rising in Taiwan

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On a personal note, as I've mentioned before, I'll be doing my very first Sasuke panel at an anime convention called AnimeNext.  The panel is named "Sasuke/Ninja Warrior Impact in the USA Market".  Since I'll be at an anime convention, I'm sure if I just put Sasuke on the description, most people there will think it's a Naruto panel. LOL

 AnimeNext poster

My goal is to cover the history of the event from it's inception in Sasuke 1 all the way to present using the lens of the foreign viewer.  The anime convention is as the graphic says, at the Garden State Exhibit Center on June 6-8, 2014 in Somerset, New Jersey. That is correct! However my specific panel will be held across a walkway in the DoubleTree Hotel at Somerset. 

Layout of the panel rooms (upstairs) at the DoubleTree Hotel

My panel is set for Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 12:30 PM upstairs in the DoubleTree Hotel.  My panel runs an hour, so it ends at 1:30 pm. My specific room in the DoubleTree Hotel is the Hillsborough Room (or DT Panel Room 2).  Wish me luck and hope to see some of you there!  I'm excited!

Sasuke 30's Final Stage Tower ©Masato Inui

Here is the description of the Panel:

Sasuke/Ninja Warrior Impact in the USA Market
This panel will discuss the retrospective history of the long-running TBS Japan obstacle course show Sasuke. We will look at its impact on American culture when Ninja Warrior first aired on American television, as well as the current state of Sasuke as of 2014 and its relationship with its NBC counterpart, American Ninja Warrior.

Sasuke related updates

June 12, 2014, 9:40 am

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Sasuke 30's Final Stage Tower ©Masato Inui

With Sasuke 30 rapidly approaching, TBS is actually doing new things to get more viewers!  They have separate events to help drum up support for the official airing on July 3rd! I believe the first time they publicly promote Sasuke specifically for an upcoming television airing.  If it's not the first, it's been a loooooong time since they haven't.

 

 LaLaport Toyosu

SASUKE体験イベント開催決定！

第30回大会を記念して、SASUKEの名物セットを体験できるスペシャルイベントを開催します！
なんと、あの山田勝己さんはじめ、おなじみの選手たちの参加も決定！
入場無料、誰でも挑戦できます！
選手と一緒にSASUKEの世界を楽しんでみませんか？
多くの皆様のお越しをお待ちしています！
■日時・場所
6月21日（土）・22日（日）11～18時
アーバンドック　ららぽーと豊洲　シーサイドデッキ（東京都江東区）
（最寄り駅：東京メトロ有楽町線＆ゆりかもめ　豊洲駅）
※入場無料
※お子さんから大人まで、どなたでも参加できます
※予約不要
■当日はSASUKEグッズの販売もあります！

I'm excited for this one.  The first of the events is a TBS hosted event in LaLaport Toyosu over a 2 day time period (next week, Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22).  There will be a small obstacle course being built demonstrated by special guests. (Yamada's Black Tigers and possibly Yamada will be in attendance) This is the first public promotion of Sasuke in quite a few years (Not since the days of Muscle Park in Odaiba circa 2009)! Obviously I'll blog on this as soon as there's enough information.

 Tokyo Media City

 場所・日時

6/27(金)14時集合、17時半終了予定
東京メディアシティ砧スタジオ（世田谷区）

The second event is actually a private screening of Sasuke 30's First stage (in Director's Cut form) on Friday June 27th. (which btw is the day before Sasuke Navi/1 hour preview show on June 28th)  There was a lottery that was created for that screening.  The deadline for that is this Sunday June 15th. I want to see this!!!!!!!!!! 

Overall I'm happy that TBS is finally putting effort into promoting the event and bringing in new people to a show that most people thought was cancelled! TBS is learning the lesson that they need to promote themselves more. I'm happy they are finally doing it!

And finally, on a personal note, thanks to everyone who came out my first convention panel!  Obviously I'm critical of my own performance but overall it went well (according to my husband LOL).  I just barely squeaked in the hour!  What I didn't expect was that the room filled up and there wasn't a spare seat in the house!  Everyone was engaged and I even got an applause at the end!  In the coming weeks I'll do a full report and a video for those who missed it. Again thanks for the wonderful support!

Sasuke International events expand further!

June 16, 2014, 12:20 pm

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≪ Previous: Sasuke related updates

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 Sasuke Vietnam Logo

Just realized that I hadn't done an update on the 2 new international events that are greenlit!  The Sasuke brand is expanding worldwide to include 2 new countries!  Sasuke Vietnam is the biggest of the two where Vietnam will be the 2nd country (first country from South East Asia) to host a full 4 stage obstacle course (like Sasuke Japan).  The first, of course, is USA with American Ninja Warrior which finished taping this past weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event in Vietnam is expected to be in early 2015. Once I get more details on this then I'll expand on that! For now we just have two articles written in English (one from TBS International Sales and one from OnScreen Asia).

Next is a small announcement of Ninja Warrior Sweden that will be taping sometime this summer.  Details are sparse at the moment so once I get more solid information I'll add a new entry.  The only thing I can say for sure is that this is actually tied to the previously announced Ninja Warrior Europe that I wrote about a couple years ago.  Seems they will start with smaller events in some countries and expand from there.  I'm at least hopeful this time!

LaLaport Sasuke 30 Festival

June 26, 2014, 5:27 am

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(Back row) New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Sasuke All-Star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己 and Sasuke Veteran Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次
(Front Row) Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広, Masashi Hioki日置 将士, 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), Shinya Kishimoto岸本 真弥 and New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 ©TBS

As I mentioned before, last weekend was the first promotional event for Sasuke in quite a long time. It was nice to see that TBS invested money in revitalizing the show and bringing in a new audience! The first of the events is a TBS hosted event in LaLaport Toyosu over a 2 day time period (Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22).  There was a small obstacle course built and demonstrated by special guests both days.  Day 1 was hosted by the guys above.

Event posters ©TBS

The event spanned two days and had 3 different times where demonstrations were going to be given by it's guests.  This again was in promotion for the upcoming Sasuke 30 broadcast on TBS.  It's been a long time since Sasuke was even promoted so many people thought the show was cancelled.  Once again in the spotlight and literally open to the public (this was a free event), it is nice to see it brought back to inspire a new generation of fans to the show.

Nice shot of the port ©garando

The event was out in the open on the Toyosu dock in Tokyo, Japan.  Day One luckily had good weather and shoppers visiting the famous LaLaport shopping center would have had a view of the event going on outside.

Sasuke All-Star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己 ©TBS

The big name on everything was of course Sasuke All-Star and Mr. Sasuke himself, Katsumi Yamada. He's holding here tissues with the date of the Official airing of Sasuke (which is Thursday July 3).  TBS had a small corner where people could get signed autographs (also free), pose with their favorite stars in attendance and even buy special Sasuke Rising T-shirts made for that day alone.

Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 posing for Hioki ©Masashi Hioki

The course consisted of 3 stations. The Soritatsu Kabe (そり立つ壁) (what we call the Warped Wall), The Pipe Slider (パイプスライダー) and the Crazy Cliffhanger (クレイジークリフハンガー). I couldn't believe they actually brought those three!  I thought they would take it easy and bring easier obstacles, but nope, they wanted to make a statement!

Crowd in LaLaport Dock ©TBS

The crowds gathered in a fashion that I hoped would happen.  Most people were just shopping and saw the signs for this event and got curious.  Some came through word of mouth and of course the hardcore already had this date on their calendar. Every age range attended this free outdoor event.

Day 1 demonstration line up ©TBS

The day started with the announcement of the guest line ups.  In addition to those above, there were a number of STQ'ers who came to help out as part-time demonstrators (Guys like Ryoma and Yoshida whom most don't know by name but might recognize their faces) and take part in the festivities.

Day 1 Demonstration Lineup ©Ryo Matachi

They were instructed to each introduce themselves and then pass the megaphone down to the next person. Day 1 though belonged to Katsumi who was the star guest for the day's festivities.

2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) doing a demonstration of the Crazy Cliffhanger ©DSatoru

The way it worked is that if you were interested in trying out the obstacle for free!  After the demonstrations by the stars, people would line up behind each of the individual obstacles.  The demonstrators were there to help them get past the obstacle one way or the other.

Crowd at the LaLaport Dock ©Ryo Matachi

As the day wore on more and more people showed up.  Word of mouth spread that the event was free and the fact that you could buy Sasuke T'shirts and towels that in the past were exclusive to the closed set of Sasuke taping.

(Back row) New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志,  Sasuke All-Star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己, Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次

(Front Row) Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広, Masashi Hioki日置 将士, 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), Shinya Kishimoto岸本 真弥 and New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 ©pontachoro

The day offered a glorious opportunity for fans to finally walk up to their favorites and pose for photos and even get an autograph. For the stars, it was a great time to hang out with fans and meet up with their friends.

A very happy fan with 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) ©pontachoro

This is probably the best photo of Yuuji ever taken. Period.  He seems at ease and happy to meet up with fans. I'm hoping there are more of these public events in the future to help raise his notoriety. For as accomplished as he is (2-Time champion) he's one of those who isn't often recognized outside of the Sasuke setting.

New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Sasuke Director Director Masato Inui 乾雅人 and Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広 ©Masato Inui

Showing up briefly to the event was the Sasuke Director that by now you should know by name.  Inui is now a fixture in Sasuke Rising. I thank him personally for coming up with a lot of these things and raising the image of Sasuke back in the domestic market.  Japan surely needs it right now. Btw for those who don't recognize Tomo on the right, he's usually shaved bald! I'm getting used to his new look! I like it!

Sasuke Autographs! ©gogo4550

A rare opportunity for the general public to get these many autographs in one sitting. I'm so happy this event happened!

Masashi Hioki日置 将士 posing with a fan ©gogo4550

For those who read the blog, you might recognize Hioki. I've been following him for over 6 years now (same time-frame as Tomo as well).  He was most recently a first clear in Sasuke 29 (that made Yuuji cry) and for long-time readers of this blog, he's the "Lucky bastard who got Bunpei to give a toast at his wedding".  He's back for Sasuke 30 as well!

Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 posing with Katakabe Hiromasa 片伯部浩正 ©vulcancan

Sasuke long-time competitors and Sasuke hopefuls alike were able to mingle and hang out all day together.  Day 1 had them sporting the exclusive Sasuke Rising shirts made for this occasion (more on that later).

Fan posing with 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) ©Rn_snO

There's dozens and dozens of photos I had to sift through to get the ones I chose for this blog.  It was difficult to chose!  So I tried getting a wide spectrum of types of photos that represented the day.

New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 without his shirt (again) ©Hitoshi Kanno

As usual, Kanno gets nekkid when on camera.  So it's no surprise to see Kanno posing for the camera and promoting himself and his body at this event.

Sasuke All-Star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己 with a happy fan ©Otomodach_Punch

Not doing the demonstrations today was Katsumi who for the most part was there to take photos, sign autographs and mingle with the crowd.  Happy fans too this rare opportunity that as time goes on will disappear. He's pretty lucky!

Sasuke All-Star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己

Speaking of Yamada there was a Yamada-centric article written by MyNavi News.  There were actually several different articles written about this rare occasion.

Sasuke All-Star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己 posing with a happy fan ©SSK_Rising

This is the corner where they sold the Sasuke merchandise. My honest opinion, they underestimated how much would be sold that day. The booth should have been MUCH bigger.

(Back row) New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志,  Sasuke All-Star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己, Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次

(Front Row) Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広, Masashi Hioki日置 将士, 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), Shinya Kishimoto岸本 真弥 and New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒

 ©MyNavi

Then there was this article by MyNavi News that had an overview of the day, synopsis of the history of Sasuke and it's future promoting Sasuke Rising and beyond.

Tomo, Ryo, Katsumi, Yuuji and Shinya ©MyNavi

And it had great photos! These below are a sample of the photos in the MyNavi News article published online.

Fan on Pipe Slider being helped by Katsumi and monitored by Shinya and Tomo ©MyNavi

 

Yuuji's turn to introduce himself to the crowd.

Ryo, Katsumi, Yuuji, Shinya and Hioki ©MyNavi

Kanno demonstrating the pipe slider ©MyNavi

Ryo demonstrating the Crazy Cliffhanger ©MyNavi

Shinya demonstrating the Crazy Cliffhanger ©MyNavi

Kanno Demonstrating the Crazy Cliffhanger ©MyNavi

Yuuji demonstrating the Crazy Cliffhanger ©MyNavi

Fan on Crazy Cliffhanger ©MyNavi

LOL and a sample of the types of things they did for the kids during the day.  If they couldn't jump, then they helped them do it!  There were some amazing videos out of this event.  Some of course didn't need to and shined on their own:

Child doing the Cliffhanger ledges on his own

Kid pwning the Pipe Slider on his own (and almost cleared the Crazy Cliffhanger on his own)

(Back row) New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志,  Sasuke All-Star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己, Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次
(Front Row) Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広, Masashi Hioki日置 将士, 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), Shinya Kishimoto岸本 真弥 and New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 ©Masashi Hioki

Day 1 was a roaring success with good weather and a very very good turn out that stunned everyone considering it was short notice and most people didn't even realize Sasuke was still going!

A rain soaked Sunday ©TBS

Day 2 was met with torrential rains all throughout the night and into the morning totally soaking the grounds that were dry the day before.

Crowd standing in line for the day's activities ©TBS

 

However that didn't dampen anyone's spirit as people lined up to get a go at the obstacles once the rain let up!  This shocked everyone that they had so many people the 2nd day!

Aerial view of the LaLaport festival ©Yonezake

By this point though, those who heard about it the day before told their friends to show up the following day.  There was a steady increase of people as the day cleared up.

Masashi Hioki日置 将士, Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次, 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), Katsuhide Torisawa鳥澤 克秀 and Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広 posing with happy fans ©TBS

Day 2 had Katsuhide Torisawa鳥澤 克秀 show up to see how everything was going. It was a nice excuse to hang out with everyone and celebrate Sasuke.

New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 signing an autograph ©Hitoshi Kanno

Day 2 also marked when Kanno decided he wanted to hawk his own wares! LOL  Since most of the merchandise was gone (more on that later) he took the opportunity to sell his own stuff.

 New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and Katsuhide Torisawa鳥澤 克秀 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Not entirely sure what the shirts mean, but this is part of the new line that Kanno designed.  He had his friends wear them to help promote it more.

2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) posing one of Kanno's shirts ©Hitoshi Kanno

Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 posing the hell out of that shirt! ©Hitoshi Kanno

New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 with his son Yuuto 雄仁 ©Hitoshi Kanno

In the adorable category, Hitoshi brought his infant son to get him used to the obstacles early! Here he is on the Crazy Cliffhanger with him.

 

 Hitoshi Kanno's wife Emiko 笑子 with their son Yuuto 雄仁 in front of the Walk On booth ©Kung-Cheen Howng

Here's his wife Emiko (with yet another new hair style) with their son selling the new merchandise.

Uki Yoshii posing with New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Uki Yoshii

Meanwhile the husband is posing nekkid with chicks out in the open air (and clear view from the selling booth)!

 

Day 2 line up

Kong, Kanno, Ryo, Tomo, Hioki, Yuuji, Jin, Ryoma and Yoshida ©Kung-Cheen Howng

This line up I have to explain because something funny happens halfway through this. Just like yesterday, both the stars and the part time demonstrators are being introduced to the audience.

2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), Jin and Ryoma Katou 加藤僚馬 ©Kung-Cheen Howng

Jin, if you remember, is the guy that has been serving as interpreter for the past couple of interviews (Tada and Morimoto) I did for Rambling Rican. He also (finally) qualified and competed in Sasuke 30.  Here he is with Ryoma (2-Time Sasuke competitor and fellow STQ'er) saying to the camera "wtf are we doing here.. this is the friggin' 2-time champion here next to us.. what are we doing here again??".. LOL

Hioko and Yuuji giving weird looks to Jin as he introduces himself after Ryoma  ©Kung-Cheen Howng

So.. the weird looks from Hioki and Yuuji (with support from Ryoma), Jin decides to have fun with his introduction (especially since no one knows who the hell he is in that lineup. LOL).  So.. (IN ENGLISH) he says "Hello!  My name is Jin.  Thank you guys for coming today!" Then in Japanese he says "I was number 65, please watch Sasuke on July 3rd." then he promptly passes the megaphone to Ryoma who cackles at that crazy introduction.

Then the funny thing happened where Yoshida (the tester) and Ryoma (who also was in Sasuke 30) totally buggers off leaving Jin with the rest of the group while they take group photos.  Jin only noticed Torisawa come out of nowhere so he thought he was supposed to stay (especially since no one kicked him out after the introductions) only to see his 2 friends just laugh as they are nowhere near the cameras.

Warped Wall Photo ©TBS

So Jin is totally having a surreal moment as his image is immortalized forever as the day 2 star demonstrators. Yes, Torisawa totally crashed the party. LOL

Warped Wall photo ©Setsubiyasan

Inside, Jin is saying to himself, "I totally don't belong here...." LOL!!!!!!!! I'm too busy laughing. Though to be fair, everyone in this photo did compete in Sasuke 30, so it's all legit.

 
As I kept telling him, none of the producers and none of the competitors told you to leave. In fact they included him and encouraged him to get on the wall. So in my opinion he belonged there. Even a couple months ago he never dreamed he'd be in this picture!

Ack I forgot where I got this photo as well! (if anyone finds which are the copyright holders, please le me know so I can credit it).  But I liked it so it's staying! Anyway this sets up for the other thing that was funny (tied to the Jin story from above).

TBS had everyone in the photo do a chain of clears on the Warped Wall for the cameras (Video posted on both of their Facebooks).  Torisawa seeing what was happening totally buggered off going "no way I can do that!" leaving Jin in the middle with the rest of the stars.  Kanno pushed Jin in front of him so Kanno could finish the event in grand style.

A very small merchandise booth! ©Kung-Cheen Howng

So I mentioned how small the Sasuke merchandise was by the end of the first day. See how small it was for the 2nd day?  Anyway, I bring your attention to what is behind Ryoma. See that television screen?  I'll talk about that a little later (near the end of blog).

What's left of the T'shirts by early Day 2  ©Kung-Cheen Howng

This is what was left at the start of the 2nd day. Most of the shirt were gone (and were completely gone after this photo) and all of the towels were gone shortly after they opened the day before!  TBS completely underestimating the fan's hunger for official Sasuke Merchandising.  Fans overseas can't even buy them anyway since TBS won't do international shipping.  Clearly, even domestically, there is a need that is not being met.

Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 and Katsuhide Torisawa鳥澤 克秀 ©SSK_Rising

As a result of the shirts being sold out, the demonstrators (who were promised a shirt for free as compensation for showing up and helping out) were forced to wear their own shirts.  So as a result, ANW got an international nod with Kong totally repping them during the event! LOL  (And yes, this photo/pose should totally look familiar to blog readers)

Autographs Day 2 ©Ryo Matachi

In the future though there is a lot they can improve on. However, given that they wanted a small scale event and hoped to get some publicity, they got a lot more than they were expecting. The event was considered to be a roaring success!

Another photo opportunity with a lucky fan!

Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次, New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広, New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) and Masashi Hioki日置 将士 ©rfmbfmasnh

More fan photos from Day 2. Again, amazing considering that a couple hours before this entire area was under water. Talk about the Spirit of Sasuke! 

Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次 listening to 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) bark orders ©DikUtm

 With Mr. Sasuke gone in Day 2, the head megaphone falls on the 2-Time champion Yuuji.

Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次, 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), a fan, New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and Masashi Hioki日置 将士 ©shin_ra_men

A rare smile from New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 and 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) ©TBS

2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) massaging the dome of Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次, a fan and New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Hitoshi Kanno

I love this photo.. LOL Yuuji is totally massaging the noggin of Kong.  Only true friends can get away with that! LOL

2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3) in a group photo under the droplets of rain! ©Yuuji Urushihara

That's some hardcore Sasuke fans!  Even in the rain, nothing can keep them from coming out and taking part in the festivities!

Fun day out with STQ friends! ©Tatsuya Tada

I was really happy to get these photos!  Those remember that I interviewed Tatsuya Tada多田竜也 few months back! He was able to take some time to hang out with his friends on the 2nd day.

Tatsuya Tada attempting the Crazy Cliffhanger  ©Tatsuya Tada

 

Yuuji and Ryo on the Wall ©Yukiko Onishi

 

Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広, Uki Yoshii and New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 ©Uki Yoshii

Yuuji helping out the short Ryo get on the Crazy Cliffhanger ©Kung-Cheen Howng

Happy fans waiting their turn at the obstacles as Ryoma Kato 加藤僚馬 waits  ©Kung-Cheen Howng

One absolutely determined kid as Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広 watches ©Kung-Cheen Howng

I absolutely love this photo!  That kid is nowhere near the top but he's giving it his all to see how far up the wall he can get!  This kid has some serious guts!

 Not sure who is checking out who in this photo ©Kung-Cheen Howng

One totally jazzed out kid meeting his idols ©Kung-Cheen Howng

Kenji  "Kong" Takahashi高橋賢次, 2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志, Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広 and Masashi Hioki日置 将士 ©Kung-Cheen Howng

Almost as if Kong was making back for that dome massaging from earlier, he punches Yuuji in this photo. LOL I love these guys!  Finally, thanks to Jin for getting a video out of the guys having fun with the Crazy Cliffhanger.

©SSK Rising

So anyway, here is another photo of the television screen I mentioned earlier.  During the 2 day event they had two Sasuke 30 teasers running back to back on an endless loop.  It wasn't until early this week that TBS finally posted it online.  Here is the first teaser and the second teaser.  These are too small to make a big blog about it but wanted to at least show them to you while we wait for Navi.

Sketch of the planned Sasuke Park to open July 19th ©TBS Hot Jyouhou

Finally the last bit of news!  Fans had been wanting a more permanent place to get a chance at the obstacles (similar to this), so TBS rented out a lot in Tokyo to open up an outdoor  "Sasuke Park" for the entire summer!  I'll do a bigger blog later in July to cover all of the festivities. In the meantime, Sasuke Park has a website (with ticket information), new Twitter account and Facebook.  Keep up with the building of that project on social media and I'll do a synopsis later in July!  Sasuke Park will be open from July 19-August 31, 2014.

If the Sasuke 30 official preview event in Tokyo Media City tomorrow turns out to be something that TBS promotes on social media, I'll blog on it. If not I'll do a small mention in the Navi broadcast over the weekend.  Sasuke Navi is in 2 days!

Sasuke 30 Navi - Part 1

June 30, 2014, 4:38 am

≫ Next: Sasuke 30 Navi - Part 2

≪ Previous: LaLaport Sasuke 30 Festival

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Title for Navi - Sasuke 2014: 放送直前スペシャル

(housou chokuzen special) {Chokuzen is "immediately before"}

It's that time again! This is Sasuke Navi 「SASUKE」ナビ- which went back to being a full hour special promoting Sasuke Rising (better known to us as Sasuke 30!).  For those who continue to be confused by the new name, the name delineates the rise from the Monster 9 Bankruptcy.  Anything past that point is considered to be "Rising" but continues in the same numbering as before. So this tournament is the 30th tournament.  Previous Sasuke "Navi" blogs can always be found on my site (Sasuke Navi 29, Sasuke Navi 28, Sasuke Navi 27, Sasuke Navi 26, Sasuke Navi 25, Sasuke Navi 24, Sasuke Navi 23, Sasuke Navi 22 and Sasuke Navi 21). Special thanks to Jason as always for providing my own stream and copy for the blog.  Massive thanks to several people from SMF for helping us with the paid service and to anshinritsumei and blt (from SMF) for hosting a stream for the community.  Everyone watching online at that time is what makes this experience so fun! Btw.. mental note I'm going to take my time with these blogs. I'm still getting cluster headaches during the day so I have to pace myself when I do these blogs. Luckily there is a few days break between Navi and the tournament itself. Whoot!  (P.S.  Thanks to Jin and Brett for the help with some words and kanji!)

By now if you don't remember that this show started in 1997.. then you don't watch the show! Ehem.. Sasuke 1 started as an indoor event, an offshoot from Kinniku Banzuke (Muscle Ranking).

Sasuke has continued roughly bi-annually as an outdoor event on the Midoriyama Studios lot for the past 17 years.

Introducing people who would become legends (cough Nagano cough) and imprinting themselves in the hearts and minds of viewers worldwide.

Sasuke has continued (despite a slight name change) for the past 17 years to the point where we are now celebrating it's 30th tournament.

Now in 2014, TBS is celebrating the history of the event while remembering past competitors and past tournaments.

This section is a montage of Sasuke Rising tournament clips (Sasuke 28-29) and reminding us that although it's now "Rising", the show is still the same as it always was.

In the year 2014, "Sasuke" now on it's 30th tournament.  This is the 3rd time an Anniversary tournament is held.   Shout out to Akiyama who is now retired. /cries

TBS reminding us that Sasuke in one form or another (mostly as Ninja Warrior sadly) has been sold to 157 countries and territories worldwide.  We all know by now that Sasuke is in a crisis with what happened with NBC severing ties with Sasuke and as a result the "Ninja Warrior" format now is a thing of the past. None of the Sasuke Rising tournaments (28, 29 and now 30) exist in a Ninja Warrior format.

TBS at least happy that it still gets royalties from the show that replaced Sasuke in the USA, now the juggernaut named American Ninja Warrior.  I cry that NBC refuses to air both.  Seriously..

TBS mentions Sasuke Malaysia and Sasuke Singapore as the other two countries that successfully branched out under the "Sasuke" name.

A reminder that Sasuke 29 also doubled as the Japan qualifier for the Sasuke Asean Open Cup that finally took place (much later than expected) in Malaysia on February 20-23, 2014.

Team Japan participated in the event on day 4 (Team Finals) in the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup.  (more on that later)

For the next half hour (of the hour-long broadcast) we get to see (from the Japanese perspective obviously), the Team Finals of the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup.

I honestly was surprised that they devoted this much time to the event. I'm thrilled, since the proposed television airing of this event in full (in Malaysia) never came to fruition. Finally we get to see "some" of the event.

This was the placeholder for where the actual opening titles for Navi came out.  It was a repeat of the Sasuke 29's Japanese flag over the Sasuke Rising sign. Obviously replaced by just Sasuke with Navi underneath. I'm curious if "Rising" will be back for the actual tournament. I hope not simply because it's causing all sorts of confusion.

A look back at Sasuke 29's airing back in June, 2013. Let's relive the moments that made me rage and want to throw out my computer out the window shall we!?

 Backstreamバックストリーム

I still hate you...

The one obstacle everyone was talking about worldwide.. not just USA.. not just Japan.. yes. the $*&^%# Backstream. I already screamed enough about this flipping obstacle while blogging about it last year, so I'll leave it alone for now. It's shown for a reason though.

The reason it was shown is because there were only FOUR guys (out of 21 btw.. yes you read that right, 17 guys failed the 2nd Stage and most of them almost drowned) in Sasuke 29 that actually managed to live through that cursed stage. As a result, they were given automatic berths on the Japanese Team heading to the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup.

One of them we recognize as one of the Shin Sedai (新世代) literally "New Generation", who is a Tree Trimmer by trade.

 Kazuma Asa朝一眞

OMG TBS IS EVIL!  They just called him the equivalent of the "Crying Gardener"..  (Technically the phrase is: Teary 涙の Tree Craftsman 植木職人) Wow.. they are merciless aren't they? LOL

Anyway, the Weeping Flower child Asa is the emotional guy I have been calling "The Spazz" for about 6 years now. LOL  This is him clearing the first stage in Sasuke 28.

One of the four survivors of the brutal Stage 2 in Sasuke 29, Asa earned his spot as one of the 5 members of the Japan National Team.

The next representative with almost no fluff piece (because honestly he's had quite a few by now), is New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志.

A former gymnast whom most remember him as a Finalist in Sasuke 23.  I was a little disappointed he we didn't see his wedding or his new baby.. but we still have the tourney for that. I am still holding out hope I see Emiko's wedding dress!

And by now most people recognize him without his clothes on.  He's worked hard for that so he is showing it off while he still can!

 Make way for the KONG EXPRESS!

Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次

To my knowledge "Kong Express" is still a 1 man delivery company of which of course, he is the owner/operator. This is him emphatically celebrating passing the brutal 2nd Stage in Sasuke 29.

This still amazes me to this day.. (see below in real time...) He is a veteran of 15 Sasuke tournaments.  As a result of Sasuke 29's amazing performance he was also named to the National Team for Japan. (Sasuke 30 marks his 16th appearance)

THIS IS REAL-TIME FOLKS!!!! Yes.. he was that fast.. Poor Morimoto took 2 minutes and Kong took like 2 seconds..
THE KONG EXPRESS STOPS FOR NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!

Sasuke 24 was his only final where he had the unfortunate incident of him getting the lead line tangled with the Rope causing him to come to a grinding halt. He talks about it candidly.

Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介.  Officially dubbed "Sasuke Kun", he a veteran of 6 Sasuke tournaments. Morimoto was the farthest man through Sasuke 29 and the first confirmed member of the Japanese Team by virtue of that feat.

This is him at home watching Sasuke with his parents at the kitchen table.  Heh, I eat watching television all the time. So I approve of this set up.

But of course most hardcore fans notice a little something that is going across the bottom of that awesome widescreen television.

Thaaaaaaat's right!  Sasuke bootleg baby!  I laugh that TBS so openly embraces the fact that he has every single Sasuke tournament on DVD.

It's just a shame that we will never get an official release of all 30 Sasuke tournaments thanks to politics, logistics and lack of waivers.  /sigh

 Morimoto made it to the 3rd stage in Sasuke 29 for the first time.

He made history in Sasuke being the first man to ever clear the Crazy Cliffhangerクレイジークリフハンガー during Sasuke 29.

And of course securing the first spot on the Japanese National Team heading to the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup.

So with the 4 lone survivors from Sasuke 29's 2nd stage (since all of them failed in the 3rd stage) we still needed 1 more spot to fill the 5 spots in Team Japan.

And that went to Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟.  The de facto Leader of the team with the experience of all 29 Sasuke competitions under his belt.

Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 sporting his short shorts way back 17 years ago in the very first Sasuke tournament.

He's also a veteran of two Sasuke finals.  Sasuke 3 and Sasuke 7.

In Sasuke 29 he was the only All-star to actually pass the First Stage.

It's funny how they show him up to the Swap Salmon Ladder that he actually cleared.. because we all know how he just balked at the Backstream. LOL

 

So the pride of Japan is resting on the shoulders of these 5 men.  Team Japan has arrived to compete at the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup! (Finally...)

So will they win the Gold?

Finally after what seemed like a lifetime of delays, the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup in Malaysia takes place! In the sweltering summer heat the tropics this event was held in February 20-13, 2014.

Day 4 was the Team competition comprising of 7 countries total all competing against each other in a timed competition.

 Team Taiwan台湾 led by Sasuke Veteran Lee En-Chih (リー・エンチ)(李 恩至)

Suck it China!  They are known as Taiwan now!  Ehem.. All teams were 5 members strong and Taiwan was represented by Sasuke Veteran Lee.

  Team Malaysiaマレーシア

  Team Singapore シンガポール

  Team Indonesia インドネシア

  Team Brunei ブルネイ

  Team USA er.. Team Americaアメリカ

For those a little confused by the name "America", in the Japanese language the United States of America is literally just known as "America" only.  To our North American, Central American and South American neighbors.. I'm sure they are sorry. LOL

  Team United States of America (USA) was comprised of Sasuke Veteran  David Campbellデイヴィッド・キャンベル, ANW's Brian Kretsch, Sasuke 27 Veteran Drew Dreschel, ANW's Mike Bernardo and Sasuke 27 Veteran Ryan Stratis ライアン・ストラティス

The format is one I'm not too wild about but let me explain it the best I can.  It's  Time Trial event.  There are 3 stages of competitions. Each stage is about 2-3 obstacles each.  Each team will send all their competitors to run each of the stages as fast as they can.  The times will be added together to come up with an average time. (I have to double check later but I think top and bottom times are dropped - just like gymnastics taking the middle 3 times as the final times for the team).  Whoever has the top combined time in that stage wins that stage.  Each stage has a point value ranking the teams after each stage. At the end of the competition whichever team has racked up the most points are the winners.

This is the official draw ceremony. Shingo draws the 4th spot for Japan in the 7 country competition.

All the teams celebrating the order in which they will run.  Japan will run 4th in this competition.

Last minute words with Asa as he tries to defend Japan's honor in this international event.

Morimoto's words as well as he's going to do his best to do the same.

 Rebel Yell to start the competition for Team Japan.

First stage is comprised of two obstacles. Yes yes this was a small event. It's fine though considering how much of a pain it was to organize this.

  The first obstacle is the Spider Walk (スパイダーウォーク).

 The second obstacle is the Ni Ren Soritatsu Kabe (2連そり立つ壁) literally "Double Warped Wall".

First to go in the First Stage is Team Malaysiaマレーシア.  So the way this works is that each competitor has to touch the buzzer on top of the box to start the timer.  It ends when they touch the buzzer at the top of the 2nd Wall.

 Team Malaysia doing well through the Spider Walk.

 Up the first Wall

 And up the 2nd wall.

 Team Malaysia's first time is 19.07 seconds.

Team Japan just observing how fast the teams are going so far ahead of them.

  Next up is Team America アメリカ is Drew Dreschelドリュー・ドレッシェル

TBS choosing to focus on the positive by cross promoting Drew as a competitor in ANW rather than the "guy that broke his leg in Sasuke 27". In my own opinion it's because TBS never showed the horrific injury on Japanese television, they didn't want to rehash Higuchi history, didn't want to show ANW 3 footage and they could cross promote international cooperation with NBC even though NBC is being an ass about Americans on the show at present.  Either way, Drew is being shown in a positive light on Japanese television. And that's a good thing!

 Okay!  Back to Drew in the Start line in the First stage.

 Nice pace through the Spider Walk.

 Flying up the first wall

 And positively crushing the current top time of 14.99 seconds.

 Hayai! ( Hayatsu 速つ ) FAST! QUICK!

Replay of how fast Drew was going up the Walls.

 Team Japan is just stunned at the sheer speed of Team USA.

 Team USA and Sasuke 27 Veteran Ryan Stratis ライアン・ストラティス also has a fast time of 16.98 seconds.

 Team USA Sasuke Veteran  David Campbellデイヴィッド・キャンベル and has a time of 17.46 seconds.

A small montage of basically how other teams were not as fast through the first stage.  The skill level was  not as high as the Americans to this point.

So right now the average 平均 time is 16.48 seconds.  The combined times taken (median 3) is 49.43 seconds.  (remember that the top and bottom times are discarded).

With that information it is now Team Japan's turn to run the First Stage.

 

 Up first for Team Japan is Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介.

 

 Teammates yelling encouragement. (Kanno, Asa, Kong)

 Nice quick pace through the Spider Walk.

 Nicely past the first Wall.

Team Japan is on the board with a very fast time of 16.30 seconds.  Their goal is to stay under the average time of Team USA (who is currently in First).

Up next for Team Japan is Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

 Oh.. he slips in the middle of the Spider Walk.

 And a disappointed Kanno clocks in at a slow 18.35 for Team Japan thanks to that slip-up earlier.

If they hope to stay under that 16.48 second average time, his teammates have to be faster so they can drop his time.

A replay of where Kanno slipped on the Spider Walk.

 Up next is Asa (while Kong is hiding from the burning sun)

 And here we go!

 Yep saw it coming when they didn't put his name up. LOL

 And we are back!  Who's cuisine will reign supreme?

 Up next for Team Japan is Kazuma Asa朝一眞

 Asa is pumping himself up to be able to get a faster time to raise the team average.

 Safely navigating the Spider Walk.

 Eagerly looking for his time!  Asa runs it at 16.59 seconds!

 Relieved that Japan has 2 of the top 3 times.  Drew's time of 14.99 is still the best.  Morimoto clocked in at 16.30 and Asa at 16.59 seconds.

The combined time of 51.24 seconds gives Team Japan日本 2nd place (and 6 points) behind Team America アメリカ who is in the lead.

The rest of Stage 1 standings is as follows: 3rd place is Team Malaysiaマレーシア, 4th place is Team Taiwan台湾, 5th place is Team Brunei ブルネイ, 6th place is Team Singapore シンガポールand 7th place is Team Indonesiaインドネシア.

 Onwards to the 2nd Stage!

Many were shocked to see this event. Not since Sportsman #1 have we seen it.  This is The Gallon Throw (ザ・ガロンスロー)

You take the basket in front of you. Throw it over your head and hopefully over this 10 foot wall.

Since this is a timed event, if you miss the first one you have 2 other baskets you can throw. That's why there are 3 of them at the start line. 

After throwing the basket over the wall you run to the Wall Lifting (ウォールリフティング) obstacles which are made up of 4 walls.

 First wall being 20 kg (44 lbs), followed by 30 kg (66 lbs).

Followed by 40 kg (88 lbs)

And finally 50 kg (110 lbs).

Now going in reverse order (and yes TBS is cutting 7th-4th place teams) is 3rd place Team Malaysiaマレーシア.

Again, the timer does not start until you are ready. You start the timer and then run at your pace starting with the gallon throw.

Team Malaysia with a real strong performance lifting all the walls to finish the stage.

Happy with his time of 13.91 seconds, Team Malaysia's representative does a side flip off the platform.

Team Malaysia sets the bar at a great combined time of 39.31 seconds with an average of 13.10 seconds.  They are the current leaders so this is the time to beat.

Now onwards to 2nd Place Team Japan日本.  First up for Team Japan is Kazuma Asa朝一眞.

 Teammates shouting encouragement as Kong is protecting his dome from sunburn.

Asa barely lifting the walls as he wills his body through the obstacles.

Everyone knows I'm not a fan of the under-wall™ technique, but it's legal so I have to drop it.

Probably leaving his spleen and other internal organs strewn across the floor of the 2nd Stage.. Asa clocks in at an amazing 12.36 seconds.

 Asa: Arsenette doesn't like my technique.. wait.. neither do you?  Aw man... this is embarrassing.

 Up next for Team Japan is Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

 Well, at least he's lifting the walls!

 And another slip from Kanno, this time falling on the floor of the 50kg wall.

 Disgusted at the slip, Kanno clocks in at 13.46 seconds.

 Whoot Nagano!  Because I can™ Mwahahaha

 Let's see that again!

Shout out to Inui walking on the left of the screen. LOL  Kanno embarrassed that he is costing Japan the title today with two major errors..

Make way for the KONG EXPRESS!

Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次 is up next for Team Japan

 Asa: Dude you totally got this! I mean seriously this is your event!

Kanno: Don't fall.. like I did..

Shingo: Did I hear an ice cream truck? It's hot as hell out here and I'm hallucinating!

Kong roars out of the gate with a rebel yell.

 Kong: GET OUT OF MY WAY WALL!

Nagano:  EAT THE WALL!! JUST EAT IT!!

Kong finishes in a flurry almost destroying the buzzer platform! LOL!!  Takahashi clocks in the fastest time of 10.60 seconds!

AAAAAAAAAH THE KONG EXPRESS STOPS FOR NO ONE!

Team Japan comes in with a staggering average time of 36.42 seconds with an average of 12.14 seconds taking over First place as of now.  With one team left to go in the 2nd Stage..

With a smile on his face.. it's time for Team America アメリカ is Drew Dreschelドリュー・ドレッシェル.  For those who don't know why Japan is worried, is because the day before, Drew swept the individual finals in all 3 stages!

 Team Japan holds it's breath.

 Drew with a rebel yell starts his run.

 FLYING through the stage AND lifting the walls.

Drew just DEMOLISHES the top time!  8.68 seconds for the time and a record on the 2nd Stage! (Even Faster than the day before!)

Shout out to Dustin Sims!

 Drew celebrating with the rest of Team USA.

  Tsuyoi 強い - STRONG!

 Team Japan is just.. stunned.

 STOCK FOOTAGE!  LOL This is actually from Day 3 (Individual Finals)

 Team USA continued to annihilate the times with Mike Bernardo clocking in at 9.54 seconds.

 Sasuke 27 Veteran Ryan Stratis ライアン・ストラティス also going sub 10 seconds.

The combined time of 28.06 seconds gives Team America アメリカ the win on the 2nd stage (and another 7 points). Team Japan日本 takes 2nd place (and 6 points) again with a combined time of 36.02.

Looking forward to his strength, the 3rd stage, Morimoto is enjoying the competition. He comments about the amazing power of the USA team.

 Onwards to the 3rd and final stage.

The first obstacle is actually an upgrade of the original Devil Steps (デビルステップス). This one I'm calling the Double Devil Steps. When you get to the bottom of one step you go back up and down on the other side.  (On this photo you move Left to Right)

Immediately following the Devil Steps is the Unstable Bridge (アンステーブルブリッジ). Which looks oddly crooked on the final day. LOL

After that is the Lamp Grasper (ランプグラスパー), known as the Globe Grasp in English broadcasts.

And finishing with a Sasuke 9-17 version of the Cliffhanger (クリフハンガー) which is actually known as the クリフハンガー改 (literally "Altered" Cliff Hanger).

Montage again of the 7th-3rd place teams all having issues with various portions of Stage 3.

 Some falling on the Lamp Grasper.

 While others just had issues with the Cliffhanger.

 3rd place ended up being Malaysia (which they won't show in full)

Right now with 3rd Stage points for first place on the line (not that it will change the standings btw.. LOL) honor is at stake for Japan in the battle against the the top teams.  Team Japan vs. Team America. Think of the children!  Honor! Country!  Drama.. yeah yeah..

Okay so if I got this right (bear with me here..) The points got screwed up with the combined point totals.  The USA has 14 points for first place (should have been 7+7 points because they won both 1st and 2nd Stages so that number seems fine) and Japan has 11 points for second place which seems odd because they should be at 12 points (6+6) if they were 2nd in both 1st and 2nd stages.  So either Japan got 3rd in one of the stages (1st or 2nd)  (because it would have been only 5 points and not 6 points which would have been 11 points at this stage or the overall total is wrong right now).  We never did get a full record of the Team Finals from the production team (like we did for Individual Finals) so right now I'm guessing what these numbers mean.  It's clear though USA demolished everyone else to take Stage 2 in addition to Stage 1. Only Japan's total seem wrong right now.

I know there are tech issues (especially in the upcoming 3rd stage) where there were time penalties for fails (I think 30 seconds). Unsure if that was thrown in there or not from now on but I'll deal with points later..   

   Up first for Team Japan is Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介

 Nice and smooth through the Devil Steps.

 Team Japan hoping this is a nice fast time.

  Morimoto with no issues going through the Unstable Bridge.

 Good rhythm through the Lamp Grasper.

 And easily through the Cliffhanger.

Solid run for Team Japan clocking in at 33.79 seconds.  (almost 7 seconds faster than the individual finals where he got the silver medal just the day before)

Morimoto has had a phenomenal tournament.  Consistent in every stage he ran in both individuals and now Team Finals. I'm so proud of him! He didn't crack under international pressure.

Up next for Team Japan is Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

 Wow.. AGAIN?  He choked 3 times!

 Lucky to have hung on, Kanno clocks in at 42.82.

 And for the record, Shingo did compete. LOL  His runs just weren't shown.

 Kanno is just happy to have hung on and not taken a time penalty for falling.

Up next for Team Japan is Kazuma Asa朝一眞 who's gunning for the top time.

 All hopes are riding on Asa to finally win a Stage.

Most people might remember how he buckled under the pressure during the last international event he participated in. So this time, it's personal for him to do well in all the stages he competes in.

 Asa solidly clearing all the obstacles in a good time.

 Team Japan finishes strong with a time from Asa of 37.68 seconds.

Feeling redeemed he breaks into tears as he's been hugged by his teammate Kanno (who was also on that same team in Vegas).

Drew and Team USA is up next as Team Japan's combined 3rd Stage time of 114.29 seconds and an average of 38.09 seconds is the new benchmark.

Holding their breath, Team Japan watches quietly as the only team with the ability to beat them on this stage is up next.

First up for Team America アメリカ is Drew Dreschelドリュー・ドレッシェル

  Flying through the Lamp Grasper with a super smooth rhythm.

  Fastest time again!  (besting his individual gold medal run by almost 6 seconds!) Drew clocks in at a staggering 32.91 seconds on the 3rd Stage.

 Drew gets a hug from his teammate Brian Kretsch.

 Haiyatsu!  はやっ！ So Fast!

So the top 2 times in Stage 3 are Drewドリュー (LOL they just call him by his first name) at 32.91 seconds and Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 at 33.79 seconds. Funny how they were also the top 2 times just the day before in the Individual Finals!

It seems that Team USA had to carry into their team average a bad time from Mike Bernardo which skewed their overall time.

Which gave Japan a win in Stage 3!  The combined time of 114.29 seconds gives Team Japan日本 1st place for Stage 3 (and 7 points to bring their overall tournament points to 18 points) ahead of Team America アメリカ who clocked in at 163.29 seconds (and 6 points to bring the tournament total to 20 points).   Either way, USA wins the overall title having amassed enough points in Stage 1 and 2 and getting 2nd in the 3rd stage. So even if the Japan numbers were off by 1 point somewhere in stage 1 and/or 2, in the grand scheme of things they were still a couple points from winning anyway. USA had to be 4th or lower for Japan to even win. So all that aside congrats USA!

 Team Japan's Kazuma Asa朝一眞 is overjoyed at winning the silver medal.

 And true to the Teary Tree Trimmer name (lmfao tbs..).. Asa is brought to tears.

 Team Japan日本 brings home the Silver Medal!

 Team Malaysiaマレーシア wins the Bronze Medal, Team Japan日本 wins the Silver Medal and Team Americaアメリカwins the Gold Medal!

続報  (zoku-hou) follow-up report
TBS getting dramatic when announcing who's coming to Sasuke 30 from this event!

 You saw him dominate everyone..

 with a smile on his face!

  Drew ドリュー (LOL they just call him by his first name)

  Coming from America (cough with Bernardo in tow)

Sasuke 参戦 (Sansen) Participation!

Zomg he's here!  We actually managed to convince NBC to let him come.. wtf.. why is this even necessary asking permission.. seriously..  NBC doesn't even show Sasuke in the states anymore..

 Real Life Ninja shirt. LOL!

LOL TBS totally piling on the pressure saying Drew is going to win (完全制覇 = "Complete Domination" or for some reason G4's Total Victory).

 And there he goes on the First stage!

Sasuke 30回 記念大会

Sasuke 30th Anniversary Tournament

Sasuke 30 Navi Part 2

Sasuke 30 Navi - Part 2

July 1, 2014, 5:42 am

≫ Next: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review

≪ Previous: Sasuke 30 Navi - Part 1

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 Sasuke All-star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己

Sasuke 30 Navi - PART 1

And we are back!  Immediately we start with the status of the All-stars with clips and teasers of Sasuke 30.  I find it amusing we start with Katsumi given that by all accounts, his personal run is deleted from the show!  Much has been made on social media about his omission from the official line up online. We'll find out on Thursday how much they actually show of him and if they indeed officially retire him (once and for all) as all directions are pointing.

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟

Shingo wearing a hat!  Wait.. Is hubby's hat theory still valid? Totally different era should have totally different rules. Right?  Also we'll see what his current uniform looks like.

Sasuke All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩

A freshly shaved (and waxed) Takeda on the start line. Strange considering he's all woolly now. Btw he looks great here! I prefer the clean shaven look!

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

LOL TBS totally spoiling Nagano telling us that he gets to the wall! It's as if TBS is pleading to the audience saying "please watch he won't suck this time!"..

And omg we see him climbing it! LOL C'mon TBS you don't have to be desperate to spoil half his run! LOL Or wait.. rating suggest that once he fails people stop watching.. oooooooh I see now!

New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒

Just as before where TBS was saying the Sasuke All-Stars, now it's the turn of the Shin Sedai (新世代) literally "New Generation".

New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介

Oh I heard him being called Shin Sedai!  We have a new member to the group! I don't see Yuuji on the list (though we know he competed thanks to the list TBS provided), however he's not listed with this group.  Possibly Morimoto is in the group and Yuuji is out since he has his own title of 2-Time champion?  Ohhhhh.. hope we find out!

New Generation Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞

Next is the prerequisite montage of Sasuke 30 spoilers! I'm not saying jack about who I think these people are..I'm being good folks!

Hedgehog fail

LOL TBS is desperate.. Golden Bomber guy CLEARLY on the very last obstacle. Seriously..

Whiff on 2nd Stage Cross Slider

The &%$#@ Backstream is back...

There's major drama!  Tears! Dem Spoilers!

I clearly know who's daughter is this..

And someone else falls from the Crazy Cliffhanger..

And yes.. you already know why they are showing this....

Oh fluff piece incoming!

Wait.. he changed jobs again!  He's a plumber 配管工 now!

New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒

Back in the All-UNCLI Final of Sasuke 27

Ryo fell just short of the win. Fellow UNCLI member Yuuji won that tournament.

Ryo was in the NBC special that finally aired in January called ANW's USA vs Japan special.

TBS explaining the match up in that event that made Ryo popular in the USA (Note that's Brian Arnold under all that kanji).  Hey, I'd argue that he was already popular and that the crowd was just recognizing him from Sasuke but I digress. LOL

A Stage 3 specialist, Ryo shined in Las Vegas.

A cute moment in the event where Ryo realized that although they were mispronouncing his name.. he realized that the chant was all about him! I can just imagine the confusion in his head "wtf are they yelling about.. it's a chant.. wtf is  reeoh.... oooooooooh THAT is what they are saying"

LOL Even TBS has to write out what they are chanting since what they are chanting is actually "Rio" when his name is "Ryo" (which has a vastly different pronunciation in Japan). That said even he (and I) found it cool that the crowd was inventive with using their iPhones to show the Japan flag and chanted his name. Awesome use of technology and I totally approve of it!

Even with a fall on the obstacle, the crowd continue to pull for both countries regardless of who was up. I adored that crowd. THAT is what a crowd should be like. Pulling for a good competition regardless of where they are from. BOTH sides should have been (and were) supported.

Ryo saying thanks to the crowd that supported him even after he failed the 3rd stage. He was stunned.

Back in Japan during Sasuke 29 (which happened before he went to Vegas), Ryo didn't have the best result thanks to that demonic water tank that was determined to drown people..

Ryo failed on the Backstream, stopping his chance to try to get to the final again. (He and a dozen other people..)

Frustrated at the lack of swimming prowess he vowed to do better the next time. He was embarrassed.

I see this was taped before he was friggin' hospitalized.. now I know what it was that sent him to the hospital in December!

He trained so much underwater that it caused him to develop 気胸 - Pneumothorax that almost killed him.

Even though this was recorded before his hospitalization, I'm happy to know that he recovered nicely (after surgery and a month stay at the hospital) even if it cemented why I hate the backstream in the first place.

So with the training that almost killed him.. will it make him pass the 2nd stage?  Tune in Thursday to find out!

Yay!  Finally a good fluff piece on him!

電気店 - Electronics Store - He's an employee here.

Masashi Hioki日置 将士 (for those who have followed my blog he's an STQ'er)

He is climbing on a ladder to work on a television antennae

I know the younger generation has never seen one of these before but that is a television antennae.

See folks who don't have cable have to use these things.  Especially out in the sticks. This is one of the things he does at the electronics store.

Long-time readers of my blog will recognize this photo.  For those with good memories .. we saw him briefly in Sasuke Trials during one of my very early blogs - Summer, 2008 for Sasuke 21 - He was in the group that represented the All-Stars - his was Bunpei

Still the photo has an error.  this was from 2009.. Poor guy was also in the Sasuke 22 Trials where he got to the final only to miss the final jump!  This is when he failed and was comforted by his new bride Mayumi 真弓 .  If was their wedding where I got the phrase "Lucky Bastard that got Bunpei Shiratori to speak at his wedding".  For a long time, this was the only way people even knew who he was. Luckily he has a record now and people can remember his Sasuke history rather than anecdotes from trials.

Ya'll can remember the Geronimo jump that was in every commercial for in Sasuke 25

Even then his wife as holding that television antennae.

I'm told this is actually in a park and not his home.

From Sasuke 29, This is Ryo trying to get out of the way of the shot of Hioki's wife Mayumi 真弓 and their daughter Miyuna心結菜

Sasuke 29 marked when Hioki FINALLY cleared the First Stage

He's so close to all the STQ'ers that it looked like a who's who after he cleared.  Even Yuuji (shown in the commercials) cried when he cleared.  He's also very emotional which is good television to watch!

Hioki discussing that during that time his wife Mayumi was pregnant with their second child.

 They welcomed their son Ryusei 琉青 - HE'S ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!

They had a couple of clips of how he trains in the garage of their home.

OMG THAT BABY IS SO CUUUUUTE!  I want to chew on his cheeks!  This is his wife Mayumi 真弓 discussing her support of him.

They even taught their kids (mostly daughter at this point) when a certain phrase is yelled that they would all raise their arm and cheer.  "Let's do our best!""Oh!!"

And a cute clip of that same cheer that father and daughter practiced at home being recreated at the start line of Sasuke 30.

How will he do in Sasuke 30? Tune in on Thursday!

OH!  Tomo fluff piece!

Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広

Cement Truck Driver

I am still getting used to Tomo having hair again (I'm used to him shaving his head) but it looks good on him!

Tomohiro 朋広 is the youngest in the family.

When he was 15 years old his parents divorced.

Sadly, he didn't deal too well with the divorce and rebelled.

Tomohiro did not deal well with the separation of him from his father.  It had been 10 years since they had spoken.

Mother Hiromi ひろみ

Tomohiro rebelled violently to the divorce.  He dropped out of high school and became a juvenile delinquent.

Sasuke became an outlet to better himself and focus his energy on more positive aspects in life.  Surrounding himself with other Sasuke hopefuls and sharing their passion for the show he started to turn his life around.  He qualified for Sasuke 21 (same time as Hioki) in the now famous (for me at least since that is where Rambling Rican really started to take shape) Sasuke 21 trials during the summer of 2008.

In Sasuke 21, he managed to clear the Half Pipe attack but he Shingo'ed the landing.

The forward momentum he created dismounting the Half Pipe Attack made him lose his balance and he fell off course automatically disqualifying him.

He put his energy into getting better in Sasuke in a lot of ways to make his father proud at his progress in turning his life around. Sasuke created an outlet for him to channel his frustration and anger at losing his father into a positive force.

Father Sugio 杉男

Tomohiro tried and succeeded getting out of Sasuke Trials again in Sasuke 22 only to fail on the Slider Jump.

Then once he finally cleared the First Stage in Sasuke 24, he rushed the dismount of the Unstable Bridge and fell backwards into the water.

Now that he's a father and husband himself, he hopes to do well in Sasuke to find something to make his father proud of him. Again, similar to what I said about Ryo and his family situation, the idea that the child is actively and publicly reaching out to the divorcee (meaning the Dad who "left") is HUGE. I am hoping this is further erosion of the archaic divorce system in Japan. I'm so proud of Tomohiro that he is not choosing to chose sides but supports both parents.

With age, Tomohiro has grown to be a better man and that's really encouraging to see. He's now a devoted husband and father. Also so happy to see his father in Sasuke as this picture suggests. I'm a sucker for those types of stories coming from a divorce family myself. It's a moving story and one that has to be said. Knowing more about the culture in Japan about divorces really makes it important and impactful when seeing Tomo's father IN Sasuke.

Most don't ever see the divorce parent ever again. Kudos to both Tomo and Ryo for bringing the divorcee back into their lives.  And being PUBLIC about it. The kids shouldn't have to chose sides when the parent's marriage is over. I'm happy that Tomohiro managed to grow as a person and seek out the missing person in his life he found important.  His father.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Tomohiro in this tournament.  I've been following his journey for 6 years and have grown to adore that one group of Sasuke hopefuls from 2008 who literally grew up before our eyes. I'll be cheering loudly!

Another of the Class of 2008 Sasuke Trials is a current Sasuke New Generation Star, the Teary 涙の Tree Craftsman 植木職人 (omg TBS you evil bastards) Kazuma Asa朝一眞

As you saw from Part 1 of Navi, Asa was part of the Silver Medal winning Team Japan at the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup 2014.

It was a life changing event for Asa in many ways. He's gone on record saying how much those 4 days in Malaysia were the best in his life. One thing that really stood out for him, one thing that made him stand up and pay attention..

.. was the performance of this man.  Team America アメリカ member Drew Dreschelドリュー・ドレッシェル. Up until that point, he thought he was on the right track in training and physical fitness. Witnessing the completely dominating and consistent performance he had an epiphany.

When he saw Drew in Malaysia, he thought "there's no way I can beat him! That's the first time I've ever felt that in my life."

He realized how weak he was in the grand scheme of things, and wants to work hard to reach or surpass Drew's level.  Drew's own story is famous in Sasuke and his performance, in light of what where Drew had to go through to GET to where he was in Malaysia, was awe inspiring.  Drew became a symbol, a motivating factor in elevating Asa's OWN work ethic.

Inspired by the dominating performance by Drew in Malaysia, he took the opportunity to revamp his entire training regimen to better himself. He realized that he was missing that quality that Drew possessed and wanted it for himself. In order to do that he had to work even harder.

Hoping that dedication pays off he does his rebel yell at the start line of Sasuke 29.  Did he train enough? or will he have to start all over again?  Find out on Thursday!

Yay I know who is up next!  We get a picture outside the campus of 高知大学 Kōchi Daigaku (Kochi University).

Computer Science Major in Kochi University is "Sasuke Kun"Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介

Everyone remembers him now as the first man ever to clear the Crazy Cliffhangerクレイジークリフハンガー in the last tournament, Sasuke 29.

He was just short of clearing the 3rd Stage.

However he was the last man standing in Sasuke 29.

At home, sporting his 2 medals (Team Silver and Individual Silver for Stage 3), he shows the article of his local paper.

He was excited that the local paper wrote a detailed article about him. So was TBS.

I'm still adoring his signed All-Star T'shirt. Those things are rare, especially with all the signatures he has on that.

Here's him at home with his ever changing obstacle course set up.  Morimoto was kind enough to let me interview him where he goes in details as to what was built there before.

Hey I have that Shirt in Red!

How far will he go this time? Tune in Thursday to find out!

Yay the "Last Battle" theme is playing! For those who are new to the show, this is Makoto Nagano's theme on Sasuke.

The Legend himself is back! Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠, and yes he's wearing 2999 in this tournament.

Captain of the 50th Konpiramaru第50金比羅丸

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

The 2nd man to achieve 完全制覇 - Kanzenseiha (Complete Domination) in Sasuke 17

Unfortunately Nagano suffered back to back fails on the Warped Walls. First in Sasuke 28

Then again in Sasuke 29

Stepping up his training (since he started to notice that what was once "easy" going up the huge set of stairs in his hometown was not becoming difficult) he put more effort in trying to get that spring back in his step.

He started to use the weighted belt over the spring time to help him get stronger and get back some of what he lost over the years.

He hopes that the increased stamina training will serve him better in Sasuke to do finally get past the wall recently became an issue.

Nagano Familycam™  GANBARE!  がんばれ! (Good luck/Hang in there) By a very LOUD Kaiou 塊王 who is now 5 years old (not 4 TBS - thanks Tiger for the correction!).  Meanwhile we welcome the debut of baby Taiou 太皇 (who just turned 1 years old) to Sasuke while Mom Asami 阿紗 美 holds them both.

Proud Papa waving to his own personal midget ninja army™

Will he succeed? We already spoiled his run on the previous page!  ZOMG WATCH!

Yay!  OMG it's been 6 years since we heard this themesong!!! It's Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平

For the record Bunpei returned to Sasuke to be part of the Anniversary festivities but will be officially retired at the end of the tournament.

Ever the polite gentlemam, he bows to everyone in the audience at all of his appearances.

千葉県印西市役所勤務 - Inba City Hall Worker

Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平

I'm so excited to see him!

Rocking the short shorts even then, Bunpei was a Finalist in Sasuke 12

In fact for the tournaments that he was in, he had a really impressive record!

The last time he participated in Sasuke was waaaaaay back in 2008 during Sasuke 21 where he lost his balance (due to a nagging back injury that has never healed).

Bunpei making light of the fact that he didn't get to participate in two previous Anniversary events!  Sasuke 10 nor Sasuke 20. He's happy he was able to participate, even if for the last time, in the 30th tournament.

I already miss him. So happy though he's back even if for a short time.

How will he fare after a 6 year hiatus?

Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平 returns!

Still rocking those short shorts even at that age.  Go get'em Bunpei!!

Now the let's flash as many famous people and spoilers we can to raise the hype!

 

Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二 from ゴールデンボンバー (Golden Bomber)

Kenji's first tournament was in Sasuke 28

There his demise came early on the Rolling Escargotローリングエスカルゴ

He was so frustrated he went out so early

He stepped up his training and vowed to do better!

and.. TBS already spoiled how far he got just in the previous page.. LOL

俳優・「テラスハウス」てっちゃん Tetsuya Sugaya 菅谷哲也

Actor from "Terrace House"

Wow no one will ever say that no one has ever failed the Tarzan Rope again..

Because someone fails the Tarzan Rope in Sasuke 29. Please watch!

Kinnikun and Wacky (and everyone else) is horrified to see someone soooooo close to finishing fails on the 2nd to last obstacle.

Faceplant on the Long Jump! Look forward to it!™

Embarrassingly compromised position on the Hedgehog

Oh check it out! We get to see who's going to be cut from the show! Let's watch!

Wow I thought they'd have him in the main show!

Daisuke Naito 内藤大助 (Former WBC Flyweight Champion)

He was last seen in Sasuke 27

This is the Long Jump ロングジャンプ

And he lands with no issues

Log Gripロググリップ

He's reaaaaally taking his time looking for that small path that exists.

This is Sonic The Hedgehogヘッジホッグ

Squeeak!  Barely made it

Oh hai!  Sasuke commercial interrupted the run and because it's Nagano.

The Jump Hang Kaiジャンプハング改

LOL which he totally blows and lands on his butt!

The crowd finds the slip absolutely hilarious

He seems mortified!

He goes at it again but fails!

Ryo and Kong doing their best for the cameras

TBS reliving the mistake. He totally overshot the trampoline and ended up slipping on the outside padding.

I really thought he'd dq for scraping his food on the support but he really didn't land there (nor did he use it to support his weight) so it's legit.

Second time around he overshot the middle and didn't give himself enough height.

That's why he had no hope in catching the netting.

Daisuke Naito 内藤大助 (Former WBC Flyweight Champion) - Death by Jump Hang Kai

Shootboxer シュートボクシング
Rena レーナ 

She was last seen in Sasuke 29

as TBS is showing where she failed lol

Clear on the Long Jump

Doh! She almost made it to the end of the Log Grip

Gotta give her kudos for hanging on as long as she did, she never really got set on the obstacle.

Shootboxer シュートボクシング
Rena レーナ  - Death by Log Grip

Little Tiger - ムエタイ世界チャンピオン

Oh she's a girl!

Oh.. that's a fail set up if I ever saw one.. her arms aren't long enough to completely wrap around it.

That's to be expected unfortunately.

TBS using every angle

Little Tiger - ムエタイ世界チャンピオン - Death by Log Grip

HOW many people are on this platform? LOL

Professional Kickboxer プロキックボクサー
Takeru 武 尊

Clear on the Long Jump!

High hand hold on the Log grip but secure!

Time for the hedgehog

Oooooooh nope just let go man.. just let go! LOL

LOL the Hedgehog is coming to a halt as he's trying to will himself back up!

Takeru 武 尊 - Death by Hedgehog

俳優・烈車戦隊トッキュウジャー - Actor

Ryusei Yokohama 横浜流星 

clear on the Long Jump

Clear on the Log Grip

Oooooooooh nope you can't jump that! LOL

Oh he's trying to will himself back up!

LOL Gotta give him props for trying! LOL

Ryusei Yokohama 横浜流星 - Death by Hedgehog

Hey the BMX course! LOL

Sasuke 30!  It's coming!

We got Nagano!

We got Yamada's Tigers!

We got .. er.. that's Drew right?

We got drama with a nekkid man running in water!

Goggled man IN water.. /shakesfistatbackstream

We got a total spoiler!

We got another total spoiler!

We got some PDA!

More PDA!

Grinning kids!

Strangely unaffected kids! (cough sorry Ube I'm totally borrowing that)

Pretty ladies crying and not messing up their manicures!

Cliff hanger madness!

Totally someone in the final! Please watch!!

A total last minute edit to the show is the Yamada appearance at LaLaport

TBS went all out and rented space outside of LaLaport Toyosu.

It was a two day event, free to the public

Where literally anyone could try 3 obstacles from Sasuke.

All of this was to help promote the July 3rd airing of Sasuke 30!

I blogged about this event

Mr. Sasuke was on hand on day 1 along with the Shin Sedai to help promote the show

It was an ingenious promotional device to introduce people back to the show.

They gave them the opportunity to see the current 2-Time champion in action

And cross promote deals with LaLaport which is a shopping mall.

Don't forget to use your promotional coupon!

See you all on Thursday! I'll be here with bells on! mwahahahahhahaha

---

Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review

July 5, 2014, 9:46 am

≫ Next: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 2

≪ Previous: Sasuke 30 Navi - Part 2

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Sasuke spoilerific review ;) Warning.. incoming blog of Sasuke 30.. if you don’t want to know.. you have been warned ( ^ . ^ ) (Just remember.. there is NO USA Broadcast of this. NBC has renegotiated out of their contract to show Sasuke on USA soil. Yes.. you read that right.. Now with the death of G4 official and NBC not giving a damn about Sasuke Japan, we will never see Sasuke Rising on US television (or any overseas country for that matter unless everyone buys the original 4 hour broadcast from TBS). For a preview of this event, please see SASUKE 30 NAVI an hour preview of Sasuke Rising with a review of the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup and fluff pieces of all the major players in the upcoming Sasuke. There were even a couple of runs that were cut from the official broadcast! I'm taking my time on the blogs. I'm still getting cluster headaches during the day so I have to pace myself when I do these blogs.

UBE'S LIVE-BLOG FOR SASUKE 30 IS HERE!

 

(Massive thanks to TBS for posting the names of all 100 competitors!  Thanks to Ube for his help on the names in English!!)

 

Before we start, TBS tried an experiment.  They had a live nico nico broadcast that started about an hour before the actual broadcast of Sasuke and continue about an half hour after the broadcast (total of about 5 hours long). This broadcast ran concurrently with Sasuke 30's broadcast and had color commentary with a few Sasuke competitors.  Started off with Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 along with New Generation Stars Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 and Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 (all shown laughing above).

Hosts of the event were Sasuke Producer Hiroki Kikuno 菊野浩樹 (left) and Sasuke Director Masato Inui 乾雅人 (right).  Before the broadcast and after the broadcast they fielded questions from the viewing audience that grew as the broadcast wore on. 

Kikuno, Inui, Shingo, Kanno and Ryo

This was the set up you saw the whole night.  They had monitors in front of them that showed the questions/chat and the actual television broadcast. However, you never saw Sasuke stream through Nico Nico.  It was meant to watch along with them but not serve as a replacement.

Inui holding up the portrait of American Drew Dreschel

 

I've had a Nico Nico account for about 7 years now (which I've used for special free broadcasts - usually anime) so I just logged in and kept it on during the tournament on my PC, while I watched the tournament on my Laptop. LOL  This is the main set up. It's just before Sasuke came online so I took some screenshots before I was engrossed in the main show itself.  This was during the fielding questions portion before the show started to air on TBS.  By the end of the Nico Nico broadcast there were 82632 viewers.

 

1997

Here we go!  Sasuke One... now almost a full 17 years ago.. A project spin off from Kinniku Banzuke back in 1997. TBS started by showing clips representing each year Sasuke was on air. This of course was 1997.

1998

1999

This is the year when  Sasuke All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama秋山和彦 become Sasuke's First Champion.

1999

This is when Sasuke All-star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己 was in his prime.

2000

This is when Sasuke All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 started making a name for himself in Sasuke.

2001

This is when Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 made it to his 2nd Final Stage.

2001

This is when TBS started making up stuff about Nagano being Yamada's protege even though we all know now this whole thing was fabricated for television. For the record, Nagano wasn't happy with this portrayal and TBS had to drop the ruse.  That said, TBS won't ever let go of it even if they know this was all a hoax.  TBS is tenacious. LOL

2001

This is when Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 started to make a name for himself.

2002

TBS has been milking this Mr. Yamada crying scene for 12 years now.  Yep.. Let that sink in.. 12.. years. Anyway this is the famous "Sasuke is my life" quote from (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己

TBS magically fast-forwarding to 2008 to the last time Sasuke had an anniversary event.  This was Sasuke 20 from March, 2008 (incidentally the month that the Rambling Rican blog was born!)

Also from 2008 and the now famous Sasuke 21 trials that ran that summer that introduced to us the men that would comprise of the Shin Sedai (新世代) literally "New Generation".  This is  Kazuma Asa朝一眞 back in 2008.

A baby version of Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 from 2008 when he still openly wore his Cliffer/UNCLI shirt.

2009 marked the rise of Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 who also was part of that "Sasuke Trials Qualifier" (STQ) group that stormed in during the summer of 2008.

And the most famous out of the Class of 2008 STQ group is none other than the (now)  2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3). His wins were aired in 2010 and 2011.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

Now they go through the different occupations of these Sasuke Stars. This is something that always set this show apart from all others. It's the Average Joe's Olympics so to speak.  Fisherman: 漁師

New Generation Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞

Tree Craftsman 植木職人 (He's a tree trimmer)

Masashi Hioki日置 将士

電気店長 Electronics Store Manager

Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次

Delivery Work 配送業

Sasuke All-star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟

Car mechanic 自動車整備

New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒

Plumber 配管工

2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3)

Shoe something 靴 (I can't figure out the last 2 kanji)

New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

Janitorial work 清掃業

Sasuke All-star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己

Iron works 鉄工所

Present Day!

Trust me you will be seeing a LOT more from him.  This is Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二 from the music group ゴールデンボンバー (Golden Bomber)

Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平

Sasuke fans have been awaiting the return of this man!  Bunpei has been missing since Sasuke 21 (6 years ago) and has returned for the Anniversary Special only to be officially retired right afterward.

Now for the spoiler pics from the Sasuke 30 tournament!  I put only a few clips since they did a lot of rapid fire clips.  This is Shingo and Takeda lamenting the loss of someone.

Asa trying to pump himself up!

A very focused Makoto Nagano

An unlucky fall from Stage Two.. wait.. did I actually HEAR the announcer during the promo say exactly who this was? LMFAO Only true SMF fans will know who this is ahead of time based on that spoiler!

A very purple Third Stage

.. wtf is that obstacle?

And the placement of the title for the program while they yell that someone is going up the tower!

Returning from Sasuke 28's "room"

Ms. Pouty Lips and Mr. Car Salesman....

Nana Katase 片瀬那奈 and Jay Kabira 川平慈英 

 

.. oh oh.. they are back. Hopefully they will keep this to a minimum (like Sasuke 29 where they only showed up between stage breaks and not inserted as boxes before)  This time Nana doesn't have that fugly frilled disaster around her neck from 28 and she looked good in 29.  I swear she's gotten much better looking as the rooms progress!  She looks the best yet!

New chick on the block

Ruriko Kojima 小島瑠璃子 - Gravure idol

Ah she's one of those people. I guess her fans won't really recognize her with actual clothes on. LOL

Returning from Sasuke 29 is Actor Teruyuki Tsuchida 土田晃之. I actually liked him from Sasuke 29 because he calls BS on the same things I did from 29 and he hated the Backstream!! Aahahahaha

Returning from 28 and 29 is Actress Takejo Aki あき竹城

They turn around to see the year posters with memorable moments from each of the 30 tournaments represented. This was recorded during the first ever preview party ever held. I want a poster!!!!!!

From the first Sasuke in 1997 to Sasuke 4/1999's Kanzenseiha to the Sasuke 30/2014 poster that is intentionally left blank since this is the tournament we are watching.

A reminder that Sasuke 29 also doubled as the Japan qualifier for the Sasuke Asean Open Cup that finally took place (much later than expected) in Malaysia on February 20-23, 2014.

Team Japan participated in the event on day 4 (Team Finals) in the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup. (Full coverage of the event was done in Sasuke Navi last weekend)

There were 7 teams participating in the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup.   Team Taiwan台湾 led by Sasuke Veteran Lee En-Chih (リー・エンチ)(李 恩至)

Team Malaysiaマレーシア

Team Singapore シンガポール

Team Brunei and Indonesia were skipped in this intro but we also had Team USA er.. Team Americaアメリカ to round out the 7 countries in the event.

Team Malaysiaマレーシア wins the Bronze Medal, Team Japan日本 wins the Silver Medal and Team Americaアメリカwins the Gold Medal!

Back to the studio where they talk very briefly about what they just saw (and this section was really short).

Then Jay drops a bomb that there's already a Final Stage for this tournament.  Everyone is in shock that the show hasn't even aired yet and they spoiled the end! LOL

Aaaaah. I'm so happy.  We are back to just "Sasuke" again.  I knew there was a lot of confusion so while we all know this is the Sasuke Rising era, we are back to calling the show what we already know it is on the title.  This is officially "Sasuke 2014".

Whoot already on the First stage!  Here we go!

Milking the crane rental we get a Birdseye view of the First Stage.

105 seconds to complete the 1st Stage.

First stage looks mostly untouched.. except that final obstacle to the buzzer!

Returning Sasuke "Don't call me a Rookie" Announcer - Tomohiro Ishii 石井大裕

And since Navi showed the first competitor we start with the 2nd!

俳優・「テラスハウス」てっちゃん Tetsuya Sugaya 菅谷哲也

Actor from "Terrace House" 

 

LOL I'll save my jokes about him being a power ranger.. no wait.. I just did. LOL  A note from the Navi broadcast: Jenn a longtime-Rambling Rican reader stated:  the kanji/kana after actor for Yokohama Ryusei is Ressha Sentai ToQger, the Super Sentai he's currently on

See? I told you that you'll be seeing him more often!

This is the Long Jump ロングジャンプ

LOL Drew is wearing a Goku shirt (The kanji 亀 meaning turtle - Master Roshi's kanji) from Dragonball Z.  Kong also wearing a Dragonball Z shirt on the left (I'll see later if it's the same kanji)!

Log Gripロググリップ

This is Sonic The Hedgehogヘッジホッグ

Really taking his time on the Hedgehog

The Jump Hang Kaiジャンプハング改

And he got it!

Well that answered the question if this is legal! LOL I mean it should be since in the old Jump hang you had the option of going up or down. I don't see why no one else has done it!

This is probably why as he's getting tangled up, taking face plants (here) and generally going slower. However, I don't believe he had the strength to hold himself up going across the "normal" way anyway.

After what seems like an eternity he finally gets out of the netting but the time is almost up.

At least he tried to run up the wall to see if he could do it.  Good effort but just not enough time time. He took too long earlier and the Jump Hang Kai just ate the rest of the time.

Tetsuya Sugaya 菅谷哲也 - Death by Time up on the Double Warped Wall

That doesn't instill confidence!

and what painful stunt does he have planned for us this time?

It's Katsuhide Torisawa鳥澤 克 this time with weights and 2 spotters!

as usual he expends all of his energy before he ever starts the course.

He jumps and... does he? does he?

YES! he makes it only to go face first in the sand. LOL

Slowly recovering and probably in shock he's here, he finally gets on the Log Grip

Wow he didn't fall!  He clears the Log Grip!

Now CRAWLING to the next obstacle..

Sucking wind.. trying to find the patch through the Hedgehog

Nope! I didn't think so. LOL

Okay I got a good look at the shirt.  That's King Piccolo's kanji 魔!

Katsuhide Torisawa鳥澤 克 - Death by Hedgehog

Comedian (Dangan Jackie) 芸人（弾丸ジャッキー）
Orakio オラキオ

Clear on the Long Jump

Nice and high grip on the Log Grip

oh .. he made it juuuuuuust staying on the pad

Facing down his nemesis from 29..

And he clears with a little effort!

ooh that doesn't look like he got a good lift on the trampoline for the Jump Hang.

His comedy partner grins at the loss

Fellow comedians Kinnikun and Wakky have a half hearted awww

Missed the trampoline high so he had no lift

Good attempt diving for it though!

Orakio オラキオ - Death by Jump Hang Kai

More commiseration from the talentos in waiting

I'm sure someone will tell me where she's from. I don't immediately recognize her. Either way she's on a snowboard?

wait.. that's.. a guy?
Doumo Narita 成田童夢 - former snowboarder

Clear on the Long Jump

Yeah that's a guy.. you can tell by the size of the handgrips (women have a smaller set and much closer together)

 clear on the Log Grip

Doumo Narita 成田童夢 - Death by Hedgehog

Wow it seems early for Fast Forwards already! Anyway, here we go!  Masami Waki 脇 雅美 - Death by Hedgehog.

  Yuuta Kiyomiya 清宮裕太 - Death by Jump Hang Kai

TV Guide guy Seiki Tanaka 田中晴輝 - Death by Long Jump

Oh I remember shim! It's "Hibari"妃羽理 (Sasuke 6-14) Seems it brought along a few students.

Yukimasa Ono 尾野透雅 (who is the envy of all Americans who have to wait until they are 21 to compete in the USA LOL) is the first of Hibari's students to go.

Yukimasa Ono 尾野透雅 - Death by Log Grip!

What.. is this.. Yasuko やすこ

 

Okay it's considered a girl. The short and thin grips on the Log Grip are for women and kids. Yasuko やすこ - Death by Log Grip

Hiroto Ida 井田洋人 - Death by Log Grip

 Hibari is shown yelling it's disappointment

Yukiko Oonishi 大西由希子

Yukiko Oonishi 大西由希子 - Death by Log Grip

Yamada's group, btw, is called "黒虎," or "Black Tiger."

I see there are more hangers-on to the Black Tigers this time around.

 They call the group Yamada's Gundan (like an army corps).. but I can't help think of Gundam.. so I'm still expecting a robot being assembled or something. So I'm still disappointed.

Previously on the "let's ride on Yamada's coattails" in Sasuke 29 instead of actually going through Sasuke Trials like everyone else...

The Tigers all got demolished in one spectacular way...

or the other.. none passed the First Stage

So back on the lot that TBS faked that was demolished.. (never ever believe what they show you on television LOL), They show Yamada welding something together on his front lawn.

So these guys tried getting on the show but luckily only 3 were sent to Sasuke 30.

First up is snake eater Shinji Matsubara 松原慎治

Clear on the Long Jump

 On to the Log Grip

Yamada running alongside giving.... advice?

ehem.. I'm being good.. I really am.. clear on the Hedgehog

Successful on the Jump Hang

Moving through the Jump Hang Kai

This is the.. Ni Ren Soritatsu Kabe 2連そり立つ壁 - What I call the Double Warped Wall.  He clears the first wall.

Yamada and the rest of the Tigers giving support

2nd wall cleared

Onwards to the Tarzan Ropeターザンロープ  (yes.. it's its own obstacle..)

Yamada saying he has enough time with 27 seconds left until he runs out of time.

 and on to a new obstacleeeeeeeeee.. he overshot the landing pad...

 But first everyone has a headache during this wedding!

 And the Softbank dog needs to be shoved off a sumo arena!

anyway back in Tarzan Ropeland™ he keeps going back and forth...

and then everyone hears that he has to stop (disqualified)

Shinji hears the announcement as well.. 

Everyone (Morimoto, Asa and Ryo) is confused.. then stunned at the announcement..

Meanwhile an obviously irritated Yamada goes back to the start as the next of the Tigers is set to go. There's no consoling coming from Yamada...

Slow motion replay reveals he dragged his left foot across the water.

Shinji Matsubara 松原慎治 - Disqualification on Tarzan Rope

Up next for the Black Tigers is Koshige Yamamoto 山本浩茂

Koshige Yamamoto 山本浩茂 is a SEGA Employee

The last time he was in Sasuke he failed on the Jump Hang Kai

.. they are rolling out his dying mother in the hospital?

Koshige Yamamoto 山本浩茂 is the only one of the Tigers to actually get a fluff piece!

and he clears the Long Jump

And the Log Grip

And the Hedgehog

and hung on to the Jump Hang Kai

Yamada barking out orders

Clear on the first wall

Clear on the 2nd wall!

 Yamada looking at how much time is left on the clock

 But first.. these commercials..

And we are back at the Tarzan Rope..

This Tiger actually keeps his shoes dry and lands on the floating pad

 THIS is the ⑦ ^Lumberjack Climbランバージャッククライム

Think of Spider Flip/Heartbreaker wall that's much longer

Way longer.. it's the full length of that wall.

With plenty of time left he celebrates the First Stage Clear!

Yamada celebrates!  Someone he inappropriately touched passed the First stage!

He bows in appreciation. He's technically the 2nd clear of the day (more on that later)

 Koshige Yamamoto 山本浩茂  collapses in tears

Koshige Yamamoto 山本浩茂 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR 

I.. don't ever believe him when he fake cries..

especially since literally a second later his eyes are dry..

Anyway a truly happy and properly teary-eyed Yamamoto is thanking his master.

So wait.. you weren't dying afterall?

No.. I just broke my arm..

PART TWO Soon™

Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 2

July 8, 2014, 7:46 am

≫ Next: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 3

≪ Previous: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review

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Sasuke spoilerific review ;) Warning.. incoming blog of Sasuke 30.. if you don’t want to know.. you have been warned ( ^ . ^ ) (Just remember.. there is NO USA Broadcast of this. NBC has renegotiated out of their contract to show Sasuke on USA soil. Yes.. you read that right.. Now with the death of G4 official and NBC not giving a damn about Sasuke Japan, we will never see Sasuke Rising on US television (or any overseas country for that matter unless everyone buys the original 4 hour broadcast from TBS). For a preview of this event, please see SASUKE 30 NAVI an hour preview of Sasuke Rising with a review of the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup and fluff pieces of all the major players in the upcoming Sasuke. There were even a couple of runs that were cut from the official broadcast! I'm taking my time on the blogs. I'm still getting cluster headaches during the day so I have to pace myself when I do these blogs.

(PART ONE)

UBE'S LIVE-BLOG FOR SASUKE 30 IS HERE!

(Massive thanks to TBS for posting the names of all 100 competitors!  Thanks to Ube for his help on the names in English!!)

I cracked up laughing at this part of the Nico Nico broadcast.  Granted they were there for 5 hours total but at one point you had someone walk behind them and start passing out their dinner. Takoyakiたこ焼き (Fried Octopus balls)  This is them eating them during the broadcast. Notice also that the talento guy (Shimon Ookura モデル 大倉士門) I mentioned before has joined them.

If you saw Navi you know who this family is!

Hioki's wife Mayumi 真弓 and their daughter Miyuna心結菜 and their baby son Ryusei 琉

Daughter Miyuna心結菜 performing on cue!  If you saw Navi, you know they practiced this cheer!

Masashi Hioki日置 将士

電気店長 Electronics Store Manager

Long-time readers of my blog will recognize this wipeout.  For those with good memories .. we saw him briefly in Sasuke Trials during one of my very early blogs - Summer, 2008 for Sasuke 21 - He was in the group that represented the All-Stars - his was Bunpei.  He failed (middle) by missing the Gliding Ring.

Still the photo has an error.  this was from 2009.. Poor guy was also in the Sasuke 22 Trials where he got to the final only to miss the final jump!  This is when he failed and was comforted by his new bride Mayumi 真弓 . 

It was their wedding where I got the phrase "Lucky Bastard that got Bunpei Shiratori to speak at his wedding".  For a long time, this was the only way people even knew who he was. Luckily he has a record now and people can remember his Sasuke history rather than anecdotes from trials.

Ya'll can remember the Geronimo jump that was in every commercial for in Sasuke 25

Hioki and TBS reminding us with a suckitude chart™ that he failed the first stage 3 times in a row.

Ssauke 29, with a pregnant wife and his young daughter looking on..

He finally cleared the First Stage.

All of his friends (whom we know as Stars now) ran to him after he cleared to give him congratulations.  It was his run that made Yuuji cry (and they made that part of the commercials that they played over and over again).

Now present day, Masashi Hioki日置 将士 gets ready to do the First stage!

Clear on Long Jump

No wait.. we have commercials! Hello Bunpei!

Masashi Hioki日置 将士

Clear on Log Grip

Taking his time on the Hedgehog

Left side grab on the Jump Hang Kai

And yes you can grab either side.

Clear on the First wall

Comes to a halt to eyeball the 2nd wall...

rewarded by clearing the 2nd wall on the first try

Now to the Tarzan Rope

clear on Tarzan rope

18 seconds to haul up the plank

Lumberjack climb is growing on me.

First Stage Clear!

Hioki's wife Mayumi 真弓 and their daughter Miyuna心結菜 and their baby son Ryusei 琉

Fellow STQ'er Asa celebrating his clear

A first look at who's #3000 in this tourney! That's Morimoto on the left

Masashi Hioki日置 将士 is happy to have cleared in back to back tournaments

Aww she's so pretty!

His Wife and Daughter celebrate his clear and baby is still too young to understand wtf is going on.

Masashi Hioki日置 将士 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR

Fellow talent and paid celebs ponder the course (Darvish, Wakky, Naito (who was #1) and Kinnikun.

Oh so he's actually a model - Shimon Ookura モデル 大倉士門 (he's the guy who is inexplicably in the Nico Nico studio with the rest of the stars)

Clear on the Long Jump

Making love to Sasuke Spray™

 Maybe he should have put some spray on his feet? He lets go too early and splashes his feet in the water.

Shimon Ookura モデル 大倉士門  - Death by Log Grip

More of Darvish who apparently is into grade school girls...

Not sure if he's just into kids? Whatever it is, it's funny.

Yuusuke Suzuki 鈴木祐輔 - Sasuke Sensei

Yuusuke Suzuki 鈴木祐輔 with his horde of kids!

Clear on the Long Jump

And the Log Grip

Smooth through the Hedgehog

Yay he caught the Jump Hang Kai

slowly working across the netting

Yay clear on the first wall!

Pole dancing to the 2nd Wall

He er.. is going the wrong way...

Wow not even close...

I could be wrong but it looks to me that's his 2nd and 4th grade classes represented?

Yeah he's not even close on his next attempt

Okay he finally reached with his hand! Still didn't catch it.

At least he kept trying and not giving up until the time was up.

LOL His students are going to rush to get to their teacher!

And Darvish decides he wants some of that action

Mad dash to get to the Teacher! LOL

Yuusuke Suzuki 鈴木祐輔 - Death by Time up on the Double Warped Wall

Teacher turns around and notices the horde running at him.. with a Golden Bomber among them!

Students cheering for their teacher for a great run!

Yay! It's Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平

Wait.. does he have makeup on?

Tasuku Nagase! 永瀬 匡 Ube says he's from Kamen Rider! OH! This is the guy Jenn was talking about. He's the Power Ranger! LOL

clear on Long Jump

Clear on Log Grip

No problems on the Hedgehog

Whoops!  Tasuku Nagase! 永瀬 匡 - Death by Jump Hang Kai

Ryusuke Yamamoto 山本涼介 - Actor!

Clear on Long Jump

Clear on Log Grip

Clear on Hedgehog

Whoops couldn't hang

Ryusuke Yamamoto 山本涼介 - Death by Jump Hang Kai

Shift change!

Veteran announcer Keisuke Hatsuta初田 啓介 is back ya'll!

TBS reminding us that it is indeed 3 people that cleared the First Stage so far.  There will be more on that later (as to why they didn't show the first clear in the main broadcast). I was worried that he would be eliminated entirely but I'm happy that they at least acknowledged his clear.

Oh wow!  The Bruce Lee impersonator from way back! It's been 9 years since he's been on the show!

 Toyohisa Iijima飯島豊久 is back!

And the jacket is off.. and has to readjust the elbow pads. LOL

Okay good he didn't fail on the first obstacle.

LOL Pose as usual before each obstacle

Clear on the Log Grip

Posing again before Hedgehog

Wow with no preparation he had no hope in clearing this. There's actually a path that people can walk through if they are patient. He wasn't and paid for it.

 Toyohisa Iijima飯島豊久 - Death by Hedgehog

One last funny face for the crowd. I hope he comes back!

Yay! He's back as well! This is his first Rising tournament. His last one was back in Sasuke 27 when M9 was still in control.

He's and actor and is known for his travel shows/documentaries, etc.

Kenjirou Ishimaru石丸謙二郎

Agreed with Ube, he can run rings around most people younger than him!

Kenjirou Ishimaru石丸謙二郎 ready for Sasuke Rising!

clear on the Long Jump.

Log grip shorter for women, children and senior citizens.

clear on the Log Grip

Clear on the Hedgehog

AWESOME! Caught the Jump Hang Kai!

caught on the right side but going really slowly

Struggling a bit trying to get across the netting

Oh.. he dropped his feet too low...

That moment when you feel the water on your shoe...

Morimoto screaming when he saw the foot touch the water

The dumb ditz who has no idea wtf is going on and trying to look like she is paying attention

Good for him for not falling in the water. He is obviously dejected. I am!

Yep.. pretty clear he skimmed the water with his foot.

Mo~o! もぉ (Geez) - Still though he's friggin' rockin' at 60 years old!

Kenjirou Ishimaru石丸謙二郎 - Death by Disqualification on Jump Hang Kai

 Mika Watanabe渡邊美香 - First woman to ever clear the Warped Wall in Sasuke history

This is a Fast Forward Section

Bah.. she started way to her right to begin with.

 Mika Watanabe渡邊美香 - Death by Hedgehog

Rina Sawayama澤山瑠奈

At least we don't get a zoom up of her chest like we have in previous tournaments...

And.. too early on the Log Grip so she splashes her feet

She's yelling that she had it!

Rina Sawayama澤山瑠奈 - Death by Disqualification on Log Grip

Rumi Hanai 花井瑠美 

Wow she got to the Jump Hang Kai!

Rumi Hanai 花井瑠美 - Death by Jump Hang Kai

 Asuka Kawaura 川浦あすか

Asuka Kawaura 川浦あすか - Death by Hedgehog

Joji Amano天野ジョージ

Got all the way to the 2nd wall!

This was the closest he got to clearing it. Kudos for not giving up!

Joji Amano天野ジョージ - Death by Time up on Double Warped Wall

 Kodama Kono 河野神樹

Takes off his hat

GERONIMO!

Oooooh left his foot hanging too low..

Kodama Kono 河野神樹 - Death by Disqualification on Long Jump

Taizo Wariya 割谷泰三

Wasn't sure which of the guys was running until now LOL

All the way to the Jump Hang Kai

Taizo Wariya 割谷泰三 - Death by Jump Hang Kai

And his headband is floating away!

Yay! I know who he is!  Boooo he's been Fast Forwarded!

Strange seeing him without glasses!  Only my blog readers and Sasuke Maniac Forum members will know who HE is. 

For those who remember, he is known by his nickname Jin (or forum member Shuhuqua) who has been really kind to do translations for me in 2 interviews - Morimoto and Tada. I'm happy that after 3 tries to get on Sasuke he has finally made it!

 Kung Cheen-Howng 洪 恭芹 - English Teacher 英語教師

Jin HAULING up the Lumberjack Climb with only 4 seconds left!

Sheer determination to get up that platform!

YES!  He clears!!!

That's our 4th clear!  Kung Cheen-Howng 洪 恭芹 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

Most people don't know that he trains with all of the STQ'ers so they are ELATED he cleared! I'm sure people watching at home going "wtf who is this guy?" LOL!

I'm really happy they showed this at least. That's Hioki, Yuuji, Kong all losing their marbles for Jin's clear. Many a training session was done to prepare for this day!

I'm so happy that TBS showed this! All that training paid off!

For those who remember this picture.. Now you know ( ^ . ^ ) ©Yuuji Urushihara

(Yuuji, Hioki, Okada, Jin, Kong)

Btw bonus if you know what pose this is!

This I wish they showed as well.  You had a few people running the course with him, including Drew Dreschel who was SCREAMING support the whole time!

Ryo and Morimoto high fiving each other for Jin!

So happy Morimoto finally got to meet Jin face to face after doing that interview for me via Skype! It wouldn't have been possible without Jin's help!

 PART THREE Soon™

Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 3

July 14, 2014, 1:52 pm

≫ Next: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 4

≪ Previous: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 2

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Sasuke spoilerific review ;) Warning.. incoming blog of Sasuke 30.. if you don’t want to know.. you have been warned ( ^ . ^ ) (Just remember.. there is NO USA Broadcast of this. NBC has renegotiated out of their contract to show Sasuke on USA soil. Yes.. you read that right.. Now with the death of G4 official and NBC not giving a damn about Sasuke Japan, we will never see Sasuke Rising on US television (or any overseas country for that matter unless everyone buys the original 4 hour broadcast from TBS). For a preview of this event, please see SASUKE 30 NAVI an hour preview of Sasuke Rising with a review of the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup and fluff pieces of all the major players in the upcoming Sasuke. There were even a couple of runs that were cut from the official broadcast! I'm taking my time on the blogs. I'm still getting cluster headaches during the day so I have to pace myself when I do these blogs.

(PART ONE) (PART TWO)

UBE'S LIVE-BLOG FOR SASUKE 30 IS HERE!

(Massive thanks to TBS for posting the names of all 100 competitors!  Thanks to Ube for his help on the names in English!!)

Note: Sorry for the massive delay. I got really sick with the cluster headaches (20 years and counting..) AND caught a bad summer cold that I couldn't stop sneezing and had nose bleeds.. and in one of the sneezing attacks I spilled water all over my PC keyboard rendering it useless.  I had to order another keyboard in the interim.  Thanks everyone for being so patient in understanding why the 3rd blog was so friggin' late.  Hopefully I'll be able to get this blog back on track with at least one every day.

Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広

Cement Truck Driver

There was a whole fluff piece dedicated to him in Navi so I only did a couple screens since most of this was repeated.

He qualified for Sasuke 21 (same time as Hioki) in the now famous (for me at least since that is where Rambling Rican really started to take shape) Sasuke 21 trials during the summer of 2008.

In Sasuke 21, he managed to clear the Half Pipe attack but he Shingo'ed the landing. The forward momentum he created dismounting the Half Pipe Attack made him lose his balance and he fell off course automatically disqualifying him.

This is the last family photo of Tomo and his parents and brother together.  When he was 15, his parents divorced.  Most don't ever see the divorce parent ever again. Kudos to both Tomo and Ryo (for those who remember his story) for bringing the divorcee back into their lives.  And being PUBLIC about it. The kids shouldn't have to chose sides when the parent's marriage is over. I'm happy that Tomohiro managed to grow as a person and seek out the missing person in his life he found important.  His father.

Father Sugio 杉男 is there to lend his public support of his son!

Hmm... who's timer is that? It's not Jin's..

Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広 - Still getting used to him having hair again!

Tomo: say what?... do you mean you want to see me bald again?
Me: no I didn't say that!

Oh!  Familycam™ activated!

Shades of Sasuke 28 where we had Box girl™.. now we have Box family™!

Anyway.. distracted again.. Tomo clears the Long Jump and Log Grip.

Easy clear on the Hedgehog

Almost trips dropping down into Jump Hang runway! LOL

Another left-side!

Smart.. he starts to move across the netting immediately.. he's flying through this!

Clear on the first wall

pole dancing

And clear on the 2nd wall

geez.. look at that time... he can sleep on this platform and still make it..

Successful dismount on the Tarzan Rope

Getting ready for the I'm a Lumberjack and I'm okay Climb

Tomo and the technicolor capris go up the plank!

Boxfamilycam™

Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

Shinya looks like he smelled a fart or something while Kong and Kanno cheer

Hioki doing a polite applause while Yuuji channeling Shingo from my previous blogs insisting that he won't uncross his arms!  Asa raising his arm because he's sure!

Yuuji probably saying to himself that he won't cheer until Tomo clears the 2nd stage unstable bridge.

67 people down and 5 clears!

Father Sugio 杉男 approves of this message!

No. 2968  Yuuya Kadono上遠野裕也
No. 2969  Taiga Hoshikawa星川大我
No. 2970  Hiromasa Katakabe片伯部浩正
No. 2971  Toshiharu Takami 高見俊治
No. 2972 Daisuke Morikami守上大輔
No. 2973 Shinya Kishimoto岸本真弥

No. 2974 Terukazu Ishikawa石川輝一

Wait.. WHAT?!?!?!?!? THEY ARE SHOWING A CLEAR CHART™!?  Seriously.. a chart.. for clears.. these 7 guys didn't even get a Fast Forward montage!  Ooooh Inui is eeeeeeeevil... I literally missed this screen when I first saw the broadcast. I turned around and I missed it.. it was that fast..

Morimoto listening to instructions

I don't normally do this for the actual tournament airing but it was important to show screenshots of this specific video for reasons I'll get into in a bit.  Two days before Sasuke 30's official airing on TBS, the official TBS Youtube posted a 10 minute behind the scenes video with cut runs, highlights and a competitor profile (Kenji Darvish) that is featured in this tournament airing as well. I figured I'd do the caps right before his run since it will make sense in the end. The following screenshots are from this 10 minute Youtube video. (Notice the top left of the screen announcing the tournament airing as opposed to the Tournament full name on the previous screenshot).

This is the registration line at 8:30 in the morning of Saturday, May 17, 2014, which was Day 1 of the taping of Sasuke 30.  Notice Jin (yellow backpack) is sticking out of the line making this camera person go around him. LOL

Kawaguchi in line with Shinya and Lee having a lively conversation.

Registration usually takes about an hour.

Arriving via VIP Minivan.. seriously? a minivan?  Ehem.. VIP Minivan are the paid stars which include Darvish (listed here - Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二 ), Mr. Shortshorts himself Kinnikun, Wakky arriving with his kid and Naito (who's still waiting to get out of the minivan)

At 10 am all the competitors are shown a demonstration of all the obstacles by testers in the First stage. This is of course so they can have a visual representation of how to clear the obstacles.

Yamada as a competitor watching on his own.

For those who missed his run in the tournament, Naito was #1 and his full run was shown on Navi.

This is why this video was important.  This is the first clear of the tournament which happened around Noon that day.

No. 2914 Noritomo Morisawa 森澤教有

If you notice that he's wincing in pain, it's because he is.  Morisawa apparently tweaked his neck during the run and after he cleared the first stage he went to the medical tent to be checked out.  It was determined by the doctor in charge that it would have been too risky to continue so he didn't run the 2nd stage at all. It's what we call a Doctor Stop™.

Now almost 2 hours after that we are at No. 2938 Tomoya Nagano 永野智哉

Tomoya Nagano 永野智哉 - Death by Jump Hang Kai

It's now 3:30 pm and it's time for No. 2958 Asuka Kawaura 川浦あすか

Asuka Kawaura 川浦あすか - Death by Hedgehog

Awww

Meanwhile back in Darvishland™ he asks permission to pass by to the restricted area

Sasuke All-star (Mr. Sasuke) Katsumi Yamada山田勝己

Yamada politely taking off his hat and greeting a huge fan

Kenji is worried like crazy about going out on the Hedgehog so he gets pointers from Yamada on how to clear it.  Katsumi telling him that there is a path to just simple walk through.

This most definitely looks like Ishikawa (above referenced Clear Chart™)

Kenji getting his number and decides on his abs

LOL on his decision of his official photo pose

voila!

Now it's 5:10 pm and No. 2978 Kane Anzai ケイン安齋 is up!

Kane clearing the Hedgehog

Kenji is up next and you can hear Kane's run going on in the background. It seems Kane timed out but we aren't sure where.

Kenji clearing the muck off his feet so he can apply a fresh coating of Sasuke Spray™

Sasuke All-Stars are looking to make sure that he isn't hogging both bottles of that stuff..

Dudes.. it's all mine.. get your own..

 mmmmm that's the stuff right there.. Sasuke Spray™

All-stars legitimately asking Kenji what he's freaked out about.. Kenji confides he's terrified of The Hedgehogヘッジホッグ obstacle.

mmm the smell of freshly waxed eyebrows..

Raise your hand if you're sure!  Btw Nagano and Takeda making fun of him now.. Oooooooh i want that towel.. Seriously TBS INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING PLEASE!

If you haven't figured out by now.. that's Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 on the left and Sasuke All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩  in the middle with a very bewildered Drew and Mike from the USA in the background. LOL Shingo is not quite aware of the conversation yet.

They are having a good time at the expense of Kenji right now.. they are poking fun at him for being terrified of failing on the Hedgehog.

 "Dude he's totally panicking now!"

Then they start saying "What about the stuff after it?"

Seems now Shingo wants in on this conversation now that he heard Nagano and Takeda totally cheesing a second ago.

They are truly evil aren't they?

"Okay how about the hedgehog, you know the thing with the spikes that spins?"

"Remember to go left!"

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 

I'm not entirely sure I want to see Takeda give advice.. given he failed that EXACT obstacle the last time around...

Wait you did fail it .. why should I listen to you?

Don't listen to him!  You'll fail if you listen to Takeda!

I'm not so sure we are helping...

Yeah.. though I gave the right advice this time..

I'm going to shut up now..

Have the All-stars jinxed Kenji or made him freak out even more?

Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二

LOL This camera guy working hard to get that shot.. he's RIGHT in the path! ahahhahahahah Anyway.. tune in Thursday and find out how he did! (end Youtube video clip and we return to our previously scheduled program already in progress)...

Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二 - back in the future!

Reminder from TBS that he was in the tournament in Sasuke 28.

Where he failed on the Rolling Escargot

This time he trained like crazy because he didn't want another humiliating exit. Here he is putting weight inside of a backpack.

And doing pull ups with the added weight.

and pushups with a guy riding on him...

Yay! Sasuke convert!  Doing cliffhanger training!

 Seems he hooked up with New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 during the off-season for some training advice.

(cough.. November 11, 2013)

Only he know his TRUE identity behind the painted mask and teased out hair.. LOL still laughing at how even in pics he put a hoodie and face mask since he wasn't using make up to cover his face!

Now back to the tournament after that huge tangent!

Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二 

Time for the camera guy to GTFO!

Clear on the Log Grip

Clear on the Hedgehog after all that buildup!

And WHOA!  He caught the Jump Hang Kai!

He's sloooowly working his way across with a lens flare that will make even J.J. Abrams proud!

Clear on the first wall!

No!  He didn't make the 2nd wall

but his 2nd try is successful!

He clearly looks tired as he stumbles to the Tarzan Rope.

Safe dismount but almost no time left!

Kenji hauling up the lumberjack climb but slipping almost every step of the way!

Oh this is not a good way to run up... as he starts to lose his grip..

Yep.. saw this coming..

Kinnikun doing a premature wtf while others are still cheering him

Kanno late to the party!

Drew: Say WHAT???

Shingo looking for an accomplice to share his laughter while Yuuji facepalms

Shingo literally high fiving? LMFAO

Meanwhile in Darvishland™ Kenji is distraught

He keeps screaming Mo~o! もぉ (Geez)

This is what killed his time.. each wall it took him a while to climb up since he lacked the strength to pull his body straight up and over (like most do)

 Kenji's valiant attempt to haul up the plank

Running out of options he tried to jam his feet higher hoping to hop up.. but it worked against him as that placed his hands further away from his body.

His hands slipped and down he went.

Shingo, clearly pleased he got an accomplice.. is running to jeer Kenji in person!

Nagano running closely behind with a cheesy grin also wants part of the action.

Then they realize that Kenji is not laughing so they just.. hang back.

Kenji sloooooooowly getting out of the water crying.

Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二 - Death by Lumberjack Climb

At least the reporter chick didn't ask any stupid questions and just let him grieve.

He finally yells Sumimasen! 済みません! I'm Sorry!

Soon! It's almost time for the All-stars!  Takeda!

 Shingo!

Bunpei!

and Nagano!  There's 4.. I repeat.. 4 of them competing today.. just 4.. that's right 5 is right out.. 4.. just 4 All-Stars..

Mmmmm chicken... 

wtf with this elephant..

... what is Japan's fascination with tentacles.. 

LMFAO they blurred out the competitor on the Final confirming it's not a tester.

PART FOUR

Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 4

July 15, 2014, 3:13 pm

≫ Next: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 5

≪ Previous: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 3

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Sasuke spoilerific review ;) Warning.. incoming blog of Sasuke 30.. if you don’t want to know.. you have been warned ( ^ . ^ ) (Just remember.. there is NO USA Broadcast of this. NBC has renegotiated out of their contract to show Sasuke on USA soil. Yes.. you read that right.. Now with the death of G4 official and NBC not giving a damn about Sasuke Japan, we will never see Sasuke Rising on US television (or any overseas country for that matter unless everyone buys the original 4 hour broadcast from TBS). For a preview of this event, please see SASUKE 30 NAVI an hour preview of Sasuke Rising with a review of the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup and fluff pieces of all the major players in the upcoming Sasuke. There were even a couple of runs that were cut from the official broadcast! I'm taking my time on the blogs. I'm still getting cluster headaches during the day so I have to pace myself when I do these blogs.

(PART ONE) (PART TWO) (PART THREE)

UBE'S LIVE-BLOG FOR SASUKE 30 IS HERE!

(Massive thanks to TBS for posting the names of all 100 competitors!  Thanks to Ube for his help on the names in English!!)

So, with Yamada deleted from the show for being and ass we go to this.  If you needed further proof that no one is sacred in Sasuke, queue the All-Stars Fast Forward Montage!  Prepare to Fast Forward!

Sasuke All-Star Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

Takeda celebrating and the guys are already walking back to the start! LOL

Happy that these All-Stars are here until they want to leave on their own. I enjoy watching them.

Nagano and Shingo buggering off going "yay okay he made it.. time for Shingo now.." 

Takeda raising the ante so Shingo can't screw up now.

Comedian Kinnikun Nakayamaなかやまきんに君  - FIRST STAGE CLEAR

I'm so happy they didn't zoom up to his short shorts without underwear..

And just like that we have 14 clears after 81 competitors. You didn't see 7 of them so you aren't confused. It just wasn't shown. LOL

With those two clears out of the way we are up to Wakky ワッキー

Clear on Long Jump

Clear on Log Grip

Taking his time eyeballing the Hedgehog

And clear on the Hedgehog

Stops just short of the Jump Hang Kai

Backs up to reset

And it paid off!  He gets it!

Carefully crossing the right side of the cargo net

Clear on the first wall

Resets to make sure he gets a good run up to the 2nd wall (I don't like when they do this..)

But it works for him again as he clears it on the first try.

Up to the Tarzan rope with plenty of time

Clear on the Tarzan Rope

Going up the Lumberjack Climb

Herds of time!

Already celebrating!

Wakky ワッキー - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

Don't know his kid's name!

Prepare to fast forward AGAIN!  Any faster and I'll get friggin' whiplash!

Koki Someya染谷幸喜 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

 Gaah!  TBS HATES HIM!  WHY?  WHY IS HE FAST FORWARDED?

Shunsuke Nagasaki長崎峻侑 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR

I mean seriously.. people want to see HIM! He's also very consistent and he's always fast forwarded now?  Is is because he was from the Monster 9 era?  Seriously TBS..

Wow even Taiwan's Lee En Chiリー・エンチ is fast forwarded!  FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

Okay TBS spent time to do fluff pieces on Drew so they better not fast forward him!

Oh he gets another fluff piece!

Ya'll remember the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup (if you haven't where have you been? LOL Been blogging about it for months and it's all on Navi!)  From Team America アメリカ, Quadruple Gold medalist Drew Dreschelドリュー・ドレッシェル

You have no idea how happy it makes me that they actually went to Houston, Texas to get this video. I know it's a pain and I know it's expensive but I'm really happy they did this instead of relying on the ANW video of him breaking his leg in Sasuke 27.

Here he works training the next Ninja Army!

Ninja Training for everyone goes on here!

Sports Instructor!

They had a montage of him training on a few of the obstacles in the gym.

Drew arriving to Japan with buddy Mike Bernardo from Team America as support!

If ya'll blinked you might have missed that we are up to 18 clears now! Yeah.. you missed a lot when you blinked didn't ya?

Drew not helping by standing still for me long enough for a good shot! LOL

Drew Dreschelドリュー・ドレッシェル

Long Jump Clear

Log Grip Clear!

Hedgehog Clear

Jump Hang Kai Clear!

First wall clear!

and the second!  LOL I'm not doing this on purpose.. he's going this fast..

Worst part of this is that he's not going "GOING" fast.. he's just.. fast naturally.

Whooooah.. he clears the Tarzan Rope

And up the Lumberjack Climb

Again he's not hauling or anything.. he just had a nice fast pace.

And he clears the first stage on his 2nd try!  No hospital trips this time!  YAY Drew!

Drew Dreschelドリュー・ドレッシェル - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

And the All-Stars watching in awe!

They like the speed and decency of Drew with no histrionics or showboating!

Now their attention goes to the next guy on deck!

One of their own with Shingo next for the Sasuke All-Stars.  See the stagger of All-Stars and New Generation mixed in for the last 9 guys to run? I like that. Wish they didn't fast forward so much because I would love to see that.

Up to the 19th clear and Drew has the top time beating No. 2969 Taiga Hoshikawa星川大我s time on a run we never saw! LOL  (Hoshikawa was part of the Clear Chart™ that was inexplicably introduced this tournament)

Ah.. I see TBS trying to drum up the "rival" thing with Asa/Drew again.

LOL are we going to see ANY of the All-stars full runs today? So help me I'll throw something if they Fast Forward Bunpei...

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

 LOL I see Nagano already turning his back on Shingo to go back to the start.

 Sucks when it happens to you doesn't it? LOL

Wow.. being 2-Time and Defending Champion doesn't mean anything anymore... 2nd tournament in a row his first stage is fast forwarded.. TBS wants to know why people aren't bonding with the new stars?  HERE is an example. Stop fast forwarding your Champions and Finalists.

  2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3)

 New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒

He's a plumber now despite him soldering pipes

Ever the Sasuke fan he has kept his journals since he was a kid

In probably the neatest penmanship ever from a kid, he refers to his notes of when he wanted to be Sasuke Champion.

For the kids who don't know what these things are.. these are VHS tapes!

Ah yes.  Thanks TBS for pointing this out.. the time when Ryo almost died because he trained too much under water for the stupid backstream...

 Ryo was hospitalized because he was suffocating.

They had to perform surgery to puncture into his lungs and chest cavity to allow him to breathe freely.

He developed 気胸 - Pneumothorax 

It took months for him to recover to the point of being able to lift weights.

Cute but rare photo of Ryo smiling.

I wonder when was the last time Ryo actually had fun DURING Sasuke.. I miss his smile on set. Now with the weight of the title and expectations given to anyone with the name "Star" on it, he seems to have lost the spark that made him unique to me.

 Anyway, clear on the Long Jump

Clear on the Log Grip

Clear on the Hedgehog

Left side on the Jump Hang Kai

Btw yes that's the time.. you can tell though he's GOING for fast time as opposed to Drew who was naturally fast and didn't look like he was exerting himself.

Clear on 2nd wall

almost takes a header going for Tarzan Rope

almost again since it's painfully clear he's doing this as a time attack.

Going up the Lumberjack Climb

Hauling

Yep. He was totally gunning for it.

Everyone reacting to the fast time

WHOOOOOOOOOAAAAAH NELLY!

His mother Miki 美樹 (remember the whole story of why her being here is extremely important)

Now Ryo has the top time to beat as they have made it into a time attack (the way the All-stars used to do back in the day).

New Generation Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR

 And then there were 6 left including Makoto.

This is funny.. Nagano gets the itch to address the crowd!

He yells out something with mina-san (which means everyone)

And then giggles and everyone laughs

Then just as quickly stands next to Takeda like nothing ever  happened leaving the audience to laugh.

AGAIN?  He's seriously has to be one of the most fast forwarded guys in the history of the show...

 Make way for the KONG EXPRESS!

Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

Oh he had a great time as well!

LOL He is now making a ritual of dramatically taking each of his elbow pads one by one and throwing them to the crowd below! ahahahhahahaha

You know.. he's clearly a narcissist at this point..

Yep.. he loves his body more than anyone else.. 

 New Generation Star Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

Kanno's wife Emiko 笑子 with their son Yuuto 雄仁

YAY!  They aren't going to fast forward him!!!

High Fives from the All-Stars!

This is touted to be the Swan's Last Song as he's expected/requested to retire at the end of this tournament. I for one am sad because I loved watching this man compete. He's the gentleman in the group of the All-Stars with his quiet demeanor and consistent record.

Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平 is from Chiba千葉県. Many remember he lives far up in the mountains in Inba Village.

He's the equivalent of a social worker where he volunteered years ago to dedicate himself to helping the aging population in the rural village by keeping them active and healthy.

My goodness... this was almost 12 years ago?  A very young Bunpei made his debut in Sasuke 9.

Where he stunned viewers one footing the Jump Hang trampoline successfully.

He's also a former Sasuke Finalist back in 2003 during Sasuke 12.

He's had a few health problems prop up over the years that has prevented him from competing more consistently. Mostly back and then more recently knee problems.

The last time he participated in Sasuke was waaaaaay back in 2008 during Sasuke 21 where he lost his balance (due to a nagging back injury that has never healed).

Most people remember Bunpei as the owner the "Shiratori Shrine" which was the name of his backyard course he built after Sasuke 11.

On rare occasions he had the rest of the All-stars come over to train with him.  It was rare since they only ever met during the tournament since they all live so far apart from each other. This was the introduction to course years ago to Akiyama, Takeda and Nagano.

Yamada has come on his own a few times to train. This was one of those occasions.

However, this is the status of his home now.  A pristine lawn with no obstacles. Sometime in 2009 he dismantled the course.

He still has photos on his phone of the course he still has fond memories of.

Many people thought he'd never return. I always held out hope (as did TBS) since he was always listed as injured but not retired.

So I'm elated to see him wearing a number and in Sasuke as a competitor. I really wished this isn't his last run.

Bunpei always comes with a bus filled with Inba Village supporters.

And always the gentleman he politely bows to everyone in the crowd and everyone recording the show.  Which always makes this difficult to screenshot! LOL

Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平

 Clear on the Long Jump

Lol did the Log Grip get a patch job? I suddenly noticed this now...

 Clear on Log Grip

Oh camera people are having a field day with the awesome angles during his run!

Taking his time NOT to Takeda™ this Hedgehog.

.. really taking his time..

K there's the opening and he's taking it nice and easy.

And clear. Yay!

aaaann.. wait no that doesn't look right!!!!!!!

wait what happened? He was looking up and not paying attention to his feet or something?

He had zero lift.. 

A horrified crowd sees the dismount

And the splash!

Drew and Morimoto are left to wonder what went wrong

Sideview of Bunpei running in the background..

And you hear the splash as Takeda facepalms

Shingo and Takeda can't believe what they are seeing.

Wow Shingo didn't crack up he's just dismayed.  Takeda is just happy that's not him.

Nagano seems to have seen this coming apparently.

He's just as disappointing as I am!  You don't want to see this as the "last" run on a mistake like that.

Bunpei can't believe he missed the Jump Hang of all obstacles.

Truly heartbreaking.

K let's see what happened.. oooooooooooh I see it.. 

TBS reminding us that in the past he was famous for one footing the trampoline

And generating his own height from the technique developed through years of triple jumping.

His mistake which is common for this tournament, is that he over shot the trampoline and hit the metal frame.

I'm curious if they shortened the run up to the Jump Hang a bit and it's throwing everyone's timing.

Now since Morimoto is the final competitor they ask him the stupid questions and spare the All-Stars. LOL  Lucky him.

Classic Nagano: "Mottainai"もったいない "What a waste" or basically "That's a shame wasted potential on a mistake like that".

Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori白鳥文平 - Death by Jump Hang Kai

He's so frustrated... 

Added from SMF (Thanks midoriyamanosaru) because I hope he left himself an opening...

Interviewer: How's your knees and lower back / hips?
Shiratori: Well, I didn't feel any discomfort while I was running the course.
Interviewer: How about the next one (Sasuke)?
Shiratori: Well… Let me see...
Interviewer: You mentioned that you will take responsibility... (and will decide to retire officially?)
Shiratori: Yes, but after I've done it, well, as long as I could still run...mmmm

PART FIVE

Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 5

July 16, 2014, 4:17 pm

≫ Next: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 6

≪ Previous: Sasuke 30 Spoilerific Review - Part 4

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Sasuke spoilerific review ;) Warning.. incoming blog of Sasuke 30.. if you don’t want to know.. you have been warned ( ^ . ^ ) (Just remember.. there is NO USA Broadcast of this. NBC has renegotiated out of their contract to show Sasuke on USA soil. Yes.. you read that right.. Now with the death of G4 official and NBC not giving a damn about Sasuke Japan, we will never see Sasuke Rising on US television (or any overseas country for that matter unless everyone buys the original 4 hour broadcast from TBS). For a preview of this event, please see SASUKE 30 NAVI an hour preview of Sasuke Rising with a review of the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup and fluff pieces of all the major players in the upcoming Sasuke. There were even a couple of runs that were cut from the official broadcast! I'm taking my time on the blogs. I'm still getting cluster headaches during the day so I have to pace myself when I do these blogs.

(PART ONE) (PART TWO) (PART THREE) (PART FOUR)

UBE'S LIVE-BLOG FOR SASUKE 30 IS HERE!

(Massive thanks to TBS for posting the names of all 100 competitors!  Thanks to Ube for his help on the names in English!!)

 

Now back to the New Generation! Asa's Turn!

Oh.. they are adding a new story I haven't heard. Seems he got some hand-made good luck charms that he keeps inside of his shoes/boots/thingies.

Our humble tree trimmer

 Kazuma Asa朝一眞

Aahahahaha for the main broadcast they dialed back the snark and just put Tree Trimmer without the "teary" part. If ya'll remember back just from last week where in Navi they had him the equivalent of the "Crying Gardener"..  (Technically the phrase is: Teary 涙の Tree Craftsman 植木職人)

And of course referencing the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup that was heavily featured in Navi.

Seems Asa went to Malaysia with something to prove (after the disaster from last year in the USA) and on the first day of Individual Finals he fell on the Spider Walk knocking him out of contention.

He carries with him home made luck charms to help him keep going.

Clip from Navi with a special someone in the background

We spot a new chick in town!  No idea what her name is though..

In Malaysia, Asa was inspired by the man who would defeat everyone in that event, Team USA's Drew Dreschel.  It was watching Drew seemingly effortlessly that lit a fire within Asa to try to aspire to be like him, if not better.

And thus on the Field of Defeat in Malaysia the spark of rivalry (ehem...) inspiration was born!

So he's at Sasuke hoping all of his hard work comes to fruition. (i.e. he's going for fastest time)

GirlfriendCam™

魂：meaning spirit or soul, so his back is meant to read "The spirit of Sasuke or the soul of Sasuke" seems to have been his good luck kanji as he always wears it on his bare back.

Maybe his clothes are dirty so he doesn't wear it for that reason?

Maybe not, but this poor dog's clothes are literally reeking yellow poo gas...

New Generation Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞

Clear on the Long Jump

Clear on the Log Grip

Flying through the Hedgehog

Catches the Jump Hang Kai

Oh yeah.. he's going for fastest time..

Up the first wall

Up the second wall

Hauling to grab the Tarzan rope

Already on the floating mat

Hauling up the Lumberjack Climb

what is up with his armpits?

And quickly looks at his time..

New Generation Star Kazuma Asa朝一眞 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

Meanwhile Nagano having a private moment with some Sasuke Spray.

Oooooh he hears Asa got the fastest time.

Dem whippersnappers.. so that's what this feels like when I was in my prime and then had to follow that performance.

GirlfriendCam™

Asa officially top dog with Ryo just behind him and Drew who wasn't even trying in 3rd. LOL

98 down, 25 clears

Because I can

LOL Takeda totally cheesing guarding Nagano's shoes

Shingo celebrating that his new uniform now has a new hat rule.

Asa having a tearful interview about potential and expectations.

Yay we get to see the Caning Ritual™! (Somehow typing that out makes me sound evil...) Now to the present as we get set for the very solemn Sasuke caning ritual™ presided by Brother Takeda who already has a silly grin on his face.

And it was so fast that I couldn't get a better screenshot other than the impact.. notice Nagano's shoulders.. buckle..

.. yeah.. I felt that.. internally..

Hot damn now that I'm over 40.. I don't quite bounce back from that.. hmm.. maybe we should come up with something else.. something less.. violent..

Oooooooooooch...

Captain of the 50th Konpiramaru第50金比羅丸

And if you guys remember from the TV Asahi Densetsu show that Nagano was featured 4 years ago, you will know that these fish are horse mackerel or what they call Aji アジ. 

  Fisherman: 漁師

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

The 2nd man to achieve 完全制覇 - Kanzenseiha (Complete Domination) in Sasuke 17

Ya'll remember that it's been 3 years since he's passed the first stage!  This was him sucking in Sasuke 28 where he couldn't get up the 2nd Wall.

And got yelled at by his wife because he just stopped trying to clear it and walked off the rest of the seconds until the time up.

In Sasuke 29, trying not to make the same mistake twice, he overdid it and pulled his hamstring on the Long Jump.

Thus making it virtually impossible to pass the wall. He still muscled through, in pain, so he wouldn't get yelled at.

Makoto's wife Asami 阿紗 美

Noting over the winter that he lost a lot of his stamina, he started to train for Sasuke pretty early.  His routine usually started with running.

He started to realize that the customary run he used to do when he was younger, the long steep climb up the steps of his hometown, rendered him winded. He chronicled his progress on his Facebook for a number of months leading up to the taping of Sasuke.

That's never happened before in his life training before Sasuke.  So, he added 6 kilogram (13 lbs.) weights around his waist and kept doing those runs up those steep steps every day to give him more stamina.  He realized as he ages he loses speed and stamina but now is the first time he NOTICED it while doing a routine he has done thousands of times in his own backyard.

Awwwww This is their older son Kaiou 塊王 who's getting big! He's in a school uniform! They are rummaging through a clover patch.

Daddy you can't have this.. it's mine..

But I'll show you my four leaf-clover!

I think he inherited my stubbornness.. that's not good.

Edit: It was cool knowing what he said at this exact point.  It was poignant. I was happy he literally addressed the "move on old man" comments that upset me personally.  I love the All-stars and love supporting the competitors that want to keep going despite their age. So knowing that HE doesn't want to go anywhere really makes me smile. He just now sees it as a new challenge now that his son is growing up and following his every move.  Added from SMF (Thanks midoriyamanosaru)

Everyone says "Is he over?", "He's finished."
That upsets me.
Kaio (his son) has reached the age of reason.
I don't want to show him an embarrassing moment.
I want to impress him.

Nagano Familycam™  GANBARE!  がんばれ! (Good luck/Hang in there) By a very LOUD Kaiou 塊王 who is now 5 years old.  Meanwhile we welcome the television debut of baby Taiou 太皇 (who just turned 1 years old) to Sasuke while Mom Asami 阿紗 美 holds them both.

Yeah son.. Pile on the pressure.. your old man doesn't need anymore..

I mean I can barely stand after I had my lungs slammed into my chest cavity by that caning. Now I have to have the hopes of my son piled on top of my shoulders.

Here comes one of the longest introductions all day.. par for the course. LOL

TBS saving money on their electric bill by not lighting up the Final yet.. it's only Day 1 so they can save that for tomorrow's budget.

LOL Dem kneepads screwed up the number effect.

As Morimoto politely and quietly watches the Legend get into the zone..

He sees as Nagano literally gets into the zone..

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠

And if you ever wondered.. this is the look like in his yes when the "switch" turns on.

And off he goes!

Okay didn't repeat the same mistake twice. Clear on the Long Jump

Getting set for the Log Grip

Clear on the Log Grip

Casually walking up to the Hedgehog

And he takes his time not to Takeda™ the Hedgehog

Clear on the Hedgehog

Taking a deep breath because he has failed the Jump Hang before..

Good high catch on the Jump Hang Kai

Methodically going across the netting.

And you hear a "Whooooh" from him as he almost dismounted too early! LOL

He cracks a smile as he dismounts the Jump Hang Kai

collects himself and clears the first wall

eyeballs the 2nd wall..

Takes a moment to collect his thoughts

oooh.. one hands it.. but he got it!

Now trying to haul since he took his time earlier in the course..

Jumps on the Tarzan rope with 24 seconds left

safe landing

Should be fine on this since he's done the Heartbreaker and the Spider Flip so he should be familiar with this new wall.

Yep. Zero issues and he flies up the Lumberjack Climb

Finally seeing a smile come out as he's safely onto the walkway.

And EMPHATICALLY slaps the red button!

Fist pumps from Makoto!  After 3 long years he's back in the 2nd Stage!

Nagano just melts into a wide smile and girly giggling with joy.

Lord knows Kong who's been there since forever is happy to see his fellow vet get over this slump.

Crowd going wild now

Mike Bernardo of the USA doing jumps

As the fellow ASEAN competitors cheer with him.

Not to be outdone in the passion department, Asa doing a HELL YEAH! on the corner there. We all know how huge of a Nagano fan Asa really is.

 Asami is overcome with emotions as everyone around her (especially Kaiou) is freaking out with excitement.

Lord knows this woman has been supporting her man through thick and thin and even been drill sergeant whenever he slacked. So this clear is just as much hers as it is his.

This really is moving. I was crying while watching this live.

Nagano openly celebrating his clear after all this time. I'm jumping in my chair I'm so happy.

And now the 40 year old bones tell him he needs to stop moving now. LOL

Catching his breath and probably reliving all of those fails in his head.

Finally popping her head out to see the commotion.

Taiou is trying to figure out what's wrong with Mommy.

Awwwww I'm having a cute attack! He's trying to hug her!

Asami can't stop crying and uses the baby blanket to wipe her tears.

Taiou comforts mommy.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano長野誠 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

He's so happy that he could give his son a result that wasn't embarrassing.  He knows Kaiou is very well aware of his surroundings and mechanics of Sasuke. So he's one proud Papa right now!

Hey I have that shirt in white!

 Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介.  Officially dubbed "Sasuke Kun"

The Campus of 高知大学 Kōchi Daigaku (Kochi University).

 He's a Computer Science Major at Kochi University

It's rare to see him in glasses!

Everyone remembers him now as the first man ever to clear the Crazy Cliffhangerクレイジークリフハンガー in the last tournament, Sasuke 29.

 He was just short of clearing the 3rd Stage.

He was a double Silver Medalist at the Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup

At home, sporting his 2 medals (Team Silver and Individual Silver for Stage 3) from that event.

At the registration line where he gets the shock of his life.

He's handed the coveted 100 (or 3000 in this case in honor of 30th tournament)

The question in everyone's minds was answered just after the tournament. He had no idea he was going to get this number. It was literally at this moment did he find out he had the #3000

He felt shocked then honored then humbled by the notion that TBS found him mature enough to handle the number. Being last out of the 100 competitors has proven to be a lot of weight in the past to those who carried it.

So he took it as an opportunity to try to live up to the expectation.  He was jumping out of his skin he was happy to have it, but shocked that it actually happened.  His IMMEDIATE thought was that during the previous two anniversary events only All-Stars carried the top number. He honestly thought Nagano would have it again.  Yamada had 1000 and Nagano had 2000 so the fact that he was put in that company by being 3000 was immediately humbling.

While he's being introduced we remind you that 99 have gone and we have 26 clears!

A very wide smile from a normally reserved Morimoto shows how proud he is of this moment to be introduced as the final competitor in the 30th Sasuke Tournament.

Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介

But first, this optical illusion

You lookin' at me?

And we are back as Morimoto is having a hard time trying to contain his excitement.

And yes! Long Jump Cleared!

Same for Log Grip

And Hedgehog

Nice and high on the Jump Hang Kai

He's methodically going through the obstacles in a nice pace. Reminds me of old-school Nagano style actually.. 

 Clear on the first Wall

Clear on the second wall

Taking the Tarzan Rope really low...

WHOOOOOOAH BESSY... but safe arrival.. even if it made my stomach drop..

Keeping his composure and starts to climb

Quick and easy pace on the Lumberjack Climb

And the silly grin is evident as soon as he sees the time and buzzer and knows he's got HERDS of time left!

Wow.. definitely old-school Nagano style clutching his heart in relief

Doesn't care about time trial he slows down and savors the walk up to the red button.

And very gently stops the timer with a grin on his face.

Bowing in appreciation to the audience watching through the lens.

Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!

An ecstatic Morimoto raises his hands to the crowd that's cheering for him all the way on the other side of the course.

Back to studio!

 FIRST STAGE CLEARS IN ORDER:

Noritomo Morisawa 森澤教有

Koshige Yamamoto 山本浩茂

Going across the screen are the names and pictures of the 27 clears of the first stage.  At this time you see the deleted run of Noritomo Morisawa 森澤教有 I was telling you about earlier and they mention why he wasn't shown and that he was unable to compete in the 2nd Stage. They at least acknowledged him which is more than I can say about NBC.. LOL

 Koshige Yamamoto 山本浩茂

Masashi Hioki日置 将士

Kung Cheen-Howng 洪 恭芹
Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広

Tomohiro Kawaguchi川口朋広

Yuuya Kadono上遠野裕也
Taiga Hoshikawa星川大我
Hiromasa Katakabe片伯部浩正
Toshiharu Takami 高見俊治

 

Toshiharu Takami 高見俊治
Daisuke Morikami守上大輔
Shinya Kishimoto岸本真弥

Terukazu Ishikawa石川輝一

Ruriko Kojima 小島瑠璃子 - Gravure idol

 Shinya Kishimoto岸本真弥

  Terukazu Ishikawa石川輝一 

Toshihiro Takeda竹田敏浩

Kinnikun Nakayamaなかやまきんに君

Wakky ワッキー

Kinnikun Nakayamaなかやまきんに君

Wakky ワッキー

Koki Someya染谷幸喜

Shunsuke Nagasaki長崎峻侑

Lee En Chiリー・エンチ

Shunsuke Nagasaki長崎峻侑

Lee En Chiリー・エンチ

Drew Dreschelドリュー・ドレッシェル

Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟

Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治

Shingo Yamamoto山本進悟

Yuuji Urushihara漆原裕治 

Ryo Matachi又地諒

Kenji Takahashi高橋賢次

Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

Hitoshi Kanno菅野仁志

Kazuma Asa朝一眞

Makoto Nagano長野誠

 Yuusuke Morimoto森本 裕介

Actress Takejo Aki あき竹城 having a discussion about Hioki

Ms. Pouty Lips and Mr. Car Salesman....

Nana Katase 片瀬那奈 and Jay Kabira 川平慈英

LOL Seems they were the only ones having a conversation together leaving Nana alone in a corner..

Actor Teruyuki Tsuchida 土田晃之 seems only interested in the new girlfriend

And luckily this was a short and fairly painless clip!  Nice way to incorporate that in without it throwing off the balance of the show.  Thanks!

PART SIX Soon™