Ninja Warrior

[Sunnyhorse]

Is anyone else watching this show, being broadcast on the G4 channel (formerly Tech TV)? The athleticism is breathtaking (as are so many of the gorgeous contestants, male and female), and the good sportsmanship and graciousness of the competitors is a nice break from showboating American asshole athletes. Mr. Sunnyhorse and I are hooked.

[aims]

I was wondering just the other day if anyone has watched this. We try to catch it every time it is on. We die laughing at the announcer. He is so funny with the commentary when someone doesn't make it. Plus, it cracks us up during the first challenge how everyone has to bring a prop of what they are. So if you are a surfer you have to bring a board, if you are a cheerleader or dancer you have to dress in your costume, or if you are in martial arts you have to do a kick or punch or something. It's pretty hilarious.

The other rounds are just cool though. It must take so much concentration both mental and physical to complete all of the challenges. From hanging by your fingertips on a little metal ledge, to swinging from chains and balancing on rolling logs. But even if you get through all of it you still have to climb up the tower in mere seconds or you cannot be a ninja warrior. I think there has only been one or so that has made it all the way? I could be wrong since I think we catch mainly reruns. Good show though. The first round is the most entertaining though.

[thingamajig]

We watch this show all the time! My kids love it, too.

[Mutagen]

I am hooked on this show. No matter what time of day or night it's on, I can stop to watch. It's such a great balance of comedy, watching people make asses of themselves, and real athletic skill and determination. I even have favorite contestants! Superman, Octopus Man, and of course the All-Stars.

My Japanese absolutely sucks but from what little I can pick out, I think the subtitles are relatively accurate. By contrast I found the fake dubbing on MXC to be heavy on the cheap Japanese jokes and frankly a little racist. Someone who knows more than me, feel free to correct.

[aims]

The subtitles are awesome. I love the announcer. I'm pretty sure that "SA" means 'now' right? He goes 'SA' all the time.

I like the gas station attendant. He's good and he always wears his uniform!
I like the transsexual too. I can't believe people just launch themselves into that net and onto platforms and such with absolutely no thought to their own safety. Sometimes the wipe outs are so funny but you have to know it hurts.

[Sunnyhorse]

I've always wondered what they're not showing -- not once have we seen blood or a broken bone, and you know those people take some really hard knocks.

Has anyone watched any of the Women's Ninja Warrior shows? They're more about agility, balance, and speed than brute strength, and often they're quite entertaining.

[Mutagen]

The women of Ninja Warrior is awesome too. My sister and I were watching that girl with the pink hair, Ayako Miyake, who always kicks ass, and we were like "You know what, she really could be an actual ninja."

[LurkerNan]

My family has watched every episode of both Sasuke and Kunoichi, along with most of the Unbeatable Bonsuke. We make a whole Ninja Warrior-watching theme day when the 20th session recently aired. Thank You G4!

My favorite is Nagano (because he's short but hot), and my least favorite is "Mr.Sasuke" Yamada (because the man can't budget his time for shit, and he's been buying into his own hype too long.). I'm looking forward to that new U.S. obstacle course that looks like it will be played for laughes, but I wish it would be taken seriously like Sasuke is.

[Sunnyhorse]

I used to really like Yamada, but over the history of the competition he's looked increasingly unhinged. Dude, get a life! Nagano is fabulous, as are Takeda and Yamamoto. I love how the elite competitors are so supportive of one another.

We tried Unbeatable Banzuke but just didn't care for it -- the challenges are amazing, but we have yet to see anyone win, and after a while it gets old.

[lemuralley]

Oh man, I think we've seen every single episode of Ninja Warrior in this house. And if G4 would air more than, oh, six episodes of Unbeatable Banzuke, we'd watch more of that, too. I'm reallllly looking forward to Wipeout and I Survived a Japanese Game Show tonight.