SASUKE is a Japanese sports entertainment television special where 100 competitors attempt to complete a four stage obstacle course. An edited version, Ninja Warrior, is screened in the United States on G4.
Filmed on location at Midoriyama, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, it airs on the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) between Japanese television drama seasons. Each 3-hour special covers an entire competition. There have been 22 specials, approximately one new special per season (twice per year). The show is produced by Monster9 and is one of the spin-offs of Muscle Ranking (็ญ่็ชไป, Kinniku Banzuke?), another sports entertainment competition (which currently airs on G4 under the name Unbeatable Banzuke). Until the 10th Competition, Sasuke was broadcast as a special part of Muscle Ranking but became an independent program when Muscle Ranking was discontinued. The first competition was held indoors, marking the only time Sasuke did not take place outside. Competitions generally start in the daytime and continue, rain or shine or into the darkness, until completed.
There have been several programs related to Sasuke. Kunoichi, perhaps the most well-known spin off, is a version of Sasuke restricted to female competitors only and consisting of obstacles focused more on balance and speed. There have also been special competitions for children and the elderly.
Through an interview or audition as well as trial rounds to test physical ability, the field of applicants is narrowed to 100 who will be allowed to compete in the 1st Stage. Sasuke consists of four stages of increasing difficulty; competitors must complete a stage to advance. For the purposes of fairness, a 1200-meter run was held before the 18th tournament. This run determined the competitors' starting positions. Each competition is taped prior to the air date and broadcast as a 3-hour show edited for time.
Ninja Warrior (Sasuke) Tournament 1
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Ninja Warrior (Sasuke) Tournament 14
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