Sasuke Malaysia - Day 2

Final Tower for Sasuke Malaysia ©sadiq_zulkifli

As I mentioned before, Sasuke Malaysia was in full swing today! Pretty quiet day for those in twitter unlike yesterday. For some reason there was a massive clampdown on pictures and whatnot today.. which makes ZERO sense especially since the event was open to the public, in the middle of a road, during an event with 1 million youth and it wasn't a closed set.. but I digress. We did get one ninja'ed picture today from twitter which is what I wanted to see.. but it wasn't set up.. so I had to wait until the day was over to see if Armin was going to blog...

Datuk Armin Baniaz Pahamin (photo from day 1) ©Armin Baniaz

And.. HE DID! Ooooooooh Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!... Datuk Armin Baniaz Pahamin (profile in wiki) has been kind enough to keep us ridiculously updated! Here is his blog entry for today. By the way I put his picture just above so you know who to thank for these glorious pictures! He did pick up with Stage 1 conclusion (he had to go back to work yesterday so he doesn't have the middle competitors).

One VERY happy competitor ©Armin Baniaz

Anyway they picked up right where they left off yesterday (due to the heavy rains from yesterday morning delaying production on the first stage). They started with #85 and continued from there. There were more than 100 competitors running and the weather did not hamper the production of Sasuke Malaysia this time!

Surprise visit from by the YAB Deputy PRIME MINISTER YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (in blue) and Minister of Youth & Sports Dato Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek (in white on the left) and All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 (on the far right) ©Armin Baniaz

Sasuke Malaysia crew very hard at work producing the show ©Armin Baniaz

I love this picture.. Remember I was a film major in college.. and wanted to be an editor (before life decided to throw me a curve-ball)... so this is RIGHT up my alley :) From what I gather the production went pretty smoothly.

FINAL STAGE!!!! ©Armin Baniaz

AAAAAAand THIS is the picture I wanted to see.. I was hoping they kept what they were proposing in the newspapers. Here it is.. 10m spider climb into a 10m rope climb. WHOOT! Go Go Sasuke Malaysia! (Update on the tower - Btw got an update about the tower - the tower is 20 meters high but the obstacle is only 9m of spider climb and 5m of rope climb). Now.. under penalty of death I can't say who won... because I don't know anyone in Malaysia.. LOL But they do verify that ONE competitor from Malaysia will be joining the Sasuke 100 competitors (with 11 Americans) in Japan for Sasuke 27 sometime in July! When will THIS competition air in Malaysia? Who knows.. but it will be a HELL of a lot earlier than ANW3 will air in the States I'm sure.. If it does happen and I get a copy of it I'll do what I can to blog it. Thanks again for the really nice people in Malaysia who kept in touch with this Crazy Lady in the other side of the world! I wish there were more competitors from Malaysia going (especially since the Americans have 11) . Can't wait to see Malaysia's champion in Sasuke 27!

Edit: Nvm.. I didn't have to wait long.. LOL Just wait for the television host to tweet :D

Short clip from TBS (reposted by Sasuke Malaysia ©TBSi

Sasuke Malaysia - Day 1

Overview (seems from the end of the first stage) of Sasuke Malaysia Stage 1 at the end of Day One ©sadiq_zulkifli

As I mentioned before.. Sasuke Malaysia happened TODAY! This trials for Malaysia for a spot in Sasuke 27 in Japan started very rainy. Seems torrential downpours in the morning delayed the beginning of the event. Nevertheless they managed to get a break in the weather and they got it started! I spent a good portion of the time checking twitter for any updates I could find. Luckily there was plenty of information to be found so I can post it here quicker than I thought I would.

Historic Competitor #1 of Sasuke Malaysia ©Naz Grazz

Originally they were supposed to run all 100 Sasuke Malaysia competitors in Stage 1 today. The weather delayed the start by quite a bit so they were going to try to run the first 85 today. By the time they got to about competitor 54 they only had ONE person actually complete Stage 1!!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 overseeing production of Sasuke Malaysia ©Naz Grazz

The course itself reflected heavily what Sasuke looks like. THIS is how you do a stage 1.. (sorry.. I hate how G4 does American Ninja Warrior as a whole with that stupid Survivor "Boot Camp.". and an un-timed course you run twice) it was 100 people, all of them with their own Saddlecloths (a wonderful memento for any fan) and the course was TIMED. It was a 120 second (or 2 minute) course run. G4 take note.. you got showed up by a first-time event...

Sasuke Malaysia Stage 2 (Final tower) ©sadiq_zulkifli

Tomorrow the completion of Stage 1 is expected followed by Stage 2. Stage 2 (the last of the stages since Sasuke Malaysia is a 2 stage trials) is a Final Tower. It is rumored to be a 10m spider climb into a 10m rope climb. The tower right now (most likely not completely set up) seems to only be 14 meter rope. We'll have to see if tomorrow changes what it looks like.

#59 Johany Usof and All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©Johan Yusof

Thanks to the kind souls who spoke with this crazy Rican over twitter today providing wonderful analysis of what was going on over 6 thousand miles from me. Glad they were able to get most of the runs in today. Hope the weather clears up for tomorrow!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 looking fab... ©Armin Baniaz

Meanwhile Datuk Armin Baniaz Pahamin (profile in wiki) has been kind enough to keep us ridiculously updated! He did a HUGE blog (over 200+ pics) of the first 1/3 runs of Sasuke Malaysia. Check out his blog entry for part 1 of day 1.

End of the First Stage in Sasuke Malaysia ©Armin Baniaz

Sasuke Malaysia starts tomorrow!

Preview of Stage 1 in Sasuke Malaysia ©sadiq_zulkifli

As I blogged about before Sasuke Malaysia starts tomorrow! Not only is it legit... it kicks all flavors of.. well .. you know :) I'm truly excited. You can tell the obvious TBS influence big time. The course is like 1000 times better than that crappy ANW.. but of course G4 would never get TBS to help build their course.. they'd rather jerry rig it to their specs.. I mean seriously.. I want to see ANW turn into Sasuke Malaysia and I haven't even SEEN Sasuke Malaysia yet. THIS is how you do a trials for Sasuke.. The fact that it isn't a Survivor clone and actually has 10m spider climb into a 10m rope climb as a 2nd stage is just all kinds of awesome. I'm seriously passing popcorn!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 arrives in Malaysia ©Sasuke Malaysia

Obviously being Rambling Rican I am interested in what the All-Stars are doing :) Nagano arrived on er.. Tuesday night? I think.. I lost track LOL yes.. stupid time zones. Lots of activity since the show is encompassed by the bigger event going on that day being hosted by the Malaysian Government.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 along with organizers and television host Jehan Miskin during a press conference ©Sasuke Malaysia

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 along with organizers and television hosts during a press conference ©sadiq_zulkifli

Sasuke Malaysia Press Conference was held at the Marriott Putrajaya I believe on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 in the afternoon. Seems the organizers, guest (Nagano) and television host for the event actor Jehan Miskin assembled with the media to speak about Sasuke Malaysia.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 with Sasuke Malaysia hopeful ©Farid 'Cat' Isham

I love the above pic.. he wears shorts.. LOL Something I've been complaining about for a while.. seems Asami bought him some shorts.. LOL I'm excited for the event! Starts tomorrow! I'm told that it will be televised but not sure what channel, etc. etc. Seems it will be shown in a series? If I find out more information I'll post it.

Sasuke Malaysia

Ube found for us last month and posted on SMF a notice about an event that at first we weren't sure if it was legitimate or not. Given that there has been notices of "trials" before (like Taiwan's that never took place) and some that even took place without it being tied to Sasuke at all (Like Ninja Warrior South Africa), we weren't sure if this was legit or not. When the application for Sasuke 27 came out I put a tentative "one" for Malaysia hoping it was really happening with TBS' blessing. Well I'm HAPPY to say it is very much legit!

Kaiou 塊王 and Makoto Nagano 長野誠 - April, 2011 ©Makoto Nagano

I've been watching their twitter account for a bit and noticed their taking applications all month long (they closed over the weekend and were only taking 100 applicants) and today I got a tweet which made me very happy!

Exciting NEWS... MAKOTO NAGANO will be here on the 27 & 28 ... Make sure you are there to catch one of Sasuke All Stars in action.. @sasukemalaysia (twitter)

Given how annoyed I was that Nagano' wasn't invited to ANW3 in California, and how utterly disappointed when he told me his clothes were requested and not him.. I was happy to hear that he was invited to physically be a part of the events in Malaysia. I want to thank whoever it was who thought of it and was able to get him there with his busy schedule! He will be most pleased to participate and I'm sure the Malaysian fans of Sasuke will be thrilled to meet him in person! (something I'll probably never be able to do.. /sigh sucks being poor) I am trying to contact those involved so we can get some sort of coverage so I can share here on Rambling Rican. Stay tuned.

Ube has been more importantly been monitoring who is actually tied to this event. It's intriguing. One name tied to the event is Datuk Armin Baniaz Pahamin (profile in wiki). Ube found a blog post from him detailing the event back in April. Seems the event is being run by Zai Johari was also the producer for Biggest Loser Asia. Full details are in Armin's blog. What's also very important is the fact that the event is tied to a large one run by the Malaysian Government. It's called Hari Belia (which I'm told means "Teenager" or "Youth" Day). The event takes place the same weekend. Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28 in Putrajaya in Malaysia. The event itself coinciding with Sasuke Malaysia is dubbed the 1 million youth gathering. They even have a page for Sasuke Malaysia.

Sponsors of the event

According to the Sasuke Malaysia website, they will receive 1 spot to Sasuke 27 courtesy of TBS! 100 contestants will participate in the Sasuke Malaysia (yes the application stage is now closed) and one lucky winner will head to Japan in July, 2011 to participate in Sasuke 27. Makoto Nagano will be part of the festivities and I'm excited! Go go Malaysia!

Sasuke 27 officially announced

Edited: May 18 - Malaysia participation confirmed.

Sasuke 27 announcement ©Muscle Park

As was expected (I figured after the Maguro Festival they would mention something online).. for a while now actually (seems we have been discussing this for over a month now on the boards).. we finally got word about Sasuke 27. Thanks to the tireless work of Lost in Ube we have dates!

Official Japanese announcement on Sasukemania:
(also reprinted on the Muscle Park site)

SASUKEファンの皆さん、大変お待たせいたしました。
【SASUKE第27回大会】の開催が決定しました。
本選　2011年7月予定
予選　2011年6月予定
たくさんのご応募お待ちしております。
どしどしご応募ください！
【SASUKE出場選手募集】
氏名・年齢・職業・連絡先・住所・スポーツ歴・出場への意気込みをご記入のうえ 「写真」もしくは「VTR」などを必ず同封して下記あて先までお送りください。 　
〒107-0061 　東京都港区北青山3－11－7　Ao 13F 　
(株)モンスター・ナイン 　「SASUKE」出場者募集係まで
※書類審査・オーデション・予選会などがあります。
※書類審査通過の方へのみご連絡いたします。

(Google Translation):
SASUKE all the fans, very much Thank you for waiting.
With the 27th SASUKE competition will be held.
June 2011 qualifiers will be scheduled in July 2011 Finals
We look forward to many applicants.
Please apply without hesitation!
SASUKE - PLAYERS - Wanted

I omitted the last part about the application since they still have the "Foreigner clause". Btw.. here it is: Sasuke Mania Site on the Entries. - written in English - all the way at the end of the message:

To those who want to participate in SASUKE iving outside Japan
If you request to participate in SASUKE, please contact your local broadcasting station for details.
We cannot accept applications directly.
Thank you for your cooperation.

I may be incorrect.. but this has to be the first time Monster 9 has actually PRINTED a time-frame for both Sasuke Trials (Japan) AND the taping date! Right now there is no official airdate since we are 2 months out from taping. (always note with dates that far in advance - especially since this is taping - these are subject to change) When we find out I'll post it here.

Entries so far:

Japan:

• Maguro Festival - It is rumored that this event produced 1 winner going to Sasuke. It is not yet confirmed.
  
• Sasuke Trials - To be held in June (per this announcement).

United States has 11 spots.

• 1 from an online auction {18+ year old US citizens only} (note that they still have to pay to get to Japan.. they are just only buying a spot)
• 10 from American Ninja Warrior 3 (Taping starting next week in Venice Beach, California)
  

Malaysia - Has 1 spot

• Trials will be held May 27 and 28 for one spot on Sasuke.
  

For those questioning what ever happened to the cancellation we are still waiting to find out. The article back in January stated that 27 was the last one. We just have to wait and see what happens. I'm hoping 27 has huge ratings so that it makes their decision to cancel a moot point. But only time will tell.

Good luck to all competitors in Sasuke 27!
Do your best! Ganbatte! がんばって！

Ganbatte - Do your best! Ganbatte - Good luck! ©Wired in Japan

Maguro Festival 2011 Pictures

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩, All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 ©Konpiramal
4 Sasuke All-Stars in attendance for the 20th Annual Maguro Festival 第20回串木野まぐろフェスティバル I see I have to start doing my drinking game early! 2 versions of the Sasuke All-Star shirts and 2 Descente shirts!

I mentioned this before a couple times, the 20th Annual Maguro Festival 第20回串木野まぐろフェスティバル was to take place this past weekend in Kagoshima Prefecture on Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1, 2011 in the city of Kushikino. This is a yearly local Tuna (Maguro means Tuna in Japanese) event for the port city of Kushikino. As the name implies this was their 20th anniversary. 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 during that time they had Nagano design and build a Sasuke set where he could demonstrate his skills along with a few of his friends to the local crowd. Even when he was sick and still in the hospital did he design these sets for the Maguro Festival.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 , All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 (and Sasuke 23 competitor Yoshiki Itou 伊藤圭槻) with coordinators/hosts during the unveiling of the Sasuke set poster at the beginning of the event ©taku-nvo-ov

Even though I mentioned in detail that everyone that we know of in Sasuke is fine after the Great East Japan earthquake I kept getting messages about Takeda and how he's doing. Yes.. probably because of Sasuke 26 FINALLY airing on US TV this weekend.. anyway.. Obviously we see these All-Stars are just fine. Missing of course are Akiyama and Shiratori but it's rare to see them all together at once. This of course happened during Golden Week in Japan.

Sasuke set designed by Nagano for the event - not sure who designed the poster ©minerallabo

Yay they actually have a poster now! Would it be fangirlish of me to want the poster? Eh.. if it had pictures maybe.. though ti's cute. Either way, they never have a poster so this was a surprise.. I wonder if someone in Takasui made it.. anyway this was the poster showing where the Sasuke set was.. if the rigging wasn't a dead giveaway :p

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 with coordinators/hosts and famous Enka singer at the opening of the Maguro Festival ©sokushinkai

Thanks to everyone who was able to send me pictures and post pictures on the internet. This year was a little better finding photos since the last few years have been very difficult in finding quality photos. I'm still waiting for a bunch more so I'll post more in other posts if they get to be a large amount.

Poster of All-Star Makoto Nagano which at this point has become famous (original on his site) ©Konpiramal

I think I see something like 4 small the pictures of his music CD (which btw comes out on May 11) cover at the top of this one.. anyone else see it? Here's the cover.

Cover of the Yujou To Tatakaino Kiseki CD
友情と闘いの軌跡 CD

See what I mean? Yeah.. it's the same thing. I can't read kanji so I don't know if the other poster was promoting his CD or not. Either way.. he's now a folk singer .. get your CD soon™ P.S. Cough.. take a drink..

Sasuke set with times and people scheduled to appear (in order Nagano, Yamada, Yamamoto and Takeda ©minerallabo

I swear this poster gets recycled because it has the same scripting, same picture and everything. Even the same times.. LOL Maybe they whiteout the middle part where it shows who's coming? Either way this is the sign for everyone to know who is there presenting.

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩, All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 and Sasuke 23 competitor Yoshiki Itou 伊藤圭槻 ©Konpiramaru Restaurant

The day before they went to the Maguro Festival the guys went to the Konpiramaru restaurant which is also owned by Takasui president. You know.. the guy that G4 keeps saying is Nagano's father in Sasuke 17 when Nagano won? Yeah.. that one.. sucks for G4.. that's his boss and not his father.. anyway.. digressing again.. They had a meal at the company restaurant. Btw.. who is this guy on the right? He keeps showing up in every photo! I'm still laughing at how Shingo always ends up being the odd man out in the pics.. he doesn't care.. HE'S EATING!! LOL

Edit: Thanks to Konpiramal I finally know who the heck this guy is.. I was curious since he was in all the pictures.. and I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM.. it's Sasuke 23 (and 24 .. and 25) competitor Yoshiki Itou 伊藤圭槻. He was the one that won the MRT Beach Sports Competition back in late July, 2009 in Nagano's home prefecture of Miyazaki, Japan.

Youtube version of Takasui commercial promoting Konpiramaru restaurant and Hotel Zerocity with Fishing Captain Makoto Nagano 長野 誠 ©Takasui Corp

Ya'll can remember when I posted this a while back. Either way they where having dinner in the same restaurant. It is also in Kagoshima prefecture where the Maguro Festival took place.

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 getting introduced to the crowd. Shingo's butt (grey shorts) is facing you with Yamada to the right (Itou in between them) ©minerallabo

Anyway.. getting back to the Maguro Festival.. a curious thing happened with these photos of their introductions.. okay.. follow me here. Remember.. there were 2 "Demonstrations" 2 days in a row for a total of 4 demonstrations. I'm unsure when these photos were taken but they were shown in a row on the website by minerallabo. Take a look at Shingo's pants..

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 being introduced to the crowd. ©minerallabo

Okay.. remember that Takeda had a black shirt.. Yamada's jacket from the previous picture was also black.

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 being introduced to the crowd ©minerallabo

Shingo has a different set of shorts.. they are not the striped cotton grey shorts.. meanwhile.. LOOK AT TAKEDA (right side of picture.. that's him in the white wifebeater™ - also visible a couple pics later btw).

Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 being introduced to the crowd ©minerallabo

See? Look at Yamada.. okay granted he could have taken off his jacket.. but look at Takeda? He's got a white wifebeater™ shirt! Maybe the Salmon Ladder has magical powers? LOL Sorry I can't help but think of this scene in Kung Pow. Your shirt is now black.. your shirt is now white.. wtf.. LOL

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩, Yoshiki Itou 伊藤圭槻, All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 getting the set organized ©ROOTS

Meanwhile.. everyone is in black now.. LOL See? Who is that mysterious guy getting in all the pics.. LOL Maybe someone related? Secret weapon for Yamada to unleash in Sasuke? Wait.. are we having another Sasuke Assassin? Only time will tell... (found out it's Yoshiki Itou 伊藤圭槻 from Sasuke 23 as I posted above)

Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 experiencing the "grinding" ring! ©minerallabo

LOL we see Yamada experiencing what Nagano went through.. I see Nagano has nostalgia in including this here.. the infamous grinding ring.

Video of the grinding ring and of All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 acting like a hoola-hoop ©jmt706901

Don't believe me? Check out this kid on the grinding ring :p While you are at it.. look to the right.. see Shingo acting like a hoola-hoop? LOL Okay that's just cute :) And btw.. Shingo's back to his cotton grey shorts.. just saying.. I'm a great magician.

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 (back) Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 ©ROOTS

Seems Takeda is having issues again with his back.. at least he's not picking a wedgie like he's famously getting caught for. Also given how many times Takeda face-plants at these events it seems they were getting prepared by using a lot of gym mats!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 , All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩, Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 and Yoshiki Itou 伊藤圭槻 jumping around the set ©sokushinkai

Anyway seems they always have at least one photo of them climbing on the rigging like monkeys.. LOL Though Yamada rarely participates.. he's too cool for that I guess :p Either way they are admiring the grinding ring.

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 ©dodgenabe

Your shirt is white.. see? LOL It's just funny seeing how many times they changed clothes in 2 days. I can just imagine the size of the duffle bags.. wait.. I recognize what it is they are wearing.. isn't that "Road Dawgz" shirts that Taiwan's Lee En Chi リー・エンチ had in Sasuke 26?? I wonder if he gifted them some shirts?

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 helping a kid go up the warped wall ©Ishiki-kushikino City

This actually is a common occurrence. Most people can't get up the Warped Wall.. especially children.. so it's common to have someone at the top of the wall hauling up the kid while someone at the bottom pushes them up.. usually by their butts..

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 helping someone get up the wall wait.. did he fall off? (answer.. YES he fell off) ©Konpiramal

Now I originally thought this was referring to the kid below in the video but upon further inspection.. the kid is wearing a different shirt.. so it seems Nagano fell off this thing a couple times.. LOL

Video of All-Star All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 of helping up the wall.. sort of.. ©jmt706901

Video evidence of a funny Nagano fail. It's just funny is all. Of course hubby says it's difficult lifting someone your own weight.. /sigh.. him making short jokes again..

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 ©Konpiramal

Friggin' awesome pics provided my Konpiramal. I could pass popcorn aaaaaaaaaall day. I have been admiring the quality of the photos ever since I saw them tweeted. Unsure where that shirt came from. Not sure if it's from Takeda or not. Would seem to be so but can't confirm it.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©nawata

This was actually the first photo I found on twitter. Shame there weren't anymore from this one poster. Still.. a drive by Nagano shot suffices. :) I see Takeda in the background and Nagano with his annoyed™ look.

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 's ass... and All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 seemingly admiring it... ©Konpiramal

Yes yes.. it's all in the angle of the photo.. but still.. doesn't it look like Nagano's admiring Takeda's ass? And yes.. I can identify it.. mostly because of the 80's beaded bracelets he has and that watch... and the fact that Nagano and Takeda was the only one wearing a Sasuke shirt at this moment in time.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 ©Konpiramal

Take a drink again.. Yamada with a Descente shirt... surprising since he usually wears Underarmor shirts.. I guess if it's free it's free :)

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩, Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己 and All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 lining up to sign autographs (Yoshiki Itou 伊藤圭槻 on the far right by himself) ©Konpiramal

Okay.. now when I see Shingo with his farmer's tan.. I can't help start singing "One of these things is not like the other".. see it? Shingo is not under the table!! I LOVE this photo. It just seems so odd to see Shingo sticking out like that.. ROFL!!!! Everyone else seems to be oblivious to it while Shingo looks like he's trying to complain to someone "noooooo this doesn't look right.. someone get me a table dammit!".. I couldn't stop laughing. See? Look at that couple to the left of the picture.. they are laughing at Shingo too!

Mister Sasuke All-Star Katsumi Yamada 山田勝己, All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 ©Konpiramal

Edit: Got another set of pics and this one was HILARIOUS! Looks like they did hear me.. Makoto left his seat and gave it to Shingo :p Sorry but that was just too funny given the previous picture!