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Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sasuke 29 Official Airdate

Edit:
June 11, 2013 - Replaced title with TBS logo announcement of official airdate

Sasuke 29 Official Airdate!

As was noted in my previous blog about the official announcement back in March, Sasuke 29 was to air "this summer".  Lost in Ube found a proposed airdate for Sasuke 29 to be Thursday, June 27th. Thanks to Ube to posted the "TV Guides" for June that indeed had the date and proposed time for Sasuke 29's airing in Japan.


(One of the television guides in Japan for the month of June, 2013) ©LostInUbe

According to the television listings for June that Ube found, The next SASUKE (tentatively titled SASUKE RISING 2013 Natsu) will air on June 27, 2013 19:00 to 21:54 JST on TBS.

Edit: Added TBS website information on both Tournament and Navi.


SASUKE RISING 2013 Navi
「SASUKE RISING 2013」ナビ番組
 Sunday, June 23, 2013
16:30 - 17:00 JST (4:30 PM local time in Japan)
 2013年6月23日(日)午後4時30分~5時
Station: TBS (Japan)

3:30 AM (Eastern Standard Time) (SUNDAY Morning)
12:30 AM (Pacific Standard Time) (SUNDAY Morning - From Saturday night)

Additional time conversion

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

"Sasuke 29"
SASUKEライジング2013夏
(Sasuke Rising 2013 Summer)
Thursday, June 27, 2013
19:00 JST (7:00 PM local time in Japan)
Station: TBS (Japan)

6:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) (THURSDAY Morning)
3:00 AM (Pacific Standard Time) (THURSDAY Morning)

Additional time conversion


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
(Photo from the 2011 Maguro Festival)


As of now I believe only 3 of the All-stars will be returning to Sasuke this time around.  Yamada (pictured above) is officially retired (again) and will not be competing in Sasuke 29.  I am assuming Akiyama is as well and we haven't seen Bunpei in a few years.  So for Sasuke 29 it is expected to see Takeda, Nagano and Shingo.  While I'm upset I won't see all 6 compete, I am happy they are returning.  The ratings for Sasuke Rising (28) the last time showed emphatically a lot of people just stopped watching the show when the All-stars were forced retired. I'm happy to see them back.

As of now actually a shorter show. Just under a 3 hour broadcast range. Since the date at least was correct we can assume that the time frame is about right.  We know already that the show still has to be taped then will be edited down so the exact timing won't be known for another couple of weeks when the full schedule comes out on the TBS online schedule page.  In the past it has fluctuated in minutes (both starting and ending).  Updated date and time for Sasuke Navi (Sasuke preview show) for the previous Sunda.  We don't know if there will be any additional specials before Sasuke 29's tournament airing.

Masashi Hioki 日置 将士,  2-Time Grand Champion Yuuji Urushihara 漆原裕治 (Cliffer #3), Yuuichi Okada 岡田祐一, with a very blond Ryo Matachi  又地諒 (Cliffer #2) and Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Btw for those unfamiliar with 2 STQ'ers of those above.  Hioki is the one that I said way back as the "lucky bastard that got Bunpei Shiratori to give a toast at his wedding".  While the guy in the middle named Okada was the guy that had his wife wind up the home-made Rolling Escargot by tying a rope to their mini-van! If you don't know the other 3.. then you haven't watched the show! I love the photos the New Generation put out on twitter when they are being goofy!

For the international viewers it is now a foregone conclusion that Sasuke is no longer worldwide. This.. makes me furious. Since G4TV is no longer in existence, Esquire has announced only ANW (and not Ninja Warrior) will be aired on it's station when it finally debuts in the USA. Coupled with that is the fact that NBC has boycotted Sasuke 28 and now 29.  Since G4TV was the station that edited and produced the Ninja Warrior format and now they are gone, it is still unclear if Sasuke will ever be sold worldwide.  No one outside of Japan has seen Sasuke Rising. :(  For those of us who watch this live as usual, a reminder to new viewers, TBS does not do repeats so if you plan on getting up early on Thursday morning start making your plans now since it's a weekday morning for us in the Western Hemisphere. All streaming information will always be handled by SMF and will not be posted on this site.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

2013 Maguro Festival Photos

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 , All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 (left) (with Nagano's son Kaiou 塊王 hidden on the right) ©Shingo Yamamoto

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! For those who aren't familiar with this at all, the 22nd Annual Maguro Festival 第22回串木野まぐろフェスティバル took place in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sunday, April 28 and Monday April 29 2013 in the city of Ichiki-Kushikino. This of course happens during Golden Week in Japan. 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.

Front entrance of the Festival ©minerallabo

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.

Sasuke Corner ©minerallabo

As you remember my rant from the past blog post, this year's event was marred by the unnecessary complication of Sasuke Trials being the same weekend.  We were expecting most of the Sasuke All-stars, however thanks to TBS' screw-up the Maguro Festival roster was cut in half.  This photo above mentioned the 3 expected after the dust settled. All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 (who is the host of this Sasuke event as it's course is sponsored by the company he works for), All-Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 and All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟. Luckily unlike last year where Shingo had to cancel last minute but after the posters were printed, they had enough time to have the correct roster for this event.  Takeda and Yamada both backed out since the Trials for Sasuke were the same weekend.  I've already ranted enough about TBS ignoring this event for the first time in 6 years.. but... I'll be good.  For the record, never in the history of the Maguro Festival have all 6 Sasuke All-Stars been in this event in Kagoshima at the same time.

 
 Sasuke corner ©creaddition

With the posters printed and everyone arriving just in time, that left us with 3 All-stars for this event. True to his word, Shingo took a flight immediately after Trials and arrived in Kagoshima the same night where Nagano and Akiyama were waiting for him. The following 2 days waited 4 Sasuke demonstrations.  Sunday and Monday at 11 am and again at 2:30 pm at that location.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠  ©kinaco.chesuto

This year we were blessed with exorbitant amount of photos! I was so happy!  Looking exhausted (at least to me) was Nagano already sporting the tan since he does live in the South (technically West Japan but it looks south to me on the map.. LOL).

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©kinaco.chesuto

Akiyama and his ever-changing hair showed up smiling!  Glad to see Akiyama flying clear across the country (he lives way up north (or far East Japan if you want to get technical) in Hokkaidō 北海道.. and the northern end to boot) 

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©kinaco.chesuto

Shingo (he lives in the middle in Tokyo 東京) was all smiles doing yeoman's work of doing BOTH Sasuke Trials and Maguro Festival. He gets mad respect from me!  He does take great photos though.. LOL he's such a goof!

Sasuke Corner ©minerallabo

Ya'll who are totally into this sorta thing can psychoanalyze the upgraded course for this year.  I'm just happy they were blessed with GORGEOUS weather this year. Last year was rainy, cold and dreary and this year was all sun and actually a touch hot.


Just a reminder.. the pond that sits under the obstacles actually has live fish.. yes.. real.  There is a heavily coveted lottery to get a chance to get their kid to catch one of them to take it home. I find it all cool and amusing but I'm sure PETA would have a fit if we tried something like this in our country.. ahahahhahahaha

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©creaddition

I'm not even going to try to figure out when some of these photos were taken.  I am told though that the event was very well attended (again, a relief from last year) and Sasuke Corner is more popular than ever.

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©creaddition

Just as Nagano is famous with his black pants and black tank-top, Akiyama is just as famous for his red pants.  As you can tell from the photo.. it's actually pretty hot that day with everyone trying to keep cool with sun hats and umbrellas.

Sasuke Corner ©creaddition

They love their flags don't they? LOL Anyway I see a ring.. so they have the Circle Slider (サークルスライダー) which actually is one of my favorite obstacles.

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©minerallabo

The Lamp Grasper (ランプグラスパー), known as the Globe Grasp in English broadcasts is still in Maguro Festival. Notice.. there fish under him..

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©minerallabo

Akiyama standing on a log/pole that will be used later for kids to play with to try to balance across the pond.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 with his son Kaiou 塊王 ©kotetu

As a reminder, current chibi-Nagano is 3 years old!  His 4th birthday is coming up quickly in June.  Father and son will welcome a new sibling in July.

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©kotetu


Hmm so it seems Akiyama wore the red Sasuke Rising shirt on day .. 2? while he wore the black All-stars shirt for day 1.. or do I have that reversed? LOL

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©kotetu

I see Salmon Ladder (サーモンラダー) rungs while Shingo is being interviewed at the feet of the Warped Wall (actual name in Japanese Soritatsu Kabe (そり立つ壁)).

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©kotetu

Aww Shingo's body language is screaming sleep right now. He's had one loooooooong weekend. Hang in there Shingo.. almost done!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Nagano also hoping for some sleep as well.. LOL He's been stressed out over the whole ordeal of losing half his roster at the last moment just before sending stuff to the printers.. which is an organizer's nightmare..

 All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Poor guy.. he really does look tired but he's still smiling through it all! Btw this looks like an awesome kids course to play around!  I would have loved to have access to that growing up..

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©kotetu

Akiyama spending time with the kids during the end of the demonstration.  Gotta train that ninja army somehow! LOL
All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

This part always cracks me up.  As was the case in all the years Nagano is up at the top waiting to catch people and haul them up the wall.  In 2011 we got a video of him just about falling down from there trying to get a kid up there.

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©kotetu

Dear Shingo.. I want your SASUKE Towel.. signed Rambling Rican.  /sigh  I wonder why TBS refuses to sell this overseas?  Seriously.. we'd totally buy this.. in a heartbeat!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠   ©ridomikisaoooo

A great photo of the Warped Wall clears that the All-stars make happen by sheer brute force! LOL

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Remember that log?  Nagano is helping out a kid balance on it to get her across the pond.  Sure.. hold her hand.. yeah..

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Nagano just about taking a header.. again.. ahahahahha  Man that has to be tiring to do that twice a day for 2 days.  Still cool they do this though.  For people like me, there's no way in hell we'd get up there on our own!

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©kinaco.chesuto

Aaah they have monkeybars up across the top as well. I didn't notice that until now.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Because I can.  What I find amusing is that I wasn't the one that took this picture.. but it sure would be one I would if given the chance! LOL

All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©kotetu

Ooooooooooh Hello MASSIVE Farmer's tan.. Shingo is burnt! No wonder he looks tired.. he's burn to a crisp! And he's been doing timed obstacles for 3 days straight out in the sun!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Take a drink.. Descente gear!

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©kotetu

Hah! They got Akiyama up there too.  Good.. Nagano needed help doing that. It's not like they can enlist Shingo to do that.. he has a history of dislocations!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Nagano muscling another kid up to the top of the Warped Wall!  With a smile!  That.. has to be tiring..

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Nagano taking a breather from a perched position high above the obstacle course he designed and built.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©kotetu

Of note in the sea of photos.. seems Nagano upgraded (again) the course.. check which obstacle he upgraded.... Yes.. that's what you think it is.. Crazy Cliffhanger (クレイジークリフハンガー) from Sasuke Rising (or Sasuke 28).

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 with his son Kaiou 塊王 (hidden), All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 and All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©kotetu

LOL I love this picture of Shingo being goofy leaning over like that.  Anyway, Shingo had posted on his Facebook that during Day 1 he got within 1 second of beating Nagano for fastest time on the course (they usually have time attacks).  So we have confirmation of both defeating it.

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©kotetu

Unsure if we know about Akiyama though. He did run the course but we don't have any results during this weekend.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©sokushinkai

LOL Nagano and his lack of microphone holding skills still amazes me even years later.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©sokushinkai

I see Shingo behind the kid is in the water again (with the fish) while Nagano balances on the side of the tank. Looks like Akiyama is at the entrance of the pond to the right of Nagano (look for the red pants).
 
All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©Makoto Nagano

Akiyama about to do the Warped Wall as a sea of people cram in tight to get a look during one of the demonstrations.

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 and All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟©Makoto Nagano

Shingo taking a moment to rest while there's much talking going on by a local personality I don't know.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©Mizuho

LOL Looks like whoever is talking it taking forever because both Shingo and Nagano (and yeah I see Akiyama's head behind Nagano) look bored (or annoyed) out of their minds.  I'm happy to get at least ONE Nagano annoyed™ look.. ahahhahaha

All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 ©Mizuho

Despite Nagano and Akiyama not being at trials we're told Nagano, Shingo and Takeda will be heading to Sasuke.  Notably absent from that list are Yamada and Akiyama.. No idea why they will not be there. I gave up on Bunpei ever coming back to Sasuke sadly.... I hope as the taping date gets closer that TBS decides to invite them ALL back.  Lord knows for many fans (not just international fans) Sasuke is not Sasuke without ALL of the All-stars.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 with his son Kaiou 塊王, All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 and All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©Makoto Nagano

LOL I LOVE this picture!!!!!!  Check out the posing from both Kaiou and Shingo.. ahahahah Man that boy is picking up bad habits from his adopted uncles. ( ^ . ^ )

Thanks to everyone involved for providing photos.  Seems with the gorgeous 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 29 (sometime this summer).  Followed by Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup later in the year in November!