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Friday, June 21, 2013

Sasuke Related News + 29 Commercial

Sasuke Legend Makoto Nagano 長野誠 posing in front of the Star Line in Sasuke 29 ©Makoto Nagano

It's almost here!!!!!!  As you noticed from the Sasuke 29 air-date blog that I put up for you guys, Sasuke Navi (the preview show) is in 2 days!  Sasuke 29 tournament is on Thursday, June 27 which is less than 6 days from now! The times (and conversion table) are on that page.  If you want to watch live with us just join SMF for more details and/or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Sasuke All-Star Bunpei Shiratori 白鳥文平 (left) (sorry, unknown person) and Sasuke Veteran Shunsuke Nagasaki 長崎峻侑 ©Shunsuke Nagasaki

Ever since photos and reports of who was going to be competing in Sasuke 29 kept trickling in piece by piece, I've been getting really excited.  While Bunpei has not returned to Sasuke as a competitor (I'm still sad about that).. another Sasuke Favorite from the past is!  Yes.. that's Shunsuke Nagasaki all grown up on the right.  Verifying again with the official TBS roster of all 100 competitors (in order with saddle cloths) he did indeed compete! I can't wait to see him again!  Not since Sasuke 19 has Shun competed. Btw thanks again to Ube for doing the painstakingly hard word of translating the kanji on the names for all 100 competitors!  As many know.. Kanji has multiple pronunciations and it's not even remotely easy if you are not familiar already with how people pronounce certain names (like the All-stars, New Generation and other vets we have come to recognize over the years).

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 meeting up at the airport ©Makoto Nagano

We also get 3 of 6 All-stars competing in Sasuke!  While I'm not happy all 6 have not returned together (and in all honesty the chances of that happening ever again are slim to none), I AM happy that TBS listened and allowed those All-stars that wanted to return. In fact, I'm ELATED they have returned. I feared that TBS would go ahead and deny them the ability to return after their forced retirement in Sasuke 28. For ONCE I'm happy for low ratings for Sasuke.  The ratings outright plummeted after the last of the All-stars competed in Stage 1 as if to say "no thank you" for their retirement.  Thank you Japan viewers for saving them!

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩, All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and ... Ccccccombo breaker Hiromichi Sato 佐藤弘道 ©Makoto Nagano

LOL I would have been a lot happier if it was Shingo in this picture.. but nooooooo.. it's Mr. Fake Smile himself.. gaaaaaah.. oh well I can't have everything.. it was still my confirming pic that Takeda returned! Go Team All-stars.. yeah... man he destroys the picture.. LOL  In all fairness it was nice seeing him back even if it's for me to make fun of his plastic smile. It was a nice reminder that a LOT of familiar faces from the past have made a return to the tournament.

Official Sasuke 29 Commercial - Subtitled in English ©TBS

Anyway TBS released a commercial last week and was nice enough to put a nice HD version on the TBS PR Youtube page.  To my surprise within the past day TBS then put an English subtitled version on their own official Sasuke Rising page!  Also checking my blog I can't believe I haven't written about this website... anyway.. HERE IT IS.  On there is a few interviews from Sasuke 28, including some runs not shown on the broadcast ALL subtitled in English! I'm very happy to see TBS finally realize how popular Sasuke is worldwide!

Well.. I know where Torisawa is going to eat this time time.. not that I had any real doubts.. anyway, this is the ^Long Jump ロングジャンプ

The video is quite specific. Showing the new obstacles to Sasuke and not afraid to show spoilers.  Even if they are in the 3rd stage.  I know reading on SMF it shocked a lot of (new) people how clear they were but honestly, that's been the same with every tournament. I honestly don't care. Go back to my previous posts on the commercials.. TBS has been consistent. How many times were we spoiled someone won or someone failed deep in the tournament before the tournament actually aired?  Yeah.. see? no different.  Sasuke viewing vets know that if they don't want to be spoiled.. don't watch the commercials. (or read my blog when I write about it!) LOL

This is called the ^Hedgehog ヘッジホッグ

I chose to caption the TBS subtitled version so I don't get the questions of "wtf am I reading?".. now I know!  Yes! Thank you TBS! I also know the names of the new obstacles thanks to an article Ube found (and translated) for us.

The Hedgehog midway through construction

That explains a cryptic photo I got from Inui earlier in the month! LOL I couldn't make heads or tails out of it.. now seeing the Hedgehog in action I see what it is! Wow.. I would have never guessed it was this.  Interesting being trolled by the director showing me a pic of a new obstacle midway through construction. LOL He's evil.

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

Awwww.. Yuuji in tears.  My guess is that he got selected to represent Japan in Sasuke Asean Open Cup later this year in Malaysia. If he wasn't then TBS should be ashamed of itself to not send the 2-time champion.. but honestly.. I think he was. Especially seeing that the people he was crying to (Kanno and Ryo) were both smiling and patting him on the side at the every end of this shot.


Modified *Log Grip ロググリップ

Splashed across the screen is the event I just mentioned (and wrote back in February when it was first announced).  Sasuke ASEAN Open Cup 2013 is a multi-nation event which would mark the first time Sasuke was ever staged inside of a stadium.  Sasuke 29 also doubled as the qualifier for the Japan Team at that event to be held later this year.

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠

Making a solo appearance in Sasuke as his wife was about to give birth to this newest son.  Just a week after taping Sasuke, his wife Asami gave birth to a beautiful boy named Taiou.  A bit premature but son and mother are doing just fine!

Jump Hang Kai ジャンプハング改 is back

And.. it won't be this guy.. LOL I actually like this version of the Jump Hang honestly.  I guess he didn't read the memo that despite what the kids say on the forums.. you chose a side.. and commit.  It's too far apart to grab both sides at once..

Aaaaaaand someone clears the Crazy Cliffhanger クレイジークリフハンガー

This single shot has sparked a lot of curiosity.  Who is it.. zomg who is it.. Guys.. it's called a teaser for a reason.. TUNE IN ON THURSDAY TO FIND OUT! And no, I don't think it's a tester.

Cross Slider クロススライダー is back

And I swore this was Asa when it first showed because the quality of the video was mediocre (thanks anyway though since we wouldn't have seen it otherwise so early), but once we got the TBS list and the HD video.. we know who it is. well.. don't actually since I don't recognize the name.

And the single more polarizing obstacle returns! The Backstream バックストリーム

I find it amusing that when they mention who's going to defend the nation's honor they show a steady progression of people failing or barely surviving.. LOL  You know.. if it were me.. I'd be drowning..

And.. someone who barely can swim

Poor guy is trying.. go whoever you are!!!  Defend your honor!  He looks cold... wasn't it like in the 50's-60's that night? It wasn't exactly warm..

Aah.. we get to see someone ON the Vertical Limit バーティカルリミット

Same dude with orange shorts doing well on the Vertical Limit. uuuuuugh my fingers hurt looking at it..

Someone getting pwned on the Swap Salmon Ladder スワップサーモンラダー

And because Cocky Takeda™ a few tourneys ago declared no one would fail the Salmon Ladder.. Sasuke 29 reveals that yes.. someone does get pwned by the Salmon Ladder. And no I don't think this is him.. Just saying it's funny with that in my head and I see this.


Let's see that again from a different angle!  The Craaaaaaaaaaazy Cliffhanger got pwned.  And by dude in orange shorts and hair. Now granted that doesn't help (well.. except for the hair) since everyone is now bringing a change of clothes thanks to have a SWIMMING obstacle in stage 2.

 My favorite final of all time returns!

Ooooh how I missed thee.. Look at that gorgeous final stage.. I see.. spider walls... yes.. the same set up as Sasuke 17's final.. just.. taller.. sniff.. isn't it beautiful?


And if you didn't know already.. Sasuke 29 airs in just 6 days!  Ya'll wanna wake up early to watch! It's going to be epic! Oh and that's 7pm JAPAN local time.. we have to wake up before dawn here in the USA to watch it.  In the meantime Sasuke Navi is just 2 days way.. weeeeeeeee Oh and if anyone is interested.. I did an anticipation video featuring the original non-subtitled version of the Commercial on YouTube.


Next was a series of videos all showing Sasuke 29 before the tournament with a few testers.  All the videos (including interviews with Mr. Sasuke and Sasuke Producer Kikuno) are there (sorry, not subtitled/translated).

Jump Hang Kai ジャンプハング改
*Log Grip ロググリップ
^Long Jump ロングジャンプ
Ni Ren Soritatsu Kabe 2連そり立つ壁 (Double Warped Wall)

And yes they seem to have recycled the start line.  This is the new name of the show. Delineates the rise from the Monster 9 bankruptcy and a new beginning.  This is still Sasuke 29 but get used to that background from here on out.  This is the post-Higuchi era.

A quick look of Stage 3 during the daytime.  Looks strange to me without seeing it shrouded in darkness and illuminated in artificial light.

This is the Long Jump ロングジャンプ which scary enough is the first obstacle!  Ooooooh I see many fails.. and yuck.. the pits are already.. yeah..

Side view of the Long Jump.  It's distance is 4.5 meters which is about 14.8 feet (for male competitors) and 3.5 meters which is about 11.4 feet (for female) competitors.


A nice photo on twitter of how that run looks like to an audience member.


Dunno who the chick is but she's first on the video.


not surprised..


Body made it over but one foot didn't and that's all it takes to take you out.


And.. that's.. a dude right?


Yeah that's a dude.  The distance was much further away.


Next is glasses dude.


Yep.. down he goes.


Some guy they didn't bother with a close up.


And with distance!  Made it!


Now to the modified Log Grip

How modified? It has training wheels now! (Go Wakky ワッキー!)


Now it's Sonic the Hedgehog Time!


ooooooooh barely made it but he made it!


Buuuuuuut he failed the Jump Hang Kai


And we get a face shot of him smiling!  Thanks for the video!

All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠

What is nice about the Sasuke Rising Youtube page is that they are adding a lot of behind the scenes videos.  Interviews with Sasuke Veterans and even now they are adding Sasuke 29 interviews almost daily! ALL SUBTITLED IN ENGLISH!


God I love his wife Asami.  She cracks the whip at home!  She's merciless! mwahahahahhaha


Poor guy is reduced to humiliation when recounting his wife view of his latest efforts in Sasuke!



because I can..


While I have fun with choosing the right image to pick I got distracted by the background again.. notice Mr. Sasuke on the right there? Yeah. He is there but not as a competitor. He's here to cheer on his protege.  Right now he's being interviewed as well.


A truer statement has not been uttered! ( ^ . ^ )
All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟

Ah yes now we are graced with the goofball of the Sasuke All-stars.. it's Shingo!


I was VERY happy to see this line.  Quite a few people have been saying if they lost their title. NO they have not. I'm very happy he wants to keep it. As far as I'm concerned.. Once an All-Star ALWAYS an All-star.


So regular guy got his wish and he's actually way down in #36 position.


This video was all over the place with the cuts.  While trying to omit jump cuts they changed to random preparation around Midoriyama.  That said.. I see Yoshiyuki Okuyama 奥山義行 on the right!


Lofty goals grasshopper!


Meanwhile TBS is adoring his very animated way of speaking.. and kept repeating the "buttocks" line along with his .. visual.. of what buttocks looks like! LOL


And for good measure the THROWING THEMSELVES at Sasuke's course animation.  ahahhaaha


/sigh I wish it were the simple sweetie.  We would LOVE to try it.. but TBS no longer invites foreigners and here in America.. NBC doesn't care!  They think ANW is more important than Sasuke.  Trust me Shingo.. we want to go and try..


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

And now we get to see.. wait.. I recognize someone from the back.. Sorry Yuuji.. I do this all the time.. I stare at background activity!


Wait.. the 2 dudes squatting.. I know them!


LOL!  That's Nagano on the left and Takeda on that right.. I mean over Yuuji's shoulder on the right of the screen.. LOL those are the All-stars warming up.


Yep.. that's them alright.  Takeda has a unique body type.. I actually can recognize that swagger from the back.. do.. I need help? LOL


Oh for the love of everything holy.. wtf does Hiromichi Sato want with the All-stars?


Aahahahaha notice they are not really.. uhm.. paying attention to him!  GO ALL-STARS! Ehem..


Meanwhile Yuuji publicly dissing TBS for ignoring Kouji Hashimoto from the New Generation lineup..  GO YUUJI!


Anyway I'm super stoked for next week!  We finally get to see FOUR of UNCLI try to get to this final!  I've never seen Four of the Five compete at the same time! I'm going to be giddy! I'm so happy Keita is finally going!!!!!  Either way I'll blog about Navi when I get the footage to screencap.  See you on Sunday morning!  Oh and in other news, seems TBS is trying to tackle the music copyright issues of the past by introducing new music that is written specifically for Sasuke. I have mixed feelings on it. I like that it could be one step closer to finally getting a DVD/Bluray release of Sasuke.. I'm still partial to the previous music used in all the other Sasuke tournaments.  We'll see. We don't know what it sounds like... and it's not like anyone in the USA even watched the straight-to-video Adam's Family Reunion to even know what his music sounds like.

American Ninja Warrior (5) Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada

Meanwhile this weekend is Finals week for ANW5.  The big news out of that is that some Sasuke Stars will be in attendance!  Who?  We'll just have to wait and see!  I'll do a blog post when the weekend is over and I have proper photos to share.  IT'S SASUKE WEEK BABY!

3 comments:

jenn said...

Finally have a minute where I can reply to stuff...

1. From a different post, but: congrats to the Naganos on the arrival of their second son! It's good to see both Asami and Taiou are doing well,although I agree that I'm wondering what type of dynastic thoughts Daddy is having with that name. (g)

2. Thank you so much for getting those damned backpack ads with Sato in them in my head again. (shudders0

3. TBS REALLY had fun with Shingo's interview, didn't they? He made it too easy for them. I do also like how Yuuji's comment mentioning Kouji was kept in. (g)

4. I really do wonder why they are getting rid of the usual music - I doubt it is a rights issue, since there were never problems before, and the Naruto music especially fit the show well.

5. It is interesting how many of the STQers made it back this time (Shinya! Hell yeah!), and since many of them have been on before, that bodes well for them. I do hope that the rest of UNCLI helped settle Keita's nerves, because you know he had to have them, and I really hope he had a great run.

Unknown said...

Hi Arsenette, sorry I (Rod)keep forgetting to label my name due to my google account not putting my name in the response (and I have less time to follow, but your blog entries when I get the chance to come by help, including reminding me about Lost in Ube's blog). I complimented you last post in the spring and encourage you as you watch this morning (with popcorn on hand for Nagano and company) to keep blogging for us.

With NBC not caring about the Americans getting involved, find it interesting that they still carry the Nagano comment about the Americans from before and the fact that ANW5 might have some of the Japanese come over (hopefully Yuuji is one). Good to see a few women still involved. Finally, I liked Kongo Express' comment on Sasuke Rising (and the YouTube channel as a whole), about how someone in the hospital his age at the time. The guy was 34, giving up on his therapy due to his pain from his leg injury, but, inspired by Kenji's efforts, got his leg injury rehabbed and thanked Kenji when he came to the hospital for a delivery. It starts at 2:38 of the video on Sasuke rising.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5vYBAMpUS8

Made Kenji cry with joy hearing that his efforts were not just for himself now, but for others, too. That's the kind of thing that has me coming back, as Kenji said: it's not all about winning, it's the effort itself.

Thanks again, Arsenette, for the years you've put in. Even though I come by less often, your efforts are appreciated. Enjoy watching it this morning (I think you said this morning), Arsentte!

Arsenette said...

Thanks guys for the kind words. :) Yeah Rod so long as they don't change Sasuke too much and continue to allow the All-stars that want to continue I probably will continue in earnest. You guys know my focus has always been the All-stars so I'm happy that they are still paying some attention to them.

Jenn LOL on your comments. We definitely think alike! The issue with the music though is for reproduction. The broadcast license for music does not cover DVD/Bluray reproduction. That's an entirely different (and more expensive) license as you have to pay for every instance (so for a run of 2000 videos you pay for each song 2000 times.. and you know how heavy in music Sasuke is as a whole. So if they paid upfront for the music... they can reproduce it without penalty or additional costs since it was part of the contract. Actually it's a huge deal. Music rights is a heavily litigated problem worldwide. Some shows never get DVD/Bluray just for the music..

Hey Rod!
I'm looking forward to news on the trip overseas for the crew that's here now. Seems they are keeping it under wraps which annoys me to all hell since they are not showcased but locked in a closet so to speak. I'm furious. it's like they didn't want them to taint the broadcast like Nagano did last year.

Loving the new vids as TBS adds them. It's like opening a Christmas present every day of the week :)