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Showing posts with label Kazuhiko Akiyama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kazuhiko Akiyama. Show all posts

Saturday, July 8, 2017

The Sasuke Spirit (Video)


Published on Jul 7, 2017
"The Sasuke Spirit" is a small tribute to Sasuke All-Stars whom  I honestly feel embody the spirit of Ninja Warrior that I fell in love with. It's a little bittersweet but this is how I feel today about the whole experience. Nothing will ever change my feelings for them. I hope I did an okay job in trying to convey that.

Music:  Heartbreaking by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100208
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

http://www.ramblingrican.com/
https://twitter.com/Arsenette
https://www.instagram.com/ramblingrican/

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Rambling Rican in Japan 2016 - (Part 6) - Sasuke 32 (Day 1 - Part 3)


This is a vlog series chronicling my second trip to Japan to see Sasuke (Ninja Warrior)!  This trip took place May 25, 2016 - June 1, 2016 where I traveled to see Sasuke 32 live on set at Midoriyama Studios!

Part 6 - Sasuke 32 (Day 1 -Part 3)
This particular video was originally 90 minutes long.  After rendering issues I decided that I would break it down into smaller portions. This video is Part 3 of 3 of that 90 minute video.  This is a personal blog about my own experience with Sasuke 32.  They are my own viewpoints and not representative of the tournament as a whole.

Midoriyama Studio City: http://www.midoriyama.co.jp/


Thank you so much to the IndieGogo backers for making this trip possible again! ♥

I do read your comments! I just can't comment in the comments section since I don't use Google+ on this YT Channel. I'll comment to them in later videos!

More updates can always be found on my website:

Royalty Free/YouTube Music:
Eastern Thought by Kevin MacLeod

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Rambling Rican in Japan 2016 - (Part 5) - Sasuke 32 (Day 1 - Part 2)


This is a vlog series chronicling my second trip to Japan to see Sasuke (Ninja Warrior)!  This trip took place May 25, 2016 - June 1, 2016 where I traveled to see Sasuke 32 live on set at Midoriyama Studios!

Part 5 - Sasuke 32 (Day 1 -Part 2)

This particular video was originally 90 minutes long.  After rendering issues I decided that I would break it down into smaller portions. This video is Part 2 of 3 of that 90 minute video.  This is a personal blog about my own experience with Sasuke 32.  They are my own viewpoints and not representative of the tournament as a whole.

Midoriyama Studio City: http://www.midoriyama.co.jp/


Thank you so much to the IndieGogo backers for making this trip possible again! ♥

I do read your comments! I just can't comment in the comments section since I don't use Google+ on this YT Channel. I'll comment to them in later videos!

More updates can always be found on my website:

Royalty Free/YouTube Music:
Porches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity

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!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Sasuke Rising (28) Spoilerific Review - Part 6

We have a new Sasuke opening!
PART SIX

Sasuke spoilerific review ;) Warning.. incoming blog of Sasuke 28.. if you don’t want to know.. you have been warned :D (Just remember.. the USA Broadcast of this.. will be.. well never possibly.  I don't know if we will ever see it.. Yes.. you read that right.. Now with the death of G4 official and NBC not giving a damn about Sasuke Japan.. we may never see Sasuke Rising on US television (or any overseas country for that matter unless everyone buys the original 3 1/2 hour broadcast from TBS). For a preview of this event.. Please see SASUKE Rising (28) NAVI a 1 hour review of Sasuke Rising with fluff pieces of all the major players in the upcoming Sasuke and even a couple of runs that were cut from the official broadcast!

 (Massive thanks to TBS for posting the names of all 100 competitors!  Thanks to Ube for his help on the names in English!!)


Okay.. All-star time.. been dreading doing this.. since Sasuke Rising is the sun setting on the Sasuke All-Stars...  First we have Akiyama getting a handshake from Takeda while Akiyama's wife looks on.


Now Yamada comes over for his own (LOL Just looking at his wife's reaction.. we know Yamada/Akiyama used to hate each other years ago)


K without incident as his youngest son gets sandwiched LOL


Nagano sharing in the bromance


Shingo also showing solidarity


But BECAUSE this is Shingo he can never keep a straight face and cracks a joke..


Man.. I'm going to miss this guy.. he's my favorite competitor.


way back in 1999 during the 4th Sasuke, Akiyama was staring down the Final Stage.


 Whoot.. purple Descente gear!  Take a drink of something tropical!


GET THIS STUPID WOMAN OFF MY SCREEN!  She doesn't even know who he is.. GET OFF THE SCREEN YOU LOUSY TART! YOU DON'T BELONG HERE!!!!


Seriously.. WHY IS SHE HERE?  She doesn't watch the show.. so W.T.F... 


sorry she's annoying the living hell out of me as TBS is finally showing a decent background fluff piece on him.. I mean granted it's the last time.. but still.. it's a nice tribute.


(blocking her face with my middle finger..) Despite him having all sorts of vision issues he still never shied away from physical activity.


This was from 1992 (which would have made him 19 years old)


Anyway we all know he was a crab fisherman!  He fished for hairy crab! Think Deadliest Catch.. but in Hokkaido!


Middle finger wants to poke her eyes out.. anyway.. TBS pulls up the suckitude chart™


He's had issues in the past getting back to the Final since his win


And finally they are showing his latest hobby.  Arm wrestling!


Which now he does competitively!


Of course figures they show him losing that too.. LOL


They repeated a lot of footage from Navi so I'm going to try not duplicate too many.


Seems he's also into building stuff inside the house!


Where he can do pull ups with full weights strapped onto him


I LOVE THIS PHOTO!  Okay.. for many of us THIS was the original preferred Sasuke All-stars if we had our way:
 Top Row: Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Bunpei Shiratori 白鳥文平, Hiroyuki Asaoka 朝岡 弘行, Shinji Kobayashi 小林 信治, Koji Yamada 山田 康司
Bottom Row: All-stars Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦, Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and Makoto Nagano 長野誠


Akiyama breaking down thanking everyone for their years of support


First overt appearance of Sasuke Spray!


Awwwww this is so cute!  Akiyama brought his two sons! 


Older son is Seiryu (Yes.. named after the Azure Dragon) and younger one is Yoshimune.  


TBS reminding us 95 have gone and only 5 clears so far with the final 5 on tap to go now.


Carrying his trademark hairy crab on a string


All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦


Easy clear on the steps


no problem with the rolling escargot


aaaaaaaaaaand.. this is where I thought he'd go down.. DAMN!!!


yes.. we can do without this.. everyone else in the room saw it live.. so this is utterly pointless..


everyone taking a gander.. seems all of them already knew what was going to happen..


and.. the fall.. 


yeah.. they knew it was going to happen. Takeda can't help but smile as Nagano buries his face..


Takeda knows he's the next one so he's already heading to the startline.


Poor Lee is still gaping while the others talk as if they already knew


Akiyama's wife Akemi and their sons (as Ube puts.. strangely unaffected)


yep.. exactly where I thought this would happen.  Foot was too far forward and started to spin the ball making him lose his balance.


So he had no way to go but straight down.


Gah.. I had hoped he made it past this. I figured if he did he'd have a great shot at clearing the first stage!


Takeda proving that you can be your own Santa.. opens the bag away from Yamada.. 


.. to reveal his own towel.. strange.. he already knows he's going to take a bath?? Talk about no confidence! LOL


Let's see that again!


yeah.. already losing control as he over shoots the ball


then tries to stop but his body is still moving forward


and then straight down. That's a shame. I really hoped he'd pass this like he did in Viking.
All Star Kazuhiko Akiyama 秋山和彦 - Death by Spin Bridge 


He says that his experience with Sasuke has really opened his world and that's something he'd treasure the rest of his life.


13 years ago he was the only Sasuke champion and he got lots of rewards for it but now it's time for the younger generation.


He still wants to cheer for the remaining All Stars.
(As Yamada is trying not to cry)


Takeda taking this all in as he's up next..


Shingo choking back tears


Nagano happy for his friend.  We finally get to hear a good speech out of Akiyama and no one is interrupting him!


It's actually the first time for Akiyama to bring his family to Midoriyama!


He starts to fall apart as he truly thanks everyone for their support over the years.


Yamada actually finding it hard to breathe right now..


As there is a applause from those watching


Shingo doing everything in his power to try to keep it together.


Akiyama finally succumbs to tears


Akiyama walking over to the All-stars


Yamada hugging him! It's so nice to see them both put their past differences behind them. 


Shingo extending his hand in appreciation


Then a huge smile from Nagano


Akiyama walking past his kids to deal with one more


A good luck for Takeda as he's up next.. I don't even want to think what's going through his mind right now having to hear all that then go tackle this stage for the first time in 2 years..


His kids are so sedate LOL


HUGE smile from Akiyama as everyone is not entirely sure what they should be doing right now


Awww no PDA for his wife.. just pats on the heads of his sons.


Oh yeah. we got 4 more of these to go.. geez.. btw.. so strange seeing him without his trademark orange pants..


Looooooots of breathing right now.. trying to focus after that emotional ordeal


Back from retirement folks.. 2 years he hasn't been here competing


Can I slap box girl... please??


H used to be a fire fighter


I always laugh at this old video because he's standing there supervising while everyone does the grunt work LOL


After years of training and commendations he earned the right to be a Heavy Rescue helicopter jumper.  A small tight-nit elite group.  It was because of this change that he didn't want to risk an injury during Sasuke that he retired.


I wondered if he was going to wear this uniform in Sasuke.


I'm so used to seeing those pants!


Gah.. even now.. I hate seeing this video of his Sasuke 24 choke.


wtf is she doing?  She's killing the mood...


He's talking about unfinished business (we all know what that is.. especially since the damn reporter started with that question about the Final Stage)


as we take the time to stare at him in the gym.. oh.. they are using different music!


It's the one from the movie Backdraft (also used for Iron Chef which I find amusing since every once in a while I say "who's cuisine will reign supreme".. LOL)


and.. wtf is her problem????


Enough with the breathing... you are freaking me out!


what on earth is on his neck??


Anyway Underarmor Fire Rescue EMS shirt FTW!


Lee doing a thumbs up as Shinya and Shingo look on


Okay this seems wrong.. NAGANO SHOULD BE ON STAGE WITH HIM!  You know.. the back slap???


Yamada is still trying to get it together


Everything about this feels wrong. Heavy mood, last tourney after a retirement, change of clothes, no one is there to psyche him up...


and of course we now have to go to commercial..


All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩


easy clear on the steps


Actually the first time he even tries this obstacle. I mean he's seen it before but doing it is another thing.


He sees the landing


and he dismounts.. omg.. early....


But he's on the mat even though his feet hit the water..


He starts to move..


BUT HE'S DISQUALIFIED!!! wtf???


Wait he's wondering too..


Do you remember when I asked if THIS was legal? Yeah.. I'm scratching my head too..


I'm already hearing people say because he has both feet touch water when the other guy was only one foot.. I still call BULLSHIT on the whole thing..


Rare camera angle on the other side showing the feet touch the water.


After seeing them use this rule in Kunoichi and even here in Sasuke.. if landing on a moving platform and your body is on it when you land even if you splash a bit when you land it shouldn't be a DQ.. especially when they let it slide in the SAME TOURNAMENT..


But of course we know they did it because they thought Takeda can pass the stage and whoever that guy was before didn't have a prayer so they let him fail elsewhere..


Nagano watching as he lands and is getting up


And then the announcer calling him out over the loudspeaker


yeah I call BS too..


Nagano can't believe what he's watching..


Neither can Shingo...


Now with his emotions in a COMPLETE Fuster cluck..


he prepares himself for his last run..


Kanno stopping him to try to offer some support in the middle of the chaos


Takeda can't believe his luck..  To come back after retirement.. and deal with this.


Heh.. Takeda taking a gander at the obstacle..


Looking around at the crew....


Yeah.. we all this is BS..


Nagano just throws his head back in disgust.. 2 All-stars up.. 2 down.. early..


Heh.. Takeda going away from the crowd dismounting on the other side.


Takeda eyes the landing


Though he does have to be faulted for misjudging the distance + the roll of the escargot


Instead of jumping like most do.. he just dropped


There's no arguing that both his feet hit though regardless if I think it was BS someone else got a pass earlier


This is an All-star and much is expected of him. Sucks of course going out on a DQ...
All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩- Death by Disqualification on Rolling Escargot


So Takeda is having one fine day.. come back from a 2 year retirement, get disqualified then force retired in a span of about 15 seconds.. how was your Thanksgiving?


Btw.. Takeda has some serious balls.. and notice that this interview is NOT broadcast to the bleachers for everyone to hear..


Point blank.. he's not happy with his run and wants a chance to prove himself. If TBS would give him a chance he wants to return to Sasuke and give a better challenge to the course!!!!!!

GO TAKEDA!!!!!!!! I WANT YOU BACK!!!!!!  C'mon TBS.. invite them back!


meanwhile.. this poor soul hasn't heard that speech.. so he's still reeling from 2 of the All-stars retired and out early on the course.


of course I'm sure his last fail (spin bridge) in Sasuke 27 is fresh on his mind...


If you didn't know he was in Sasuke 1 YOU DON'T WATCH THIS SHOW..


.. you know.. like her that didn't know he was in the final in Sasuke 3


and again in Sasuke 7


Awww he tried to grow a mustache how cute :)


ahahahahahhaha Look at Shingo stuff his face while his wife is trying to do an interview..


Notice she's totally ignoring her husband being rude.. ahahahahahah


I totally love this woman.  She's friggin' awesome :)  This is Shingo's wife Eiko 英子


I was hungry.. and I was being interrupted..


I see vitals!


LOL Shingo can never make a serious video of anything.. he always has to start laughing..


Here he is getting his butt whooped by a personal trainer..


on camera.. and the bastard is laughing the whole time!!


No seriously.. this crap happens all the time..


Shingo cracking up again as he knows he looks stupid trying to do Step Aerobics.. LOL


And he collapses in both exhaustion and cackling in laughter


You're.. going to do something.. stupid aren't you?


You have no faith in me?  Shock..


Faithful wife looking on with a sea of Yamamoto supporters! I'm so happy he brought so many!


Awww!
Eiko: Shin-Chan Gambatte!


And the shot that I have memorized because they used this in every single commercial/special


Oh yeah.. 97 people went.. 5 clears.. and 3 more All-stars to go..


Wow.. how he's keeping it together is a minor miracle..


Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟


He's going so slow he brought it to a complete stop and had to keep moving it over..


Finally after slooowly moving down (he has ripped off this thing before for going too fast) he finally jumps


And safely across since he JUMPED and didn't drop like Takeda did


Gaaaaaaaaaah almost a carbon copy of last time!!!!!!!!!!


No wait this is SHINGO we are talking about.. WTF IS HE DOING????


LOL you can hear him laughing.. he can't believe his horrible luck!


Seems she can't believe it either..


already in trouble.. see his foot about to go backwards.. you have to be on TOP of the balls..


and with his foot spinning backwards.. his body lunging forward.. yeah..


and Shingo trying to save himself splashing both feet on the water on exit..


He can't help but laugh at the crazy ways he finds ways to fail...


GAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...


meanwhile.. looking like he wants to throw up.. it's Yamada's turn to get ready..


taking off his jacket he doesn't even know what to do with himself emotionally right now.


Ryo freaking out with the rest of the STQ'ers..


Everyone staring at Shingo just dangling in the air..


already seeing his feet go off early..


and then the drop into the water..


Only you Shingo.. only you can come up with something THAT epic.


Omg.. Yamada is next...


Oh Lord have mercy on me...


meanwhile still dangling...


Shingo's at a loss of what he should be doing right now..


and just stops to try to prolong his last moment in the show..


Let's see that again!


Right here.. too short on the entry and that foot just started to spin the ball BACKWARDS..


Meanwhile he tries to muscle through hoping to maybe jump to the platform and save himself..


but falling short he tries to hang on to the rope holding the last ball


but his downward momentum splashes BOTH feet in the water instantly..  even if he could get himself back up he was DQ'ed right there.


Shingo still smiling through all of that.. I mean.. what can you say?
Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 - Death by Spin Bridge


As he said in the interviews (since he was being forced retired anyway) that if he didn't pass the first stage he'll retire himself


Takeda (who said he wants to come back but no one heard it) is not happy


He looks up at Yamada who's just standing in a daze as this day is turning out into a nightmare.


Akiyama just trying to make sense of how badly everyone is doing


Yamamoto says that he's going to retire from Sasuke and concentrate on his new life.

I'm convinced that if he wasn't told he couldn't come back he wouldn't have made that specific speech.


a slow clap of appreciation of 15 years done btw TBS decreed it was time to move on.


Eiko crumbles in the stress


The veteran announcer (Hatsuda) thanks him!  And he bows in appreciation.


See what I mean how it feels wrong?  Something I said in detail when I first heard the news of the forced retirements..


I understood why they were doing it.. but I didn't like it. I still don't.  What's interesting is seeing Nagano shake his head in disagreement.  He seems to not like it either.


Right now Nagano is not in a good place as he watches one after the other the All-stars shatter in front of him. It shouldn't be this way.


Eiko: I just want him to live his life the way he wants to.


She thanks the interviewer as well.

 Up next.. oh boy.. Mr. Sasuke who is about to implode..