We are back! Time for GirlfriendCam™ as we see Yuki 由妃 at the start line of Sasuke
Her boyfriend Kazuma though is looking like a deer in the headlights..
Awwwww During the day of the taping, I heard they were engaged.. wait..
ooooh he also planned to do that in front of the cameras as well. Ooops I thought it already happened but the rumor was there earlier in the day. LOL
It's still touching though considering that Kanno kept saying that he wasn't going to marry his girlfriend until he won Sasuke.. we know how THAT turned out..
So yeah everyone was packed to see this totally friggin' awesome moment when right at the start line you had Asa ask Yuki to marry him!
Kazuma starts to tear up as Yuki falls apart
She doesn't say anything but only cries.. hysterically.. still.. where's the damn kiss??
Everyone even outside of the grandstands were climbing over each other to see this really cool scene. And yes we all wanted to see the kiss.. dangit!
LOL She just says "Thank you" Hey.. as a fan I say thank you too! She didn't have to suffer like Kanno's girl!
New Generation Star
Kazuma Asa 朝一眞
So it seems in 2014 he changed jobs. He's no longer the crying gardener!
He's now in construction!
I still don't know his Father's name! I presume that he is now in his father's business now that he is getting married and has a wife to support.
For long-time Rambling Rican readers, you recognize this picture. This was from Sasuke Trials in Sasuke 21. This was actually
my first trials blog back when Sasuke Maniac on TBS television still existed during the summer of 2008. If you look carefully Asa is on the left of the screen and Ryo is on the far right. They were the 2 to survive this heat.
I remember this.. /cries..
Sasuke 22 Trials where he was thrown in a tug of war.. and Ryo's and Asa's group lost (Kanno, Yuuji and Koji were part of the winning group)... that losing group had to do 800 meter run and and only the top 10 of the 30 were able to advance.
Advancing from the 800 meter race, he had to do a Warped Wall simulated hill of which he could not climb. He again failed to qualify to return to Sasuke.
Sasuke 27 had a trials that Monster 9 never aired (that was the famous "if you pay for it then it will be shown lost episode). He again failed the Warped Wall but had a 2nd chance as many didn't clear the wall either. Then everyone who didn't outright qualify by clearing the course had to line up at the end of the day to hear if their number was called to qualify for Sasuke 27. Out of nowhere, and as the last number called, his number #9 was called.
Finally given a 2nd chance, in Sasuke 27 he debuted this new kanji.
And it was then where he FINALLY defeated his Warped Wall demons and cleared the First Stage!
Named a Shin Sedai (New Generation) in Sasuke 28, he went on to keep clearing the First Stage and becoming a 3rd Stage figure all while yelling out his famous chant of "Passion/Emotion".
In Sasuke 30 his beautiful girlfriend Yuki debuted
And a tender side of Asa emerged as a hopeless romantic. ♥
Back in the present, Kabira is giving Asa mad props for an awesome display. And the rest are making fun of the talento in the back as he's tearing up with emotion.
Dude.. you crying??
He is doing everything possible NOT to cry. Well done Kazuma!!
So yeah we are at 14 clear with 6 left to go.
Btw for those asking, since the top group had the bleachers filled, I couldn't find space in the stands after watching Jin's run. So I ended up sitting next to the final tower watching the jumbo screen as best I could with a group of people who also were left out. I would have loved a screen out there.. but still, this was my vantage point from about #85+
魂：meaning spirit or soul, so his back is meant to read "The spirit of Sasuke or the soul of Sasuke". And yes since it's a temporary tattoo, Yuki smeared it when she hugged him at the start line. Btw, I'm laughing at Kong cheesing at Drew about his shirt on his knees.
And finally after that long fluff piece and marriage proposal. we are ready!
Thankfully that display didn't curse him and he mounts the Rolling Hill safely!
He steps down decisively and jumps!
safely!
Onto the Log Grip
Mounting the Music Box
Safely dismounts the Music Box
Powering through the Jump Hang with no issues
And yells in the Tackle
Slllowly gets to the end of the Tackle
Concentrating on 1 shoting the Warped Wall..
And he does!!
Nice time left! 43 seconds as she grabs the Tarzan Rope!
Safely on the mat as he he prepares to go up the Lumberjack Climb.
Quickly up the Lumberjack!
And HE takes the 2nd fastest time now!
Yuki overcome as she sees he didn't crumble under the pressure.
Can I get a YELL YEAH!!!!!!!
Darvish having fun with the clear group as we see a chart of the final 5 competitors listed.
Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!
Oooooh we have a fast forward clear reel again!
Kissing both guns as he clears!
New Generation Star
Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!
That's Kanno's wife Emiko 笑子 and their (sleeping) son Yuuto 雄仁
Awww Tomo's fast forwarded as well!
Tomohiro Kawaguchi 川口朋広 - FIRST STAGE CLEAR!
Sasuke All-Star
Makoto Nagano 長野誠
He realizes the crowd is getting louder now that he's been introduced.
He's reaaaally feeling the pressure. He's been down all day and now with both of friends eliminated, he's again.. the last All-Star standing..
As most know by now, he has a new ship. The 50th Konpiramaru 第50金比羅丸
Captain of the 50th Konpiramaru. 第50金比羅丸
Seriously.. you don't watch the show if you don't know who Nagano is by now
Because I can..
Winner of Sasuke 17 and the face of Sasuke for a solid 10 years
Sadly his record has been spotty for a few years. Failed in the 1st stage in Sasuke 29
Unceremoniously disqualified because of a
bullshit rule in Sasuke 30 on a broken obstacle..
and now showing how again his life has changed in the past year.
First time in his life he had BUILT his own home back in his hometown. Heck.. it even has secret trap doors for the kids to play as ninja in! LOL
I had to look this up but I know for a fact that Nagano is a devout follower of the
Shinto Religion so I figured it was a good luck thing. Takeda and Nagano are throwing mochi (rice cakes) from the top of Nagano's new home during the housewarming.
According to a
blog I found, Mochi is thrown from an elevated position, imitating the folk belief that fortune falls from heaven.
I'm just so happy that after years of living off his boat primarily or going back to his parents (after his divorce), he finally has built new roots in a home to raise his 3 children with Asami.
Ah.. the ceremonial caning™
And it seems Takeda is throwing the rest of his energy into Makoto's back since he didn't use it during his run. LOL
Proud mother Asami 阿紗美 with her sons Kaiou 塊王, baby Genou 玄皇 swaddled on her lap and Taiou 太皇 (btw I think that's Asami's brother on the left)
97 down.. 17 clears with 3 left!
Sasuke All-Star
Makoto Nagano 長野誠
Okay.. he's on the Rolling Hill and every commercial spoiled he was past this..
Gaaah that's why I hate commercials that spoil things..
Rolled last roller though scaring the crap out of everyone..
Onto Log Grip
Climbing onto the Music Box
Crawls like a cat across the top!
Carefully eying the landing pad
And an easy clear on the Music Box
Glad he doesn't have issues with this version of the Jump Hang. I think the only version he's never failed? All others he has before.
Onto the tackle!
Laboring.. granted he is 43 years old and a chain smoker.. but he reaaally looks slow on this..
Slowly dismounting..
He looks like he saw a ghost...
Shakes his head.. Omg.. no.. he's had this face all day... seriously.. ALL DAY..
He looks resigned..
Finally gets up after sitting and gasping for air..
Aaaaaaalmost.. but not quite enough.. You hear him yell..
Yuuji feeling that internally as Ryo is panicking..
Everyone horrified he's failed it..
Everyone praying he gets the next one.. not a lot of time left..
Takeda staring at the only clock in the entire course as Shingo yells support to Nagano who is clearly hurting..
Gasping for air.. as that timer just keeps going..
Tries again.. but fails worse..
Asami screaming knowing he failed again.. Kaiou is now old enough to really know wtf is going on and he's not happy.. Taiou just looking at daddy on the big screen.. while Genou is looking at the back of his eyelids right now..
Not wanting to get yelled at again by his wife.. he sets up to run up the wall again..
and fails again..
Asami yelling as hard as she can..
Kaiou just throws his head back and screams in disappointment.
It's over. He's still panting.
Aww I didn't know Lee was also running alongside with the other All-Stars.
Perry I see you!! LOL
Familycam™ as they are disappointed. This is going to be a quick trip home.
I think I mentioned this before in other places, but he just was not trained this time around. He finds it harder and harder to get in shape for the tournament. He was sooo out of his element this tournament and was dreading his run knowing he wasn't fully prepared. He's tired. He doesn't think he can train for this anymore but he feels compelled to show up. He also knows if he shows up he is expected to contend. Others see one last 3rd stage run but he right now doesn't see how that's possible. Right now, this isn't fun for him. He booked his flight before the tournament and at first I thought it was on Sunday (that was the rumor), but was corrected. Still though, it wasn't far off from what I heard during the tournament. He booked a flexible flight in the case if he failed the first day, he could get a new flight without massive fees. He did, and he and his family rescheduled the flight for the following day.
Now everyone is actually thinking the same thing. We were all worried about Nagano the whole day.
Sasuke All-Star
Makoto Nagano 長野誠 - Time up on Warped Wall
Nagano: Yeah, I wanted to give it my all, but physically it’s tough…
(btw he was asked to come back next time.)
Nagano: I want to think about (coming back) next time. Next time will depend on my physical condition.
So to explain this exchange it will take a bit. In the past if someone publicly said they were done, they had to take at least a tournament off before coming back. It's happened to Takeda, Akiyama and Yamada. It's rare that an exchange like this would be aired in the fear that if they air it, then it will become confirmed. Nagano wanted to say he was retiring and even eluded to this during this interview. He was pleaded to come back but he was still non-committal. So, at this point, if he feels he's physically able to "contend", he will come back for one last try. He doesn't think he would just show up and fail all the time without people getting upset about it. He himself has too much pride as well and would only show up if he can live up to his own expectations on top of everyone else's expectations. Our hope (mine and Inui's) is to have him get to the 3rd and then retire. Retire on top instead of a disappointing fail like this time. I personally don't want a Yamada ending for him. He was just in the 2nd last tournament and had it not been for problems with a broken obstacle we might have seen him in the 3rd again. We will never know. So right now, this may be the last shot of Nagano on Sasuke. Let's pray it's not.
Repaying the favor, the boy band guy from ABC-Z, Ryoichi Tsukada 塚田僚一 lends his support for the current and reigning Champion Yuuji.
2-Time Grand Champion
Yuuji Urushihara 漆原裕治 (
Cliffer #3)
Winner of Sasuke 24
and Sasuke 27. The only man ever to beat the course twice.
2-Time Grand Champion
Yuuji Urushihara 漆原裕治 (
Cliffer #3)
btw..
I LOVE HIS NEW THEME!!!!
wtf..
back from commercials as we see Yuuji get ready.
Feeling butterflies in his stomach.. the next champion goes..
Safely on the Rolling Hill
Not taking chances on the back side of the Rolling Hill
Safely through the Log Grip
Mounting onto the music box
Also crawling up the top of it
Sticks his toe out to get to the platform safely
No issues on the Jump Hang as his time is really really good
Wow.. head down for the Tackle..
REAAAAALLY far down ...
Struggling badly.. as his massive lead is evaporating
Holy cow.. almost 20 seconds on this thing..
Just sits down trying to collect himself..
Fails badly on his first attempt
His best friend Hioki is horrified..
Tries again and fails again!!
Panting as he tries to collect himself..
Fails again!!
he knows it's over but he's now pissed off... He could do this in his sleep..
Fails horribly on his next try..
Boy band dude is about to cry..
Yuuji is perplexed..
Tries again and fails worse than before
Times up..
Nagano assuring Ryo that all he has to do is not take the Tackle too low..
Yuuji is reaaaaally upset.
What was cut from the broadcast is an epic moment that brought a lot of people to tears..
Yuuji ran up that wall after the timer had stopped over and over approximately SIX to EIGHT TIMES..
He kept going over and over.. and over.. and over again convinced he could get over that damn wall. Each time he failed people would groan.. heck where I was standing near the final tower was a huge group of people all screaming. He'd set up to jump again and people would fall silent and clutch their heart.
We could see the wall from our vantage point unobstructed since the 2nd set of bleachers finished around the Jump Hang portion of the course. Each time Yuuji failed people would scream YAMETE KUDASAI!!!!! (PLEASE STOP!) A couple of women ran off crying. He was finally stopped by the production staff after begging him because they were terrified that in his exhausted state he would seriously hurt himself. They knew it was important for him mentally to clear it, but as he failed.. he failed worse and worse and it was clear that his stubbornness would not make him stop. So they intervened.
2-Time Grand Champion
Yuuji Urushihara 漆原裕治 (
Cliffer #3) - Death by Time up on Warped Wall
So this was the interview after he ran the wall over a dozen times at this point.
Yuuji: This is bad…
Yuuji: This is probably the first time that a kanzenseiha has looked so far away for me.
Up next is #100. How will he fare?
Apparently badly if you are to believe the dismayed faces!
And who will make it out of the 2nd stage?
How will Darvish do?
And who wins the Final?
Because seriously.. someone does and all freak out..
Mmmmmmmm.. Ice cream...
Back from commercial and Ryo is trying to collect himself after seeing Yuuji fail badly.
New Generation Star
Ryo Matachi (
Cliffer #2) 又地諒
2 times a finalist in Sasuke with his best run coming last tournament.
Sasuke Vietnam he went as a tester
He cleared that Final in front of a crowd as part of a demonstration.
He also cleared the 3rd stage in ANW's USA vs. World competition.. yeah.. the one that stole his achievement.. but yeah I'm digressing.. moving on..
Please lend me your support!
The crowd collect themselves and we get the announcement of the final runner of the First Stage.
Seems everyone is back from the bathroom!
New Generation Star
Ryo Matachi (
Cliffer #2) 又地諒
How will he wear the coveted saddlecloth?
Up the Rolling Hill
Carefully jumps from the 3rd roller
Onto the Log Grip
Climbing the Music Box
Carefully off the Music Box
Clears the Jump Hang with ease.
Onto the Tackle..
Slowing down already...
Struggling...
rare view of how they climb up the Tackle
Sits down..
Apparently contemplates the meaning of life.. 7 seconds.. c'mon move it..
I hate when they do this...
Darvish also telling him to move it dammit..
FAILS IT!!!
Starting to panic..
FAILS IT AGAIN!!!!!
He looks for the clock...
The dismay from the commercial.. now you know why they were worried..
Almost gets it.. but fails again!
Dismay as he sees the timer at 15 seconds..
does it again.. c'mon you don't need that weird run up..
One more time for pride.. NOPE!
Irony imprinted on his shirt.. Speed means nothing if you have no overall stamina.
Tries one more time and fails it even worse..
Asa in a million depressions.. while Drew just lets that moment sink in..
Yuuji devastated..
2 cliffers back to back eliminated..
Ryo just staring into space in horror.. not how he wanted to wear #100
Ryo Matachi (
Cliffer #2) 又地諒 - Time up on Warped Wall
Blank stares from those who cleared.. Asa
Kawaguchi
Okada and Hioki just throwing his head back in disgust
Our First Stage clears scroll across the screen
Masashi Hioki 日置 将士
Hiroshige Yamamoto 山本浩茂
Riku Hanamoto 花本莉丘
Zhang Wang Yan 張汪洋
Anastase Ragivaru ラギヴァル・アナスターズ
Kung-Cheen Howng 洪 恭芹
Yuuichi Okada 岡田祐一
Hiraki Fukanuma 深沼 開
Kenji Darvish 樽美酒研二
Alexander Mars アレクサンダー・マーズ
Kikuchi Seiminamoto (spelling?) 菊池正源
Kenji Takahashi 高橋賢次
Kenji Takahashi 高橋賢次
Yusuke Morimoto 森本 裕介
Drew Dreschel ドリュー・ドレッシェル
Kazuma Asa 朝一眞
Kazuma Asa 朝一眞
Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志
Tomohiro Kawaguchi 川口朋広
