Ninja Warrior Addict

So, am I alone in this? Am I the only one watching Ninja Warrior and dreaming about handsome Japanese heroes for my books?

Seriously, I think GQ magazine isn't wrong when they say this show is one of the reasons we still love TV -- I am completely addicted. I've watched all of the men's and women's competitions, and now I am rewatching them. They just don't get old. I can't wait for new ones.

My favorite competitor is Makoto Nagano, pictured here. He's captain of a fishing boat, which is part of what I love about this show -- there are celebrities, Olympic athletes, and plenty of real life heroes, fireman, garbage men, fishermen, plumbers, etc -- you get the idea. Literally people from all walks of life. I also really like Shingo Yamamoto, a gas station manager, though I don't know if he can ever win because of an injured shoulder.

If you haven't ever seen it, it's on G4 network, and it's a Japanese obstacle course competition, and this is a tough competition -- there are no safety helmets or the ridiculous body padding and craziness you see on shows like American Gladiators. They often fall (into dirty, muddy water) and fall hard.

Anyone can take part, from 10 years old to 70 years old, and they do. Men and women alike, and it's extremely entertaining. The MC's Japanese narration as each competitor works their way through the course is one of the best parts of the show -- he's hysterical as is the translation of his comments -- subtitles have never been so funny. If they complete all four stages, they win a million yen, which I found online translates to a little under $10,000. Some of them put that much into building replicas of the course in their homes and backyards, and only two competitors in 10 years have ever won (Nagano being one of them). They hold the competition twice a year, as far as I can tell. It's so refreshing, frankly, in so many ways. It's fun, but these competitors are all about training, supporting each other, dedication, and good sportsmanship, which is great. A nice break from the controversies in regular sports.

Someone mentioned an American version of the show, and I can't even imagine it, as we'd have to have padding and safety nets and all the worry about litigation if someone stubbed a toe, LOL. Too bad, though. Americans do compete from time to time, in fact, Levi Meeuwenberg from Ann Arbor put on a really impressive display in the most recent competition (Sasuke 20) and made it to stage three, which was great to see.

All in all, I know I can't be the only one out here who's obsessed with NW and if I am, I'm hoping I can lure a couple other people in as well. For those of you who know it, who's your favorite? Do you have a favorite obstacle? For those of you new to it, check it out -- it's a riot.

Sam

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