What if SASUKE didn't exist?

[lhii789]

Let's imagine if Inui, Higuchi, nor anyone at TBS didn't come up with the 4-stages obstacles that is still continuing for more than quarter of the century.
How would our society and lives of competitors have affected?

General

• TV shows about obstacle shows would have still known as comedy (ex. Takeshi Castle/MXC) and would not take it seriously with drama and emotional backstory.
• Spin-offs (KUNOICHI) or similar show (VIKING) would not exist. 
• The name "SASUKE", would known as famous ninja or character from Naruto, who the former is based on.
• Most Japanese competitors would have NEVER traveled outside of country until much later in their life or if not permanently; I HIGHLY doubt Nagano would EVER travel outside of Japan, and visited America, nor David Campbell traveling to Japan.
• Obstacle course would not be part of Olympic event (Los Angeles 2028).
  
• No "ninja gym" across the world.
• Parkour/free running would be very niche; IIRC, SASUKE did raised popularity for that event. 

Competitor

Kanzenseiha/The Champions

1. Kazuhiko Akiyama - Prior to SASUKE, he was known for setting 307 times push-up for Kinniku Banzuke Quick Muscle. He would have still have been friend/rival with Yamada, depend if they would have competed in another push-up or athletic event. 
2. Makoto Nagano - Aside from not meeting his idol Yamada nor forming All-Stars, he would have had normal life as fisherman. 
3. Yuuji Urushihara - He would have never formed Unlimited Cliffer, thus never becoming friends with Kawaguchi nor Matachi. Normal life as shoe salesman. 
4. Yuusuke Morimoto - No SASUKE. No Sasuke-Kun nickname. He still would have been software engineer. 

All-Stars

• Katsumi Yamada - No SASUKE; No "Mr. SASUKE". Among EVERY competitors, he is probably the most influential and most affected with the show. Yamada's life changed FOREVER, where he sacrificed his job (propane tank delivery driver) and family, to devote his life for SASUKE by making obstacles (first competitor to do so) and not getting full time job but only part time. It's hard to imagine how his life would have been like without SASUKE; he certainly would have been completely different person with different attitude, spending more time with his family. He was already well know for Quick Muscle, similar to Akiyama. His would have still been friend/rival with Akiyama. 
• Shingo Yamamoto - He probably worked at gas station for longer period of time or until retirement. He definitely would not open his gym.
• Toshihiro Takeda - He probably worked as firefighter (or helicopter rescue man) for longer period of time or until retirement. He definitely would not open his gym. 
• Bunpei Shiratori - No "Shiratori Shrine"; obstacles in his backyard. He would still work as Health & Services Civil Employee. 

Shin Sedai 

• Hitoshi Kanno - There was period of time, he was going to be "Mr. SASUKE II", due to not getting full time job until victory. I don't think he would have worked as silver accessories designer nor building maintenance. 
• Tomohiro Kawaguchi - Prior to SASUKE, he was very troubled person with bad attitude. His life was changed with SASUKE, where his girlfriend/ex-wife suggested him to compete. Without SASUKE, Kawaguchi wouldn't have been respective person.

Foreign markets (USA, Taiwan, Germany, etc.)

• No "Ninja Warrior" spin-offs 
• Cops & Cheater would still be best rated shows on G4. 
• Some competitors would not travel to Japan on their own; I doubt someone like Brian Orosco would go to Japan. 
• Wipeouts would still be popular
• No Ninja Gym or anything similar
• Obstacle course shows would still seen as comedy (MXC and Wipeouts)

As for myself
Not much different, since I never trained to compete anyway; I just like to watch the show.
It would mean I have less show to watch on TV. 

[YourResidentKojiFan]

Well, then this thread wouldn't exist.

...Yeah, think about that one for a while.

[Kowai Yume]

This site wouldn't exist. Off-topic, we're almost at our 16 year anniversary of the site's founding

[lhii789]

Aug 24, 2024 21:12:11 GMT -5 YourResidentKojiFan said:

Well, then this thread wouldn't exist.

...Yeah, think about that one for a while.

That's not what I meant. lol
That like saying "What if Dragon Ball franchise didn't exist?" and the answer would be Kanzenshuu (Dragon Ball forum) wouldn't exist.

SASUKE did give impact to lot of people, to the point, some changed their occupation.
It even impacted our society, where obstacle course TV shows has become more common compared to decade ago, which is phenomenon.

[moleitau]

This thread you created is absolutely the worst one I’ve ever seen on SMF. 

[zoran]

I think Japan would probably have a show similar to total wipeout that would probably do well in the absence of Sasuke and Banzuke after it's cancelled. Could see Nagano and Yamada winning a tournament of it and it changing over the years (for example team events) rather than staying relatively rigid like Sasuke has.