Where was....(spoilers, naturally)

[FAMAS]

This has been bugging me for a bit....but where was Yamada when Yuuji won? It was so cool when Yuuji shook the all-stars' hands one by one, but Yamada was not there to complete the set! I would've liked to have seen his reaction too after Yuuji hit the button.

I understand that Yamada was "retired", and that most of the people who fail stage 1 go home before Stage 2 starts, but Yamada has been allowed to stay behind before in previous tournaments, presumably because of his all-star status. So where was he?

[Badalight]

I thought I saw him during stage 2, but you're right, he definitely wasn't there at the end.

He was probably pretty upset. I don't think there's much more to it than that.

[Zorn]

That's an interesting question, after his stage 1 run I guess he kinda disappeared and we never saw what happened to him after by the time stage 2 rolled around.

He probably went home early or was still there but watching at a spot where no one can see him.

[SRW]

Probably sulking somewhere !

[artyfowljr]

Do they force you to go home if you fail stage 1? :S

[Deleted]

No. Shingo, Nagano, and Akiyama were all there after stage one, remember?

[RiderLeangle]

Feb 1, 2010 9:37:23 GMT -5 artyfowljr said:

Do they force you to go home if you fail stage 1? :S

Nope. tons of people stay until the end even if they failed stage 1.
They usually don't get air-time though, Usually the only ones to get air time are the All Stars, although you can see the ANW guys cheering Nagano in 23.
Not to mention the ANW guys, ANC guys have been allowed to stay, well... I know at least David has because he told all those stories about them setting up the final and has pics of the course at night.

[FAMAS]

I think though if you're not anybody important, or like a joke competitor they do tell you to go home. Less people there = less chance of results being spoiled.

[artyfowljr]

Hmmm...dunno. You have a good point on results, but thinking about it, the fanclubs stay there, so why not competitors, even if unknown?
I think we need David's help on this one...he's been there, he should know. Or maybe Elsie could know.

[arsenette]

Feb 1, 2010 12:45:35 GMT -5 FAMAS said:

I think though if you're not anybody important, or like a joke competitor they do tell you to go home. Less people there = less chance of results being spoiled.

This is correct. When you are invited (competitor) to go to Sasuke you bring people to cheer you on. So long as that person is still in the mix you are allowed to stay. "Bigger" people like the All-Stars, invited sports stars and even some entertainers (who like staying.. few don't stay after their Shtick is done) are allowed to stay. ALL have the same caveat.. they have to keep silent. It's an honor code at this point. No papers to sign. TBS has been getting very heavy handed with those who like blogging about their results beforehand so they limit who they can. Vets who've been there for ages and have proven their trustworthyness are allowed to stay.

I think Yamada decided to leave after the 2nd stage. Could have been something he planned all along, could be TBS made it difficult for him to stay (after making a bit deal that he retired) or he could have been there and they didn't show him at all (which has happened). Ultimately with his history in the show no one tells Mr. Sasuke Katsumi Yamada to go home. If he left it was because he wanted to. Simple as that. All-stars have left earlier after their run was done for various reasons (Shingo always left since he had to work the following morning and he was only a 1/2 hour to 45 minute drive home) and even the other guy have left earlier (like Sasuke 22 where Yamada was the only one that stayed). Could be something simple as he was tired because it was an emotional day for him and wanted to get a good night's rest before he flew back home the following day.

[artyfowljr]

On topic: I agree, IMO Yamada just went home after stage 2. It would have been painful to stay there watching what was going on and thinking "I'm not gonna be into this again...". I'm so sorry for him.

Off topic : so, for example, if I got all the way there from Italy and failed stage 1, I wouldn't be allowed to stay and watch my heroes go on? Ew.
I guess I'd have to join a fanclub... or pull a puppy face and go like "Pleeeeaz I promise I won't tell anyone pleeeeaz let me stay...sob sob..." lol.

[Badalight]

I think they would. Hell Ulti got to stay till the end even though no americans beat stage 1 when he went.

Guess maybe it's because he allied himself with G4 though, eh. Then again did they really have any buisness being there after stage 1?

[arsenette]

G4 has a lot of leeway because of their license. As far as M9 is concerned G4 is press and anyone tied to it is as well. So if G4 left everyone would have to leave as well but since G4 stayed they stayed. Seems simple enough since G4 has more restrictions on "spoilers" moreso than even JET TV did because of the timeline involved. I'm sure if in Sasuke 24 there was someone they were promoting they would have stayed until the end like they usually do but since they didn't have anyone they left after the 1st stage (at least Allison's Twitter post leads me to believe that). And yes Ulti was part of G4's crew since that was the arrangement made so he stayed as long as G4 stayed.