Sasuke's (likely) end and its effects

[yamfriend]

As everyone's probably fully aware of by now, M9 has gone bankrupt and there is a very high chance that Sasuke's fate has been sealed. However, what does everyone think about the reactions from people involved with Sasuke? Most specifically, how will many of the competitors and the fan community (both in Japan, on here, and the rest of the world) respond to the end of something that made such a huge impact upon their lives? Will anything new come from Sasuke's demise in some way or another, and if so what? Will its legacy last on people for years to come?

A thread discussing some of these things from about 2 years can be found here. Please feel free to post in this thread how you expect certain people to respond to Sasuke's expected cancellation (including yourself) and what the future holds for them (and/or you) in terms of Sasuke.

On a side note, in my opinion (and probably many others'), there's still much more to Sasuke than it being "the world's most difficult obstacle course". It's just as greatly, if not more, about the strong connections it created between so many people. It also inspired many people to find a unique but enjoyable and practical way to stay in shape, and unlike nearly every other sport imaginable had competitors cheering for one another rather than working against one another. To me, these and so many meaningful aspects to Sasuke will live on in me personally for as long as I live, and I intend on still staying a relatively active member in the Sasuke community. I will continue to do the exercises which Sasuke inspired me to attempt in the first place --- not because of the unlikely hope that I'll someday be able to use them on anything similar to Sasuke, but because they became something which inspired me to stay in shape and to strive towards specific physical goals. Sasuke in general is essentially the perfect fit as an interest for me, and it will continue to do so whether it is ongoing or a thing of the past.

[thebobmaster]

At first, I was a bit sad to see Sasuke end. However, it's had a nice long run, and if it does end now, at least it ended in style with 28, rather than how Kunoichi ended. As well, I happen to agree that the great thing about Sasuke is the connections it makes between people who truly support each other. I'm sure that even if Sasuke ends, those connections will never go away.

However, I do know Sasuke fans who are displeased with it ending like this, such as my brother. He'd like to see it make it to at least 30, for the anniversary, then stop at that point.

[Christopher Layne]

The only reaction I've seen so far is Yamamoto Shingo's. He updated his status on his personal Facebook account to talk about the likely end of Sasuke, and he related that he was shedding tears as he was writing. He thanked the show and production team for something that had changed his life, and asked for our continued support. He's turning his focus now to his goal of becoming a golf pro. He did mention in a response to comments that while it was likely that Sasuke was over, that he had not given up hope and planned to continue training.

I sent him a PM to ask if he'd spoken to any of the other All-Stars and if so, how they responded to the news, but I've not yet received a response (and may not receive one). Obviously, you have to worry most about Yamada. By his own admission, for him there is nothing but Sasuke, so he's likely to take it very hard. I think the other All-Stars will mourn its passing, but take things in stride like Yamamoto did. Shiratori and Akiyama's physical limitations and Takeda's new job responsibilities made it unlikely that they would return anyway, and it may even come as a relief to Nagano, as the pressure of carrying the show's continued existence has been on his shoulders more than any one else's for quite awhile. Hopefully, they'll continue to do events together like the Maguro Festival from time to time.

For myself, it's been more difficult than I thought it would be, particularly since we've all kind of seen it coming for some time. I'd gotten back into training and hoped to make it to ANW this year ... I suppose I still do, if there's going to be one. It inspired me in ways that nothing else has, and I'm really going to miss it if it is in fact gone.

[Badalight]

Nagano probably teared a little and then did a fist pump.

[arsenette]

What's interesting as a couple days go on is that everyone is in "hold" mode in Japan. Seems since no definitive answer on Sasuke has happened.. there's still something to hang on to. I'm intrigued.

[Christopher Layne]

That's an interesting observation. Pass me some of that popcorn.

[naganosupreeeme]

Bah Sasuke in Japan may end but we'll keep Sasuke the spirit alive and kicking. Just get a bunch of us fools together to build a course much like Warrior Lab...look if G4 can build replicas and individuals driven to train can also build replicas then so too can a few dozen of us. Anybody interested we should post in a thread and I dunno you guys but I have every summer for 2 months off which is a lot of time to start looking planning and building.

PS I was also always hoping to improve my carpentry skills

[shadowlink11]

Ninja Warrior/Sasuke is a top 5 sport in the world in my opinion, I am a huge fan. I only got into the sport a few years ago, and only got into it heavily last year. I have not yet seen 27 as I live in America and am awaiting G4/NBC's broadcast and avoiding spoilers. If NW doesn't continue I will be absolutely crushed, it would be a total injustice to the world...