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Post by shuhuqua on Oct 21, 2012 0:24:06 GMT -5
Hi, I've always been reading this forum but I never had anything special to say until now. I'm currently an elementary school English teacher in Tokyo with Sasuke dreams... and I just got back from my first Sasuke tryout. I'm sure many people are curious as to how these things go, so I thought I would share my experience. First I had to make a 1 minute video and fill in an e-mail application. I was super excited to be chosen to go to the Tokyo audition. As you may know, everyone except for the All Stars were required to tryout so I saw all the well known Sasuke guys who live in or near Toyko, including Urushihara, Kanno, Matachi, Kong, Okuyama, Hashimoto, Taco-Tencho, and a bunch of the people they train with in the unicli videos. Everyone seemed to respect their privacy, ie no one talked to them or asked for autographs, so I refrained as well. Anyways we all had to gather at TBS HQ in Minato-ku Tokyo at 8:30am. Everyone then had to sign in and go into a waiting room. After that you were called by group number to attend the first interview. This was done in groups of 50. The Production team then welcomes you and then you get 30 seconds in front of a camera to "Appeal" yourself. This includes a brief speech about yourself and why you're doing Sasuke, then you're allowed to do a flip, crush a can or whatever. After that we all had to do 100 pushups in a row to the beat of a drum. It was stressed that it's not necessary to do the 100 and that you're appeal + pushup performance would be weighed together. The decisions on who continued were made in less than 30 seconds. This is where things get "understandably" bull$#!++y as in the fact that Sasuke is unfortunately a commercial TV show so this stuff is supposed to happen. I dropped out at 90 pushups and only 5 people were able to get the job done. To my astonishment, people were dropping like flies and groaning in pain starting at 15! So, at this point I figured at least four of the five 100 pushup people would pass, but only two passed! One of them was Morikami Daisuke, the pro MTB rider who has strong ties to Sasuke and the other was a ripped beyond belief body builder. Here's where the really bull$#!++y part comes in. Three others were chosen, one was an idol who came with her manager ameblo.jp/sakurasakurako/ who's appeal was being super cute in front of the camera, and she dropped out pretty early on the pushups. The next person was someone who plays a red Power Ranger (can't remember his name or anything else) who was hilariously weak. He dropped out very early on the pushups and was crying in pain afterwards. The last person (I can't remember his name but I remember his face) was on Sasuke many times before. He's an old body builder or wrestler or something with male pattern baldness. To my shock, one of the people in Urushihara's crew who shows up in UniCli's astonishing training videos was not picked. He easily could wipe the floor with everyone else in the group, but there you have it. I was overhearing the veteran group talking and apparently only Yuuji did the 100 pushups and everyone else came up short... but they all went on to the second stage of the interview. Kong was even talking about a crazy gaijin who blew through the 100 and kept going just for fun. This just means that having everyone tryout was a formality. People who would've gotten a free pass anyways in the old system... still got a free pass including Taco-Tencho. The good news was I got to see all of them which is exciting. I think the veterans deserved a spot but people like the power ranger and the idol... I know they're there for ratings but, why make them come in at all and take up spots for other people? Also, I noticed that none of the foreigners including myself made it passed the first audition process... the producers were saying how they are focused on forming a new All-Stars group, so most likely that means Japanese people only... so why let us turn up at all? I'm happy to answer any other questions people had about my experience.
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Post by shuhuqua on Oct 21, 2012 0:34:58 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that Aoki Yasuo was also in my group. His appeal included showing a couple of carved wood turtles??? The guy is a bit strange anyways. The producers kept saying "this brings back memories" and were clearly laughing at him. I think he's the only regular who didn't make it this time around... probably because he is just a joke.
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Post by TCM on Oct 21, 2012 0:43:32 GMT -5
You are going to be very popular for a few days. It's awesome to see we have at least one user here willing to share any experience. Which leads me to asking were you required to sign some sort of NDA (non-disclosure agreement) about the audition process, even though you weren't chosen?
As for your already more-than-insightful description of the process, I kind of figured they would put through most well-known veterans. I would like to believe there was no real quota on that part, but there likely was, just judging off what you said. I also find it funny they want their own All-Stars group, considering they technically had one in the Shin Sedai/Sei, but I guess they're gonna retcon that, too.
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Post by lostinube on Oct 21, 2012 0:55:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the information. While it does suck for those who are more physically capable, the show has always had a preference for people with "character."@it is an unfortunate truth that there are probably more people who are physically capable of tackling the course than there are people who come in with interesting stories and looks that will play well on TV. Was the bodybuilder Katsuhide Torisawa? sasukepedia.wikia.com/wiki/Torisawa_KatsuhideAlso, this is probably not the place to point this out but the director and producer were involved with SASUKE earlier on: they know the All-Stars. UNCLI et al are of a generation that they more than likely personally do not know. That may definitely play a part in how they treat them.
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Post by shuhuqua on Oct 21, 2012 2:34:04 GMT -5
I didn't have to sign anything. I had friends read over the application thing also and it never mentioned any disclosure thing, so I guess other people are just quiet.
Yeah the other guy that passed was definitely Katsuhide Torisawa. I forgot there was one more person who got picked (makes 6 total I guess) who said in his appeal that he was on the show before and that he was a free runner. I've never seen him before though.
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Post by arsenette on Oct 21, 2012 5:01:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the update! Interesting. Agreed with Ube that it's an unfortunate reality how they do this in television although I'm .. sorta happy they are for several reasons. One of my fears was that the show was going to get too "trials" heavy meaning it was going to turn into ANW-type's lineup. I am also figuring if they are making everyone go through this then they must have an idea for a greater special on television before Sasuke 28. Also as Ube mentioned it does make sense given that the crew who is involved hasn't seen the last 8 years' competitors as closely as the M9 team that picked them during that timeframe. Could be a 'fresh look' at the old faces. Really sucks though the foreigners weren't picked though I am happy they were allowed to show up. As early as Sasuke 27 they didn't even allow them to apply.. P.S. Would have been cool to see all the pics of the competitors.. I'm such a fangirl over that kinda stuff...
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Post by shuhuqua on Oct 21, 2012 6:54:08 GMT -5
Sorry, I really wanted to take pictures with the Finalists but I noticed that absolutely nobody went near them. I have no idea if that was out of awe and respect or just out of cultural politeness. I didn't want to chance anything given the atmosphere.
I agree that I wouldn't want to see Sasuke turn into ANW, but let's be honest, no one watches Sasuke just to see the famous guy fail on the first stage, because that adds 10 seconds of excitement maximum. For example I have no problem with Morikami Daisuke being selected, even if this was his first appearance, because he passed the physical. Most of us watch Sasuke so we can see the truly strong make it to the final stage.
I'll definitely apply again for the trials, but to be honest after what I experienced I'm a little dejected. Not because I wasn't selected but mostly because the UniCli member wasn't. He's definitely stronger than me which leads me to think "What could I possibly do to actually get onto the show if he wasn't selected?" Apart from wearing a power ranger suit or something of course. Yuuji's shock about him not getting selected was quite memorable. Yuuji asked him "how did it go?" in a very casual "I'm sure he passed" way, then yelled USO quite loudly when he heard the news.
The fairly poor way they were filming the event leads me to believe that there won't be a special but an extra intro or segment on the main show.
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Post by arsenette on Oct 21, 2012 7:11:29 GMT -5
Understood about the pictures. Could be cultural because I've heard a lot of that happening even in Sasuke though they have zero issues posing with foreigners and seem to really relish it since no one usually pays them any mind. I laugh when I hear that they were so happy to be asked to pose for pics because no one else does As for the UNCLI member cut.. Which of them? Keita.. again? sasukepedia.wikia.com/wiki/Tomino_Keita (Meaning Cliffer #4 whom I'm convinced TBS hates.. LOL) We also have no idea what is in store for them in November when they go through the 2nd set of eliminations. I was saying I was happy because it was a "casting call" and not a full on trials for all the competitors. Full on trials is what ANW is from the set up to execution. Even then some great athletes weren't even given a chance to compete in regionals. It's all part of the process for applying for a television show. As for what they "watch" I hate to remind you of the Japanese ratings and the Japanese viewership history with watching TV. If it wasn't for the joke competitors and celebs.. this show wouldn't have survived that long. The one show that was filled with nothing but non-celeb and non-joke was Sasuke 25 and it was the biggest tank in Sasuke history almost taking the show down with it. People have to keep remembering they are not building Sasuke around the international appeal.. it's because they want ratings in JAPAN. By it's very nature it's a mix of the weak and the strong. If it was all strong no one stands out.. they are casting for the new set of stars and that's supposed to be in it's very nature a small group. Even the All-stars started with a core of what.. 4 people? and it grew to only 6? TBS is looking for the future so they can dedicate more of their time. If the field is filled with people that can easily demolish the course every tourney people would b**** that the course is too easy or worse.. they all look the same them and don't get attached to the new "stars". So while I'm utterly crushed to see ANY of the UNCLI guys not pass the cut it still is a TV show. Heck at least they got invited back to apply. Some in the past have been cut off from even that process. It's a TV show and not a sports show and that is why it's survived on television for over 15 years. If they wanted that they have all the other "sports" to watch with far greater skills.
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Post by shuhuqua on Oct 21, 2012 7:31:40 GMT -5
What you say is definitely true, but these small time "celebrities" is pushing that concept I think. The relatively big name people I'm totally fine with, but I've never even heard of the idol before (sadly I do know quite a lot of them) and I only remembered the idol's name because it was a bit ridiculous haha. I'm actually glad they took Tako-Tencho because he's a great guy. Really nice, sociable, cheerful, and with a cult following.
Amazingly Keita went on to the second stage of the audition. You're supposed to get dressed in your work clothes for the second stage and he was is his business suit and ready to go. He sat next to me in the waiting room and was in the first group, so I talked to him about what to expect. He admitted to being winded after 20 pushups and forcing himself to 50 before collapsing, which was hugely surprising for me to hear. Then again I was shocked to hear out of all the finalists and UNCLI people only Yuuji and the other guy in my group did 100. Is there a list somewhere of all of Yuuji's crew? I can easily pick this guy out from a lineup of pictures. If it helps he looks like Satoshi Ohno from Arashi.
Also, if anyone is interested this was the video I used for the application
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Post by arsenette on Oct 21, 2012 7:50:11 GMT -5
Cool video btw ;D Thanks for sharing! Yeah they are all here (though you have to pick out their names within the list to see their pics) sasukepedia.wikia.com/wiki/Unlimited_Cliffer If it wasn't Ryo (the Sasuke 27 finalist with Yuuji) then it was Yamamoto who's the youngest of the crew. I doubt Matsuda has done much lately but it's actually not surprising to hear Keita go out in that fashion. I thought he would go out first on the audition but for him to go out on a physical challenge means he hasn't been keeping up his training which unfortunately has been his issue for the past year. That's a shame because for us in SMF we'd give our right arm to see him compete if he's fit and unfortunately he's not. Gaaah so frustrating... it's always something with him As for the idol.. depends on how many girls they get IMO.. they always want some sort of eye candy to balance out the guys. I guess it depends who they get in the process to fill out that category.. LOL!!! And if they got enough then I suspect she won't survive part 2 next month. Any ideas as to what they said for that part? I only have been reading something about "November 10" but haven't heard anything past that. Can you shed light on that?
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Post by shuhuqua on Oct 21, 2012 8:20:42 GMT -5
Unfortunately this guy isn't from the original UNCLI crew. He's been in a whole ton of Matachi's videos though even the latest one . It was the guy with the slightly orangish dyed hair other than Ryo. On an interesting side note, Tako-Tencho was wearing a UNCLI shirt and was surprised that none of the actual UNCLI people were sporting the shirt.
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Post by shuhuqua on Oct 21, 2012 8:23:12 GMT -5
Oh I forgot to add, the November 10th thing is the final result of the audition. So, if you got to the second phase of the audition which is a straight up interview, you have to wait until November 10th, probably with a camera crew at your house, to know for sure that you made it onto the show. I guess it's less stressing for me to know I failed now than to wait a couple weeks to find out. Also, the producer mentioned that the show is set to air in December, and that they'll most likely be doing annual shows now.
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Post by arsenette on Oct 21, 2012 8:44:09 GMT -5
Ah then it's probably Hioki most likely sasukepedia.wikia.com/wiki/Hioki_MasashiInterestingly enough Inui (the director) just mentioned on twitter that he was happy to meet all the "vets" that existed after he left the show and mentioned how it was nice to see them even though that was the first time for him. Thanks for the clarification and it seems quite possible that they are going to do a door to door for certain people (I doubt for everyone though). Who they go to will be an indication of what direction they want to take the show. I also figured they were going to yearly formats if they are planning on capitalizing on the spin offs around the world. Would make it easier to have those run in the summer and TBS have this as a winter/New Year's event as they seem to get better viewership during that time as of late. Our guess for timing is late December going into the New Year's season. They've had that on the website for a bit and Inui has mentioned a few times that the OA is in December.
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Post by Philip on Oct 21, 2012 8:44:46 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info! ;D Did anyone say when the taping of Sasuke 28 will be?
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Post by arsenette on Oct 21, 2012 8:46:36 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info! ;D Did anyone say when the taping of Sasuke 28 will be? I doubt they will be told since they aren't guaranteed to be on the show to begin with. If anyone knows now.. it would be the All-stars and any special invites that are not part of the audition process. We know it's in November but that's all Inui will say right now.
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Post by dudesky1000 on Oct 21, 2012 8:54:58 GMT -5
Wait, if no foreigners made it, that means Li En Zhi was rejected? That's a big ouch
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Post by shuhuqua on Oct 21, 2012 9:09:51 GMT -5
Yeah it was definitely Hioki, I remember him saying he was from Chiba as well.
I think Li falls into a different category and I have no idea how they will deal with his possible return. There were just straight up foreigners living and working in Japan like me at the audition.
Speaking of Li En Zhi though, I stopped by his Sasuke power gym, located in a small gymnastics gym, when I last went to Taiwan. Unfortunately he wasn't in, but the regular gymnastics teacher let me try out the shin-cliffhanger and lamp grasper while I was there. I later got his personal e-mail and phone number to call the next time I'm in Taiwan, but I find it creepy just to ring him up as a stranger.
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Post by wrestlingfan55 on Oct 21, 2012 9:12:09 GMT -5
Welcome to the forums Yeah, I'd go with the email, too.
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Post by RiderLeangle on Oct 21, 2012 9:59:13 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing this... Although it looks like everyone else asked most of the big questions, but I'll make a couple of comments. Also, if anyone is interested this was the video I used for the application Thanks for sharing, that actually answered one of the questions I've had for a while, while it said no replicas I was wondering if using found obstacles was allowed, considering you had a vid like that and got accepted I guess that means yes they are The next person was someone who plays a red Power Ranger (can't remember his name or anything else) who was hilariously weak. He dropped out very early on the pushups and was crying in pain afterwards. I'm probably the only one who cares but I can't help but wonder who it was... well... This guy already has already been on Sasuke a couple times, This guy is the newest, This guy was from the last series who I can see being invited because TBS used a song from Gokaiger in 27... Was it any of them or someone else?
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Post by dudesky1000 on Oct 21, 2012 15:49:55 GMT -5
Well, if anybody with a facebook would like to try to decipher Li's last post (he just uploaded a picture with SASUKE written on it), be my guest. Here's what he wrote:
"有人說你認真一件事,整個宇宙都會來幫你~
不過我是沒感覺到啦,但可愛的二妹卻開始幫我祈求了,感謝她為我做的一切!...會盡力的^^"
Bing translates it to:
"Some say you mean one thing, the whole universe will do it for you ~ but I didn't feel it, but cute second sister was started to help me pray, thank her for everything you've done for me! ... Will try my best to ^^ "
...go figure >_>
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