Hmm <Very long post, my bad>

[Deleted]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Seriously, I don't know what to think really.

Some blurbs.

I actually cried. When Akiyama made that speech. My god, I had no idea what he said, but I still cried ;_; Yamada tearing down his course, my face was all like

;           ;
;           ;
______

Nagano quitting at the end there was sort of off. All the all stars, actually, EVERYONE was off their game this time around. I hate to sound like some guy who thinks he knows what it's like, and I don't, but that course looked easy as hell. Not at all impressed with the performances of anyone.

I know Japan has this culture of showing peoples reactions and stuff, but this girl obviously was just reacting because the camera was in front of her face. I mean it's so disingenuous, no one is that interested. I'm sorry. *Shows Yamada failing final stage* "!!!!!!!" *Shows Ryo on his room doing stuff on the cliffhanger* "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " It's pretty lame. I hope it doesn't continue.

Li failed the first stage twice. I hope he redeems himself!!1111 No Murrica and no Muurraysa. Ok.

So I don't actually know if the All Stars return, but I hope Yamada and Akiyama don't. Sounds messed up, but I feel.... almost... closure. Especially with Yamada's run. Beating the wall like that (Albeit the watered down one, but SHHHHH don't ruin it) was really cool. It was like "He did it finally." You can just see him being so sluggish, I mean his age shows so much.

And the new all stars. Look, you are all gonna hate me when I say this, but they are all kinda.... boring to watch. I know, I know, I should root for them, but I don't..... I don't know... the chemistry between them is just not the same. I love the easier first stage though. It makes it more fun to see average joes make it through. I want more garbage truck drivers and what have you compete. Get some guys with a little more personality. Makes it more fun to watch. Go back and watch any sasuke between 9-17 and you'll see what I mean. Why is that feeling of comradery missing?



Alright------

So the backstream is the dumbest obstacle in the history of Sasuke.

It could also be the greatest obstacle in the history of Sasuke.

This new twist on Sasuke could be what is needed to bring new obstacle ideas to the forefront. Water is now a new element that can be used to configure and come up with new obstacles that involve the water. I really hope they take the concept of water as an obstacle, and create something cool with it. I hope the backstream is retired and it's successor is a new swimming obstacle that is actually an obstacle and not just a pool. In it of itself, the backstream is not even an obstacle imo, that would be like as if they had an obstacle where you ran for 1/4 of a mile and called it "runstream" or something. But here, from my view, it has the potential of sparking some cool ideas.

Also, switch the backstream and the wall lift for the love of god. It is so awkward to get out of an obstacle, be wet, and go to another obstacle. It's all wet and awkward. That's the entire second stage btw. Awkward. SSL? Awkward. Cross Slider? Awkward.

None of the new obstacles are any good. I'm not going to get into each and everyone of them, but I have to ask, how hard is it to create new obstacles? So we get this new guy in. Are their dedicated people who think of obstacles all day? Go ahead and get some fresh blood in.

You know what I was thinking the entire time? Honestly? "Shows jumped the shark." That's what I see with the Japanese version of the show. It's trying to regain something it lost, and I believe it can regain it. These guys need to come up with new obstacle ideas, or constantly bring back legacy obstacles and mix and match every tournament. Bring back some of the all stars like Nagano. He's still a serious competitor. Perhaps have the rest come back every once in a while, out of the blue.

But they did alot of things right. Making stage 1 easier makes it more fun to watch competitors like celebs make it through. I love this new darker look, I love the whole presentation actually. But the obstacles are the main component of the show, so I don't see how this show can continue if the obstacles they come up with are as bad as they are currently, I'm looking at you stage two.

Glad the shows back though. Better this than nothing.

[arsenette]

Giggles. Man if I had put a bet I'd be rich right now. I knew you were going to say just about everything you did. Read my blog btw.. we sound like twins.

One thing of note that you might understand. Monster 9 is officially gone. No one from the old Monster 9 team is back. Inui, the new director was the same director from 1-14 but he hadn't done anything like that between that time period (except DOORS if you remember that). He was/is trying to reboot the series. As for obstacles.. Monster 9 had to destroy the obstacles they had as part of the bankruptcy liquidation process. This is what they could come up with with literally half their budget and no sponsors. I was surprised it wasn't indoors again it was that badly funded. The other problem is that they have been having a bear of a time trying to get new obstacle ideas past Health and Safety. That's a topic for later. It's complicated. They are still kinda hanging in there. They also got HUGE blowback for that "box lady". She will be gone. Trust me. For the rest, read the blog to understand what happened during and in between. As for runs with actual subtitles you might want to head over to the official TBS Sasuke Youtube page. (I ordered it from old to new so the Rising stuff from 28 is up top). That should keep you busy for a while.

[peytonblitz]

I remember watching this tournament (first one live!) and loving the whole thing. To me yes the course did look a little bit easier, but besides the health and safety issues I think Inui might have wanted a more simpler 1st stage like in his time. I was pretty sad watching the All Stars all fail one after another. I kind of expected only Takeda or Nagano to clear so you can probably see my frustration with that.

Don't kill me everyone I kind of like the second stage I think the cross slider is a good obstacle to start with, yeah the Swap Salmon Ladder could be better but I'm okay with it. The ghetto bridge everyone hates (but the competitors) because it is too easy, I actually like the Backstream I will admit it is awkward getting out of the water then lifting and pulling walls but I like it. I think you will love the next two tournaments because of the competitors and how the competitions are in ways I can't explain.

[Philip]

Yeah, 28 was pretty much crap, but 29 was good and 30 was VERY good.

[LusitaniaAngel313]

Seeing very all star in attendance competing for the final time and all failing stage one... I nearly fell into a depressed state and tbh I wasn't going to watch anymore but then... #36 happened... But that's for another day. Glad they brought back the quin steps again. I missed them since 11. All 4 shin sedai passes stage one which I was pleased on and oh god I thought the UCH was tough here's something tougher! CCH! Have mercy this will be fun! XD

[sasukeguy]

The spin bridge was a killer this time. Do you guys think that the all stars are going to compete again, because I do.

[jfeathe]

When Sasuke 28 originally aired, I tried being as optimistic as possible. I was grateful to see some classic obstacles return and I was encouraged that there was an attempt to bring new obstacles into the mix, even if most new obstacles were poorly conceived. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how awful Sasuke 28 really was.

The combination of the All Stars' retirement (not just the fact that they retired, but the way it was presented), the horrendous obstacle design, and the editing of the show really killed it for me.

I won't spoil 29 and 30 here, but I did give Inui the benefit of the doubt since this was his first attempt. I do think 29 and 30 got progressively better, but it's still not where I would like to see it. Arsenette provided some background in the Sasuke 30 thread regarding obstacle design and decisions in the Rising era. Of course, you'll be spoiled if you go there now, but it's worth a read-through when you get caught up.

[wrestlingfan55]

I loved 28's first stage. Not necessarily the obstacles, but the atmosphere and tension was there. I loved the drama of it all. After stage 1 I found Stage 2 incredibly boring to watch simply because I was too numb and frankly didn't care about the tourney after the All-Stars were gone. The way it just abruptly went from Nagano's fail to Stage 2 was jarring.

I did quite like Stage 3, though.

[arsenette]

I think the bigger issue for me was that I was soooo damn happy the show came back from cancellation (again).. I mean I laid into Inui for the editing choices, invite choices and the *&%^% backstream but overall I gave him a lot of leeway because they literally had to start all over with no budget, lost 90% of their sponsors, everyone thought the show was cancelled and we waited over a year and a half from 27 AND the lockout of the Americans (long story on that) and ANW4 being not a qualifier for Sasuke 28. So I think when people watch that show in isolation, without the background of wtf was happening at that time it seems a bit unfair without putting it into context. There were a lot of problems (still are) but the whole team was different and their views on what had to happen to reboot the series after M9 went down vastly differed from the fanbase who were not ready for that abrupt change.

[sasukeguy]

SPOILER: Click to show

SASUKE 29 has just been confirmed!!!

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2014 7:38:13 GMT -5 arsenette said:

Giggles. Man if I had put a bet I'd be rich right now. I knew you were going to say just about everything you did. Read my blog btw.. we sound like twins.

One thing of note that you might understand. Monster 9 is officially gone. No one from the old Monster 9 team is back. Inui, the new director was the same director from 1-14 but he hadn't done anything like that between that time period (except DOORS if you remember that). He was/is trying to reboot the series. As for obstacles.. Monster 9 had to destroy the obstacles they had as part of the bankruptcy liquidation process. This is what they could come up with with literally half their budget and no sponsors. I was surprised it wasn't indoors again it was that badly funded. The other problem is that they have been having a bear of a time trying to get new obstacle ideas past Health and Safety. That's a topic for later. It's complicated. They are still kinda hanging in there. They also got HUGE blowback for that "box lady". She will be gone. Trust me. For the rest, read the blog to understand what happened during and in between. As for runs with actual subtitles you might want to head over to the official TBS Sasuke Youtube page. (I ordered it from old to new so the Rising stuff from 28 is up top). That should keep you busy for a while.

Yeah we do have the same feelings. Your blog really was similar to what I was thinking at the time haha. Yamada's speech plus that interview... I look at him in a totally different light. Thanks for that.

Oct 14, 2014 9:01:43 GMT -5 peytonblitz said:

I remember watching this tournament (first one live!) and loving the whole thing. To me yes the course did look a little bit easier, but besides the health and safety issues I think Inui might have wanted a more simpler 1st stage like in his time. I was pretty sad watching the All Stars all fail one after another. I kind of expected only Takeda or Nagano to clear so you can probably see my frustration with that.

Don't kill me everyone I kind of like the second stage I think the cross slider is a good obstacle to start with, yeah the Swap Salmon Ladder could be better but I'm okay with it. The ghetto bridge everyone hates (but the competitors) because it is too easy, I actually like the Backstream I will admit it is awkward getting out of the water then lifting and pulling walls but I like it. I think you will love the next two tournaments because of the competitors and how the competitions are in ways I can't explain.

The cross slider is okay with me. I may be being too hard on 28 when it comes to new obstacles, but with the existing obstacles they used, I liked how they designed the course. Stage 1 is excellent in terms of difficulty. It isn't clever at all, but I guess I'd like a reused balanced stage 1 then a fresh/creative impossible stage 1.

Stage 3 is also very nicely done. I like the new cliff hanger although I wish they would do away with that obstacle entirely, although now we have another cliffhanger that they have to face later in the course, so... oh well.

As to your view on stage 2, it's cool if you like it. I do like the different colors and such, but... it's just so.... wtf to me haha. But hey, to each their own.

Oct 14, 2014 10:22:20 GMT -5 Philip said:

Yeah, 28 was pretty much crap, but 29 was good and 30 was VERY good.

Well judging from what everyone is hinting at, the competitors do better in 29 and 30. Lets be honest though, this is just because they made stage 1 easier, which WILL make the tournament better. I, along with many of you guys have been saying for years now they need to make stage 1 easier to allow people beyond the Sasuke-obsessed into stage 2. More Wakky clears and less Ulti Cliffer clears. Hopefully I don't sound like a hater to them, I just like my competitors with a little more variety.

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2014 11:02:31 GMT -5 LusitaniaAngel313 said:

Seeing very all star in attendance competing for the final time and all failing stage one... I nearly fell into a depressed state and tbh I wasn't going to watch anymore but then... #36 happened... But that's for another day. Glad they brought back the quin steps again. I missed them since 11. All 4 shin sedai passes stage one which I was pleased on and oh god I thought the UCH was tough here's something tougher! CCH! Have mercy this will be fun! XD

Same here. Depressed. Was gonna go pop an antidepressant, but than I realized this happened like 2 years ago But closure.
I am bored with the steps. We are learning SOH CAH TOA for right angle triangles in pre-calc, and oh god I'm so tired of right-angled triangles as obstacles and as math topics and homework problems. Pls stack the four into a box and make the obstacle "box", or just not have a first obstacle. Apparently first obstacles are the hardest thing ever.

Oct 14, 2014 14:25:02 GMT -5 sasukeguy said:

The spin bridge was a killer this time. Do you guys think that the all stars are going to compete again, because I do.

I know some of them do. I'd be sort of dissapointed if Yamada and Akiyama compete. Actually though, after listening to Yamada talk about how he knows he wont beat stage 1, it sort of takes the pressure off of it. Maybe watching him get beat back by the wall wont be as painful anymore. *Shrugs*. But as I said before, I feel closure. If Shingo, Tekeda, and Nagano come back and compete, that's totally cool with me. I mean Nagano was in the third stage just ONE TOURNAMENT BEFORE ffs. HE shouldn't have to be lumped into the "All Star" group, he really is in a league all his own.

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2014 14:49:09 GMT -5 jfeathe said:

When Sasuke 28 originally aired, I tried being as optimistic as possible. I was grateful to see some classic obstacles return and I was encouraged that there was an attempt to bring new obstacles into the mix, even if most new obstacles were poorly conceived. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how awful Sasuke 28 really was.

The combination of the All Stars' retirement (not just the fact that they retired, but the way it was presented), the horrendous obstacle design, and the editing of the show really killed it for me.

I won't spoil 29 and 30 here, but I did give Inui the benefit of the doubt since this was his first attempt. I do think 29 and 30 got progressively better, but it's still not where I would like to see it. Arsenette provided some background in the Sasuke 30 thread regarding obstacle design and decisions in the Rising era. Of course, you'll be spoiled if you go there now, but it's worth a read-through when you get caught up.

Thanks, I will. I was okay with the whole ball room thing because I knew this was a new years episode. I thought it being a new years episode, it had to "feel" like a celebration of sorts, hence the room with the celebs and the either bored-as-f*** or drunk-as-f*** all stars and shy-as-f*** new stars.

Good to hear the show gets better.

Oct 15, 2014 10:40:24 GMT -5 wrestlingfan55 said:

I loved 28's first stage. Not necessarily the obstacles, but the atmosphere and tension was there. I loved the drama of it all. After stage 1 I found Stage 2 incredibly boring to watch simply because I was too numb and frankly didn't care about the tourney after the All-Stars were gone. The way it just abruptly went from Nagano's fail to Stage 2 was jarring.

I did quite like Stage 3, though.

Yeah it was a slap in the face. Not interviewing him, but opting to interview random celebrities about s*** was lame as hell, not like I would've understood any of it anyways haha.

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2014 11:26:20 GMT -5 arsenette said:

I think the bigger issue for me was that I was soooo damn happy the show came back from cancellation (again).. I mean I laid into Inui for the editing choices, invite choices and the *&%^% backstream but overall I gave him a lot of leeway because they literally had to start all over with no budget, lost 90% of their sponsors, everyone thought the show was cancelled and we waited over a year and a half from 27 AND the lockout of the Americans (long story on that) and ANW4 being not a qualifier for Sasuke 28. So I think when people watch that show in isolation, without the background of wtf was happening at that time it seems a bit unfair without putting it into context. There were a lot of problems (still are) but the whole team was different and their views on what had to happen to reboot the series after M9 went down vastly differed from the fanbase who were not ready for that abrupt change.

I don't know if having ten of the best-of-the-best of Americans is the best idea. I don't mind that there is a totally separate American show, simply because I feel the approach to American Ninja Warrior is as a competition more above anything else and Sasuke which is absolutely a serious competition, but also an entertainment show. The mentality of the audience is different in both situations. NBC obviously doesn't see that, but I notice people who talk about ANW see it more as a serious athletic competition, and it is marketed as such.

What I mean by this is if ten american went to 28, I'd have no doubt many of them would pass, and it would lead to another "VS" garbage AMERICA VS NIPPON thing that I don't really care for.

But you are right, I b**** too much! Yeah the backstream is awful, and I can b**** about this thing and that thing, but overall, it was a put together tournament. There weren't massive injuries or anything. It really isn't an easy job, so I have to give him credit for putting together this competition and having it run smoothly.

Oct 15, 2014 13:51:46 GMT -5 sasukeguy said:

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}SASUKE 29 has just been confirmed!!!

OMGOMGOMOMGO EM SOO EXCIED!!!!

[arsenette]

Oh I didn't want 10 Americans back. I still consider that overkill. The whole Americans on Sasuke debacle is it's own thread.. and it's long and convoluted and can derail this thread entirely. LOL!! M9 was a big problem in the equation when it came to what happened to the Americans and who there on the list off the list on the list.. off the list for the years we've had Sasuke here. The synopsis of my issue with the whole thing is that once NBC came here we stopped getting Ninja Warrior. THAT is the core of my issue with them. I can care less what happens in ANW. My biggest issue is that NBC thinks ANW was a suitable replacement. We didn't need a replacement. I want both on the air. There's no reason other than greed and arrogance that we can't have both like we used to when G4 was the license holder.

As for Yamada.. yeah.. there's more to come from him. Just read the posts to catch up with wtf happened to him. LOL!! And yes Akiyama is officially done. He took the exit and chose to leave that way.

[Badalight]

Sasuke 28 was weird, and there was a pretty big divide in the community over it IIRC. At the time though I think most of us were just starved for a new tournament and we were happy that the show wasn't over with. Even though I didn't like a lot of the new concepts and obstacles, I gave Inui credit for taking risks and trying to evolve the show. It's something he definitely had to do given Sasuke's poor ratings of the past, even if it meant "retiring the all stars" and bringing in things like the backstream.

I think everyone for the most part agrees that the 2nd stage is perhaps the worst or at least strangest we have ever seen. It's just awkward, and clunky. Every single obstacle seems out of place.

That being said, I still really enjoyed the tournament and it delivered on the drama in spades. If this really had been the final tournament for all of the all-stars like was promised, it would been much higher up on my tournament rankings. As it stands, it's a really important tournament for many reasons but it's bogged down by a lot of weird things.

I agree that stage 1 needs to stay easy. The shin-Sasuke stage 1 was horrible, and I freaking hate the final obstacle of that era. The rope climb from the pre-shin era was much more exciting as a final obstacle, especially when people where strapped for time and they were flying up that rope trying to finish. It was faster paced.

Akiyama's speech was heartbreaking, and at the time Yamada destroying his course was one of the most emotional images I had ever seen come out of Sasuke... but more on that later, as Arsenette said.