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Post by notamulti on May 24, 2016 14:47:15 GMT -5
A question for the 2-3+ year members here (sorry newbies but you haven't been a fan long enough to understand this so please do not respond to this thread). We all had our time when we were otaku/obsessed with sasuke and thought it was the zomgewdwedwedwedbestestmostamazing thing around and we had to learn every competitors name and history and rampantly speculate and discuss and approach each new tournament with fresh enthusiasm. But when did this diminish? It's a sad thing to say but I bet Sasuke has lost SOME of its allure to 80% of veteran SMF members/sasuke fans. Especially when we see the number of inactive 1k+ posters (I believe its about 10 now? And scnoi's one of them lol, the guy who made this very forum  ). So I ask, to any veterans who by chance may see this post: what was the reason for you? Personal tragedies/commitments that changed your life? Education/career work that pushed Sasuke out of your mind? Fighting with forum members made you sick and tired? Or did sasuke just get boring after following X amount of tournaments live? I know for me personally (as a fan since 2011, with 27 being my first live tournament), the looooong wait for 28 started to kill the vibe. In addition, the fact that sasuke became yearly rather than bi-yearly was also a big turnoff (because longer waits and less opportunity for forum discussion). In addition, 28, 29, and 30 all seemed a bit too indistinguishable to me, and they're blurred together in my mind (don't know why, maybe it was lack of obstacle variating or something). OH, AND ALL-STARS GETTING OLD. In a way my interest is tied to Nagano's, his drop in interest after 27 is simultaneous to mine (or maybe my drop in interest was in part due to his???). So if any SMF veterens happen to be lurking then please respond... |
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Post by GlobalNinjaFan on May 24, 2016 14:58:24 GMT -5
A question for the 2-3+ year members here (sorry newbies but you haven't been a fan long enough to understand this so please do not respond to this thread). We all had our time when we were otaku/obsessed with sasuke and thought it was the zomgewdwedwedwedbestestmostamazing thing around and we had to learn every competitors name and history and rampantly speculate and discuss and approach each new tournament with fresh enthusiasm. But when did this diminish? It's a sad thing to say but I bet Sasuke has lost SOME of its allure to 80% of veteran SMF members/sasuke fans. Especially when we see the number of inactive 1k+ posters (I believe its about 10 now? And scnoi's one of them lol, the guy who made this very forum ). So I ask, to any veterans who by chance may see this post: what was the reason for you? Personal tragedies/commitments that changed your life? Education/career work that pushed Sasuke out of your mind? Fighting with forum members made you sick and tired? Or did sasuke just get boring after following X amount of tournaments live? I know for me personally (as a fan since 2011, with 27 being my first live tournament), the looooong wait for 28 started to kill the vibe. In addition, the fact that sasuke became yearly rather than bi-yearly was also a big turnoff (because longer waits and less opportunity for forum discussion). In addition, 28, 29, and 30 all seemed a bit too indistinguishable to me, and they're blurred together in my mind (don't know why, maybe it was lack of obstacle variating or something). OH, AND ALL-STARS GETTING OLD. In a way my interest is tied to Nagano's, his drop in interest after 27 is simultaneous to mine (or maybe my drop in interest was in part due to his???). So if any SMF veterens happen to be lurking then please respond... I find it hilarious that someone with literally 1 post makes a "veterans only" thread as his very first contribution to the forums.... |
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Post by arsenette on May 24, 2016 14:59:15 GMT -5
You nailed it with your experience. Early Sasuke fans came in during the G4 boom where they had Sasuke every day all day and back to back to back. When G4 finally caught up to the regular seasons the Western fans who were used to seeing a tournament in a marathon realized the physical wait between tournaments. Japan was used to it because that's all they knew, but for the average fan who had other things to watch they just moved on. ANW's format lends itself to being up and "current" for about 3-4months straight with new content. Sasuke is not built that way and now with it being yearly you have people who simply have moved on. Any fandom does that. Some just shifted to ANW waiting for Sasuke tournaments in between. Also, remember that so many of the early vets where children. Most have grown up, gotten jobs, graduated from college and moved on in life. It is rare to see people hang on to a show for longer than 5 years with the same fervor. Hell I'm at 10 years but even I am going to back off a bit in the intensity.
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Post by notamulti on May 24, 2016 15:00:58 GMT -5
A question for the 2-3+ year members here (sorry newbies but you haven't been a fan long enough to understand this so please do not respond to this thread). We all had our time when we were otaku/obsessed with sasuke and thought it was the zomgewdwedwedwedbestestmostamazing thing around and we had to learn every competitors name and history and rampantly speculate and discuss and approach each new tournament with fresh enthusiasm. But when did this diminish? It's a sad thing to say but I bet Sasuke has lost SOME of its allure to 80% of veteran SMF members/sasuke fans. Especially when we see the number of inactive 1k+ posters (I believe its about 10 now? And scnoi's one of them lol, the guy who made this very forum ). So I ask, to any veterans who by chance may see this post: what was the reason for you? Personal tragedies/commitments that changed your life? Education/career work that pushed Sasuke out of your mind? Fighting with forum members made you sick and tired? Or did sasuke just get boring after following X amount of tournaments live? I know for me personally (as a fan since 2011, with 27 being my first live tournament), the looooong wait for 28 started to kill the vibe. In addition, the fact that sasuke became yearly rather than bi-yearly was also a big turnoff (because longer waits and less opportunity for forum discussion). In addition, 28, 29, and 30 all seemed a bit too indistinguishable to me, and they're blurred together in my mind (don't know why, maybe it was lack of obstacle variating or something). OH, AND ALL-STARS GETTING OLD. In a way my interest is tied to Nagano's, his drop in interest after 27 is simultaneous to mine (or maybe my drop in interest was in part due to his???). So if any SMF veterens happen to be lurking then please respond... I find it hilarious that someone with literally 1 post makes a "veterans only" thread as his very first contribution to the forums.... I know you may not be the brightest fellow here Global, BUT CAN YOU NOT AT LEAST LOOK AT MY NAME: "Notamulti"  Like really. |
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Post by GlobalNinjaFan on May 24, 2016 15:13:17 GMT -5
I find it hilarious that someone with literally 1 post makes a "veterans only" thread as his very first contribution to the forums.... I know you may not be the brightest fellow here Global, BUT CAN YOU NOT AT LEAST LOOK AT MY NAME: "Notamulti" Like really. I read your original reply, and let me say with an attitude that condescending and rude I'm glad you left. But seriously, "Notamulti" doesn't necessarily mean anything. Based on that, you could still be: 1) Someone who got banned and is using that as an excuse to come back. 2) A newcomer trying to be a comedian. I believe you, but try to see it from my perspective. And as someone who has watched the show in some capacity for three years, Arsenette nailed it plain and simple. Like any other show, you get invested, then binge watch. When I watched about 25 tournaments in the space of 2 months, it was the most exciting period for me simply because I could pretty much see the full journey of my favourites there and then. Then, when I hit a wall and had to wait for 30 and 31 (I wasn't a member back then), I laid off until the new content boom came. |
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 15:21:11 GMT -5
I've been watching the show for nearly 9 years now and I honestly have to say the show has become a worldwide phenomenon. It's come to the USA, the UK, Vietnam, Malaysia, heck even Sweden! But due to this the Japanese version has lost some of its allure since Monster9 went bankrupt, because you only get to see it once per year instead of twice like back in the day due to budget cuts. Plus it's all crammed into one episode and its not split into several weekly episodes like the other version, which I prefer as it builds up drama.  The Japanese version, no matter what happens from here and now, will always be the original and best version of the SASUKE/Ninja Warrior franchise! |
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Post by Philip on May 24, 2016 17:03:50 GMT -5
Been watching since 2007. I still love the show but it is EXTREMELY frustrating that it's only once a year. I know it's because of budget and TBS being dumb but still. The spin-offs can be nice but nothing compares to Sasuke.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 17:25:59 GMT -5
Been watching since 2007. I still love the show but it is EXTREMELY frustrating that it's only once a year. I know it's because of budget and TBS being dumb but still. The spin-offs can be nice but nothing compares to Sasuke. I can imagine a world where SASUKE is a worldwide sport watched by billions and travels to different locations every few months...what a dream that was. |
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Post by wrestlingfan55 on May 24, 2016 20:27:40 GMT -5
I don't understand why this is in the Spam section.
But anyway, for me it definitely lost its allure between Sasuke 27 and 28. The year long wait DID build up a great anticipation for 28, but I think the hyping up of the All-Stars followed by them choking in Stage 1 soured on a lot of people. To be perfectly frank the new breed of competitors lack the charisma that the All-Stars had (and still have).
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Post by LusitaniaAngel313 on May 24, 2016 20:54:18 GMT -5
I don't understand why this is in the Spam section. But anyway, for me it definitely lost its allure between Sasuke 27 and 28. The year long wait DID build up a great anticipation for 28, but I think the hyping up of the All-Stars followed by them choking in Stage 1 soured on a lot of people. To be perfectly frank the new breed of competitors lack the charisma that the All-Stars had (and still have). This alone. This comment is why I felt SASUKE 28 was the worst. For my reason it was pretty much the same reasons all you guys said. The gap between 27 and 28 was long and we returned to see... well... frankly one of the worst showing of the all stars. I mean the Shin Sedai are great and they can carry the show too but it's hard to move into a new generation without comparing them to the stars we know and love. Also having SASUKE pretty much once a year kinda leaves a whole year to wait for the next one if it even continues at all... |
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Post by Philip on May 24, 2016 21:13:23 GMT -5
I don't understand why this is in the Spam section. But anyway, for me it definitely lost its allure between Sasuke 27 and 28. The year long wait DID build up a great anticipation for 28, but I think the hyping up of the All-Stars followed by them choking in Stage 1 soured on a lot of people. To be perfectly frank the new breed of competitors lack the charisma that the All-Stars had (and still have). As you may know I am not like extremely attached to the All Stars like others are, but yeah the course was a huge letdown in 28. |
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Post by TCM on May 24, 2016 21:30:14 GMT -5
I was one of those 'vets' who started watching as a teen back when Ninja Warrior was just a quirky name with the very crappy logo and the obstacle bar was a horizontal black one before their graphics package upgrade. I've seen every tournament, some multiple times. I used to play games solely based around knowledge of the show. Now, I can't even Google an image of that retro logo and broadcast style because the one copy I've had is lost to the ether of the Internet. You Google Ninja Warrior now, you get ANW images more often.
Wrestling fans have a weird similarity to Western Sasuke fans, I've noticed. Like Arsenette stated, you come across the show in a particular time in your life and you believe it to be the greatest thing ever and you grow up and for whatever reason, you grow out of it and move on. You may watch clips here and there but you never reach the peak of fandom you used to. And like with a lot of wrestling fans and the 'Attitude Era' of the 90's, a lot of fans started watching during Nagano's prime performances and the course design's creative peak as well. Sasuke is 19 years old; that's a long time for an obstacle course show to consistently be on TV. As competitors no longer reach the heights they once did, like with wrestlers, fans no longer have a 'reason' to keep watching. Combine that with the aforementioned having to deal with the downtime between competitions and it's very easy to fall out of love with the show. Unlike with wrestling where you can bring back older, popular characters and choose to put them at the forefront (sometimes to the detriment of the current group, who are talented in their own right, arguably more so in general but lack the personality necessary to help give the product sustained mainstream attention.), you can't do that in Sasuke because if they don't perform well, you no longer have a grab for the audience to keep watching. Presuming they know it's even still on the air.
As for me, I still think it's an incredible concept and I'm one of those who still consider Sasuke the priority and ANW the secondary program. I wouldn't I've fallen out of love with it. I've just evolved my fandom. I'm aware that the show is old now; it's past its prime in terms of popularity though I would love for it to get a resurgence and go another 10 or so, but I'm aware that the show is on borrowed time for a number of reasons, some I understand, some I hate. Sasuke may not even exist past 2018. And just getting to 2018 would be a miracle all its own. Some can legitimately argue having anything past 27 was an act of godlike proportions, much less a 32nd upcoming tournament. Sometimes the confirmation of another is enough to keep that excitement going, I feel it'll be a relief for some when it finally ends for good though.
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Post by gt4dom on May 24, 2016 22:06:42 GMT -5
When ANW really took off with ANW4 that aired after Yuuji's 2nd Kanzenseiha when 27 was an overall meh course despite a fun competition along with the fact we all thought SASUKE was dead, people jumped on the ANW bandwagon and we managed to get many weeks of Ninja competition along with a full finals course. SASUKE wasn't a special attraction and the ninja market got kinda saturated and now it's not as special as it used to be. When the Salmon Ladder was built, it was revolutionary. Now they'res very little they can do with how popular it has got overseas and it's really stifled them creatively (Swap Salmon Ladder, then Downwards salmon ladder, Spider with a drop, recycling old obstacles, making Stage 3 a one obstacle course etc). It hasn't necessarily lost it's allure, but 5 years ago all we had was SASUKE to look forward to during the whole year. Now there's so much Ninja content it's kinda overkill and it means there's less focus on the original which is a shame because it always was and always will be the best and is the reason why us 3+ year old members joined this board and probably why you will find we have more anger towards ANW than most (although it is WAY better than it was back in ANW4 days ). We never joined for ANW (which I can bet 75% of new members do join from!) and there is just too much now to be a full time fan of each iteration of SASUKE. Overall the Ninja community has really shined in the last 5 years in a casual sense and I hope it continues to grow and be as popular as it is, but ultimately the allure of waiting 1 year for 100 runs (well like 30 runs, 30 digests and 40 all cuts ) has gone. Also the fact that the All-Stars keep failing and us old folk still view them as the stars of the Ninja Community which all the new ANW fans haven't been conditioned for (it's all about crossfitters and rock climbers instead of Fishermen and Gas Managers). We're clinging on to the past and are finally realising this could be the end of the All-Stars and ultimately the SASUKE that we have known and loved for the last 7 years for me and I know a lot longer for others on the forum. Think of it like Top Gear, the stars can be replaced but it will never be the same show without the main focus on the all-stars and we will never have the same passion for it once the spotlight is off them, whether most of us like to admit it or not. |
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Post by thatoneuser on May 24, 2016 22:11:34 GMT -5
Hasn't lost its allure. Not a bit. I still get goosebumps watching the live streams.
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Post by TCM on May 24, 2016 22:52:08 GMT -5
Hasn't lost its allure. Not a bit. I still get goosebumps watching the live streams. I've been a wrestling fan much longer than I've been a Sasuke fan, but the rush I get knowing a live Sasuke broadcast is getting closer to air beats out a major wrestling show for me. I don't have the rush I do with most other TV shows I watch. Eagerness, excitement, sure. But with Sasuke, it's different. |
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Post by Badalight on May 24, 2016 23:12:57 GMT -5
2-3 years... HAHA. To put it into perspective, I got into the show when I was in 7th grade.
I now have a bachelors degree and have been out of college for nearly half a year. That's a looooooooooooong freaking time.
It's not that the show has lost its allure, but it doesn't happen as often anymore and a lot of the people I love talking to about the show are not around anymore.
Sasuke had a profound impact on my teenage life. I used to build obstacles and train everyday. Hell, when I was 17 I was in the best shape of my life and I'm still convinced my 17 year old self could've rocked the majority of the ANW courses. Pretty unfortunate that I stopped training entirely upon entering college and then performed poorly once I got on the show.
Anyway, being on Sasuke was always a HUGE goal for me. While I never really accomplished that (though, it's not like it's impossible now that I'm moving to Japan) I did compete on ANW 3 times. After the first time, I kind of felt content. Even though I didn't do well, it was a huge accomplishment for me. Sure there are a lot of regrets about not getting far... but whatever. ANW is not really my jam anyway, but it's the closest I can get to competing on Sasuke. I met a lot of life-long friends on the way, both from Sasuke and from ANW and those two audience do not necessarily align.
Jeez... I remember when someone having a replica cliff-hanger in their backyard was hot stuff. I'll never forget how much pride I felt finishing my globe grasp obstacle. Now we have dozens and dozens of full scale backyard courses and entire gyms dedicated to ANW! It's crazy.
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Post by LusitaniaAngel313 on May 24, 2016 23:23:02 GMT -5
Hasn't lost its allure. Not a bit. I still get goosebumps watching the live streams. I've been a wrestling fan much longer than I've been a Sasuke fan, but the rush I get knowing a live Sasuke broadcast is getting closer to air beats out a major wrestling show for me. I don't have the rush I do with most other TV shows I watch. Eagerness, excitement, sure. But with Sasuke, it's different. It's like me! I can say the same thing with SASUKE fan made stuff like PROTO SASUKE and STICKMAN SASUKE but the original SASUKE ALWAYS gives me chills and the jitters. It's indescribable how much SASUKE has changed me. SASUKE 32 will be my 3rd watch of it live. Wait... that's it. It's the fact I'm watching this blind. No spoilers of, OMG SHINGO PATH FAIL!, running around the interwebs. We find out at pretty much the same time. And last year we ALL saw a grand champion be crowned, but even better was arsenette saw it LIVE. That alone... is the power that SASUKE has.  |
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Post by lostinube on May 31, 2016 23:20:04 GMT -5
In retrospect, people can be disappointed in what 28 was overall but the fact that there was a 28 (and anything after that) is a miracle that we should all appreciate. By all rights, the show should have died when M9 went bankrupt after 27.
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Like really. 
