Favorite Tournament Without Any Final Stage Attempts

[yamfriend]

Generally speaking, many SASUKE fans tend to put tournaments with at least one Final Stage attempt atop their list of favorite tournaments. However, half of the SASUKE tournaments thus far have not had any Final Stage attempts, and sometimes seem to be overlooked in terms of being among the "best" ones. That being said, of the 16 SASUKE tournaments without any Final Stage attempts, which one is your favorite?

My opinion (only in spoiler tags for the sake of not influencing others' decisions before voting):

SPOILER: Click to show

I personally have to go with SASUKE 10 due to the drama of the All-Stars. Specifically, it was Yamada who was the only one of this newly-formed group to make it past Stage 1 (as well as Stage 2), and upon the end of Stage 1 the broadcast was essentially centralized around him and the possibility of his return to the Final Stage (it kind of reminds me of Takeda in 24). However, in the end Yamada's emotional failure and interview went on to become one of the most famous moments in the show's history (along with his "For me, there is nothing else but SASUKE" quote), and (unknown at the time) would be his last Stage 3 attempt.

[Eclipse]

Nostalgia pick. I discovered Sasuke after 27, so 28 was the first one I watched at release. Also, I will always remember it had the one advertisement for Elevator Brakes, and I sat there wondering 1) who they think is watching Sasuke that this appeals to, 2) who sees a TV ad and says "yeah,I should get new elevator brakes" and 3) how often are people even shopping for elevator brakes

[LusitaniaAngel313]

I chose 14 just for the moments that made me laugh. The girl rolling the log backwards and is forced to attempt it anyway, Shingo ridiculing Takeda on how fast he went and vows to go faster (and he didn't. XD), AND TAKEDA getting a phone call just before his attempt at stage 3! I found it endearing. ^^

[wrestlingfan55]

I'll say Sasuke 15. It had a lot of bizarre moments as well as drama. There's something really magnetic about that time period of Sasuke.

[Messup434]

I chose 15. Good First Stage and I think that's the one where they had the sun at.

[peytonblitz]

I chose 18 simply because it is one of my favorite competitions. The complete renewal, the Salmon Ladder, Shin Cliffhanger, Jumping Spider, Flying Chute, etc. I also love the destruction of everyone on the first stage (I also love that about 19 too) and everyone's shock at the new obstacles. Nagano's almost beating the Shin Cliffhanger but grabbing the top ledge of the obstacle, it is just one of my favorite competitions.

[TCM]

Watching it with the context of him no longer being an active competitor, Sasuke 21 was one of the last 'good' tournaments Nagano had post-kanzenseiha. I have good in quotes because his ultimate result was a result of course error and not his own. After the first three tournaments of the Shin-Sasuke era where his results were less than stellar, he reminds any doubters that they were all flukes and honestly, who knew what would happen if the "Grinding" Ring worked. I think that's what makes that tournament special; it gave one of the biggest 'what ifs' for Sasuke: What if Nagano cleared Stage 3 in 21? We ultimately got that answer in 23 when he nearly became the first 2-time winner (and even that has its own what if in regards to the time limit).

There were other awesome moments: Takeda being the first to clear the SCH, Lee, Nakata and Bunpei's first Stage 1 clears since 17, Brian's first Stage 1 clear, Ishimaru getting as far as the Flying Chute at 54 years old, Luci being the first woman to clear the Jumping Spider. Even Miyazaki showed promise getting to Stage 3 his first attempt. A lot of awesome small moments built up to Nagano's 3rd Stage performance.  I'd go so far as to say it was when Shin-SASUKE really took off.

[wrestlingfan55]

21 was also the last tournament where Nagano had his best and most most iconic hairstyle.

[lightningmatt]

19 for me, the spotlight was on the Flying Chute, my favorite obstacle, plus there was Yusuke, my favorite competitor!

[MrTakebuchi]

20 for me because I loved watching Levi kind of burst onto the scene and I always thought it was awesome seeing the all-stars give Levi pointers throughout the third stage.

[Philip]

I've always loved 16. The course difficulty was SPOT ON, especially for 2005. Many storylines at play, the most notable being Akiyama's final time in the 2nd Stage. Also it was Kongu's first tournament back since being the resident tester for Sasuke for many years.

[skythenewark]

I loved 16. Most notably because of Akiyama's final Stage 1 clear. But Koji Yamada & Bunpei's Stage 3 run is a must see as well.

[Amber]

Feb 23, 2017 20:52:22 GMT -5 skythenewark said:

I loved 16. Most notably because of Akiyama's final Stage 1 clear. But Koji Yamada & Bunpei's Stage 3 run is a must see as well.

Koji's stage 3 run in 16 along with Takeda's stage 3 run in 24 are the two Sasuke runs that actually drain energy from me when viewing

[wrestlingfan55]

Sasuke 16 was a very weird tournament. Let's not forget the Reverse Fly which Takeda broke himself on.

[Miko]

Sasuke 16 was something special, so i have to pick that one.

[Deleted]

21 because the clear ratio went back to normal and Nagano actually did good for once.

[LusitaniaAngel313]

SASUKE 16 was the first tournament I ever saw! I kinda liked the reverse fly tbh... XD

[Kowai Yume]

Sasuke 20. First tourney I ever saw and because of Levi opening the door for the "average" American contestant.

[Steven π]

28 because I want to see how do they build a triple rope climb lol. I also want 5 because... yeah, no reason for that

[dudesky1000]

26! It was the tournament that made SASUKE seem it had truly become next to impossible. The editing was poor and the drama was contrived, but the results spoke for themselves. I wish M9 hadn't nerfed it because it would have been really interesting to see how long it would have taken for someone to finally clear the Third Stage.