Ninja Warrior (2006– ) User Reviews

Great show

[codeE · 9/10 · 20 May 2007]

This is a great show. A really simple idea, you vs. the obstacle course. Open to anyone, see a WIDE variety of competitors from serious athletes to people trying for their 15min. with no hope of making it through any of the obstacles. The good news is that the first round eliminates the clown types who go out with a spectacular and or comic wipe out. The serious competitors advance on to the next stages that get even harder to the point where sometimes no one makes it to the final stage. It's nice to see a show that is not the usual group of contestants that back stab each other until the last backstabber left is the winner. I'm surprised that there is no American version of this, but then if there were you would have to eat something nasty and then dance with a star or a penguin.

More than an Obstacle Course

[smanteufel · 8/10 · 21 September 2023]

Watching this show when I was a kid was an absolute event. I would gather around the Tv with my two older brothers to marvel at this epic obstacle course.

We would often argue about which one of us would be the most successful on it and how far we could realistically go. We would debate if any of us had the grip strength to traverse the cliff hanger; the reach to climb the warped wall; or even the speed and endurance to clear the first stage at all.

We were very sporty, athletic kids with hundreds of sporting achievements shared amongst the 3 of us, but even as children we knew that conquering the course would be impossible for any of us. These were highly committed, elite athletes dedicating their whole lives in some instances to this course.

As we grew older I personally began to admire the athleticism and drive of certain individuals that regularly competed. For a show on SBS 2 that only aired twice a week its remarkable that I so looked forward to seeing the likes of Makoto Nagano, Mr Ninja Warrior or the Fireman compete - Which made it all the more tragic when the fiercest competitors would get dunked into the muddy waters below.

I'll never forget the pre-run hype videos before each run: like the Fisherman climbing the flagpole of his boat or doing crunches off the side.

I'll never forget the energy in our own living room as we anxiously awaited our favourites about to run each stage.

I'll never forget the despair when Makoto was just inches from total victory, or the joy when he finally reached the summit.

But mostly I'll never forget spending time with my brothers.

I don't know when we stopped watching? I guess we just got older, but I'll always fondly remember those moments.

I recently endeavoured to watch the show again from the beginning for a little fun nostalgia trip with my partner. She was initially hesitant but I assured her it was all good fun.

Little did I know I would feel all that joy from my childhood once again, seeing my partner go through the same emotions: having favourites come and go; seeing certain obstacles and cowering with fear; or yelping with happiness when someone made it to the 4th stage.

I wondered what it was that made this simple obstacle course gameshow speak to not only myself and my brothers in our childhood, but also myself and my partner in adulthood, and I think the secret is the people, the regulars, the All Stars - the people that came together each tournament to root for eachother to reach the top. That's what separates this show from many others, the comradery and shared goal of finishing.

This isn't a competition but a shared dream and everyone there wants to just see someone make it. So many working class people 'competing' for the sheer joy of it. Because it certainly wasn't the measly prize money that kept the likes of Mr Ninja Warrior coming back.

The personal stories of sacrifice and willpower touched me to my core and honestly it sounds stupid but many of the people in this show are heroes to me. True everyday heroes doing their absolute best.

I'm glad I watched this show as a kid, and I'm glad I scoured the internet to watch it once more because I think it taught me many valuable lessons on what it takes to endeavour.

Yeah I guess it is just an obstacle course, but it really is something more to me. This show and the contestants in it are an inspiration - a true reflection of the bonds of friendship and a mark of tenacity, strength and willpower of the human spirit.

Best reality show.

[jdhall702 · 10/10 · 10 May 2007]

As a rule I hate reality shows,but on this show the only one you compete against is yourself.As of this writing only two men have completed all four of the levels and as far as I can tell the only thing they get for winning is satisfaction.They have just started showing the womens competition this week(05/07/07).The courses are changed slightly for each competition to keep it interesting for us and more difficult for the competitors.One hundred people(women are allowed to compete on the mens course)start the first level and usually only ten or less make it to the next stage.The first two levels are timed and stress speed and agility.The third level is not timed,but upper body strength,right down to the fingertips,is a major requirement.The fourth and final test puts all of your strength,speed,and stamina to the test.This is a Japanese television show but there are athletes from all over the world that come to compete,even a few Olympic gold medalists.

Best Show on Television

[spongegrl172 · 10/10 · 17 July 2007]

My brother and I first discovered this show when we saw the word "ninja" in the title (who doesn't like ninjas?). He liked it, but I LOVED it. Watching these people challenge themselves so intensely for a small prize (2 million yen-about $17,000) just for the pride of winning is incredible. Yeah, I Tivo it. I've seen almost all of the competitions and have become somewhat attached to the competitors. Look out for Makoto Nagano (he beats all four stages in the 17th competition), Shunsuke Nagasaki (a young, relatively new competitor with loads of talent), and Shingo Yamamoto (gas station manager). Those three are my personal favorites, but I pretty much know all of the main contenders by name (my friends are quite disturbed by that :) ). If you want your brain to melt, feel free to watch the garbage they show on VH1 or MTV. But if you want to see the greatest show on TV, tune in to G4TV weeknights at 6:30. You won't be disappointed.

Big Nagano fan

[pahooboy · 10/10 · 12 February 2008]

This really is a great show. I was surfing and loved the announcer shouting at the top of his lungs. Then, I became a fan of the All Stars. Only in professional sports do you see athletes of this caliber. These are really just home boys that found a challenge and became heroes in their country. It has inspired me to train harder, as I now see what true strength is watching the best get to the latter stages. I truly hope that it is not duplicated here in America. The G4 edited version is perfect as it is. Spend maybe 5 to 10 seconds doing a profile on a few and just let each contestant run the course. No need for a 10 minute segment on how a garbage man has such a hard life and still finds time to train for the game. Oh, it would make me sick thinking about what Hollywood would do trying to duplicate the show. OK, gotta go. I have to train on the warped wall in my back yard;-)

This show rocks!!

[ruthiecrisafulli · 10/10 · 11 July 2007]

This show is a physical challenge to all who try it. Over half the contestants don't make it past the first round. And even less people make it past the second. Two people have ever earned the title of Ninja Warrior. They used strength and agility to pass these tests. The tasks are grueling and enjoyable to watch. I enjoy this show because it shows people's strength and abilities. Also if you have never watched this show I recommend it, it is on G4 weeknights at 6:30. It is my favorite reality TV show and the only one that I like. If you don't give it a chance then you don't know what you're missing. It is a fantastic show. Similar to the strongman competition, except it is more like an obstacle course. There are always new competitors, some even from the USA like Paul hamm.

old values

[Kirpianuscus · 20 October 2018]

A show who has as lead virtue the remind of old values. Force, courage, smart spirit, hard work. And the best wins. A show fascinating and powerful seductive. About people against their limits. About a total show. And about a fascinating story of succes, out of money, relations, opinions of others. Episode byy episode , it is a lesson about real significant things. Or, maybe, about life in its basic virtues and meanings.

Classic!

[carletonclements · 25 April 2020]

No obstacle course can best this. It's truly a classic. The characters that have come and gone will always be remembered: ... Yamada, Crab-Fisherman, Bunpei Shiratori, the Garbageman, Nagasaki, Takahashi, Nagano... The list goes on. As an English speaker only, I thought G.4. did a great job. Just wish they extended their series to today.