Japanese television series
Kinniku Banzuke (筋肉番付, lit. Muscle Ranking) a.k.a. Unbeatable Banzuke is a Japanese television program that aired weekly and was the premier sports entertainment variety show of the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). Its successors were Taiiku Oukoku (体育王国, Physical Education Kingdom) and Ougon Kinniku (黄金筋肉, Golden Muscle). They were succeeded by Muscle Musical. Several seasonal specials were also made, such as Pro Sportsman No.1 and Sasuke.
Originally a late-night Friday broadcast, the television special was popular and started airing in prime time on October 14, 1995. It was broadcast every season and gained popularity as Sportsman No.1 Ketteisen (スポーツマンNo.1決定戦, Sportsman No.1 Playoffs). Through various games reverting to the origins of sports, professional players and general participants challenged the limits of physical strength and technique, winning prizes if all targets were successfully destroyed.
Kane Kosugi's Shaolin Temple training and Akira Oomori's Muay Thai bouts were also documented in the broadcasts. The popularity of the displays of amazing physical strength and technique by professional players and luck of general participants drove TV Asahi to move its anime time slot up one hour and caused the cancellation of Heisei Kyouikuiinkai (平成教育委員会, Heisei Board of Education) on Fuji TV.
The use of the program's mascot, Kongou-kun (金剛くん, Adamantium Boy), originally only featured during the broadcast, expanded in 1996 into the program's opening sequence and every game's introduction. Simultaneously in 1999, a brandmark for the program, different from its logotype, was created: the English initials, "MR". However, as of 2000, only the mascot remained, and the "MR" brandmark vanished, having only appeared for that brief time.
History
Injuries and sudden cancellation
On May 5, 2002, two show participants injured their cervical vertebrae during the filming of an episode entitled "Chikarajima" ("Power Island"), an obstacle course with a temple-like setting stationed outside. The accidents occurred during the "rock attack" and "rock valley" obstacle portions.
In rock attack, contestants try to catch a giant ball that comes down a 15-degree slope, they must then push the ball back up the slope where a platform leads to the rock valley waterway. In rock valley, they try to walk on the ball, which weighs about 30 kg and has a diameter of 1.8 meters, across the aforementioned waterway 2.5 meters wide and 1.4 meters deep. Wei Tao, a 19-year-old Chinese freshman at Kyoto University, fell into the waterway during the rock valley obstacle. Takunori Isa, a 20-year-old junior at Tokai University, was knocked down when he tried to catch the ball in rock attack and was rolled over by the ball.[1] It was later revealed that at least two other contestants suffered spinal injuries while participating on the show as well.[2] College student Takahiro Saito, 19, was hospitalized after falling more than six feet into a four-foot-deep water-filled moat, while another contestant was hospitalized after trying to catch a 100-pound plastic ball, nearly six feet in diameter.[2]
The May 5, 2002 episode would prove to be the final episode of Kinniku Banzuke. Show production was officially put on hiatus, and the show was effectively cancelled. The dormant space was filled with a special edition of Count Down TV, CDTV Gold, entitled Za! Gekitou! Daikazoku!! (ザ!激闘!大家族!!, The! Intensely Fighting! Large Family!!). It was revived in 2008, and aired in first-run episodes on G4 and MYX TV in America and Challenge in the UK.[citation needed]
Broadcast time
Saturday at 19:00 JST (Except for TV Yamaguchi. At first, it was not broadcast on TV Kouchi either but started midway in April 2000. At that time, TV Kouchi had a time slot open on Kouchi Sun Sun TV when a Fuji TV drama was moved to a different slot, and thereafter, the network started broadcasting TV Asahi's programs at a different time. In addition, TV Yamaguchi was once a Fuji Network System affiliate and syndicated some Fuji TV programs.)
Courses
Courses that are defeated are then recreated in an attempt to be made more difficult and thus "unbeatable". This is why there are different versions (I, II, III, IV, V) next to some names. Sometimes an obstacle is changed between attempts to conquer this game, so there are letters (A, B) next to the versions. This is most likely done because of the injuries caused by this obstacle. Some of these events have "break zones", where any competitor who reaches that point is allowed to take a 30-second break before they must continue on with the course.[citation needed]
- Amazing Road – Competitors must cross a 15-metre-long suspended beam while avoiding six turnstiles fitted with padded bars that can knock them off. This was the Final new event that aired in the US version.
- Athletic Love – Two people of a couple stand at either end of a bridge-like construct. They have 60 seconds to reach the center without falling off or using their hands. This challenge has had three victories. The third victory aired only in Japan.
- Bamboo Derby (On Ultimate Banzuke renamed: "Walking Tall") I, IIA, IIB, III – Obstacle course where competitors walk on stilts. Between IIA and IIB, Snow Mountain was the first mountain obstacle but due to its punishing difficulty, it was replaced by the easier Green Mountain. This challenge has had 2 victories. In the first Bamboo derby, a competitor cleared the event, but due to him skipping a stepping stone, he was disqualified.
- Banzai 90 – A six-person team has 90 seconds to launch one of their own onto each of four padded logs hanging several feet above the floor. When all four logs are taken, they must hold their position for 10 more seconds. The logs are of varying heights: Red – 11 ft 4 in, yellow – 10 ft 7 in, green – 10 ft 1 in, and blue – 9 ft 1 in. This challenge had 4 victories.
- Daruma 7 – A 'daruma' sits atop a stack of 7 blocks. Competitors use a sledgehammer to knock out each block from the bottom up without letting the 'daruma' (or any other section) fall off. This challenge has had 4 victories, 2 in a modified version below. One of these victories was Yakult Swallows superstar catcher Atsuya Furuta.
- Super Daruma – Modified version of Daruma 7 which has 9 blocks to knock out instead of 7.
- Daruma 7 Ace – Modified version of Daruma 7 which the blocks start out small and get larger. This version of the challenge has 2 victories. The 2nd victory was only aired in Japan.
- Extra Kendama – Competitors play with a life-size kendama. They have 60 seconds to swing the ball onto the large cup, then onto the small cup, and finally onto the central spike without dropping the kendama.
- Giant Ball – Obstacle course where competitors stay atop a 5-foot-wide ball without ever falling off or even straying from the course. If a 5-foot-wide ball gets stuck in pothole, contestants will need to escape within the 10-second limit.
- Hand Walk I, IIa, IIb, IIIA, IIIB, IV – Obstacle course where competitors walk on their hands. This course has a break zone. Between IIIA and IIIB, the Conveyor Belt was changed to Bamboo Bridge. As for IIa and IIb, the Rolling Hills were changed to the Hills and Stairs. This challenge has had 4 victories. The competitor that defeated Hand Walk III was aired only in Japan, but it remains unknown. The fourth version only aired in Japan.
- Kangaroo – Obstacle course where competitors use a pogo stick. This course has a break zone.
- Like a Pierrot I, II, III, IV, V, Ghost – Obstacle course where competitors ride a unicycle. This event has had 8 victories, the most of any challenge.
- Muscle Gym – Two competitors have to do as many sit-ups, back extensions, and push-ups as they can in 3 minutes. This challenge was played four times; by design, there was a victory each time it was played.
- Nakama – Two people run through an obstacle course while tethered together. They have 70 seconds to reach the end.
- Neko de Drive I, II, III – Obstacle course involving a man transporting a woman on a wheelbarrow that looks like a cat (a "neko (cat) cart"). The contestants have 60 seconds to complete the first four obstacles and reach the break zone. After that, the time is unlimited. This is the second course to undergo a numerical upgrade change without a victor. The second and third version only aired in Japan.
- Ottoto 9 – Obstacle course where competitors balance a metal pole on two fingers (hands in US Version). This obstacle is similar to Steady Voyage in Viking, The Ultimate Obstacle Course. Letting your pole fall or touch any metal obstacle results in failure. This course has a break zone. This challenge has had 1 victory.
- Quick Muscle – (On Ultimate Banzuke renamed: "Push Up Showdown") Two competitors have to do as many push-ups as they can in 3 minutes. The one who does more at the end of 3 minutes is declared the champion. Any time a competitor uses improper form, the penalty light goes on, deactivating that competitor's counter for 10 seconds. By design, there is a victory each time the challenge is played; all five wins were achieved by the same competitor. In one of them, a contender bit his lips hard enough to bleed, marking the first time to show blood in that show.
- Seesaw 60 – Two people stand atop a giant seesaw. They have 60 seconds to move a 10 kg barrel from one side to the other without letting either end of the seesaw touch the floor. A third person gets to call out advice to the other two people. This challenge has had 1 victory.
- Skateboarder I, II, – Obstacle course where competitors ride a skateboard. This course has a break zone, where competitors only have to take a short break. This challenge has had 1 victory. Second version was only aired in Japan.
- Spider Walk – Competitors must climb through a 79-meter-long set of parallel walls, using their arms and legs to move forward without touching the ground. This course would later become the inspiration for the "Spider Walk" and "Jumping Spider" obstacles in Sasuke. This challenge has had 2 victories.
- Sponge Bridge I, II, III – Competitors have to walk atop three rows of giant foam blocks, each harder than the last. This was based on the Takeshi's Castle game 'Dominoes', and has also been used as 'Domino Hill' in stage 3 of KUNOICHI. This course is the first to be updated to a new edition and advance numerically without being defeated first. This challenge has had 2 victories. Sponge Bridge III was the final event ever aired in the US Version.
- Super Helico I, II, – Obstacle course involving a radio-controlled helicopter. This course has a break zone to allow the copter's batteries to be replaced. Although the US showed 1 victory, there were multiple victories only aired in Japan. The second version was only aired in Japan.
- Super Rider I, II, III, IV, V – Obstacle course where competitors ride a bicycle (mountain bike trials). This challenge has had 6 victories. Two more courses were made and filmed, but never aired except in Japan (there are clips from the competition in the international versions). Keigo Arizono's Super Rider III victory was the final victory aired in the US Version.
- Strong Mama – A course designed specifically for women. They have 60 seconds to clear the first five obstacles. After that, time is unlimited.
- Trampoline – Competitors must bounce off of trampolines onto stacks of foam blocks. This competition has three stages, and all competitors who complete the first stage are held until all competitors attempt the stage. Afterwards, all successful competitors attempt the second stage in the same manner.
- Untouchable – Four contestants face off, two at a time, 1-on-1 in a caged wrestling competition, with 3 batons each strapped to their bodies, on their back and each leg. The competitors must remove 2 out of 3 batons off of the other to win a match. After a baton is removed, competition ceases temporarily as the baton is placed in a box. The first person to win 2 matches is placed on the Banzuke. This challenge has had 1 victory.
"Struck Out", "Kick Target", etc. – The contest for the 2 million yen prize consisted of many games that formed the "2 Million Yen Dream Plan".
Broadcast
Canada
Same as the American version. It is presented on the Canadian version of G4 called G4 Canada.
Czech Republic
Under the title "Bezkonkurenční Banzuke". Just like in Hungary, the show commenced broadcast in Czech Republic on November 27, 2010, until 2013 on Animax, but the show was completely dubbed to Czech.
Australia
The Australian version is presented on SBS Two. It is currently broadcast every weekday at 6 p.m., and has been since the relaunch of SBS2. Previously, it was not shown very often but was still broadcast every now and again.
Ukraine
In Ukraine Kinniku Banzuke is named "Базука" (pronounced as "Bazooka") and broadcast by the Mega channel.
United Kingdom
Under the title Unbeatable Banzuke, the show commenced transmission in the UK on October 6, 2008, on Challenge. It is similar to the US broadcast in length, language and partial original broadcast, but unlike the American version has no subtitles. Brian Blessed is the host and voice-over as costumed character Banzuke Brian (who is meant to be the creator of the challenges) over the whole show, including replays, profiles and course attempts. The show also reran on Channel One until its closure in 2011.
Finland
In Finland the show is called Banzuke and it is broadcast on Jim. The show airs on Friday and Saturday nights at 11 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is same as the American, but with Finnish subtitles.
Hungary
Under the title Verhetetlen Banzuke, the show commenced broadcast in Hungary on November 27, 2010, on Animax. The show is completely dubbed to Hungarian.
Estonia
In Estonia the show is called Lyömättömään Banzuke and it is broadcast on TV3. The show airs on Weeknights at 9 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with Estonian.
Lithuania
In Lithuania the show is called Nenugalimas Banzukė and it is broadcast on TV6. The show airs weekdays at 2 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with Lithuanian.
Sweden
In Sweden the show is called Oslagbar Banzuke and it is broadcast on TV4. The show airs on weekdays at 1 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with Swedish.
France
In France the show is called Imbattable Banzuke and it is broadcast on TF1. The show airs on weekdays at 9 am with two episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the Australian version, but with French.
Spain
In Spain the show is called Unbeatable Banzuke and is broadcast by La Siete (owned by Telecinco). The host is the same as in the USA version. The show is completely dubbed into Spanish.
South Africa
Broadcast as Unbeatable Banzuke on Animax (as of 2010 at least). Since broadcast on Sony Max under the same name.
Portugal
In Portugal the show is called Todos ao Molho and it was first broadcast on SIC K and later on SIC Radical. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with Portuguese commentary.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina Kinniku Banzuke is named Nepobjedive banzuke and broadcast on Program plus (Alternativna TV and Hayat TV).
Germany
In Germany the show is called Unschlagbare Banzuke and it is broadcast on RTL II. The show airs on Weeknights at 7 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with German.
Italy
In Italy the show can be seen on GXT. The show airs weekdays at 5 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with Italian.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands the show is called Onklopbare Banzuke and it is broadcast on RTL 4. The show airs weekdays at 12:30 pm with three episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with Dutch.
Serbia
Broadcast by B92 after the end of Ninja Warrior. Voiced-over by voicers from Ninja Warrior.
Russia
In Russia the show is called Непобедимый Банзуке and it is broadcast on Channel One with host Maxim Galkin. The show airs on Weeknights at 10 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with Russian.
Croatia
In Croatia the show is called Nepobjediv Banzuke and it is broadcast on RTL Televizija. The show airs on weekdays at 12 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is the same as the other international versions, but with Croatian.
India
In India Kinniku Banzuke is named Unbeatable Banzuke and broadcast on Pogo TV.
Venezuela
In Venezuela the show is called Inmejorable Banzuke and it is broadcast on Venevisión. The show airs Friday and Saturday nights at 7 pm with two episodes sequentially. The version is same as the American, but with Spanish subtitles.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, Kinniku Banzuke is named Unbeatable Banzuke and broadcast on TV3, starting 5 June 2011 every Sunday.
United States
This show can be seen on America's G4 network, under the name Unbeatable Banzuke with Rome Kanda from I Survived a Japanese Game Show (aka Kei Kato) as the host. It airs in half-hour episodes, two or three games per episode, in its original Japanese language and partial original broadcast also with English subtitles. The player profiles, rules, and replays, however, are narrated by voice actor Dave Wittenberg, who also narrates Ninja Warrior. Upon the network's relaunch, the preview segment before the opening sequence has been removed.
Spinoffs
In the UK, Channel 5 made their own version of this show called Under Pressure. It featured many similar events, namely Hand Walk, Super Rider, Neko de Drive and Sponge Bridge.
Games like Kick Target were separate segments normally attempted by athletes at various training facilities.
For pictures of this version, check: UKgameshows
In Germany, Sat.1 made their own version of the show called Champions Day. It was similar in style to Under Pressure and again featured many similar events. It lasted four episodes.
For pictures of this version, check: Here
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