Kinniku Banzuke

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.

Kinniku Banzuke
Genre	Sports Entertainment, Variety Show, Game Show
Presented by	Ichirou Furutachi Ryuuta Mine
Country of origin	Japan
Production
Producer	Ushio Higuchi
Running time	30-minutes episodes in the United States
Original release
Release	October 14, 1995 (1995-10-14) – May 4, 2002 (2002-05-04)
Related
Sasuke Zone Body Sasuke Mania Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course Taiiku no Jikan (Physical Education Time)

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.)

Hosts

• Ichirou Furutachi (1995–2002)
• Ryuuta Mine (1995–2002)
• Uno Kanda (first assistant from 1995-1997)
• Emiri Nakayama (second assistant from 1997-2002)
• Rome Kanda (as Kei Kato) replaced the original hosts for the G4 version (DutyFree TV/TV That's Plugged In)^[3][4]
• Brian Blessed (as 'Banzuke Brian') replaced the original hosts for the Challenge version
• Luis Crespo (as Host) replaced the original hosts for the Canal 300 version
• Maxim Galkin (as Host) replaced the original hosts for the Channel One version

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".

The Banzuke (The List of Champions) (Grouped by Course)

• Athletic Love — Atsushi & Michiko Hirata - 49s, Naomi & Tatsuya Gunzi - 59s
• Bamboo Derby I — Hiroshi Kobayashi - 1:11
• Bamboo Derby II — Hiroshi Takahashi - 1:01
• Banzai 90 — Acrobatics Team - 45.79s left, Arm Wrestling Team - 36.53s left, Break Monkeys and Cheerleaders - 20.66s left, Nippon Sports Science University - 11.59s left
• Daruma 7 — Atsuya Furuta, Yoichi Fukaya, Yoshimitsu Nishiumi
• Daruma 7 Ace -- Kazunori Harayama
• Hand Walk I — Aizu Nie - 2:11, Yukio Iketani - 54s
• Hand Walk II — Yuki Takahashi - 1:15,
• Like a Pierrot I — Fuyuki Tsuchiya - 1:45, Yuichi Ono - 1:18
• Like a Pierrot II — Natsuki Hata - 50s, Daiki Izumida - 47s, Yuichiro Kato - 30s
• Like a Pierrot III — Yuichiro Kato - 3:03
• Like a Pierrot IV — Yoshiaki Handa - 2:41
• Like a Pierrot V — Yoshiaki Handa - 2:21
• Muscle Gym — Jaguar Yokota - 126, Jimon Terakado - 159, Yasuei Yakushiji - 141, Shigeyuki Nakamura - 124
• Neko de Drive III — Toyohisa Ijima & Miho Nishimura, Gori & Rikako Murayama
• Ottoto 9 — Tomoteru Fukuda - 4:52
• Quick Muscle — Kohei Asano (5 times)
• Seesaw 60 — Hiroyasu Matsukawa, Mitsuyoshi Tanaka, & Yuji Iwana Boxing team - 11s left
• Skeboarder — Kentaro Tanaka - 2:02
• Spider Walk — Shinobu Sekiya - 1:06, Kiyohara Yagi - 1:00
• Sponge Bridge — Makoto Tsuji - 31s, Shuichi Shirotori - 19s
• Super Helico — Yuji Kamiya - 4:31
• Super Rider I — Isamu Hasenaka - 1:30
• Super Rider II — Jaromír Spěšný - 4:18
• Super Rider III — Keigo Arizono - 4:06
• Super Rider IV — Ot Pi Isern - 4:41
• Super Rider V — Keigo Arizono
• Untouchable — Yasutoshi Kujirai

Courses' obstacles

• Amazing Road -
  • First Turnstiles
  • Second Turnstiles
  • Third Turnstiles

Version #	Bamboo Derby Obstacles											Record
I	Checkerboard	Stepping Stones		Stairs		Suspension Bridge	Down Staircase	Hall of Hammers	Water Trench	Log Pile	S-Curve	1:11
IIA	Hurdles	Conveyor Belt		Snow Mountain		Two Curves	Stepping Stones	S-Ramp	Suspension Bridges	Hall of Hammers	Broken S-Curve	1:01
IIB	Hurdles	Conveyor Belt		Green Mountain		Two Curves	Stepping Stones	S-Ramp	Suspension Bridges	Hall of Hammers	Broken S-Curve	1:01
III	Propellers	Moving Net		Tires		Wicked Slope	Zig-Zag Decline	Swinging Logs	Pogo Posts	Stairs	Log Roll	None!!

• Banzai 90 - 4 Sandbags suspended in air
• Banzai 90 "2" - 4 Sandbags suspended in air
  • Green and Yellow bags on a Seesaw
  • Red log swings back and Forth
  • Blue log bounces up and down
• Daruma 7 -
  • 7 blocks
• Super Daruma -
  • 9 blocks
• Daruma 7 Ace -
  • 7 blocks smallest at the bottom, getting larger at the top. The final block is the same original size.
• Extra Kendama -
  • Large Cup
  • Small Cup
  • The Spike
• Giant Ball -
  • Downward Slope
  • Pothole Zone
  • Sloping Right Turn
  • Uphill Slope
  • Final Bridge

Version #	Hand Walk											Record
I	Parallel Bars	Stairway to Heaven		Bottomless Ravine		Devil's Double Bridge	BREAK ZONE	Craggy Mountain	Stairway to Hell	Heartbreak Hill	Single Bridge	0:54
IIA	Grid of Rails		Rolling Hills		Water Hazard		BREAK ZONE	Mountain of Logs	Suspension Bridge	Uneven Steps	Elevated S-Curve	1:15
IIB	Grid of Rails		Hills & Stairs		Water Hazard		BREAK ZONE	Mountain of Logs	Suspension Bridge	Uneven Steps	Elevated S-Curve	1:15
IIIA	Gravel Pile	Craggy Mountain		Log Ramp	Conveyor Belt	Green Incline	BREAK ZONE	Tram Car	Suspension Bridge	Cascading Climb	Volcano	None
IIIB	Gravel Pile	Craggy Mountain		Log Ramp	Bamboo Bridge	Green Incline	BREAK ZONE	Tram Car	Suspension Bridge	Cascading Climb	Volcano	None

• Kangaroo -
  • The Steps
  • Zig-Zag Path
  • Mushrooms
  • Bushes
  • Narrow Bridge

BREAK ZONE

• • Checkerboard
  • Falling Stones
  • Neon Grid
  • Broken Bridge
• Muscle Gym
  • Sit-Ups
  • Back Lifts
  • Push-Ups
• Neko De Drive
  • Banana Turn
  • Watermelon Ramp
  • Donut Loop
  • Mouse Trap

BREAK ZONE

• • Book Steps
  • Broken Piano
  • Slanted Path
  • Zig-Zag Wall
  • Fish Ribs
• Nakama
  • Twin Balance Bridge
  • Bob & Weave
  • Wiggle Bridge
  • Rolling Poles
  • Triple Step
  • Curved Mountain
  • Curved Valley
  • Curved Jump
  • Monkey Bars
• Ottoto 9
  • Right Hand Curve
  • The Stairs
  • Crossbars
  • Cross Hammers
  • Narrowing Stairs
  • Narrow Bridge

BREAK ZONE

• • Propeller
  • Five Valleys
  • S-Curve

Version #	Like A Pierrot											Record
I	Slalom	Sloped Hill		Zig-Zag Bridge		Corner Staircase	Spring Platforms	Pendulum	Gap	Final Staircase	Grooved Bridge	1:18
II	S-Curve Slalom	Ramp		Seesaw		Banked Turn	Pendulum	L-Bridge	Three Jumps	Staircase	Log Bridge	0:30
III	Perfect Circle	The Slalom Zone		The Ramp		S-Curve	The Steps	Hall Of Hammers	Zig-Zag Bridge	Three Tier Ramp	Narrow Bridge	3:03
IV	Time Trial		The Slalom		Stairs		Deadly Hammers	Zig-Zag Hill	Sword Ramp	Descending Slope	Narrow Bridge	2:41
V	Wheel Of Life		Flower Slalom		Cross Bridge	Boulder Dash	S-Curve	Seesaw	Conveyor Belt	Teeter Bridge	Raging Ramp	2:36
Ghost	Dilapidated Corridor		Graveyard		Bloodthirsty Axes	Death Heads	Staircase	Island	Coffin Seesaw	Narrow Zig-Zag	Narrow Bridge	None

Version #	Super Rider											Record
I	The Ditch	Rock Garden		Cable Spools		Two Big Steps	Narrow Zig-Zag	Broken Bridge	Death Valley	Steep Incline	Giant Drop	1:30
II	Sawtooth Hills	Rock Garden		Five Drums		One Track Bridge	Cable Spools	Ladders	Broken Platforms	Leap Of Faith		4:18
III	Sawtooth Hills	Turntables		Steps / Slope		Trampoline Jump	Rolling Rocks	High Step	Inclined Plank Bridge	Pedestals	Earth	4:06

Version #	Strong Mama												Record
Ia	Sliding Bag	Mattress Beater		Cart Dash	Narrow Bridge	Bike Express	BREAK ZONE		Rolling Panic	Airwalk	Big Wheel	Wedding Cake	None
Ib	Sliding Bag	Reverse Conveyor		Bike Express	Narrow Bridge	Rolling Panic	BREAK ZONE		Airwalk	Cart Dash	Big Wheel	Wedding Cake	None

• Super Helico
  • Slalom
  • Tower
  • Debris Tunnels
  • Cage
  • Cave

BREAK ZONE

• • Fans
  • Crazy Eight
  • Slider
  • Landing Pad
• Spider Walk
  • The Straightaway
  • Widening Corridor
  • 90° Turn
  • Ascending Corridor
  • Descending Corridor
  • Crossbar
  • S-Curve
• Skeboarder
  • Ollie Step
  • Rampage
  • Tube
  • Handrail

BREAK ZONE

• • Narrow Slopes
  • Stairs
  • Double Halfpipe
  • Big Canyon
  • Jump Ramp
• Sponge Bridge
  • Green Zone
  • Yellow Zone
  • Red Zone
• Sponge Bridge 2
  • Green Zone
  • Yellow Zone
  • Red Zone
• Sponge Bridge 3
  • Green Zone
  • Yellow Zone
  • Red Zone

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.

Episodes G4

No.	Title	Original air date ^[5]
1	"Hand Walk - Quick Muscle - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
2	"Hand Walk - Quick Muscle - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
3	"Hand Walk - Super Daruma - Bamboo Derby"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
4	"Hand Walk - Seesaw 60 - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
5	"Hand Walk - Quick Muscle - Banzai 90"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
6	"Bamboo Derby - Quick Muscle - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
7	"Hand Walk II - Daruma 7 - Bamboo Derby"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
8	"Spider Walk - Trampoline - Hand Walk II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
9	"Like A Pierrot - Seesaw 60 - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
10	"Like A Pierrot - Daruma 7 - Seesaw 60"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
11	"Kangaroo - Like A Pierrot - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
12	"Hand Walk II - Banzai 90 - Giant Ball"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
13	"Bamboo Derby - Seesaw 60"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
14	"Super Rider - Seesaw 60"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
15	"Hand Walk II - Sponge Bridge"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
16	"Sponge Bridge - Bamboo Derby"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
17	"Hand Walk II - Giant Ball"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
18	"Bamboo Derby II - Sponge Bridge"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
19	"Like A Pierrot II - Ottoto 9"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
20	"Like A Pierrot III - Ottoto 9"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
21	"Sponge Bridge - Kangaroo"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
22	"Hand Walk II - Muscle Gym - Ottoto 9"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
23	"Like A Pierrot III - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
24	"Hand Walk III - Seesaw 60"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
25	"Like A Pierrot III - Athletic Love"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
26	"Kangaroo - Muscle Gym - Extra Kendama"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
27	"Super Rider II - Neko De Drive"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
28	"Like A Pierrot IV - Kangaroo"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
29	"Hand Walk III - Super Helico"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
30	"Bamboo Derby II - Kangaroo"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
31	"Like A Pierrot IV - Sponge Bridge"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
32	"Skeboarder - Bamboo Derby II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
33	"Super Rider II - Ottoto 9"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
34	"Sponge Bridge - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
35	"Skeboarder - Bamboo Derby II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
36	"Hand Walk III - Bamboo Derby II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
37	"Skeboarder - Super Rider II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
38	"Super Rider III - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
39	"Skeboarder - Muscle Gym - Like A Pierrot IV"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
40	"Sponge Bridge II - Kangaroo"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
41	"Super Helico - Sponge Bridge II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
42	"Bamboo Derby III - Hand Walk III"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
43	"Sponge Bridge II - Bamboo Derby III"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
44	"Super Rider III - Neko De Drive"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
45	"Super Helico - Daruma 7 Ace"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
46	"Bamboo Derby III - Sponge Bridge II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
47	"Like A Pierrot V - Neko De Drive"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
48	"Nakama - Banzai 90"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
49	"Strong Mama - Super Helico"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
50	"Super Rider III - Sponge Bridge II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
51	"Nakama - Super Rider III"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
52	"Skeboarder - Neko De Drive"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
53	"Strong Mama - Banzai 90"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
54	"Like A Pierrot V - Untouchable"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
55	"Nakama - Super Helico"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
56	"Like A Pierrot V - Sponge Bridge II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
57	"Super Rider III - Daruma 7 Ace"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
58	"Super Helico - Banzai 90"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
59	"Like A Pierrot Ghost - Neko De Drive"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
60	"Super Rider III - Sponge Bridge II"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
61	"Nakama - Daruma 7"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
62	"Amazing Road - Neko De Drive"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
63	"Like A Pierrot Ghost - Bamboo Derby III"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
64	"Hand Walk III - Super Rider III"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
65	"Kangaroo - Sponge Bridge III"	February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)

* If the letters are gold, that means the challenge was defeated.

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

Worldwide

Unbeatable Banzuke is also broadcast in other countries around the world:

Country	Foreign Title	Translation	Network (s)	Competitors	Language (s)	Host	Location (s)
Australia	Unbeatable Banzuke	Subtitled None	SBS Two		English Japanese	Rome Kanda as Kei Kato	Japan
Argentina	Imbatible Banzuke	Dubbed	Canal 9		Spanish
India	Unbeatable Banzuke	Dubbed	Pogo Tv		Hindi	Kei Kato Dubbed In Hindi	Japan
Austria	Unschlagbare Banzuke	Dubbed	ORF		German		Vienna, Austria
Belgium	Onklopbare Banzuke	Dubbed	VTM		Dutch
Brazil	Invencível Banzuke	Dubbed	Rede Globo Rede Record		Portuguese
Bulgaria	Непобедим Банзуке	Dubbed	bTV	Sergey Sevostianov	Bulgarian
Canada	Unbeatable Banzuke	Subtitled	G4 Canada	Tianna Madison	English Japanese	Rome Kanda as Kei Kato and Dave Wittenberg as Narrator (Same as the USA version)	Toronto, Canada
Chile	Imbatible Banzuke	Dubbed	Chilevisión		Spanish
Colombia	Imbatible Banzuke	Subtitled	Canal 13		Spanish
Croatia	Nepobjediv Banzuke	Dubbed	RTL Televizija	Jurica Grabušić, András Haklits, Sanja Gavrilović	Croatian
Czech Republic	Bezkonkurenční Banzuke	Dubbed	TV Nova Animax (2010-2013)	Věra Pospíšilová-Cechlová	Czech
Denmark	Uovervindelig Banzuke	Dubbed	TV3		Danish
Estonia	Lyömättötään Banzuke	Dubbed	TV3	Wilson Kirwa, Mårten Boström, Johan Meriluoto, Johanna Halkoaho	Estonian		Tallinn, Estonia
Finland	Banzuke	Subtitled Dubbed	Jim	Anna Iljuštšenko, Risto Mätas, Jenny Kallur	Finnish	Rome Kanda as Kei Kato and Dave Wittenberg as Narrator (Same as the American version)	Helsinki, Finland
France	Imbattable Banzuke	Dubbed	TF1	Marta Domínguez, Ignacio Cáceres	French	Clovis Cornillac and Valérie Crunchant
Germany	Unschlagbare Banzuke	Dubbed	RTL 2		German
Greece	Ασυναγώνιστες Βανζυκε	Dubbed	Skai TV		Greek
Hong Kong	筋肉擂台	Dubbed	TVB Jade		Chinese
Hungary	Verhetetlen Banzuke	Dubbed	Animax		Hungarian	Rome Kanda as Kei Kato and Dave Wittenberg as Narrator (Same as the USA version)
Iceland	Ósigrandi Banzuke	Dubbed			Icelandic
Indonesia	Unbeatable Banzuke	Dubbed	GlobalTV		Indonesian	Surya and Udin Bhakti
Ireland	Unbeatable Banzuke	None	RTÉ One RTÉ Two Challenge		English Irish	Brian Blessed as Banzuke Brian (Same as the UK version)
Israel	טבעת שרירים	Dubbed			Hebrew
Italy	Unbeatable Banzuke	Dubbed	GXT		Italian
Japan	筋肉番付シリーズ (Muscle Ranking)	Dubbed	Tokyo Broadcasting System	Yukio Iketani, Aizu Nie, Jaromír Spěšný, Naoki Iketani [ja], Jotaro Nagayama, Abe Nachi, Toru Nosaka, Shinya Sakamoto, Sakai Takafumi, Takuya Kirimoto, Kayo Yoshida, Kei Watanabe, Masaki Kitahara, Koki Matsushita, Yuichi Ono, Fuyuki Tsuchiya, Natsuki Hata, Daiki Izumida, Yuichiro Kato, Noriaki Handa, Yoshiaki Handa, Tomoteru Fukuda, Hiromi Matsumura, Ai Yamamoto, Makoto Nagano, Ayako Miyake, Toshihiro Takeda, Kazuhiko Akiyama, Shingo Yamamoto, Bunpei Shiratori, Kenichi Moriya, Kazuhiro Saito, Ryoichi Nishijima, Makoto Ikeda, Daiki Kusano, Tsuyoshi Ota, Katsumi Yamada	Japanese	Ichirou Furutachi (1995—2002) Ryuuta Mine (1995—2002) Wataru Ogasawara (2009— ) Fumiyasu Sato (2009— ) Ayaka Komatsu (2009— ) (referee)	Tokyo, Japan
Latvia	Neuzveicamais Banzuke	Dubbed	TV3 TV6	Ronalds Arājs	Latvian
Lithuania	Nenugalimas Banzukė	Dubbed	TV3 TV6	Sonata Milušauskaitė, Viktorija Žemaitytė, Virgilijus Alekna	Lithuanian		Vilnius, Lithuania
Netherlands	Onklopbare Banzuke	Dubbed	RTL7	Thomas Dold	Dutch
New Zealand	Unbeatable Banzuke	None	TV 2	Hilton Clarke	English		Auckland, New Zealand
Norway	Usåelig Banzuke	Dubbed	TV3	Christina Scherwin	Norwegian		Oslo, Norway
Peru	Banzuke Invencible	Dubbed	Panamericana Televisión		Spanish	Rome Kanda as Kei Kato	Japan
Philippines	Unbeatable Banzuke	None Dubbed	ABC		Filipino English
Poland	Ranking Niezniszczalnych	Dubbed	Polsat Polsat 2		Polish		Warsaw, Poland
Portugal	Todos ao Molho	Dubbed	SIC Radical		Portuguese	Bruno Aleixo	Lisbon, Portugal
Romania	Imbatabil Banzuke	Dubbed	Animax, Pro 2, Pro Gold, Pro TV International, Național TV [ro], Național 24 Plus, Pro Arena		Romanian	Kei Kato
Russia	Непобедимый Банзуке	Dubbed	Channel One	Anastasios Gousis	Russian	Maxim Galkin	Moscow, Russia
Serbia	Nepobedivi Banzuke/Непобедиви Банзуке	Dubbed	B92		Serbian	Igor Brakus, Vladimir Đorđević	Belgrade, Serbia
Slovakia	Bezkonkurenční Banzuke	Dubbed	Animax (2010-2013)		Czech
Slovenia	Neoboriv Banzuke	Dubbed	Kanal A		Slovenian		Ljubljana, Slovenia
South Korea	근육 반지	Dubbed	MBC		Korean		Seoul, South Korea
Spain	Imbatible Banzuke	Dubbed	Canal 300	Jérôme Clavier	Spanish	Luis Crespo as Host and Irma Soriano as Referee	Madrid, Spain
Sweden	Oslagbar Banzuke	Dubbed	TV4	Ketill Hanstveit, Marius Bakken	Swedish		Stockholm, Sweden
Syria	حلقة العضلات	Voice overed Subtitled			Arabic		Damascus, Syria
Taiwan	筋肉擂台	Dubbed			Chinese		Taipei, Taiwan
Turkey	Rakipsiz Banzuke	Dubbed			Turkish
Thailand	ChampVSChamp (แชมป์เฉือนแชมป์) Unbeatable Banzuke Thailand	Dubbed Subtitled	Modernine TV	Udom Nildum (Dom), Boonthong Roongsaeng (Thong), Siripong Toodsadee (Kao), Theerada Kittisiriprasert (Wan Wan) etc.	Thai	Dusit Sirisombut, Koopt Kooptawatin	Bangkok, Thailand
United Kingdom	Unbeatable Banzuke	None	Challenge	David Grindley, David McKenzie, Germaine Mason, Emma Ania, Hannah England	English	Brian Blessed as Banzuke Brian	London, UK
United States	Unbeatable Banzuke	Subtitled None	G4 GSN Myx TV	Mike Dopud	English Japanese	Rome Kanda as Kei Kato and Dave Wittenberg as Narrator	Los Angeles, California
	American Unbeatable Banzuke	Subtitled None	G4 NBC		English Japanese	Rome Kanda	Venice Beach, CA
Ukraine	Базука	Dubbed	Мега		Ukrainian	Rome Kanda as Kei Kato
Venezuela	Inmejorable Banzuke	Subtitled	Venevision		Spanish	Rome Kanda as Kei Kato and Dave Wittenberg as Narrator (Same as the American version)	Caracas, Venezuela
Vietnam	Bắp thịt gọi	Dubbed Subtitled	VTV1	Gianni Carabelli	Vietnamese		Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

See also

• Kunoichi (Women's version of Sasuke)
• Sasuke (Known in America as Ninja Warrior)
• Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course

Notes

1. "Duo injured while filming TV sports show for TBS". The Japan Times. 8 May 2002. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
2. Griemel, Hans (19 May 2002). "Injuries Push Japanese To Rethink TV Shows". Washington Post. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
3. Hale, Mike (2008-02-18). "Set Your Tasers on Slo-Mo Wipeout". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
4. Rice, Adam (2008-02-26). "Unbeatable Banzuke". Retrieved 2008-07-11.
5. "HUSTLER, THE (ABC)". The Futon Critic.

External links

• - Unbeatable Banzuke Fansite with challenge info, episode guide and videos