Kunoichi

Today I was stoked to find out that Kunoichi or, "women of ninja warrior" as we know it from the states on television tonight. I never watched this show when I first lived in Japan, and I never had any interest in Japanese crazy variety shows but last year, G4 introduced me to Ninja Warrior (Sasuke as its known in Japan) and later "Women of Ninja Warrior". Ever since they showed the first marathon, I have been hooked. its not much the athletic abilities that intrigue me, but the type of contestants that compete to the show and their wacky falls that they endure through the obstacle courses. I even started keeping up with the athletes and their progress through the ever challenging Midori Yama. Like the one guy who works at his local government office and built a replica of the course in his own backyard. Every time they show that course, I keep thinking of how similar it looks to the training grounds you see in the Taliban propaganda video clips. Yeah, I know, I iz krazy, anyways, so when they showed the show tonight and fact that I was actually watching the most recent version (they only show the previous years versions in the U.S.), I was really excited. Since I'm now living in Japan, I definitely want to try to go watch a taping of Sasuke or Kunoichi one day. I know I sound like a maniac by revealing my obsession of this show, and though it may be somewhat true, I am actually a normal average joe... I swear!