American Ninja Warrior Junior

Last updated

American Ninja Warrior Junior
American Ninja Warrior Junior Logo.png
Genre Sports entertainment
Sports competition
Created byUshio Higuchi
Presented by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes52
Production
Executive producers
Camera setup Multi-camera
Production companies A. Smith & Co. Productions, Tokyo Broadcasting System
Original release
Network Universal Kids (seasons 1–2)
Peacock (season 3)
ReleaseOctober 13, 2018 (2018-10-13) –
December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09)
Related
American Ninja Warrior
American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja

American Ninja Warrior Junior is an American sports competition reality show on Universal Kids that premiered in 2018. [1] It is the children's edition of American Ninja Warrior and American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja , which themselves are based on the Japanese game show Sasuke . [1] As with the rest of the franchise, the series is produced by A. Smith & Co. [2] In May 2021, it was announced that the third season would be moving to Peacock. [3] The show planned to return for a fourth season in February 2023, but after a series of delays, an actual date is not yet confirmed.

Contents

Format

American Ninja Warrior Junior is a head-to-head competition with multiple rounds and triple-elimination in each episode. There are no teams, and each child contestant competes for themselves. Contestants are divided into age groups (9+10, 11+12, 13+14). Each age group has four contestants, with a total of 12 contestants per episode. Boys and girls compete with each other without segregation. Five runs in each age group are played to determine the episode's winner in each age group, for a total of three winners per episode, one per age group. [1] [2] Within each age group, the first two runs are seeding races without risk of elimination. Each run's winner then faces the other run's loser, with the two winners then facing each other to determine that episode's winner in that age group.

Obstacles

Obstacles are modified versions of those found in the two adult editions, to take account of the smaller size and strength of the young competitors. [1] [2] Obstacles in season 1 for the 9–10 age group include Sonic Swing, Tic Toc, I-Beam, Floating Tiles, Spin Cycle, and the Warped wall. Obstacles for the 11–12 age group include two new obstacles: The Ring Toss and the Fly Wheels. Obstacles for the 13–14 age group include three new obstacles: The Archer Steps, Devil Steps, and Flying Shelf Grab. [2]

Obstacles in season 2 for the 9–10 age group include Shrinking Steps, Little Dipper, Spider Walls, Block Run, Flying Squirrel, and the Warped Wall. Obstacles for the 11–12 age group include two new obstacles: The Double Tilt-Ladders and the Wingnuts. Obstacles for the 13–14 age group include three new obstacles: Floating Steps, Crazy Cliffhanger, and the Sky Hooks.

Obstacles in season 3 for the 9–10 age group include Hopscotch, Lunatic Ledges, Liquid Pipes, Broken Bridge, Flying Saucers, and the Warped Wall. Obstacles for the 11–12 age group include two new obstacles: Spike Crossing and Spring Forward. Obstacles for the 13–14 age group include two new obstacles: Sideways and Spinball Wizard.

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
120October 13, 2018 (2018-10-13)April 27, 2019 (2019-04-27)
217February 22, 2020 (2020-02-22)June 12, 2020 (2020-06-12)
315September 9, 2021 (2021-09-09)December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09)

Seasons

Season 1

Season 1 premiered on October 13, 2018, on the Universal Kids television network. Season 1 was announced in late spring of 2018 [4] and was filmed in Los Angeles. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila, who host the adult editions of the franchise, served as play-by-play and color commentators respectively, with Laurie Hernandez as the on-course reporter. Contestants from the adult editions served as mentors to the Young competitors. This season these included Kevin Bull, Drew Drechsel, Natalie Duran, Meagan Martin, Najee Richardson, and Barclay Stockett. [1] [2]

In the 9+10 age group, Collin Cella was the winner. Sean Arms placed 2nd, Jacob Goldman placed 3rd, and Taylor Greene placed 4th. Kai Beckstrand won the 11+12 age group, with Tate Allen and Ella McRitchie in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Caleb Brown came in 4th after falling on the Ring Toss. Vance Walker was the winner of the 13+14 age group. Nate Pardo, Johnathan Godbout, and Jeremiah Boyd (who fell on the Flying Shelf Grab) came in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

Season 1 was licensed in Canada by Family Channel. [5]

Season 2

Season 2 premiered on February 22, 2020, on Universal Kids. It was filmed in the summer 2019. [4] Paralympian Victoria Arlen replaced Hernandez as an on-course reporter while Iseman and Gbajabiamila returned as color commentators. [6] [7] More than 140 children competed this season. [7]

Among the competitors for Season 2 was the son of U.S. Olympic gold medalist gymnast Dominique Moceanu, Vincent Canales. [8]

Like season 1, it was licensed in Canada by the Family channel. [5]

In the 9+10 age group, Nathanael Honvou was the winner. Reeder Smith, who fell on the Spider Walls, placed 2nd, Daniel Woods placed 3rd, and Owen Pham placed 4th. Jack David won the 11+12 age group, with Naccsa Garemore, Tate Allen, and Sienna Perez in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place respectively. Vance Walker was the winner of the 13+14 age group. With his defeat of Kaden Lebsack in the championship round, Walker became the first reigning champion of American Ninja Warrior Junior. Kaden Lebsack, Devan Alexander, and Kai Beckstrand (who fell on Crazy Cliffhanger) came in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

The success of the format allowed the adult version in season 13 (aired in 2021) to drop the minimum age from 19 to 15. Kaden Lebsack, who was defeated by Walker in the championship round in the episodes taped in the summer of 2019, participated in his first year of eligibility and became the Last Ninja Standing, failing on the final stage at 70 feet into the 75-foot rope climb. Vance Walker participated in season 15 and scored Total Victory.

Season 3

In May 2021, Peacock picked up the series for Season 3 with a 15-episode order. The broadcast crew remained the same this season, with Iseman, Gbajabiamila, and Arlen returned as play-by-play, color commentator, and an on-course reporter respectively. [3] Season 3 was filmed during June 2021, [4] and premiered on September 9, 2021. [9]

The winners were as follows: Max Salebra (9 and 10), Bella Palmer (11 and 12), and Jackson Erdos (13 and 14). Bella Palmer was the first girl ever to win a championship in American Ninja Warrior Junior history.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akbar Gbajabiamila</span> American football player and talk show co-host

Akbar Oluwakemi-Idowu Gbajabiamila is a former professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL) who is a commentator and co-host on the American Ninja Warrior television series. He is a former analyst for the NFL Network and is currently one of the co-hosts of The Talk on CBS. On 29th July 2024, he made his debut on Good Morning Football.

<i>Kunoichi</i> (TV series) 2001 Japanese TV series or program

Kunoichi is a women's obstacle course competition held in Japan and broadcast on the Tokyo Broadcasting System. It is a spin-off of Sasuke, another obstacle course series. Kunoichi is different from Sasuke in that the competitors are exclusively female. The show is re-broadcast as Women of Ninja Warrior on the American G4 channel. It originally ran for 8 tournaments between 2001 and 2009 with the first tournament held as Kinniku Banzuke special. In 2017, after an 8-year hiatus, it was renewed for a 9th tournament which aired on February 12, 2017. The 9th, 10th, and 11th tournaments took place on an indoor course at the Makuhari Messe Convention Hall, unlike past tournaments taking place at Mt. Midoriyama Studio City.

Matt Iseman is an American comedian, actor, and television host, who began his career as a physician. He is best known for his role as the play-by-play announcer and the moderator of American Ninja Warrior. He was the winner of The New Celebrity Apprentice in 2017, the show's only season.

<i>American Ninja Warrior</i> American competition television series

American Ninja Warrior is an American sports entertainment reality show based on the Japanese television reality show Sasuke, which also serves as a successor of American Ninja Challenge. It features a set of obstacle courses in various cities, which competitor attempt to conquer. The obstacle courses are divided into Qualifiers courses, Semifinals courses, and a four-part Finals course which is based at Las Vegas Strip. The competitor who finishes all the courses in the fastest time wins a cash prize of $1,000,000. Starting with season 10, if one remaining competitor fails on any of Finals course parts but has completed it more than the others in the fastest time, they win a consolatory $100,000 prize. The show is hosted by Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila. To date, only three competitors have won the main cash prize: Isaac Caldiero, Drew Drechsel, and Vance Walker. Furthermore, Geoff Britten, Daniel Gil, and Caleb Bergstrom are the only three runners-up who have achieved Total Victory.

<i>Ninja Warrior UK</i> British reality/sport competition television series

Ninja Warrior UK is a British physical obstacle assault course game show, created for ITV. The show is based upon the format of the Japanese game show Sasuke, created by Ushio Higuchi, which is aired in the United Kingdom and other countries as Ninja Warrior.

The sixth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on NBC on May 26, 2014. Matt Iseman returned for his sixth season as host, while Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and Jenn Brown each returned for their second season. Similar to previous seasons, the winner receives $500,000 and the coveted title, "American Ninja Warrior".

The fifth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on G4 on June 30, 2013, with subsequent shows airing on both G4 and NBC. Host Matt Iseman returned for his fifth season, while newcomers Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and Jenn Brown replaced skier Jonny Moseley and Angela Sun. Similar to previous seasons, the winner receives $500,000 and the coveted title, "American Ninja Warrior". This also marks the second season Mount Midoriyama was held on U.S. soil.

<i>American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja</i> American reality TV obstacle racing team competition

American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja is an American reality television obstacle racing team competition series and a spin-off of American Ninja Warrior. The series features ANW alumni racing in teams of three against each other, with the winners receiving a cash prize.

<i>Australian Ninja Warrior</i> Australian sports entertainment series where ninjas have to complete obstacles in the quickest time

Australian Ninja Warrior is a sports entertainment competition spin-off of the Japanese television series Sasuke which premiered on 9 July 2017 on the Nine Network. It features hundreds of competitors attempting to complete series of obstacle courses of increasing difficulty, in hopes of advancing to the finals and becoming the season's "Australian Ninja Warrior."

<i>Ultimate Beastmaster</i> American competition reality television show

Ultimate Beastmaster is an American reality sports entertainment competition that premiered on Netflix on February 24, 2017. The show differentiates itself from other obstacle course competition shows by showcasing not only international talent, but by producing six localized versions, featuring select television hosts, actors, comedians and athletes as commentators from the six countries competing in the show. Reactions from all countries' hosts appear in each localized versions, especially during course clearing victories. Each season consists of 10 episodes, released simultaneously on Netflix worldwide. The first season premiered on February 24, 2017, while the second season aired on Netflix on December 15, 2017.

The ninth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on June 12, 2017 on NBC. Hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila returned for their respective eighth and fifth seasons, alongside sideline reporter Kristine Leahy who returned for her third season. In addition prior to the ninth-season premiere, NBC aired a special ANW Celebrity, Red Nose Day edition featuring nine celebrities, each coached by nine elite ninjas on May 25 before airing USA vs. The World III on June 4.

American Ninja Warrior: USA vs. The World is a television special aired approximately once a year on NBC. It features an American Ninja Warrior team from the United States competing against teams from other countries around the world, including Japan, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Australia, for bragging rights and the American Ninja Warrior: USA vs. The World trophy. The competitors race on the same Mount Midoriyama course used in the National Finals on the Las Vegas Strip.

Ninja Warrior Germany is a Ninja Warrior spin-off that first aired in Germany on RTL in the Spring of 2016. Based on the Japanese broadcast television show, Sasuke, and internationally known as Ninja Warrior, contestants in the show are faced with completing various obstacles in the shortest time possible. In 2021, the sixth season of the show, René Kaselowsky and Moritz Hans both cleared Stage 4, the Mount Midoriyama with Kaselowsky having a faster time and being declared the "1st Ninja Warrior Germany" and winning the €300.000 prize money.

The eleventh season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on May 29, 2019, on NBC. City qualifying and finals competitions were held in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Oklahoma City, Seattle/Tacoma, marking the first time a course was held in the Pacific Northwest, Baltimore, and Cincinnati.

The twelfth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on September 7, 2020 and wrapped up on November 6, 2020 on NBC. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, all eight episodes were filmed in St. Louis, Missouri from June 29 to July 25, 2020, behind closed doors in the America's Center convention center and stadium. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila returned for their respective eleventh and eighth seasons, while Zuri Hall returned for her second season on the show.

The thirteenth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on May 31, 2021 on NBC. The season contain 12 episodes. A spin-off from the Japanese reality series Sasuke, it is hosted by Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, and Zuri Hall. As with the twelfth season, this season used a smaller number of filming locations with no audiences during taping due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fifth season of the sports entertainment reality competition series Australian Ninja Warrior premiered on 20 June 2021 on the Nine Network. The season is hosted by Rebecca Maddern, Ben Fordham, Shane Crawford and Nick Kyrgios.

The fourteenth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on June 6, 2022, on NBC. A spin-off from the Japanese reality series Sasuke, it is hosted by Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, and Zuri Hall. Filming for the season was similar to that of the thirteenth season, as it was taped in fewer cities, with a smaller audience during live taping, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fifteenth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on June 5, 2023, on NBC. A spin-off from the Japanese reality series Sasuke, it is hosted by Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, and Zuri Hall. This season, both Qualifying and Semifinals were entirely held in Universal City in Los Angeles, while the National Finals returned to its usual spot in Las Vegas.

The sixteenth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on June 3, 2024, on NBC. A spin-off from the Japanese reality series Sasuke, it is hosted by Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, and Zuri Hall.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Next Generation of Ninjas". American Ninja Warrior Junior. Season 1. Episode 1. 2018. Universal Kids.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Otterson, Joe (July 25, 2018). "'American Ninja Warrior Junior' Sets Premiere Date, Adds Olympian Laurie Hernandez as Co-Host (Exclusive)". Variety . Archived from the original on July 29, 2018.
  3. 1 2 White, Peter (May 13, 2021). "Amy Poehler's 'Baking It', Spinoffs From 'Top Chef' & 'Below Deck' Cooked Up For Peacock". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "American Ninja Warrior Junior Kids Seasons".
  5. 1 2 "American Ninja Warrior Junior official website". Family. 2018. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  6. ↑ Bucksbaum, Sydney (February 19, 2020). "Watch 10-year-olds absolutely dominate the American Ninja Warrior Junior course". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on February 20, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Nordyke, Kimberly (July 8, 2019). "'American Ninja Warrior Junior' Taps Victoria Arlen as Co-Host for Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on July 10, 2019.
  8. ↑ Studor, Chris (May 8, 2020). "Flying squirrel, spider wall – no problem for Hinckley Ninja Jr". The Post. Medina, Ohio. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020.
  9. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (August 19, 2021). "Peacock Sets Premiere Dates For 'American Ninja Warrior Junior' Season 3, New 'Frogger' & 'Top Chef Family Style' – Watch The Trailers". Deadline Hollywood .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.