Sonic Curve

Sonic Curve is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the fifth obstacle in Stage One on American Ninja Warrior 7 (replacing the Half Pipe Attack from the past three American Ninja Warrior seasons), and appeared again on American Ninja Warrior 8, once again as the fifth obstacle in Stage One.

Competitors must run in a full speed along a series of six angled steps that were increasing in height, decreasing in width, and arranged in a semicircle, in order to make a jump to a rope. Once they were on the rope, they could swing it to reach the landing platform.

The concept of the Sonic Curve was similar to its predecessor (the Half Pipe Attack), with the rope and landing platform remained the same.

SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia
On SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia 2017, the Sonic Curve appeared as the fourth obstacle during Semifinal Stage 1.

However, unlike on American Ninja Warrior, the steps were made larger and less steeper, as well as the landing platform was made wider. Also, competitors were not allowed to touch the steps with their hands (if they did so, the would be disqualified). This version of the Sonic Curve was proven to be much easier than on American Ninja Warrior, as only 2 competitors failed on this obstacle.

During SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: Misi Operasi Midoriyama 2 and SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: International Competition, the number of steps was reduced from 6 to 4 by removing the last 2 steps, resulting the competitors must swing farther from the rope to the landing platform.

Ninja Warrior Germany
The Sonic Curve appeared as the first obstacle of Stage 2 in Ninja Warrior Germany 3, with the number of angled steps reduced to 4.

Parkour Run
A variant of the Sonic Curve, known as the Parkour Run, appeared as the fifth obstacle in Stage One on American Ninja Warrior 9, replacing the Sonic Curve itself from the past two American Ninja Warrior seasons. The obstacle was similar to the Sonic Curve, but it had several key differences:
 * The Parkour Run consisted of five angled steps and a rope, with the last step being larger than the others.
 * The first four steps were similar to the ones from Snake Run, except the shape was elliptical, rather than circular.
 * The fourth step was positioned away from the other steps and tilted in the other direction, making it similar to the Floating Steps and forcing the competitors to switch their momentum.
 * The rope was attached to a spinning wheel, like the Metal Spin.

A unique completion on the obstacle occurred during JJ Woods' run. When he got to the fourth step, he was able to jump off the step to the landing platform, rather than using the traditional method of reaching the fifth step and grabbing the rope to the landing platform. Later, this technique was also done by Drew Drechsel, as well as all the competitors who attempted the obstacle during USA vs. The World 4.

This variant of the Sonic Curve was proven to be extremely easy, as no competitor failed on this obstacle. Because of this, the obstacle was replaced by the Jeep Run on the next season.

Ninja Warrior Poland
On Ninja Warrior Poland 2, Parkour Run appeared as the third obstacle during Heats.

Then at Ninja Warrior Poland 4, the obstacle appeared as the first obstacle in the semi-finals and finals' Stage Two and was slightly modified; instead of five platforms and rope, there were four of them (without a rope), which were tilted and placed alternately on both sides (they performed a similar function as Quad Steps), which gave a second version of this obstacle.

Competitors' Success Rate

 * All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found

Trivia

 * During Meagan Martin's run in Stage One on American Ninja Warrior 7, when she got to Sonic Curve, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila commented, "Ride the Sonic Curve like Sonic the Hedgehog", referencing the SEGA video game character of the same name.
 * The Sonic Curve became an inspiration for the debut of the Snake Run on American Ninja Warrior 8, which was instead of an angled tile, competitors have to run along a series of angled disks that differed in angles and were arranged in a 'S' track.