KUNOICHI Trials

The KUNOICHI Trials were a series of preliminary events geared towards selecting people to complete and prep them for an upcoming KUNOICHI tournament. They have appeared since KUNOICHI 2001 and have been running off and on until KUNOICHI 2018.

KUNOICHI 2001 Trials
The trials for KUNOICHI 2001 were broadcasted over the program Muscle Elite through MUSCLE GYM segments.


 * The following competitors competed in these trials and earned spots on KUNOICHI 2001.

(There were only 70 competitors in this tournament, so their # in the tournament is according to their bib number and telop)

KUNOICHI 2002 Trials
These trials were indirectly held through the Queen's Challenge Battle on Pro Sportsman No.1 Tournaments.


 * The first preliminary event was BURN OUT GIRLS. This event involves competitors to complete a miniature obstacle course with several challenges such as sprints, sit-ups stations, and running up slopes.
 * The second "battle" event for these trials was called TAIL IMPOSSIBLE. Here the women were to complete laps on a track aiming to be the first finisher.

Depending on their placing after each round, they were gifted a certain number of points. The woman with the highest points would win the trials. (Some women who competed in the trials but did not win overall still competed in the tournament.)

KUNOICHI 2003 Trials
These trials were were once again held through the Queen's Challenge Battle.


 * The first "battle" event for these trials was the MONSTER BOX (Horse Vault).
 * The second preliminary event was BURN OUT GIRLS. Returning from last trials, this event involves competitors to complete a miniature obstacle course with several challenges such as sprints, sit-ups stations, and running up slopes.
 * The third battle was TAIL IMPOSSIBLE. Also returning from the 2002 trials, the women were to complete laps on a track aiming to be the first finisher.

Depending on their placing after each round, they were gifted a certain number of points. The woman with the highest points would win the trials. (Some women who competed in the trials but did not win overall still competed in the tournament.)

KUNOICHI 2004 Trials
These trials were were once again held through the Queen's Challenge Battle, hosted through Golden Muscle.


 * The first preliminary event was BURN OUT GIRLS. Returning once again, this event involves competitors to complete a miniature obstacle course with several challenges such as sprints, sit-ups stations, and running up slopes. However this time, a high-kick station was introduced.
 * The second battle was called SPIN OFF. It featured a bracket style event where 2 opponents would go head to head trying to roll a giant sphere off their opponent's side of the platform.
 * The third battle was TAIL IMPOSSIBLE. Also returning from the 2002 trials, the women were to complete laps on a track aiming to be the first finisher.

Depending on their placing after each round, they were gifted a certain number of points. The woman with the highest points would win the trials. (Some women who competed in the trials but did not win overall still competed in the tournament.)

KUNOICHI 2006 Fall Trials
These trials were very large scale and lasted multiple weeks. It was in the form of a traveling tour hosted by BODY, where 8 participants traveled around on a bus around Japan, to various locations where different preliminary rounds were held.

In no particular order, the events held were:


 * Timed Tokyo Tower run
 * 1 leg column stand
 * Circuit athletics
 * Arm Swimming
 * Tower ladder climbing
 * Squat Rooms
 * Miniature KUNOICHI course
 * Tourenban final

KUNOICHI 2007 Trials
The KUNOICHI 2007 Trials were the largest trials to date. With 130 challengers, they spanned over multiple months and traveled across Japan in search of new talents.

- The first stop was Japan's nightlife at the Kyabakura clubs.


 * Events held in this included a miniature forest obstacle course and repechage area. Kanzaki Aoi won out of this region.

- The second stop was at Kamata Girls' High Schoo l.


 * Events held here included MONSTER BOX, a group balancing event, hurdles, a tripwire event, and a new version of BURN OUT GIRLS. Iwasaki Yumi, Ono Ikumi, and Sodeyama Mina advanced from this area.

- The YMCA Education School was the third area that talent was searched for.


 * Basic sports tests such as trunk lifts and jumping capabilities were tested. Arai Mino advanced for this section.

- The fourth location was at various traditional festivals across Japan.


 * The events hosted in this area consisted of team building events such as arm wrestling and more. (One of the challenges is 3 movable balance beams, 1 team member is walking on top of them, and the others on the ground have to keep moving the balance beams so the one walking can continue.) Otsuka Atsushi, Ono Misaki, and Sekihara Shoko advanced from this region.

- The fifth and final spot that the trials were hosted at was a search at the avex artist academy.


 * Events hosted here included stations at Muscle Park such as Brutal Labo, and also individual outdoor miniature skills courses. Umeda Haruka and Kimura Kozue advanced from here.



KUNOICHI 2017 Spring Trials
The KUNOICHI 2017 Spring trials were held through SKE48's behind the scenes program on TBS Channel 2, SKE48 ZERO POSITION. In some episodes, they go through physical tests and the best performer is recognized at the end of each episode.


 * Due to being the majority winner in the SKE48 ZERO POSITION selection, Futamura Haruka won a spot in KUNOICHI 2017 Spring.

KUNOICHI 2018 Trials
These trials were held through the TV Asahi program, Superhuman. Each episode a certain number of challengers would compete in a physical event. This show served as a preliminary exercise and selection program for KUNOICHI 2018. Multiple competitors from the past of KUNOICHI and new women tackled this show. The most notable women would be selected to go onto KUNOICHI.

- Events featured included:


 * Kensui Challenge
 * Hamstring 1v1 Opponent Battles
 * Sky High (Returning from Sports Casino on TV Asahi)
 * Limbo Battles
 * Rope Climbing
 * Struck Out
 * Box Jump

The following competitors competed on Superhuman and also were on KUNOICHI 2018.