Devil Steps (デビルステップス) is an obstacle introduced in SASUKE 19's Third Stage, replacing Curtain Swing as the third obstacle from the previous tournament. In spite of the fact that it was first introduced in SASUKE 19, due to the dominance of Second Stage, this obstacle was unattempted in the tournament. However, TBS teased viewers by showing a tester fail there in SASUKE 19's Opening.
Okuyama Yoshiyuki attempting Devil Steps
in SASUKE 23
This obstacle was a set of ascending and descending stairs where the competitors must climb under the steps to reach the landing platform. There were three intervals of seven steps in total, with the first two intervals going upwards and the third interval going downwards (however, competitors usually skip the topmost step of second and third sets).
Competitors had a good success on the obstacle, with only one failure (Miyazaki Daisuke in SASUKE 21). Probably due to that, the obstacle was replaced by Floating Boards after Urushihara Yuuji's Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 24.
Other Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior[]
American Ninja Warrior 4's Devil Steps in Southwest region
American Ninja Warrior 6's Devil Steps in Denver
American Ninja Warrior 7's Devil Steps in Pittsburgh
The Devil Steps appeared as the fifth obstacle on:
- American Ninja Warrior 4 in Southwest region qualifying course and Northwest region finals (replacing the Pipe Slider during Northwest region qualifiers),
- American Ninja Warrior 6 in Denver, and
- American Ninja Warrior 7 in Pittsburgh.
However, there were three differences between the Devil Steps used on American Ninja Warrior, compared to the one used in SASUKE:
- The first, second, and third interval contained five, four, and nine steps respectively, for a total of 18 steps, three less than in SASUKE.
- The gap between each interval and step was higher.
- The Devil Steps had eliminated much more competitors on American Ninja Warrior than in SASUKE, likely due to fatigue after completing the four previous obstacles.
On American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was modified. The highest step is 20ft (6.096m) above ground. At the third interval, the transition between the second to third interval was revealed to be 3 feet (0.91 meters), the third step was removed, and the sixth and seventh step would tilt at 15° when the competitors grabbed those two steps, which made it harder to maintain the grip.
American Ninja Warrior Junior[]
American Ninja Warrior Junior's Devil Steps
The Devil Steps appeared as the third obstacle for American Ninja Warrior Junior, specifically Bracket 3; kids aged 13-14. This iteration takes a ton from its American Ninja Warrior 6 iteration, with no tilted steps and a simpler design. A total of 5 competitors fell on it during the course of the season: Courtney Schumacher, Michael Vasilevich, Abby Richert, Kacie Teruya, and Kody Hazan.
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia[]
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia's Devil Steps in Final Stage
On SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia, the Devil Steps appeared as the first obstacle during Final Stage and has a similar design to the obstacle used on American Ninja Warrior, but the intervals were switched, as the first, second, and third interval contained nine, six, and four steps respectively. It was proven to be easy compared to American Ninja Warrior, as no competitor failed on this obstacle.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 5's Devil Steps in the First Stage
In Ninja Warrior Germany 5, the Devil Steps, locally called Steil-Treppe (literally Steep Stairway), appeared as the fourth obstacle in the First Stage, which was very similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior Junior, except with two horizontal bars were installed at each of the two intervals, with the first interval consisting of two bars in front of the first step and with the second interval consisting of two bars after the sixth step.
Ninja Warrior Germany 6: Celebrity Special's Devil Steps
It returned on Ninja Warrior Germany 6: Celebrity Special with the same two intervals, as the fifth obstacle of Round 2, directly following the Salmon Ladder. As a result, the contestants must climb down six steps first, then to the two bars , then the other two bars, and finally six steps back up to reach a lache bar, then dismount. This version remained unattempted.
Ninja Warrior Germany 8: Celebrity Special's Devil Steps
On Ninja Warrior Germany 8: Celebrity Special, the Devil Steps appeared as the fourth obstacle of Round 2. It was identical to the version from the fifth obstacle, albeit with a rope at the start and a lache bar at the end.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France 4's Devil Steps
Ninja Warrior France 5's Devil Steps
In Ninja Warrior France 4, the Devil Steps, locally called L'Everest (literally Everest), appeared as the third obstacle in Qualification 2 and 3, and was very similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior, except that the first and second interval contained six and three steps. In addition, the obstacle was paired with the Crank It Up as part of Route B of the Crossroads.
Then, on Ninja Warrior France 5, the Devil Steps appeared as the second obstacle in the Finals' Stage Two.
The backstage crew assembling Devil Steps in Ninja Warrior France 4
From a behind-the-scenes footage of Ninja Warrior France 4, it was revealed the Devil Steps (at least the European version) was composed of three main parts,
- The three steps before and after the top transition
- Everything before Section 1.
- Everything after Section 1.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.
SASUKE[]
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 20 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 21 | 2 | 3 | 66.67% |
| 22 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| 23 | 6 | 6 | 100% |
| 24 | 7 | 7 | 100% |
| Total | 20 | 21 | 95.24% |
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