Not to be confused with The Cubes from American Ninja Warrior 15.
American Ninja Warrior 9's Giant Cubes in Daytona Beach
The Giant Cubes is an obstacle, firstly introduced on American Ninja Warrior 9 as the eighth obstacle during Daytona Beach finals.
After completing the Salmon Ladder, competitors had to go down a slanted pole and must hold on. After that, they must traverse to the first cube with ledges around it, in which they must make a long reach to grasp onto the ledge on the top of the cube, which is suspended 18 feet (5.49 meters) above water. From there, they must make a 6-foot (1.83-meter) transition from the cube to the second cube/frustum, which was smaller and trapezoidal in shape. After that, they must traverse around the frustum, utilizing its 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) deep ledges, and finally made a leap to the landing platform.
This obstacle was proven to be incredibly difficult, as it took out several competitors like Ryan Stratis, Reko Rivera, Nick Patel, Rigel Henry, Eddy Stewart, Michael Johnson, both Brazi Bros (Lucas Gomes and Alexio Gomes), Dustin Fishman, and Royall Eason. A total of 11 competitors failed on the obstacle, typically due to competitors struggling on the reach on the first cube or making the leap transition to the second cube.
Jessie Graff attempted the transition of the Giant Cubes by doing the splits during American Ninja Warrior 9's Daytona Beach finals
A unique and interesting completion of this obstacle occurred during Daytona Beach finals, when Jessie Graff used an unorthodox way of making the transition to the frustum. Instead of making the leap transition, she was doing the splits, by putting her left foot on the frustum, while her right foot was propped to the cube, in order to make an easier transition. This let her clear the obstacle and let her proceed all the way to the Elevator Climb.
Travis Rosen attempted the transition of the Giant Cubes by doing the splits during American Ninja Warrior 9โs Daytona Beach finals
Later that night, Travis Rosen also tried her method on the transition and successfully completed this obstacle before ending one obstacle later. While on the other hand, Drew Drechsel tried her method on the transition, but failed to make it, despite being nearly the same height. Fortunately, he instead used the traditional method of transition by jumping from one cube to another, and cleared the obstacle, along with the course altogether.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 10[]
American Ninja Warrior 10's Giant Cubes in Los Angeles
Anna Shumaker attempted the transition of the Giant Cubes by doing the splits during American Ninja Warrior 10โs Los Angeles finals
On American Ninja Warrior 10, the Giant Cubes appeared as the eighth obstacle during Los Angeles finals. This time, the slanted pole was replaced with a trapezoidal board with a ledge around it (similar to the one used on the second cube/ frustum of the obstacle).
Despite that, the obstacle was proven to be easier than during Daytona Beach finals on the previous season, as only four competitors fell on it: Anna Shumaker, Brock Taylor, Jesse Orenshein, and Joe Mardovich. Also, most of the competitors who completed the obstacle used Jessie Graff's technique while making the transition between the cubes, including Kevin Bull, Josh Levin, Nick Hanson, Grant McCartney, Tiana Webberley, Adam Rayl, Flip Rodriguez, and Sean Bryan. Anna Shumaker also tried Jessie Graffโs technique but failed to stretch far enough and fell on the obstacle.
Other Appearances[]
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Ninja Warrior Poland 2's Giant Cubes
In Ninja Warrior Poland 2, the Giant Cubes, locally called Bryลy (literally Solids) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 6. The usual cube and the frustum were arranged in sequence. This time, to get on the first cube, competitors had to climb the rope in front of it and go from there to it. Moreover, in Heat 2, one competitor was eliminated on this obstacle.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Giant Cubes
On Ninja Warrior Austria 2, Giant Cubes appeared as the fifth obstacle of Heat 1, 3, 4, and 5. A rope was added at start since it was not directly preceded by any obstacle.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 3's Giant Cubes
On Ninja Warrior Germany 3, the Giant Cubes (Kletterkรคsten, literally Climbing Boxes) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 4 and Heat 5 of the Preliminary Rounds.
Ninja Warrior Germany 7's Giant Cubes
On Ninja Warrior Germany 7, Giant Cubes appeared as the second obstacle of Preliminary Round 4 and 5. This time, the first section was a cube and the second one an inverted frustum as usual, but a third and final flat pane of glass with a ledge on the bottom was added (similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 10). A lache bar was also placed after the final section.
Ninja Warrior Germany 8: Celebrity Special's Giant Cubes
The Giant Cubes reappeared as the third obstacle of Round 1, in Ninja Warrior Germany 8: Celebrity Special, with the configuration identical to that from the seventh season, with possibly some minor changes in distance between cubes.
Ninja Israel[]
Ninja Israel 2's Giant Cubes
On Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Giant Cubes, locally called ืืืงืืืจืืืืื (literally The Aquariums) appeared in the final as the third obstacle in Stage Two, which was similar to the one used on the American Ninja Warrior 10. However, as a standalone obstacle, competitors must jump directly onto the trapezoid board; on it, there were two extra ledges, similar to the Cliffhanger, to help competitors reach the trapezoidal board more easily. Only Gil Marantz attempted and cleared it.
Ninja Israel 3's Giant Cubes
Then, on Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Giant Cubes returned in the final as the third obstacle in Stage Two, with the same specification as in the previous season. A shocking failure happened for Gur Arad, as he missed the buzzer by a few hundredths of a second after clearing this obstacle, which lost him a chance to advance to the Third Stage. Otherwise, 10 out of 11 competitors cleared it.
Ninja Israel 5's Giant Cubes
Later, on Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Giant Cubes reappeared as the fourth obstacle in Semifinal 3. This time, the obstacle feature five poles, with two poles in front of the trapezoidal board and three poles after the second cube. This time, the obstacle was more brutal, as it eliminated two of five competitors who attempted it.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France 3's Giant Cubes
The Giant Cubes (Les Cubes de Cristal, literally The Crystal Cubes) appeared on Ninja Warrior France 3 as the fourth obstacle of the Qualification 1. Since it was not preceded by any obstacle, a mini trampoline was added for the competitors to reach the first cube. The gap between the solids was revealed to be 1.8 meters (5.91 feet).
Ninja Warrior France 5's Giant Cubes
On Ninja Warrior France 5, Giant Cubes reappeared as the fourth obstacle of Path B of Qualifications 1 and 4. The red ledge on the cube only took up the left-half of the edge facing the frustum. The mini trampoline was also replaced by a pole from Pole Grasper.
Ninja Warrior France 8's Giant Cubes to Cargo Net
On Ninja Warrior France 8, the Giant Cubes reappeared as obstacle B of the Split Decision in Qualification 1, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior Poland 2 (since there was a rope as a medium to reach the first cube). After reaching the frustum, competitors must grab the cargo net (similar to the Jump Hang) as a medium to reach the landing platform.
On Ninja Warrior France: Clash of Nations, it replaced the Despicaballs, using the same modification from the last season except without the cargo net. It eliminated Henry Cookey (Team UK) and Kawaguchi Tomohiro (Team Japan).
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC/Polsat/Keshet 12 broadcast and external information found
American Ninja Warrior[]
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW9 | 8 | 19 | 42.11% |
| ANW10 | 17 | 21 | 80.95% |
| Total | 25 | 40 | 62.50% |
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
| NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWP2 (Heat 2) | 15 | 16 | 93.75% |
| NWP2 (Heat 6) | 10 | 10 | 100% |
| Total | 25 | 26 | 96.15% |
Ninja Israel[]
| NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWI2 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| NWI3 | 10 | 11 | 90.91% |
| NWI5 | 3 | 5 | 60% |
| Total | 14 | 17 | 82.35% |