Half-Pipe Attack

Half-Pipe Attack (ハーフパイプアタック) was a First Stage obstacle introduced in SASUKE 19, placed as the fifth obstacle to replace Bungee Bridge that didn't eliminate anyone in the previous tournament. It resembled Nejireta Kabe, which appeared from SASUKE 13 to SASUKE 15.

Competitors must run across a plank to a half-pipe, then make a leap from the half-pipe about halfway through to reach a rope that swings them onto a narrow landing pad. They had to throw the right amount of momentum to the rope as if it was too little, they won't be able to make it to the landing platform, while if it was too much, they will over-shot the landing platform, meaning they had to go back to the half-pipe and tried to swing again to the landing platform. With Jumping Spider, it made a feared duo during their appearances in First Stage.

Most of the top competitors failed here at least once, with some competitors like Akiyama Kazuhiko, Yamamoto Shingo, and Kawahara Takuya even failing it twice. During its lifespans, the obstacle had three different versions.

First Version[]

Yamada Koji attempting Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 19 — Yamada Kōji attempting Half-Pipe Attack
in SASUKE 19

Being the most intricate version of the obstacle in terms of visual design, the wall was painted in a flame pattern similar to the Great Wall in the previous tournament. This version also was the most deadly, eliminating six competitors in total, with the only notable one being Morimoto Yūsuke, although most of the competitors had already been beaten by a hardened Jumping Spider before they were even able to reach this obstacle, meaning this version also had the fewest number of attempts. It was modified in the following tournament.

Second Version[]

Brian Orosco attempting Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 20 — Brian Orosco attempting modified Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 20

In SASUKE 20, the design of the wall was modified, now painted in plain brown. Due to Jumping Spider being toned down in this tournament, more competitors were able to attempt this obstacle and it got to show its true potential, causing major problems as many of them failed to make the dismount to the landing pad properly. Some of them even made the mistake of reaching the platform but failing to land, then having to swing back to the half-pipe for a second go, and in Yamamoto Shingo and Kanno Hitoshi's runs in SASUKE 24, a third go, wasting valuable time.

Shiratori Bunpei attempting Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 21 — Shiratori Bunpei attempting modified Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 21

There have been several minor modifications to this version. First in SASUKE 21, as it was clear competitors struggled to stay on the platform following the previous tournament's failures, the producers flattened the landing platform, making it one of few obstacles in SASUKE's history to be modified in three consecutive tournaments.

Yamamoto Shingo attempting Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 22 — Yamamoto Shingo attempting modified Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 22

Then, in SASUKE 22, it was once again modified, making the plank leading to Soritatsu Kabe slanted. The placement of the plank also made it possible for competitors to attempt the Soritatsu Kabe from the side, not unlike when the Nejireta Kabe had been on the course. This modification also means Half-Pipe Attack become the first obstacle in SASUKE's history to be modified in four consecutive tournaments, before being followed by Rolling Hill.

Yamamoto Shingo vs — Yamamoto Shingo fell down after carelessly stepping on the slanted plank on his Half-Pipe Attack's attempt in SASUKE 22

The slanted plank caused one of the most notable failures in SASUKE, as Yamamoto Shingo carelessly stepped on the plank, unaware that it was slanted compared to the previous tournament, resulting in him losing balance and him going down to the water.

After Urushihara Yuuji's Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 24, it was replaced by the relocated Log Grip in SASUKE 25, only for it to return in SASUKE 26, whereupon the landing platform was cushioned to be similar to the one used in SASUKE 20, and the plank was moved to be off-center from the Soritatsu Kabe, meaning competitors would not be able to attempt the obstacle from the side.

Third Version[]

Kanno Hitoshi attempting Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 27 — Kanno Hitoshi attempting modified Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 27

In SASUKE 27, the obstacle received another major modification, as the landing pad was removed. In place of it was a very small, wooden platform without padding. Then, competitors had to traverse a stationary log to Soritatsu Kabe instead of a plank.

SSK27 DD — Drew Drechsel injured his right knee when landing on Half-Pipe Attack in SASUKE 27

This change was extremely dangerous, as Drew Drechsel landed on the log awkwardly, fracturing his right ACL and MCL, which forced him to withdraw from the tournament. Drew's run in this tournament was not shown in the TBS broadcast, but it was shown during the broadcast of G4's American Ninja Warrior 3.

Possibly to avoid further injuries occurred again, alongside the fact that it was less difficult during this tournament, it was replaced by Ni Ren Soritatsu Kabe in SASUKE 28.

Other Appearances[]

American Ninja Warrior[]

ANW4 Half Pipe Attack — American Ninja Warrior 4's Half Pipe Attack in Stage One

Anw5 half pipe attack — American Ninja Warrior 5's Half Pipe Attack in Stage One

ANW6 Half Pipe Attack — American Ninja Warrior 6's Half Pipe Attack in Stage One

Half-Pipe Attack appeared as the fifth obstacle from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 6, which was similar to the SASUKE 27 version, but the landing platform was softened to avoid future incidents similar to Drew Drechsel in SASUKE 27 and the beam to the Warped Wall was flattened at the top. In American Ninja Warrior 6, Meagan Martin became the first female competitor to complete the obstacle. It eliminated 17 competitors across its three appearances on Stage One.

In American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was replaced by Sonic Curve, which had a similar concept to this obstacle.

SASUKE Malaysia[]

SM Half-Pipe — SASUKE Malaysia's Half-Pipe Attack

In SASUKE Malaysia, the Half-Pipe Attack appeared as the third obstacle in the First Stage. Unlike SASUKE, there was two fences placed at the left and right side of the ramp to avoid competitors lost balance and fell, and the landing platform was bigger than SASUKE and other versions.

SASUKE Singapore[]

SS Half-Pipe — SASUKE Singapore's Half-Pipe Attack

In SASUKE Singapore, the Half-Pipe Attack appeared as the third obstacle in the First Stage, and was very similar to the one used in SASUKE Malaysia, albert without two fences placed at the left and right side of the ramp.

SASUKE Vietnam[]

HP BEam — SASUKE Vietnam 1's Half-Pipe Attack (the landing platform and beam)

In SASUKE Vietnam 1, Half-Pipe Attack, locally called Bật Tường Đu Dây Qua Hào Nước (literally Jumping Wall and Swinging Rope Over a Moat), appeared as the fifth obstacle in Stage 2. However, unlike SASUKE and other versions, the landing platform was made much smaller and connected directly to the beam.

In SASUKE Vietnam 2, the obstacle was moved to the third obstacle position, and served as the third obstacle in Stage 2 from SASUKE Vietnam 2 to 3. This time, the beam was placed next to the pulled landing platform from the Salmon Ladder.

Ảnh chụp màn hình (53) — SASUKE Vietnam 3's Half Pipe Attack

In SASUKE Vietnam 3, the obstacle was then simply called Bật Tường Đu Dây (literally Jumping Wall and Swinging Rope).

In SASUKE Vietnam 4, as a part of a new era, it was replaced by Roulette Row.

Ninja Warrior France[]

NWF2 Half — Ninja Warrior France 2's Half-Pipe Attack

Nwfr2 half pipe attack side — Ninja Warrior France 2's Half-Pipe Attack (side view)

On Ninja Warrior France 2, the Half-Pipe Attack, literally translated Le Half-Pipe appeared as the third obstacle in Finals' Stage One. However, due to limited space constraints that the course has compared to the SASUKE and American Ninja Warrior versions, the ramp leading up to the halfpipe was removed. Competitors must swing the rope, now placed further away than in SASUKE, to the wider unstable landing pad instead of the narrow stable landing pad.

Just like the one used in American Ninja Warrior, the Sonic Curve, which appeared before it as the third obstacle in Heat 1 and Heat 3 on the same season had a similar concept to this obstacle.

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

NWG 2-Second Stage-Obstacle-Half-Pipe Attack — Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Half-Pipe Attack (*Halfpipe mit Seil*)

In Ninja Warrior Germany 2, the Half-Pipe Attack, locally called Halfpipe mit Seil (literally Half-Pipe with Rope), appeared as the first obstacle in the Second Stage. This time, the obstacle was very similar to the Half-Pipe Attack used in Ninja Warrior France 2, with it also using the same half-pipe design and the wider unstable landing pad.

This obstacle was quite easy and only proved to be a minor time waster as all five competitors completed the obstacle.