Ninja Warrior Germany (also abbreviated as NWG), officially known as Ninja Warrior Germany - Die stärkste Show Deutschlands (German: Ninja Warrior Germany - The Strongest Show of Germany), is a German sports entertainment reality gameshow produced by RTL Studios GmbH, and also the International SASUKE/Ninja Warrior show in Germany that is partially based on the Japanese television reality show SASUKE and partially on American Ninja. In addition, the show also serves as the regular competition for competitors from other countries (mainly the other German-speaking DACH countries).
The first regular season of Ninja Warrior Germany was premiered on July 9th, 2016 on the German-language free-to-air television channel RTL. As of April 2024, nine regular seasons, multiple spin-offs and specials, have been carried out within the span from 2016 to 2024, with the tenth season being scheduled to be hosted in 2025.
Series History[]
Prior To The First Season[]
The Premiere[]
The Shows Rise[]
During The COVID-19 Pandemic[]
Post COVID-19 Pandemic[]
Regular Competitions[]
Overview[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany Competitions
The following list includes all regular Ninja Warrior Germany seasons carried out:
| Tournament | Year | Episodes | Official Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Warrior Germany 1 | 2016 | 5 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2016 |
| Ninja Warrior Germany 2 | 2017 | 9 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2017 |
| Ninja Warrior Germany 3 | 2018 | 9 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2018 |
| Ninja Warrior Germany 4 | 2019 | 9 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2019 |
| Ninja Warrior Germany 5 | 2020 | 10 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2020 |
| Ninja Warrior Germany 6 | 2021 | 11 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2021 |
| Ninja Warrior Germany 7 | 2022 | 9 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2022 |
| Ninja Warrior Germany 8 | 2023 | 10 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2023 |
| Ninja Warrior Germany 9 | 2024 | 10 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die stärkste Show Deutschlands 2024 |
General Concept[]
The show always features a set of obstacle courses and each competition is divided into different "Stages" - the Qualifier Rounds, the Semi-finals (called Halbfinale in German), and the four-stage Finals course, and the show follows the concept of several other International Ninja Warrior/SASUKE shows, which is that competitors have to either complete obstacle courses in the best possible time (this applys to the Preliminary Rounds and the Semi-finals), or within a time limit set by the production of the show (this applys to the e.g. for the First Stage. The courses are designed differently in each show, but contain comparable and partly identical elements. The candidates mainly need the athletic skills of strength, endurance, body control a great mental ability, in order to complete all of the obstacle of a course in a good time.
Show Hosts/Presenters[]
Similar to several other National/International Ninja Warrior/SASUKE shows, the runs of competitors in Ninja Warrior Germany are mainly commented by the main presenters/hosts. In Ninja Warrior Germany, the hosts are the sports journalist Frank Buschmann and the television host Jan Köppen, while the sideline reporter is the female television host Laura Wontorra. Wontorra often interviews contestants before their run, and occasionally those who failed the course. In some instances, the interview is conducted by Köppen and Buschmann if a contestant's run was successful, especially during the Preliminary Rounds.
Presenters[]
| Presenter name | Main Role/s | Seasons | Stages | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Buschmann | Host, Commentator | 1 - 8 | All Stages | |
| Jan Köppen | Co-Host, Co-Commentator | 1 - 8 | Most Stages | During the fourth and the fifth Preliminary Round of Ninja Warrior Germany 6, Köppen was feeling ill and could not attend the recordings, so his position had to be taken over by Laura Wontorra. Also appeared as a competitior in Ninja Warrior Spain. |
| Laura Wontorra | Sideline Reporter | 1 - 8 | Most Stages | During the fourth and the fifth Preliminary Round of Ninja Warrior Germany 6, Laura Wontorra had to take over Jan Köppen's task as a co-commentator and co-host (due to the reason stated in Jan Köppen's cell). |
| Thorsten Legat | Sideline Reporter (stand-in) | 6 | Preliminary Round 5 | Since Laura Wontorra had to take over Jan Köppen's task as a co-commentator and co-host, Legat took over Wontorra's role as an interviewer and sideline reporter as a stand-in. Formerly appeared as a competitor in Ninja Warrior Germany 1. |
Ninja Warrior Germany 1[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 1
General Information[]
The first season of Ninja Warrior Germany (Ninja Warrior Germany - Die Stärkste show Deutschlands) featured five episodes in total and got officially carried out and recorded from May 19th to May 24th, 2016 in dm-arena - Messe Karlsruhe, in Karlsruhe, Germany. The premiere episode aired on July 9th, 2016 at RTL.
Format[]
In the first halves of the first four episodes of the season, 60 participants each competed in the first course, the Semi-finals Qualification (officially called Preliminary Round). The Top 20 of each Preliminary Round would advance to the second course, the Semi-finals (officially called Finals Qualification). Each Finals Qualification took place right after the Preliminary Round it represents and only the Top 7 of each Finals Qualification would advance to the fifth episode, the Finals of the season. From that point, the show follows the Finals concept of several other International Ninja Warrior/SASUKE shows, with each competitor having to complete four stages within specific rules, within a specific time limit set by the producers of the show (this applies to the First, the Second and the Final Stage), and better than all the other Finalists in order to achieve the title 1. Ninja Warrior Germany and the grand cash prize of 100,000 €. If a competitor should be the Last Man Standing (the best of the season), but would not achieve Total Victory, they would receive no cash prize.
Course/Stage Layouts[]
This first season featured four different course structures that have been used for the different stages of this season. The four Preliminary Rounds of this season roughly used up two thirds of the first course structure with their six obstacles and were all arranged in a straight line before ending on the top of the last obstacle, the Warped Wall. The Finals Qualifications and Second Stage of the Finals both used the same partial course structure for their first four obstacles (that were also arranged in a straight line). After the fourth obstacle however, the course structure of the Finals Qualifications would differ, as it would make a light right curve to the final obstacle, the Chimney Climb. The First Stage of the Finals would now also use the remaining third, that would start after the Warped Wall, of the first course structure (along with the first two thirds which were already used for the Preliminary Round) and would consist of nine obstacles in total. As already mentioned, the Second Stage would use the Finals Qualifications course structure for the first four obstacles. After that however, the Second Stage would make a left turn, away from the Finals Qualifications course structure, and would be directly connected to the Third Stage.
Obstacle Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Of the 28 (out of the 240 overall) competitors who reached the Finals of this season, only one competitor (Oliver Edelmann) could complete the final obstacle of the First Stage and subsequently the entire stage within the time limit, advancing to the Second Stage as the Last Man Standing of the season, after all the other competitors failed to complete this First Stage. This was the first and only time in the history of Ninja Warrior Germany that the Last Man Standing was already declared after only the First Stage. On the Second Stage, the Last Man Standing Oliver Edelmann failed the fourth and penultimate obstacle of the stage, the Unstable Bridge, not only ending his season, but also the entire season. Many people say that this performance of Oliver Edelmann was the birth of the "Ninja-Spirit" in Germany. Alix Arndt on the other hand became the first unofficial Last Woman Standing, with her being the only female competitor who reached the second obstacle of their Finals Qualification, the Spin Bridge.
Ninja Warrior Germany 2[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 2
General Information[]
Changes (Compared to the previous season)[]
Format[]
Obstacle Layouts[]
Course/Stage Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 3[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 3
General Information[]
Changes (Compared to the previous season)[]
Format[]
Obstacle Layouts[]
Course/Stage Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 4[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 4
General Information[]
Changes (Compared to the previous season)[]
Format[]
Obstacle Layouts[]
Course/Stage Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 5[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 5
General Information[]
Changes (Compared to the previous season)[]
Format[]
Obstacle Layouts[]
Course/Stage Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 6[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 6
General Information[]
Changes (Compared to the previous season)[]
Format[]
Obstacle Layouts[]
Course/Stage Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 7[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 7
General Information[]
Changes (Compared to the previous season)[]
Format[]
Obstacle Layouts[]
Course/Stage Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 8[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 8
General Information[]
Changes (Compared to the previous season)[]
Format[]
Obstacle Layouts[]
Course/Stage Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 9[]
- Further information: Ninja Warrior Germany 9
General Information[]
Changes (Compared to the previous season)[]
Format[]
Obstacle Layouts[]
Course/Stage Layouts[]
Competitors[]
Summary[]
Most Successful Competitors[]
Over the course of eight different seasons, hundreds of different athletes participated to achieve success and even to become the next Ninja Warrior Germany, but only a minority of them has proven themselves to be the most established, most successful and most skillful athletes of Ninja Warrior Germany. Those athletes not only stood out due to their extraordinary athletic skills, but also due to their consistency across all of the different years of Ninja Warrior Germany.
Overview & Placements[]
Champions[]
- Further information: Moritz Hans
Hans Results[]
| NWG | Obstacle/Result | Stage | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Failed Jump Hang | First Stage | 21st |
| 2 | Failed Cliffhanger | Third Stage | 1st |
| 3 | Failed Flying Bar | Third Stage | 3rd |
| 4 | Failed Flying Bar | Third Stage | 2nd |
| 5 | Failed Cane Lane | Third Stage | 6th |
| 6 | Total Victory | Final Stage | 2nd |
| 7 | Failed Salmon Ladder | Final Stage | 2nd |
| 8 | Failed Swinging Blades | First Stage | 36th |
- Further information: Rene Kaselowsky
Casselly's Results[]
| Regular Competitions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NWG | Obstacle/Result | Stage | Placement |
| 2 | Failed Cliffhanger | Third Stage | 2nd |
| 3 | Failed Floating Boards | Third Stage | 5th |
| 4 | Failed Flying Bar | Third Stage | 8th |
| 5 | Failed Time Bomb | Third Stage | 3rd |
| 6 | Total Victory | Final Stage | 1st |
| 7 | Failed Cliffhanger | First Stage | 11th |
| 8 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Last Men Standing[]
- Further information: Alexander Wurm
Wurm's Results[]
| Regular Competitions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NWG | Obstacle/Result | Stage | Placement |
| 1 | Failed Jumping Spider | First Stage | 10th |
| 2 | Failed Propeller Bar | First Stage | 23rd |
| 3 | Failed Rope Climb | Final Stage | 1st |
| 4 | Failed Flying Bar | Third Stage | 1st |
| 5 | Failed Flying Bar | Third Stage | 1st |
| 6 | Failed Cane Lane | Third Stage | 7th |
- Further information: Oliver Edelmann
Oliver Edelmann's Results[]
| Regular Competitions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NWG | Obstacle/Result | Stage | Placement |
| 1 | Failed Unstable Bridge | Second Stage | 1st |
| 2 | Failed Jumping Spider | First Stage | 6th |
| 3 | Failed Hourglass Drop | Second Stage | 9th |
| 4 | Failed Leaps of Faith | Second Stage | 6th |
| 5 | Failed Floating Boards | Third Stage | 8th |
| 6 | Failed Grim Sweeper | First Stage | 34th |
| 7 | Failed Cliffhanger | First Stage | 10th |
Most Titles[]
| Place | Name | Title/s | Time/s |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | René Casselly | Ninja Warrior Germany | 1 Time |
| 2nd | Moritz Hans | Final Stage Conqueror, Last Man Standing |
1 Time (Final Stage Conqueror) 1 Time (Last Man Standing) |
| 3rd | Alexander Wurm | Last Man Standing | 3 Times |
| 4th | Stefanie Edelmann | Last Woman Standing | 2 Times |
| 5th | Max Görner | Last Man Standing | 1 Time |
| Oliver Edelmann | |||
| Arleen Schüßler | Last Woman Standing | ||
| Andrea Meßner |
Ninja Warrior Germany Competitors on International Ninja Competitions[]
SASUKE[]
SASUKE 36[]
Stefanie Edelmann (Noppinger) in SASUKE 36.
SASUKE 36 (in 2018) was the first SASUKE tournament in which an athlete from the German-speaking DACH Countries participated. Stefanie Edelmann (at that time, she was still known by her maiden name Stefanie Noppinger) became the athlete from the DACH Countries to compete in a SASUKE tournament and she was the Austrain representative of that tournament. On the third obstacle of the First Stage, the new Wing Slider, however Stefanie could not position herself between the plexi glass walls properly (due to her rather disadvantageous wingspan) and slipped off almost immediately after the drop of the obstacle, bringing an early ending to her performance.
SASUKE 37[]
René Casselly (Kaselowsky) in SASUKE 37.
SASUKE 37 (in 2019) saw many international representatives of many different International SASUKE/Ninja Warrior shows, including René Casselly. During the production of the Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special 2 (in July of 2019) Casselly also got in touch with Inui Masato, and Casselly then subsquently received a message by Inui himself on his Instagram account. In that message, Inui first asked Casselly if he liked sushi. And after René Casselly responded that he liked sushi, Inui not only invited Casselly to eat sushi with him, but he also invited him to compete as the German representative for the upcoming SASUKE tournament, SASUKE 37. And after he agreed to do so, René Casselly competed and became the first German athlete, and also the second from the DACH Countries to compete in a SASUKE tournament and the German representative of that tournament.
SASUKE 40[]
Stefanie & Oliver Edelmann in SASUKE 40.
SASUKE 40 (in 2022) saw the return of international representatives of different International SASUKE/Ninja Warrior shows after two straight SASUKE tournaments without these international representatives, including Stefanie Edelmann and her husband Oliver Edelmann.
SASUKE 41[]
René Casselly in SASUKE 41.
In SASUKE 41 (in 2023), there were once again international representatives of different International SASUKE/Ninja Warrior shows, and one of the two international representatives of this tournament was none other than René Casselly. After Casselly anncounced and teased on his Instagram account that he would travel and stay at Japan at the time of the filming of SASUKE 41, and after he mentionined that he and and one of his best friends Jun Kim had trained in a "SASUKE training camp" in Israel a few weeks prior to the filming of SASUKE 41 (which caused widespread speculation that René Casselly had participated in SASUKE 41), his attendance in the tournement would ultimately be confirmed upon the release of the competitor list on November 22th, 2023, marking a return after a 3-tournament absence. He also became the first German athlete to compete twice in SASUKE with that. In the tournemnt itself, he wore the number #93.
Ninja Warrior Germany Specials and Supporting Formats[]
Overview[]
| Specials | ||
|---|---|---|
| Special Format | Year | Official Name |
| Ninja Warrior - The Phenomenon | 2016 | Ninja Warrior – Das Phänomen |
| Ninja Warrior - The Phenomenon 2 | 2017 | Ninja Warrior – Das Phänomen |
| Ninja Warrior - The Phenomenon 3 | 2019 | Ninja Warrior – Das Phänomen |
| Ninja Warrior Germany - The Most Spectacular Moments of All Time | 2020 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die spektakulärsten Momente aller Zeiten |
| Ninja Warrior Germany - The Greatest Moments | 2021 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die großartigsten Momente |
| Ninja Warrior Germany - Post Season Interview | 2022 | Ninja Warrior Germany All-Stars 2 – Der Buzzer Danach |
| Ninja Warrior Germany - Post Season Interview | Ninja Warrior Germany 2022 – Der Buzzer Danach | |
| Ninja Warrior Germany - The Greatest Moments 2 | Ninja Warrior Germany – Die großartigsten Momente | |
| Ninja Warrior Germany - Post Season Interview | 2023 | Ninja Warrior Germany 2023 – Der Buzzer Danach |
| Supporting Formats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Season | Year | Official Name |
Most Successful Competitors[]
Over the course of eight different seasons, hundreds of different athletes participated to achieve success and even to become the next Ninja Warrior Germany, but only a minority of them has proven themselves to be the most established, most successful and most skillful athletes of Ninja Warrior Germany. Those athletes not only stood out due to their extraordinary athletic skills, but also due to their consistency across all of the different years of Ninja Warrior Germany.
Overview & Placements[]
Champions[]
- Further information: René Casselly
Casselly's Results[]
| Tean Ninja Warrior Germany | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Phase | Stage | Placement |
| TNWG1 | Finals | Champion | 1st |
| TNWG2 | Finals | Champion | 1st |
Overall[]
Timeline[]
| Year | Airdate | Competition/Special/Format | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | July 9th - July 30th | Ninja Warrior Germany | 1 |
| July 30th | Ninja Warrior – The Phenomenon | 1 |
Miscellaneous/Trivia[]
Gallery[]
Logos[]
Regular Competitions[]
Graphics[]
Regular Competitions[]
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