The SASUKE Trials are a series of preliminary events designed to test people for SASUKE. Usually, the top 1 to 8 people in any trial is given a ticket to SASUKE to compete. The trials started in SASUKE 13 and have continued until the latest tournament SASUKE 41. Usually, these preliminary trials are broadcast on a half-hour SASUKE-related show, such as SASUKE MANIAC. Ever since its return in SASUKE 40, the trials are broadcast in a span of five episodes on a streaming service TVer.
The SASUKE 13 Trials were the first ever trials event in SASUKE history. Every competitor, including the SASUKE All-Stars and other established veterans had to compete on the trials. The top 30 were guaranteed a spot in the 100 that competed in SASUKE 13. Overall, 224 competitors competed in the trials, and 15 people cleared. Spots were based on how far someone got before they failed, with the competitors that failed with more on the clock getting a higher seed. Many of the people who did not make the top 30, still got a chance to compete in SASUKE 13. The top 15 is filled with established pros and All-Stars as well as competitors that would do well in SASUKE 13.
SASUKE 17 saw the return of the SASUKE Trials. Broadcast on SASUKE MANIAC, these SASUKE trials sent the top 8 qualifiers and they wore (#61-#68). 2 more representatives were also chosen to compete.
The SASUKE 19 Trials were held at Muscle Park and through a series of events, the top qualifier was chosen to compete. The winner, Matsuda Tsuyoshi, is Unlimited Cliffer #1, and made it pretty far relative to the rest of the competitors, beating the Jumping Spider, but ultimately failing the new Half-Pipe Attack.
Shown on SASUKE MANIAC, events were at Muscle Park and elsewhere, including a trampoline event, race, and a balance obstacle. The top four qualifiers were chosen to compete. None of the four qualifiers cleared the First Stage.
The SASUKE 21 Trials were the largest SASUKE trials since SASUKE 17's. In the end, the top 8 qualifiers were chosen to compete. However, for the third straight tournament, all of the SASUKE qualifiers failed the First Stage.
The SASUKE 22 Trials were a series of events designed to pick someone who could achieve kanzenseiha. Events tested speed, strength, and balance while others were obstacle specific such as for the Jumping Spider and Soritatsu Kabe. In the end, the 7 qualifiers won the chance to compete. The results for the SASUKE qualifiers were greatly better than previous tournaments, as the two people who went the farthest in the tournament were SASUKE 22 qualifiers.
The SASUKE 23 Trials were a series of events designed to pick someone who could achieve kanzenseiha. Events tested speed, strength, and balance while others were obstacle specific such as for the Jumping Spider. In the end, the 6 qualifiers won the chance to compete. The results were good as 4 of the 6 qualifiers completed the First Stage, however all were defeated by the Salmon Ladder.
The SASUKE 25 Trials consisted of several exhausting events, ranging from shuttle runs and sprints to pull-ups. The winner of each event qualified for SASUKE 25.
The SASUKE 29 Trials consists of 161 competitors attempting a course. The names of all of the competitors who competed during the trials were revealed during the broadcast of SASUKE 29. As a result, 46 competitors who have the best results is qualified for SASUKE 29.
The SASUKE 40 Trials consisted of 500 competitors—the largest trials to date—with preliminary held in 5 qualifying rounds until only 10 competitors advanced to the Last Stage. The top three competitors who completed the Last Stage with the fastest time is qualified for SASUKE 40.
The SASUKE 41 Trials consisted of 500 competitor with preliminary held in 5 qualifying rounds until only 11 competitors advanced to the Last Stage. The top three competitors who completed the Last Stage with the fastest time is qualified for SASUKE 41.