How Season 13 Will Be Back to Normal (& How It Won’t)

The upcoming season of American Ninja Warrior has begun casting. Lots of the prime ninjas have already introduced their returns on social media. A whole lot of followers had been relieved after they discovered that the following season is in pre-production. Nevertheless, there are many questions on how the pandemic will change season 13 of the favored impediment course competitors.

The present plan is that the collection will return to its authentic format as a lot as attainable. Season 12 saw multiple changes due to the pandemic and these modifications had been made with a purpose to preserve everybody concerned protected and wholesome. Security precautions included fully scrapping the notorious Mount Midoriyama. The ultimate course was changed by the “Energy Tower,” the place two rivals confronted off at a time, with the winner persevering with on to a second spherical, and the ultimate two winners competing towards one another.

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Casting bulletins have began to roll out. Additionally, some filming places have been made official. It now looks as if the 2021 season will resemble older seasons greater than the bizarre 2020 season. The main focus will nonetheless be on maintaining everybody concerned protected. That is one thing that rivals and followers respect.

Different reveals haven’t proven as a lot concern for individuals. For instance, the WWE reportedly instructed wrestlers that it could not be providing the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of many constructive instances among the many wrestlers. American Ninja Warrior appears to have discovered a very good steadiness when it comes to defending rivals and crew, whereas additionally giving followers most of what they need.

The Veteran Ninjas

If nothing else, followers can sit up for seeing many acquainted faces. After producers had been in a position to show their security strategies had been efficient throughout 2020’s American Ninja Warrior season 12, extra ninjas might really feel safer competing once more. Flip Rodriquez, Joe Moravsky, Meagan Martin, Jesse Labreck, Najee Richardson, and different seasoned ninjas have already introduced on social media that they’ve been invited again. The complete roster has not been revealed but, however some individuals will not be returning.

The stuntwoman Jesse Graff has revealed that, regardless of her want to compete, she might be sitting out season 13. She was seriously injured throughout season 12 and remains to be making an attempt to completely get well. Not eager to exacerbate her accidents, she made the troublesome option to proceed therapeutic. Longtime ninja Ryan Stratis (who appeared on the primary 11 seasons of the present, earlier than deciding to take a 12 months off in 2020) remains to be ready for his name from the casting division, which he has joked about in a collection of memes on his Instagram.

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No Stroll-Ons

Kevin Bull is now a well known ninja and ranks amongst the top fan-favorites. In 2014, he was an unknown, walk-on competitor. Nobody anticipated him to get previous Cannonball Alley, the impediment that had taken out even skilled ninjas. When the beginner discovered a artistic approach to develop into the primary individual to complete the course that evening, it was a memorable TV second. This second stunned and delighted followers, and made him one of the crucial beloved contestants.

Stroll-on contestants are the underdogs everybody likes to cheer for. A number of in style ninjas began out as walk-ons. Then, they amazed with their abilities, regardless of their lack of expertise. With out walk-ons, a side of the present is lacking and the followers will discover.

Returning Hosts

No change of the hosts has been introduced, so followers can probably rely on seeing the staff returning. Matt Iseman took over as host again within the second season and was joined by former NFL player Akbar Gbajabiamila in season seven. This duo has been embraced by followers. This can be a staff that might not simply get replaced.

Zuri Corridor is a comparatively new addition. She joined American Ninja Warrior in 2019, changing Kristine Leahy, who had taken the place of the unique reporter, Jenn Brown. She was in a position to host one regular season of the present, after which dealt with the surprising modifications that got here in 2020 with a variety of professionalism. Zuri is predicted to be again because the on-the-course reporter for her third 12 months this 12 months, no matter any format modifications.

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No Viewers

Crowds are nonetheless not protected, so followers aren’t allowed at most sporting occasions or TV tapings, together with late-night reveals. Usually, the American Ninja Warrior set is an intimate venue, and the followers within the stands are a part of the course. There’s emotional cheering as rivals battle previous troublesome obstacles, followers wave indicators for his or her favourite ninjas, and the encouraging rhythmic chant of “Beat the wall!” is heard. These components of the expertise are irreplaceable.

Even the ninjas’ households and associates must cheer them on nearly. Since 2020, the sidelines now embrace a big display the place a ninja’s members of the family are projected. These members of the family watch from the security of their properties. Whereas it’s laborious on the ninjas to not have their family members there in individual, their teammates do a very good job of cheering them on from the sidelines.

Las Vegas & Mount Midoriyama Are Again

The nationwide finals are returning to their longtime residence, Las Vegas, regardless of different Vegas occasions being canceled, such because the NFL Professional Bowl. Whereas 2020 noticed a modified American Ninja Warrior finale, with a shorter course and fewer prize cash, 2021 will restore the grandeur of the total course, together with Mount Midoriyama. That additionally means the hefty prize awaiting any ninjas who make it to the highest of the mountain is again to its full quantity. Whereas the winner of season 12’s “Energy Tower” took residence $100,000, the winner of season 13 might be taking residence $1 million (if anybody could make it to the tip of the ridiculously troublesome course).

No Cross-Nation Qualifiers

Reveals like American Idol have executed away with dwell performances. They’ve switched to digital and even used augmented actuality and/or digital actuality so as to add pizzazz. Clearly, American Ninja Warrior contestants must be bodily current to compete, which makes the logistics extra difficult. The primary a part of the competitors might be held in Tacoma, Washington, and the competitors could also be restricted to a single metropolis throughout pre-finale rounds.

The excellent news is that the only location additionally got here with a timeframe to start filming, which is the week of March twenty sixth. Although 2021 gained’t see American Ninja Warrior fully again to its authentic format, this 12 months is a step nearer to the acquainted present that has captivated followers for 13 seasons now. Hopefully, there might be many extra seasons to come back.

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