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IMDbPro

I Survived a Japanese Game Show

  • TV Series
  • 2008–2009
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
593
YOUR RATING
I Survived a Japanese Game Show (2008)
AdventureGame ShowReality TV

Ten Americans, many of whom have never traveled beyond the borders of the United States, head to Japan to compete in the ultimate Japanese game show. Hilarity presumably ensues. The final wi... Read allTen Americans, many of whom have never traveled beyond the borders of the United States, head to Japan to compete in the ultimate Japanese game show. Hilarity presumably ensues. The final winner will take home $250,000.Ten Americans, many of whom have never traveled beyond the borders of the United States, head to Japan to compete in the ultimate Japanese game show. Hilarity presumably ensues. The final winner will take home $250,000.

  • Stars
    • Rome Kanda
    • Donnell Pittman
    • Meaghan Cooper
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    593
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Rome Kanda
      • Donnell Pittman
      • Meaghan Cooper
    • 9User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Episodes15

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    Top cast17

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    Rome Kanda
    Rome Kanda
    • Self (Host)…
    • 2008–2009
    Donnell Pittman
    • Self
    • 2008
    Meaghan Cooper
    • Self
    • 2008
    Mary Catherine Greenawalt
    Mary Catherine Greenawalt
    • Self
    • 2008
    Tony Sano
    • Self - Host
    • 2008
    Andrew Kelly-Hayes
    • Self
    • 2008
    Bilenda Madison
    • Self
    • 2008
    Cathy Nardone
    • Self
    • 2008
    Ben Hughes
    • Self
    • 2008
    Darcy Sletager
    • Self
    • 2008
    Olga Medvedev
    • Self
    • 2008
    Justin Wood
    • Self
    • 2008
    Masahiro Hurugori
    • Maji Deh Judge
    Kozue Saito
    • Mamasan
    Robert Cait
    Robert Cait
    • Announcer…
    Kimberly Whittaker
    • Diva
    Kiyoshi Parker
    • Helicopter Pilot
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    6.4593
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    Featured reviews

    8sedativchunk

    It's good America is opening up to Japanese Game Shows

    For those of you who do not have the G4 TV channel, this show works well. It introduces the crazy and wacky world of how Japanese people do their TV shows. No reality, no fake love stories, only pure game when it comes to Japan (although this show is broken into a reality show, and I will get to that).

    Though this show is for a prize of $250,000 USD in the end, Japanese game shows generally do not have a physical prize in the end other than having recognition for being one of the very few people who win the show.

    The main thing this show's downside is, is that it is a reality show. Of course, it wouldn't be "American" without the "reality" part to it! I have heard numerous people complain of the show containing more reality than game show, and that you cannot really get the full experience from it. I can agree with this to some extent. Think of the general American audience. Most of them have no clue how Japanese game shows run, and that is why I say this show is good for people who do not have G4. For those who do not know, G4TV features two TV shows called "Ninja Warrior" and "The Unbeatable Banzuke" where contestants compete for the ultimate level of glory, of having not a physical prize, but the recognition of being one of the very few people to complete the insanely hard challenges featured on these two TV shows. Most people would get lost watching these shows at first because there are little to no American contestants, and no English is spoken.

    This show is a good way to introduce Japanese Game Shows to the general American audience without losing them in the crazy fast all Japanese, no English yelling and chanting that goes on during a TV show, and it explains the courses very well also. I have been in Martial Arts for 8 years, and watching shows like this also helps people who are interested in Japanese culture and language understand them better.

    This show is not perfect and the reality is a bit overdone, but I believe that it opens to the door up to networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC to Japanese game shows and maybe bringing some of them to America. In the end, I would rather watch this than American Gladiator, and if you want a true half hour to hour long, non-interrupted Japanese Game Show, go over to G4 and watch the shows I mentioned above!
    10bollocks59

    Original Great Fantastic TV!

    I loved "I survived a Japanese game show" it was a breath of fresh air to see this on my TV set every week. I really hope there is a season two as this show can only get better! Great job ABC!

    Unlike other reality show "I survived a Japanese game show" had an intelligent irony which in my opinion upgraded the dull universe of reality TV. It was a comedy reality show and I loved westerners being fish out of water.

    Its the kind of show one watches to forget about the boring dull day you just had and the game show rounds are real talk about moments. Its a cult classic on a massive scale...Brilliant stuff!
    10ItsNorthernMark

    ISAJG - Best Shows of 2008 on ABC

    This has probably been one of my favorite shows to rewatch, Along with ABC's Wipeout. ISAJG was sort of like Wipeout, more focused on the Japanese Gameshow aspect more than it was Wipeout. I'm glad I watched all of Season 1, but apparently i have been told that Season 2 wasnt all too well, I'll check out some episodes and see how bad it really is. ISAJG for me, i think was a good show overall! I loved the aspect of the show, the hosts and judge were amazing, and it felt like you were apart of the show, in a way! I would love to see ABC bring this show back, and just get that 2008 once more back on my television screen!!
    9peterdfinn

    Very Entertaining!

    When I first saw advertisements for the first season of I Survived a Japanese Game Show, I thought it looked really stupid. But eventually, it started to grow on me. So I tuned in to the series premiere. My expectations were blown out of the water. This series is a very clever idea. It was the perfect mix of laughter-inducing stunts and reality TV drama. I hope ABC puts this out on DVD sooner or later.

    I like the second season, too. Although it isn't as good as the first season. They got rid of Tony Sano, which is too bad, because I thought he was a good host. They also put three games in each episode instead of two, so there's less time for reality TV drama. It has been better, but I still like it.
    8AlwayzLookingForIt

    A SummerShow That Leaves Me Wanting More

    I want to be on this show. That's how much I love it. I'm willing to risk humiliation. Sure I lived in Japan for a little while, but not in Tokyo and not to do this. The excitement and fun jumps through the screen. And I like the reality show portion of the show. It helps you decide who you should root for; who are the good guys and the bad. And I love the host of the game show, Rome, and the ever goofy Judge Bob. I wish they'd make it a fall show, but I guess I'll have to wait until next summer. Most summer shows aren't worth looking forward to, but this is one of the exceptions. Until then I'll leave you with "hi majide!".

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 24, 2008 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Japanese Game Show [Maji de!?]
    • Filming locations
      • Toho Studios, Tokyo, Japan
    • Production companies
      • A. Smith & Co. Productions
      • Calix Productions
      • Greengrass Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color

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