Takeshi's Castle (2002–2004)

Comic highlights from a physical Japanese gameshow presided over and commentated by Craig Charles.

Stars:

Craig Charles, Makoto Dainenji, Gurêto Gidayû

Cast

Credited cast:
Craig Charles	...	Himself - Narrator
Makoto Dainenji	...	Makoto Dainenji (archive footage)
Gurêto Gidayû	...	Gidayu Great (archive footage)
Hideo Higashikokubaru	...	Sonomanma Higashi (archive footage) (as Sonomanma Higashi)
Rakkyo Ide	...	Rakkyo Ide (archive footage)
Saburô Ishikura	...	Saburo Ishikura (archive footage)
Zona Jaguar	...	Contestant
Michiru Jo	...	Michiru Jo (archive footage)
Takeshi Kitano	...	Count Takeshi (archive footage)
Kikko Matsuoka	...	Kikko Matsuoka (archive footage)
Masanori Okada	...	Masanori Okada (archive footage)
Akira Sakamoto	...	Battlefield Reporter
Hayato Tani	...	General Lee (archive footage)
Katsuo Tokashiki	...	Katsuo Tokashiki (archive footage)
Umanosuke Ueda	...	Umanosuke Ueda (archive footage)

Storyline

What can I say about this show? If you've ever seen a Japanese game show before, or have witnessed them on 'Tarrant on TV' then you should know what it is all about. With Japanese star Takeshi Kitano as the lord of the castle, one-hundred members of the Japanese public pit themselves against a host of crazy physical games in order to gain the ultimate accolade; to be one of the few who actually completed the game. Not only are most of the games virtually impossible, but if you do manage to get to the final round without breaking a few bones then you are pitted against men driving around in little buggies attempting to shoot you with lazers! It's quite insane and nigh on impossible to finish! Not that there is any point; contestants go home with nothing but bruises! All this craziness is narrated fantastically by Craig Charles of 'Red Dwarf' fame with choice replays and mud-galore. Perhaps this is the worse TV show in the world, but watch it once and you will never stop!

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Plot Keywords:

based on japanese tv series | character name in title

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

Japan UK

Language:

English Japanese

Also Known As:

Hullut japanilaiset

Company Credits

Production Co:

Black Mole Productions, Challenge TV, Comedy Central

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by Takeshi's Castle Rebooted (2013)

User Reviews

Simply the funniest thing I have ever seen.

I have only recently been introduced to this show, (under the name MXC here in the States) and I am hooked. I have not laughed this hard in years.

Putting the Americanized potty humor aside (MXC version), the nature of the games shown is total humiliation of the contestants, not to mention complete and utter disregard for their well being. And it is funny. Really funny. Why do I laugh at a 90 pound woman smashing into a brick wall on a rope? Maybe because she is in a duck costume, and comes up muddy and smiling? The level of joy in the contestants faces cannot be measured - they are in bliss, even though they are in pain, and being made fools of.

Surreal and brilliant, please try and watch Takeshi's Castle on the Challenge network in the UK, or on MXC on the Spike network in the USA.