'Devil' behind the most horrific reality TV experiment ever: Producer locked a young comedian in a tiny apartment without food and clothes - and secretly broadcast the graphic footage
Reality shows are, today, an inescapable cornerstone of television - with long-running shows like Big Brother, Love Island, and Survivor firmly ensconced in popular culture.
And while they considered extreme, they have nothing on Susunu! Denpa Shonen - the Japanese show that premiered nearly 30 years ago and remains one of the most drastic series to be produced.
Although it was taken off the air in 2002, the world's 'sickest reality show' is still for its A Life In Prizes challenge - and the young comedian who endured 15 months without food or clothes in a tiny apartment in Japan.
Instead, Tamaoki Hamatsu, then 22, was tasked with surviving solely off his winnings from magazine competitions while he was placed under the watch of a camera.
However, in a twist that sounds like the plot of a Black Mirror episode, Hamatsu - better known by his nickname 'Nasubi' - had no idea the graphic footage was being broadcast to 17 million viewers across Japan.
Nor the extent to which he was being manipulated by the show's producer - Toshio Tsuchiya, a man he idolised and looked up to as a 'god' before discovering he was the 'devil' in disguise.
Recalling the moment he first brought Nasubi to the tiny apartment that would become his prison - although the door was never locked - Tsuchiya said: 'I told him that most of it would never be aired.
'I was smiling whilst saying it.'
These sadistic tactics are described - sometimes, proudly, by Tsuchiya himself - in the 2024 documentary The Contestant as the now-68-year-old looks back on his most successful - and cruel - project yet.
The harrowing production reveals how Tsuchiya, now 68, oversaw a production that failed Nasubi on every level - from the crew 'abandoned' him to the doctor, who gave Nasubi a clean bill of health - even though he was evidently suffering extreme psychological distress and malnourished.
And Nasubi's well-being was a price Tsuchiya, still an influential figure in Japan's TV industry, was willing to pay as he became 'consumed' by the prospect of creating an extraordinary, unprecedented show that pushed its contestants to the brink.
Under his obsessive direction, Nasubi became suicidal, emaciated, and so disconnected from reality that he, at one point, believed he had been 'abducted by aliens'.
Japan watched as Nasubi tried to live off the prizes from magazine and radio contests, with the aspiring entertainer sending postcard after postcard until he reached the contestant's goal of making one million yen (or $8,000) in winnings.
All he was given to cover his modesty was a thin, dirty pillow as Nasubi was filmed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 335 days, as he tried to hit his target of one million yen in prizes won while also trying to find the 'enjoyment in every day'.
'Nasubi didn't know that we had rented the room next door,' the show's director, Harutaro Kagawa, revealed. 'To film Nasubi waking up in the morning, the assistant had to sneak into his room early to press record on the camera.'
This footage was then whittled down to a six-minute edit - a patchwork of Nasubi talking to the camera, eating dog food, and dancing around the room naked - that had to be approved by Tsuchiya.
The producer decided to use an eggplant cartoon to cover Nasubi's genitalia - no doubt because his nickname translates to 'aubergine'.
By day 10, Nasubi had submitted a total of 963 applications without winning anything - meaning he hadn't eaten anything apart from the crackers the production team supplied him with intermittently because 'we couldn't let him die'.
While Nasubi was growing more frail as the days went by, the production team - undoubtedly on Tsuchiya's instructions - was superimposing light-hearted captions, slapstick noises, and suggestive censoring onto footage he didn't know was being aired every night.
His family, on the contrary, was painfully aware of what was happening as his sister, Ikuyo, recalled their shock at seeing Nasubi naked on national TV.
'When I saw it, I thought, "What are you doing? You're joking!" I felt both angry and sad, as well as embarrassed. A grown man naked on TV, with his privates airbrushed.
'And it was my little brother.'
Watching Nasubi on TV, she realised how 'cruel and awful' Denpa Shonen - described in the documentary as the 'naughty boy' in the 'school yard' of Japanese TV.
'Denpa Shonen is easy to laugh at if you're an outside but if it's you, or someone you're close to, you see that what's happening is really cruel and awful.'
Clips of Nasubi 'farting', holding up women's lacy underwear, and dancing around the room after winning bottles of sake, were all included in the final edits.
After Nasubi hit his goal of earning one million yen in prizes from various contests - a feat that meant he spent 335 days naked and alone in the tiny room that saw him become increasingly detached from real life - Tsuchiya picked a particularly painful way to break the news to him
During the documentary, Nasubi revealed no one from the crew would speak to him as he became increasingly cut off from the rest of the world.
At this point, Tsuchiya added: 'But I told them to never engage with him, because the challenge was about being alone.'
Nasubi felt his intentions were more sinister than that, adding: 'He thought that keeping me isolated would make the project more interesting.'
Buoyed by the success of his show, which predated Big Brother by a couple of years, and to prove to his detractors that the film was not scripted, Tsuchiya made the decision to live stream footage from 'Nasubi's room' for internet users around the world.
'Not just every week, but every day, minute, and second, this craziness totally consumed me, wondering what I could do next.'
After Nasubi hit his goal of earning one million yen in prizes from various contests - a feat that meant he spent 335 days naked and alone in the tiny room that saw him become increasingly detached from real life - Tsuchiya picked a particularly painful way to break the news to him.
He woke Nasubi up in the dead of night by bursting party poppers - while shining a bright light - on his face as the frightened 22-year old was crouched in fear with streamers all over his body.
But he wasn't done yet. Tsuchoiya decided to fly Nasubi to South Korea for what the frail comedian believed was a 'celebratory' trip - only to push him into repeating A Life In Prizes for an international adaptation.
'Aftrer raising him up, we dropped him right back to rock bottom,' he said. 'When you drop someone, they feel a shock, right? I thought I could capture that moment.
'That's such a cruel thing to do, isn't it,' Tsuchiya continued.
This was the moment Nasubi realised the producer was the 'devil' as he told British filmmaker Clair Titley: 'At the audition, a year earlier, Tsuchiya was like a god to me.
'But from that point on, in a flash, he became the devil.'
Nasubi ended up competing for several more weeks, taking him to 434 days in isolation.
He then returned to Japan, where he entered another apartment and stripped naked thinking he was about to be subjected to the same turmoil again.
However, the walls then collapsed to reveal a TV studio with a live audience of fans, with him becoming aware for the first time that his ordeal had been seen by millions.
'That people could push others to such limits, plunge them into despair, it's the same with bullying.
'I realised how cruel people could be,' Nasubi said.
Today, Tsuchiya continues to work in the entertainment industry, with The Cinemaholic reporting he has served as the owner-operator of TV production firm Gontents LLC since 2022.
He was previously appointed Senior Creator as well as President of the Research and Development Lab at Nippon Television Network Corporation, the organisation that produced Susunu! Denpa Shonen.
Does he feel any remorse for the way he treated Nasubi?
Cryptically, the producer said: 'What we captured in those 15 months was extraordinary. I thought it was more interesting the more I pushed people.
'If the person on the receiving end had been pushed too far, and didn't want to live, I'd have gone too far.
'But it's hard to know at the time.'
He conceded, however, that Nasubi had been instrumental to his success, admitting 'I'd do anything' to help the comedian-turned-activist recover from the trauma he inflicted all those years ago.
'Even if he asked me to put my life on the line… I might even consider that,' he continued. 'If he said, "I need you to die to get closure.' I would seriously think about it.'
Fortunately, Nasubi has managed to turn the negatives of his time on the series into positives.
He completed his goal of climbing Mount Everest in 2016 saying that the resilience he gained from reality TV had come good for him in the climb.
Tsuchiya helped him fundraise for the expedition as part of his redemption but Nasubi shared he could not forgive the producer for tricking him into thinking he was only being filmed as an experimental pilot and never told that instead he would be broadcast to all of Japan.
During an Ask Me Anything on Reddit last May, ahead of the release of The Contestant, he confessed: 'It would be a lie if I said I'm not regretting, even though I learned to live with the past.
Did I forgive Tsuchiya, the producer? To be honest, in my heart, there is still something that is hating the person.'
He explained: 'But then in 2011, a big earthquake happened in Fukushima. I could really relate to the people who are struggling.
'So without my experience in the past, I might not have been able to resonate with people in the tough situation. That's when I realised my past struggle could be something useful.
He completed his goal of climbing Mount Everest in 2016 saying that the resilience he gained from reality TV had come good for him in the climb
'So I realised that instead of regretting my past, I have to learn to live with my past and turn this around to make my negative past into something positive.'
Nasubi's Everest expedition was a bid to raise awareness about the Fukushima disaster and, when he contacted Tsuchiya about his fundraising bid, the producer reportedly apologises for his past actions.
"I didn't have contact with him for more than 10 years and, during that time, he was a symbol of hate for me, someone I really despised," Nasubi told TIME.
'But when I decided to climb Everest, I contacted him for the first time and he said, 'I would do anything to help you,' and apologized for all of the awful things he put me through.'
In addition to his work in the TV industry, Tsuchiya is a part-time lecturer at the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Tokyo.
He is also the author of three books, including his most recent work - We Love Television - that was published in 2017.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Review Geek
4 hours ago
- The Review Geek
KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Movie Review – A funny and energetic animated musical for everyone
A funny and energetic animated musical for everyone In KPop Demon Hunters, the latest Netflix original animation, demons invade our world to eat our souls, and our only salvation is girl groups! A trio of girls has to fight the creatures with songs, strengthening the barrier that protects Earth from the beasts. After a long time, Mira, Zoey, and their leader, Rumi, can finally complete this barrier, bringing peace to their world. If this sounds too serious, don't worry, as the movie perfectly balances its drama and cartoonishness. You can see that by the main antagonist, a demonic, evil boy band stealing their fans. However, they have one more problem: Rumi is half-demon, but none of the other girls know. That adds intensity to her, as strengthening the barrier isn't only a duty to the girl but a necessity. At the same time, it highlights her sacrifices. That part of her presents itself through marks on her body, meaning she has to give up on a few things. Skipping going to public baths with her friends or never being truly comfortable around them is a bigger and more relatable loss than the end of the world. Someone must give this movie an award for its soundtrack because every song here is a banger. From 'How it's Done' to Twice's 'Takedown,' all of them intensify the moment they're played in. So, 'Golden,' an inspirational song about fulfilling their dreams, becomes ten times more heartbreaking when we find out Rumi's secret. Their work on 'Golden' is astounding, as they even have an MV that feels like an actual official music video. Netflix would be crazy if they didn't release that on YouTube. The fight scenes are incredibly well-animated and fluid, but they pop even harder with the right soundtrack. It's hard to stay still in your chair watching them when you feel you're in the girl's latest show at all times. However, one song choice is a fatal mistake, and right at the end of the movie. In the final battle, 'What It Sounds Like' fails to match the epic atmosphere of the confrontation. Even though its lyrics are great, encapsulating Rumi's journey, its rhythm isn't as energetic as necessary. The song is good, but it doesn't hold a candle to the others, and it comes at the wrong time. But that's only a small part of the film's biggest problem. Throughout the story, we follow Rumi as she loses her connection with her friends and gets closer to the leader of the demonic boy band. But when that development reaches the climactic point, the next thing we know, it's all solved. We're left with a hollow, rushed ending, stripped of almost all emotions. It's a shame because KPop Demon Hunters could have been even greater with 10 more minutes or so. Rumi's demonic side is a smart detail, so seeing her deal with it properly would elevate the story. We get to see her talk about it with her mentor, the only other person who knows her secret, but it's only a fast interaction. Still, there's one thing that works incredibly well even in the ending, and that is the animation. It's simply stunning. The lights and colors fit that world so much that it's hard to imagine the movie with a different aesthetic. Beyond that, it's very creative. Like the Teen Titans cartoon did back in the 2000s, it emulates Far East anime aesthetics without abandoning its own style. The crazy visuals and expressions will get you laughing out loud when you least expect it. And sometimes, when you fully expect it, too. The K-pop culture is in full play in the movie. We see signing events, ships, boy bands participating in weird TV programs to showcase their songs, and so on. The first contact we have with the main girls is through their fans saying what they love about each of them. And the funniest joke of them all is when the movie satirizes the 'meet-cute,' so popular in K-dramas, between Rumi and another singer. But that goes deeper into the movie's message. Rumi also has a troubled relationship with her demonic side because she must present herself perfectly at all times. She has been taught that if she shows any kind of flaw, it's all done for her. That definitely hits close to home for K-pop idols, as they have to do the same to please their fans. In an industry that puts them on extremely high pedestals, minor and humane flaws can spark giant backlashes online. Fans might love you now but hate you the next day because of your appearance, dating choices, and even acting 'too normally.' One such example is when rumors about BTS' Jungkook dating sparked hashtags saying he betrayed the fans. In a way, Rumi's dilemma criticizes this idealized view of artists that the industry and the fans create. KPop Demon Hunters is both ridiculous and as deep as it needs to be. Despite its short runtime damaging the conclusion, it's still one of the best-animated flicks of 2025 so far. The fun characters and animation won't leave your head so soon. And neither will its songs leave your playlist. Read More: KPop Demon Hunters Ending Explained
The Review Geek
4 hours ago
- The Review Geek
KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Ending Explained – Does Rumi fix the Honmoon?
KPop Demon Hunters Plot Summary KPop Demon Hunters is the latest animation movie from Netflix. For centuries, demons have hunted people and eaten their souls. But one day, a trio of girls protects the citizens with their songs, killing the beasts and strengthening the Honmoon, the barrier between Earth and the demonic realm. Now, it's Zoey, Mira, and Rumi's turn to fix the Honmoon for good and banish all demons. How are they going to do that? By becoming Korea's number one girl group, the HUNTR/X (Huntrix). However, as they come close to achieving their goal, Gwi-Ma, the demon king, sends a new threat their way. Jinu and his team could never hope to defeat the girls with brawn, something every demon has learned over the years. So they form an evil boy band to steal their fans and weaken the barrier. The only problem is that Jinu becomes closer to Rumi than he would expect, as he learns the girl is actually part demon as well. Now, the two find a new strength in each other but risk not getting what they've wished for so long. Do the other girls learn Rumi's secret? Demons bear marks that every hunter can see; it's one of the only ways of figuring out if they are real people or not. Since Rumi's father was a demon, she has some of the marks, which grow as the years go by. Because of that, she never could go to a bathhouse or be truly comfortable around her friends. She even has to wear a jacket at all times, or else her friends will see the demonic pattern on her arms. Despite them getting close, Jinu betrays Rumi during one of the Huntrix performances, outing her to them. As Rumi sings, all alone, other demons change their appearances to match Mira and Zoey's. They quickly start bumping into the girl and badmouthing her in the middle of the stage. Ultimately, they take her jacket off, which makes her freak out and use her demonic voice, shattering all the lights in the studio. When she escapes to the backstage area, the real Mira and Zoey find her and see her marks. She tries to explain things to them, but it's already too late. The girls point their weapons at her, and Rumi's only option is to run away. Although they cry doing that, it's Mira and Zoey's duty to defeat all demons, so they see no other choice. Still, they let Rumi escape. Do Jinu and Rumi end up together? Throughout the movie, Jinu and Rumi learn more about each other and become closer. The girl even thinks of a plan in which the demon can stay with her on Earth even after she restores the Honmoon. However, Gwi-Ma can see what's happening and uses the boy's past regrets to control him. With that, Jinu feels forced to betray Rumi and out her secret to her friends. She tries to ask for his help after that, only to learn he was the one who set her up. During the final battle against Gwi-Ma, Rumi has to defend against one of the demon's attacks all by herself. At that moment, Jinu steps up and takes her place as a sacrifice. He saves her and tells the girl how much she helped him, but he unfortunately dies, redeeming himself. In the end, she makes up with her friends but loses the first love of her life. Does Rumi fix the Honmoon? Yes and no. Rumi realizes her demonic marks are an important part of her, and she shouldn't be trying to hide them from her friends. So, if the barrier she has been trying to create will make them go away, that's probably not the right answer. Together, she and the other girls work to destroy the current Honmoon and create a new and better one. After the barrier gets fragile, Gwi-Ma rises to the surface, ready to steal the souls of hundreds of humans. However, Rumi, Zoey, and Mira use their newest song, one about acknowledging who they really are, to power up. With this strength, they manage to defeat Gwi-Ma and the boy band, creating a Honmoon that respects the uniqueness of every individual. Thanks to that, even after its creation, Rumi still has her demonic marks. But now she doesn't feel she has to hide them from her friends. Read More: KPop Demon Hunters Review
Sky News
10 hours ago
- Sky News
Final BTS member discharged from military service, sparking reunion hopes
K-pop star Suga, a rapper and songwriter from global sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service. He is the last member of the band to finish their enlistment duties with Jin, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook already leaving the military. The other six members of the K-pop band served in the army while Suga worked as a social service agent, which is an alternative form of military service. His return is a big moment for BTS fans, known as the ARMY, as the band plans to reunite now they've all finished their service. While details of a reunion have not been released, the group is expected to hold its largest-ever world tour in 2026, according to NH Securities, one of South Korea's largest investment firms. "It's gone past excitement and into almost being numb," said Ayla O'Ryan, 45, from Scotland, about the potential reunion. RM and V were discharged last week, with Jimin and Jung Kook discharged a day later. "I hope they can explore whatever they want to do because I will always support them, whatever they feel like doing," said Alice Bonamy, an interpreter from France. In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to complete 18-21 months of military service. It's a system designed to deter aggression from rival North Korea. Athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers are exempt if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers, however, are not exempt. In 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea allowed K-pop stars to delay their enlistment. But there was a heated public debate in 2022 over whether BTS should be completely exempt. The group's management agency then announced that all seven members would fulfil their duties.
