Japan goes HARD with its prank shows. Some pranks are lighthearted and funny, but is it possible that some have gone too far? Let’s explore some of Japan’s most elaborate TV pranks. 

Words mentioned

ドッキリ dokkiri - prank, practical joke

外国人 gaikokujin - foreigner 

臭い kusai - stinky 

突っ込み tsukkomi - jab/dig/make a comment (in this context)

複雑 fukuzatsu - complicated

番組 bangumi - (tv) program

さすが sasuga - as expected

我慢 gaman - perseverance/endurance 

Note: Nasubi’s documentary is already out!! It’s called The Contestant and it’s on Hulu. We both watched it and will have a deep dive on it for the next episode!! If you want some homework, you should watch it too before the new episode drops next week!

It was apparently supposed to be on Hulu Japan as well but it wasn’t and we needed a VPN to watch it soooo idk. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Links:

Tourist carves name into torii gate: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/11/14/japan/crime-legal/meiji-shrine-defacement-arrest/

Elevator Fart Prank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxIq3z4Fsmk&t=7s

Hair Loss Prank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaIXMvZG16Y

Kirido University: https://www.tiktok.com/@what_a_cool_we_are1/video/7375900539994885384

Other pranks compilation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kltbeJ-tJrY

Self defense gone wrong: https://jisin.jp/entertainment/entertainment-news/2370775/

Nasubi: https://forums.mixnmojo.com/topic/167533-japanese-man-locked-in-an-apartment-for-a-year-and-recorded-for-a-tv-show/

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q05V3JabzaI

00:00 Seasonal blues

03:29 Rude encounters

07:01 prank intro

16:31 the word gaijin is WHAT!?

20:27 tourist carves initials at shrine

25:24 our podcast is a prank

26:53 Elevator Fart Prank

32:51 Jurassic Prank

34:59 Hair Loss Prank

37:31 Kirido University 

44:59 Grudge girl in shower 

49:42 Water Fountain Prank

51:58 Exploding Porta Potty

53:43 Elevator Slide

55:51 Self Defense Gone Wrong - TW

1:04:55 Nasubi Psychological Experiment