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On this episode of Get Doc’d, we dive headfirst into one of the most mind-bending reality TV experiments ever broadcast — The Contestant, the Hulu documentary chronicling Tomoaki Hamatsu’s surreal journey on the Japanese show Susunu! Denpa Shōnen.

Imagine being locked in an apartment, naked, with no food, no contact with the outside world, and no possessions — your only lifeline to survival? Winning sweepstakes. That’s right, to earn his freedom, Hamatsu (nicknamed "Nasubi") had to win ¥1 million in mail-in contests. The twist? Millions of people were watching his every move, even as he remained unaware he was already a national obsession.

We unpack the ethical nightmares, cultural context, and sheer absurdity of this bizarre social experiment that blurred the line between entertainment and exploitation — and left us wondering: How far is too far for reality TV?

Strap in. This one’s weird. This one’s Get Doc’d.

Filmmakers, This One's For You!

We mentioned an incredible opportunity on the show: The Nonfiction Hotlist has partnered with Yahoo Media Group to distribute 20 short documentary films with paid licensing fees.

If you have a completed short doc (10-40 minutes, finished between Jan 2023 and March 2026), this is your chance for global distribution and promotional support.

DEADLINE: March 6, 2026.

➡️ Submit your film and get all the details here: Yahoo x NFH — nonfiction hotlist.

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