Throughout the original run of Takeshi's Castle, seven sets of contestants managed to claim victory in the Show Down, the climactic final battle where the last few standing contestants take on Takeshi himself. Armed with water pistols (and later laser guns), the contestants had to hit a target on Takeshi’s cart while evading his guards. If they succeeded, they were rewarded with one-million yen.
For a show that aired over 130 episodes, seven wins might not sound like much, but that’s what made the victories so legendary. These Takeshi's Castle winners faced off against ridiculous odds, unpredictable guards, and near-impossible challenges to come out on top. So which episodes did end in victory? The first wasn't until episode 31! Takeshi was then defeated again in episodes 78, 88, 113, 118, 123 and 124. To find out more about these winning episodes, you can check our episode guide. Although beating Takeshi in the Show Down was the ultimate goal, it wasn’t the only way contestants could walk away as winners. Takeshi’s Castle also handed out "Fighting Spirit Awards" to those contestants who, despite not making it to the end, gave an outstanding effort or provided exceptional entertainment. The Fighting Spirit Award, worth ¥100,000, was often awarded to contestants who hilariously failed but did so with impressive flair. This meant that even if someone took a wrong step on the infamous Skipping Stones and plunged into the water, they could still be considered a Takeshi's Castle winner in their own right. And then there was the Special Fighting Spirit Award. Given out in episodes where the Show Down ended in a draw or when General Tani shot Takeshi’s sensor, this award ensured that many contestants left with their heads held high, even if the castle remained unbeaten. The answer to this lies in the games themselves. Takeshi’s Castle wasn’t designed to be easily conquered. The challenges were created to be hilariously difficult, with contestants often eliminated in some of the most spectacular ways possible before even reaching the Show Down. When it came to the Show Down, it often seemed practically impossible to come out victorious, having to avoid well-practiced guards shooting your own target while attempting to land a perfectly aimed shot on Takeshi’s paper ring or sensor. No simple feat! The result? Most Show Downs ended with the General retreating to fight another day, while the rare wins became the stuff of legend. So yep, there were winners on Takeshi’s Castle, but it was a rare and special achievement. Whether it was one of the seven contestant Show Down victories or a player awarded the Fighting Spirit, becoming a Takeshi's Castle winner was something to be proud of.
Takeshi's Castle Winners - Did anyone ever win!?
Were there ever any winners on Takeshi's Castle? The short answer?.. Yes! There were Takeshi’s Castle winners – eight Show Down victories in total. That’s right, Takeshi's Castle was stormed eight times in the original series! But that’s not the whole story – there were other ways contestants could leave as a 'winner', even if they didn’t beat Takeshi himself.Jump to...
The Eight Victories
The eighth and final victory was down to General Tani himself! He managed to shoot Takeshi’s sensor, technically securing a win for his army.
Additionally, there was one contestant disqualified as he stabbed Takeshi's paper ring with his water pistol (in episode 9), and one Show Down that ended in a draw when Takeshi’s cart veered off the tarmac and got stuck in the grass (episode 20)!
Other Prizes
Why Were Wins So Rare?
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