Watching American Ninja Warrior is a guaranteed mood lifter. The NBC show is now on its 17th season and boasts a massive following of dedicated fans who have been closely following the journeys of these incredible ninja athletes. After Vance Walker’s impressive consecutive victories in Seasons 15 and 16, the show is going back to its roots. While Mount Midoriyama might not be around anymore, classic obstacles like the quad steps, log grip, block run, spin cycle, and more are making a comeback to challenge a new wave of Ninjas and test the muscle memory of the seasoned pros. Host Akbar Gbaja-Biamila expressed, “As we honor the past, we are also casting our gaze towards the future.”

Gbaja-Biamila, who has been part of the show since 2013, marvels at the remarkable progress made by these Ninjas, who just keep raising the bar year after year. In response to their incredible abilities, American Ninja Warrior revamped its format this season, transforming the National Finals into a bracket-style tournament featuring side-by-side and head-to-head races. Gbaja-Biamila described how the show has transcended from mere television entertainment to a full-fledged sport, ultimately establishing itself as a unifying culture. Reflecting on this evolution, Gbaja-Biamila stated, “It goes beyond just a competition; it’s a movement that brings people together.”

Matt Iseman, a veteran presence on the show since 2010, acknowledges that Ninja has become a welcoming space for everyone, particularly individuals with athletic ambitions who didn’t find their place in team sports for various reasons. Iseman highlighted that many Ninjas have backgrounds in homeschooling and engage in charitable work. These athletes have learned valuable lessons in responsibility and discipline, which have translated into their rigorous Ninja training. Iseman expressed his enthusiasm for being part of this tight-knit community and witnessing the current generation of Ninjas evolve into exemplary individuals. He emphasized, “It’s a testament to the outstanding qualities of the athletes who paved the way for this extraordinary community.” Iseman feels privileged and honored each day he assumes his role in the host tower.

Zuri Hall, who started as a sideline reporter in 2019 and is now a host with Gbaja-Biamila and Iseman, loves American Ninja Warrior because its competitors remind her of the people she grew up around in Ohio. “I really take a lot of pride in Midwestern values that stress community, family, faith, loyalty, love, and kindness,” explained Hall. These are qualities that all Ninjas embody. “American Ninja Warrior was the first space in Hollywood for me that really felt like home,” said Hall. “To be able to come together every year with these guys and this Ninja community is such a gift.”

An outsider could question what keeps audiences coming back year after year, and the answer is easy: it’s the people. In times when turning on the news can be a scary and frustrating experience, American Ninja Warrior offers viewers and competitors a safe place to celebrate who they are and to push themselves to be better than they ever thought they could be.

American Ninja Warrior airs Monday nights at 8/7c on NBC