A powerful story of extreme isolation, depression, and overcoming
Well, I was considering covering the 1998 Jim Carrey film The Truman Show for this edition of Mental Health in Pop Culture – until I heard about the “real-life” Truman Show that took place in Japan. My jaw actually dropped when I saw the trailer, and before we dive in, I suggest you watch it to see what I mean:
The Contestant is a 2024 British documentary currently streaming on Hulu. Through various interviews, the filmmakers explore the story of Tomoaki Hamatsu, stage name Nasubi, who spent over a year in isolation as part of a game show.
About
Denpa Shōnen was the most popular show in Japan in the late nineties, with a reputation of making relative unknowns famous through travel content and humor. It was perhaps the first reality TV show before the category swept the international market in the early 2000s. “A Life in Prizes” was a new segment, the brainchild of producer Toshio Tsuchiya, who wanted to push the limits of modern TV and indeed, the human spirit. Aspiring comedian Nasubi (which translates to “eggplant” in English) drew the “lucky” lottery ticket to be featured in this new segment.
Regarding Nasubi, as a child, his family frequently moved for his father’s work as a police officer. He was relentlessly bullied in school for his facial features – hence, the nickname Nasubi – and decided that the ability to make other kids laugh would distract them from targeting him. As a young adult, Nasubi relocated from his home in rural Fukushima to Tokyo. During the casting process, he never signed a contract nor was told specifically what he would be doing. In fact, producer Tsuchiya told Nasubi that while he would be filmed, most of the footage would be edited and very little publicized.
A Life in Prizes
Nasubi was brought to a small apartment, where Tsuchiya told him to strip down completely and fill out magazine sweepstakes until the prizes he won totaled 1 million yen (approximately $8,000 in USD at the time). In the room, there was a table with a stack of postcards, a diary, and a pillow “for modesty.” Unbeknownst to Nasubi, the very footage he was told would be left on the cutting room floor was instead broadcasted every week, becoming by far the most popular part of Denpa Shōnen. The entire time, Nasubi was forbidden to contact anyone outside – although his door was left unlocked so theoretically, he could have walked away at any point. Without Nasubi’s consent or knowledge, over 15 million viewers tuned in weekly to see his sillier moments and prize dances.
When he did eventually reach the 1 million yen threshold, Nasubi was dressed, blindfolded, and surprised with a trip to Korea since he mentioned wanting to eat barbecued meat when he won. But after spending a day at an amusement park and sightseeing, Nasubi was again blindfolded, and Tsuchiya revealed yet another empty apartment with a stack of postcards and diary. After three hours, the producer persuaded an unwilling but worn down Nasubi to continue his “luck” with A Life in Prizes in Korea. However, this time Nasubi discovered how to game the system, reaching his goal – an economy flight from Seoul to Tokyo – so quickly that the show’s creators changed the target to a first class ticket. By the time he hit this goal as well, Nasubi had been isolated in an apartment for 15 months.
Knowing they could no longer continue or repeat this success, producer Tsuchiya brought Nasubi, blindfolded, back to Tokyo. In front of a live studio audience, Nasubi was led into a box-like structure, where he once again was told to strip down and be seated at a low table. At the end of a countdown, the walls of the box dropped, leaving an utterly shocked Nasubi naked and reeling at how many people were applauding and watching him.
15 million viewers tuned in weekly for updates from Nasubi on A Life in Prizes
Impact
Nasubi’s mother and older sister were rightfully horrified when they discovered that he was being broadcast naked on public television. This was one boundary Nasubi had agreed to never cross with his family before he left for Tokyo. When the walls of that box came down during the show’s finale, Nasubi was devastated, feeling that his promise to his family had been broken. He shared that there was an unspoken forgiveness when he returned home 15 months later, but that he had completely forgotten how to engage with other people and that part of him was left behind because of that experience.
Because Nasubi was purposefully kept alone in what could only be described as a cruel social experiment, he was deeply depressed and even at times suicidal. His journals were (again, without his knowledge or consent) published, even becoming bestsellers. The images presented to viewers, however, portrayed a very different picture: the happy dances Nasubi did whenever he received winnings in the mail, him walking a plush seal out of sheer boredom, his visceral reaction when he tried dog food (because yes, that was one of the prizes). In interviews, he mentions how the editors never showed him in his darker moments, where he came to strongly resent Tsuchiya for tricking him into this position.
“I have always wanted to make people laugh. But there is a difference between making people laugh and being laughed at.”
As for the phenomenon A Life in Prizes inspired, was it mass psychosis for an entire nation to become obsessed with one man slowly losing his sanity? Or were there perhaps cultural factors that allowed the show to become the enormous “success” it was? Did anyone – especially the crew making the show – have moral qualms about what was taking place? Should the showrunners have better anticipated the quandaries this would present and provided more in the way of therapy or aftercare? How did such an experience take its toll on Nasubi?
The aftermath
In March 2011, Fukushima was struck by a massive 9.1 magnitude earthquake, the largest in Japan’s history, triggering a tsunami. Over 50-foot waves destroyed the nuclear power plant, the worst incident of its kind since the disaster at Chernobyl in 1986. Without hesitation, Nasubi volunteered himself for the recovery efforts in his hometown; when some of the residents encouraged him to support them in “the way only Nasubi can,” this inspired him to summit Mount Everest to raise awareness for the community of Fukushima.
During this trip, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal and caused an avalanche that claimed the lives of 19 people. Nasubi stayed for weeks, assisting in the search and rescue. He wanted to return a second time to complete the summiting, but had used up his personal savings during the first expedition. Feeling guilty over the ordeal he subjected Nasubi to years before, producer Tsuchiya reached out to Nasubi and helped him fundraise for a second trip to Everest. This time and with the help of supporters and family, Nasubi reached the peak.
“I realized that by helping those around you, you can find deep resources of inner strength.”
Nasubi said one of his biggest takeaways from his time on the show was that this life is not meant to be lived alone, but with the encouragement and love of people around you. While he may not have necessarily become an entertainer in the sense he initially imagined, his resilience and representation of his hometown of Fukushima has inspired millions.
For those who have seen The Contestant, I would be very curious to hear your reaction to the documentary! Be sure to stay tuned to the Savor Lining blog for our continuing series on “Mental Health in Pop Culture.”
Read previous post, Silver Linings Playbook
Additional resources
- Nasubi “Ask Me Anything” via Hulu on Reddit
- Nasubi’s diaries from A Life in Prizes
- Suicide Prevention Awareness resources
Why write a series on how mental health is portrayed in film and television? Born and raised in Los Angeles, I (Evelyn) have always been a stone’s throw away from Hollywood, the origin of some of our most beloved movies and shows. A good story often presents curious perspectives or teaches us valuable life lessons. In the case of mental health, I believe such depictions can destigmatize uncomfortable topics from social anxiety to depression and substance abuse to grief.
My hope is that this opinion column will inspire conversations around meaningful issues in our personal lives and relationships. Without further ado – grab your popcorn and soft drinks and let’s get watching!