Watching American Ninja Warrior guarantees a smile. Now in its 17th season, the NBC competition show has amassed a devoted fanbase that tracks the careers of these ninja athletes. After Vance Walker’s remarkable consecutive victories in Seasons 15 and 16, the show is reverting to its roots. Though Mount Midoriyama is no longer present, the series is reintroducing classic obstacles such as the quad steps, log grip, block run, spin cycle, and more to both test emerging Ninjas and challenge the veterans’ muscle memory. “As we celebrate the past, we’re looking towards the future,” stated host Akbar Gbaja-Biamila.

Gbaja-Biamila, who joined the show in 2013, marvels at the “evolution [of] these Ninjas” who “continue to improve each year.” In response to their abilities, American Ninja Warrior has altered its format to make the National Finals a bracket-style tournament featuring side-by-side and head-to-head races. “The show has evolved from a TV program to a sport, to a cultural phenomenon that unites people,” Gbaja-Biamila remarked. Gbaja-Biamila’s sentiment is validated by the sport’s rising global fame, culminating in Ninja’s inclusion in the modern Pentathlon at the 2028 Olympics.

Matt Iseman, who joined the show in 2010, emphasizes that Ninja is welcoming to all, especially those with “athletic ambitions” who didn’t connect with “team sports for various reasons.” Iseman noted that many Ninjas were “homeschooled” and are involved with “charities.” These athletes had to cultivate “responsibility and discipline,” which they apply to their Ninja training. “It’s exhilarating to be part of this community and observe this generation of Ninjas develop into admirable individuals,” said Iseman. “It speaks volumes about the athletes who preceded them and nurtured this community into something exceptional.” Iseman expressed feeling “fortunate and proud” every day he occupies 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