Japanese Comedian Nasubi Unwittingly Stars in Extreme Reality TV Show for 15 Months

Nasubi, a Japanese comedian, endured a grueling 15-month ordeal on a reality TV show without realizing his suffering was broadcast to millions, now detailed in the Hulu documentary 'The Contestant'.

Nasubi was misled into participating in a reality TV show, believing he was competing for prizes, not realizing he was being filmed for public broadcast.
He endured extreme conditions, surviving on sweepstakes prizes alone, which included uncooked rice and dog food, while naked and isolated.
The show, 'Susunu! Denpa Shōnen', gained massive viewership, exploiting Nasubi's hardships for entertainment without his consent.
Nasubi's ordeal, which he believed was a personal challenge, was actually a popular segment on Japanese TV, watched by millions each week.
The new documentary 'The Contestant' explores the ethical implications of the show and Nasubi's subsequent struggle with his unwitting fame and personal trauma.