Brain-Jitsu was a CBBC show which tests contestants (called brainees) to complete a set of challenges using different parts of their brains.[1] After each challenge, one brainee is eliminated whilst the rest gain a higher level brain belt. The show was led and commentated by the Sensei, whilst the Shihan organises and watches over the tasks. All 25 episodes were broadcast from 25 February 2008 to 28 March 2008.

Brain-Jitsu
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes25
Original release
NetworkCBBC
Release25 February (2008-02-25) –
28 March 2008 (2008-03-28)

Between each level, contestants get the chance to prepare themselves for the challenge ahead in The Room of Mental Nourishment. They are given a challenge to train the part of the brain needed for the next level. The brainees are given the choice whether to participate or not, but any extra training they do prepares them for the task ahead. The loser of each level is interviewed in a Walk of Eternal Regret. Sometimes a segment called Brainy, Not So Brainy is shown between some levels.

Levels and belts edit

At the start of the show, all eight brainees begin with a white belt. At the start of each following level, the brainees who are yet to be eliminated are given a higher level brain belt (worn around their forehead).

  • Level 1 – Yellow Belt – This level uses the occipital lobes of the Brain. The task here is always Enter the Dojo.
  • Level 2 – Orange Belt – This level uses the frontal lobes; requiring the brainees to do something they would normally do without thinking differently.
  • Level 3 – Green Belt – This level requires the brainees to get into teams of two, each of the pair using a different half of their brain.
  • Level 4 – Blue Belt – This level uses the amygdala as brainees are challenged to overcome fear.
  • Level 5 – Red Belt – This level exercises the thinking part of the brain, the cerebrum, and the doing part, the Cerebellum.
  • Level 6 – Brown Belt – This level requires the brainees to use their occipital lobes, temporal lobes and cerebellum.
  • Level 7 – Black Belt – The two remaining contestants push a ball across a table using their focus. The force with which the ball is pushed is measured by the average amount of brain waves used during the challenge.

Transmissions edit

Series Start date End date Episodes
1 25 February 2008 28 March 2008 25

Episodes edit

No. Brainees Winner Air date
1 Sarah, Jack, Patrick, Freddie, Alice, Luca, Mennat & Sara Patrick* 25 February 2008
2 Maja, Michael, Zia, Thushiah, Shahad, Sterling, Gwen & Jack Shahad 26 February 2008
3 Neil, Jamie, Lottie, Yusra, Jack, Georgina, Isobel & Devun Jamie 27 February 2008
4 Eleanor, Edward, Maddalena, Thushaan, Millie, George, Esme & Francesca Francesca 28 February 2008
5 Amrit, Alexander, Louisa, Christopher, Tayla, Jacob, Heather & Samuel Jacob 29 February 2008
6 Charlie T, Shannah, Milo, Naphtali, Charlie B, Alice, Alex & Sherine Charlie B 3 March 2008
7 Rajkumar, Petra, Amin, Ella, Alfie, Ruby, Kobina & Danielle Kobina 4 March 2008
8 Petar, Jessie, Kyle, Zena, Lucy, Luke, Bethany & Rhea Kyle 5 March 2008
9 David, Anurag, Tia, Waliullah, Maddi, James, Katherine & Hezron Maddi 6 March 2008
10 Zara, Ryan, Sara, Peter, Dina, Jesse, Cherelle & Caitlin Ryan 7 March 2008
11 Nadia, Shirwa, Nicole, Daniel, Bebe, Monika, Austin & Florence Bebe 10 March 2008
12 Danielle, Ralph, Edward, Amber, Michael, Georgia, Joshua & Kofi Edward 11 March 2008
13 Desann, Rikin, Zeinab, Peter, Jemma, Bethany, Jack & Layla Zeinab 12 March 2008
14 Florence, Jamal, Katherine, Timothy, Ella, Jack, Francesca & Jagraj Timothy 13 March 2008
15 Tashauna, Tanaka, Giles, Amal, Amrit, Alyaa, Georgia & Juzer Juzer 14 March 2008
16 Cameron, Anisha, Laurence, Paminder, Robert, Bethany, James & Emma James 17 March 2008
17 Awa, Sahar, Babatunde, Lucy, Liviu, Kirstin, Sam & Ben Sahar 18 March 2008
18 Hayden, Ella, Arjun, Grace, Hayley, Danraj, Jack & Reece Jack 19 March 2008
19 Mustafa, Nehaal, Fuzail, Parabhjeet, Amandeep, Anna, Jessica & Alfie Nehaal 20 March 2008
20 Kwabena, Hannah, Matthew, Katy, Hugo, Alice, Alfie & Frederick Matthew 21 March 2008
21 Hannah, Tijarni, Ritika, Sean, Leone, Michael, Tamara & Jonathan Jonathan 24 March 2008
22 Elliot, Cara, Max, Jackie, Oscar, Priscilla, Alexander & Benjamin Jackie 25 March 2008
23 Shauna, Aihem, Laura, Luke, Lucy, Duncan, Sarah & Kirie Shauna 26 March 2008
24 Sebri, Elle, Robert, Alexa, Harjeet, Lina, Max & Natasha Natasha 27 March 2008
25 Ashley, Tamla, Cameron, Channon, Angelica, Wesley, Katie & Ellie Cameron 28 March 2008

*Replaced Jack

Cancellation edit

On 28 March 2008, CBBC had announced that it would not recommission for a second series.

References edit

  1. ^ "Brain-Jitsu". BBC. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.

External links edit