Brain-Jitsu Explained

Country:	United Kingdom
Language:	English
Num Series:	1
Num Episodes:	25
Channel:	CBBC

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 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.

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

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.

Episodes

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

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

Notes and References

Web site: Brain-Jitsu . BBC . 15 February 2024 . 15 February 2024.