This post is to teach everyone (including after Gen Z from 2015 above) about Tokusatsu in basic things. Maybe all of us are watching from Ultraman, Super Sentai, Power Rangers, and Kamen Rider in general, but this video is to deepen us overall about Tokusatsu
All I know is I really prefer Japanese toku productions over most western productions. I only really like those if they're original works rather than adaptions. That may make me a purist in some people's eyes but what matters at the end of the day is my enjoyment.
I think to a lot of English speaking people, they categorise "tokusatsu" by how it's different to what they're used to; for instance, there's a lot more practical effects in Kamen Rider than in the Avengers, so that becomes part of their feeling of "tokusatsu", even if the "effects" the name actually refers to can mean CGI as well (and modern tokusatsu is using more computer effects). In that spirit, though, I've always thought that if there's a "western tokusatsu", it's TV shows like Doctor Who or Star Trek, which have a lot of similar effects and sets and monster suit design to Japanese tokusatsu, as well as the "weekly adventure" story structure.
This is a great review of Tokusatsu and what it means. However, i assume personally that Tokusatsu refers more to the full or extreme use of practical effects with minimal use of CGI because Tokusatsu, at the early times, used a lot of practical effects, of course due to no CGI but also because it heavily uses practical effects to highlight emotions and reactions. But to me, i feel any terms can be correct as long as we not only respect each other and our views but also what Tokusatsu is and the people that built Tokusatsu to what they are now
As you said, it often gets mislabeled as a Genre. In reality it is a Medium, much like animation. I think the reason why it gets lumped into being called a Genre is because that's what people associate it's many genres with, those most popularly being Transforming Heroes, Giant Heroes, Mecha and Kaiju. But since it's easier to assciate all those as a single genre, it gets known as such. And its funny because it causes other projects within the same genres of those to get labeled as "tokusatsu themed". It's similar to how Anime is mistaken often as a genre too. Great video!
It can make you laugh, weep for sorrow, cling your fist in rage, reflect your action based on the episode situation A genre that define generations, and please, never fade
Thanks for answering my question Well, I so confused because literally, Tokusatsu is a special effect film. Not just a masked hero type film. So I thought Avengers, Flash, Marvel hero movies is also a tokusatsu because they have a special effect too. Because in the past, Mystic Knight of Tir na Nog and Los Luchadores (Saban's original series) were considered as a tokusatsu So that's why I questioning that
I still dont get why James Cameron movies such as Terminator and Alien series are not considered Tokusatsu when they use the same special effects as Gunhed, Hakaider and Zeiram Heck even Blade Runner is Tokusatsu That and also Mamoru Oshii's live action shows are iften just Tokusatsu
It's in Japan case but these're "American movie" and many people don't consider those films to be Tokusatsu because many people thinks Tokusatsu is only for Tokusatsu Heroes such as Kamen Rider, Sentai, Ultraman. Imo it's incorrect but it's common sense for almost all Japanese people.
@kotetsutoysjapan now that u mention, in Japan do people consider Jin-Roh/The Red Spectacles/Kerberos series live action and Patlabor Live Action as Tokusatsu? Same goes for Production IG's Keitai Sousakan
Yeah at the end it does not matter what the true meaning is, as long as people understand WHAT you mean. Western people say "toku" mostly to anything Japanese Hero Series. If its correct or not does not matter!
I got into an argument on Twitter/X one time because I made the argument that animated series/films (Pretty Cure, Ultraman Rising, Kamen Rider Fuuto Pi, ect.) count as tokusatsu. Even though they don’t use practical effects or live action actors I think if an animation uses enough of the same tropes and themes of Toku, then it should also count as Toku.
Because that's not what it is, it shares the genre of transforming heroes, giant heroes, etc. as the same. Not the medium of Tokusatsu. Because by that logic, as mentioned in the vid, one would think to mention western comics heroes as part of the same line.
As I said in video, personally, I don't really care about it. If I can enjoy it, it's enough. That's all.
Tokusatsu is awesome
"Never mind the details. Enjoy what you enjoy." 👍
It's Awesome 😎👍
Tokusatsu is the most amazing genre in the world ❤
Finally a video addressing the word Tokusatsu!
This post is to teach everyone (including after Gen Z from 2015 above) about Tokusatsu in basic things. Maybe all of us are watching from Ultraman, Super Sentai, Power Rangers, and Kamen Rider in general, but this video is to deepen us overall about Tokusatsu
All I know is I really prefer Japanese toku productions over most western productions. I only really like those if they're original works rather than adaptions. That may make me a purist in some people's eyes but what matters at the end of the day is my enjoyment.
I think to a lot of English speaking people, they categorise "tokusatsu" by how it's different to what they're used to; for instance, there's a lot more practical effects in Kamen Rider than in the Avengers, so that becomes part of their feeling of "tokusatsu", even if the "effects" the name actually refers to can mean CGI as well (and modern tokusatsu is using more computer effects). In that spirit, though, I've always thought that if there's a "western tokusatsu", it's TV shows like Doctor Who or Star Trek, which have a lot of similar effects and sets and monster suit design to Japanese tokusatsu, as well as the "weekly adventure" story structure.
This is a great review of Tokusatsu and what it means. However, i assume personally that Tokusatsu refers more to the full or extreme use of practical effects with minimal use of CGI because Tokusatsu, at the early times, used a lot of practical effects, of course due to no CGI but also because it heavily uses practical effects to highlight emotions and reactions.
But to me, i feel any terms can be correct as long as we not only respect each other and our views but also what Tokusatsu is and the people that built Tokusatsu to what they are now
As you said, it often gets mislabeled as a Genre.
In reality it is a Medium, much like animation. I think the reason why it gets lumped into being called a Genre is because that's what people associate it's many genres with, those most popularly being Transforming Heroes, Giant Heroes, Mecha and Kaiju. But since it's easier to assciate all those as a single genre, it gets known as such. And its funny because it causes other projects within the same genres of those to get labeled as "tokusatsu themed".
It's similar to how Anime is mistaken often as a genre too.
Great video!
Totally agree!
also bluesky is a good sns alternative besides x.
Tokusatsu is more a style or flavor of production practice, a philosophy, more than it is anything concretely defined.
Agree
@@kotetsutoysjapan If tokusatsu is a flavor... then is tokusatsu delicious? 😋
It can make you laugh, weep for sorrow, cling your fist in rage, reflect your action based on the episode situation
A genre that define generations, and please, never fade
So basically the live action movie Gundam Saviour (2000) is also tokusatsu by the definition.
Thanks for answering my question
Well, I so confused because literally, Tokusatsu is a special effect film. Not just a masked hero type film. So I thought Avengers, Flash, Marvel hero movies is also a tokusatsu because they have a special effect too. Because in the past, Mystic Knight of Tir na Nog and Los Luchadores (Saban's original series) were considered as a tokusatsu
So that's why I questioning that
Gatachaman Would be Tokusatsu?
If you think in terms of words, yes
When I first heard of Tokusatsu, I thought it was just a company.
Well its about to be 2025 next month...
And well im hoping we get a Timeranger 25 years later.
Hot take
Most of horrors is also a Tokusatsu
I still dont get why James Cameron movies such as Terminator and Alien series are not considered Tokusatsu when they use the same special effects as Gunhed, Hakaider and Zeiram
Heck even Blade Runner is Tokusatsu
That and also Mamoru Oshii's live action shows are iften just Tokusatsu
It's in Japan case but these're "American movie" and many people don't consider those films to be Tokusatsu because many people thinks Tokusatsu is only for Tokusatsu Heroes such as Kamen Rider, Sentai, Ultraman. Imo it's incorrect but it's common sense for almost all Japanese people.
@kotetsutoysjapan now that u mention, in Japan do people consider Jin-Roh/The Red Spectacles/Kerberos series live action and Patlabor Live Action as Tokusatsu? Same goes for Production IG's Keitai Sousakan
Yeah at the end it does not matter what the true meaning is, as long as people understand WHAT you mean. Western people say "toku" mostly to anything Japanese Hero Series. If its correct or not does not matter!
I got into an argument on Twitter/X one time because I made the argument that animated series/films (Pretty Cure, Ultraman Rising, Kamen Rider Fuuto Pi, ect.) count as tokusatsu. Even though they don’t use practical effects or live action actors I think if an animation uses enough of the same tropes and themes of Toku, then it should also count as Toku.
I don't know if that really works. For something to be tokusatsu, it has to be live action.
Because that's not what it is, it shares the genre of transforming heroes, giant heroes, etc. as the same. Not the medium of Tokusatsu.
Because by that logic, as mentioned in the vid, one would think to mention western comics heroes as part of the same line.