What's a "Tokusatsu"?
Tokusatsu is a japanese type of action series/movies that makes heavy use of special effects, which can include CG or practical effects - not unlike shows you might know like Star Trek or Doctor Who. Think Power Rangers, Kamen Rider, or Antman meets Godzilla.
So, Power Rangers?
Well, it's not quite only Power Rangers, but it can be! Power Rangers is an adaptation of Super Sentai, which is a tokusatsu series. However, tokusatsu as an genre is way bigger and more varied than just adults in spendex fighting rubber monsters! There are adults in fake armors fighting rubber monsters, adult in spendex fighting each other...
Now, seriously, tokusatsu is a japanese type of action series/movies that makes heavy use of special effects, which can include CG or practical effects. Many tokusatsu focus on superheroes fighting monsters or other superpowered beings, like Kamen Rider. Others focus on giant monsters, like Godzilla. Others combine some elements of both sides, like Super Sentai/Power Rangers and Ultraman.
Here on this thread we focus more on the two more mainstream tokusatsu series currently airing in Japan - Super Sentai and Kamen Rider. However, we have Metal Hero, Ultraman, Garo and Godzilla fans, so feel free to talk about any tokusastu series!
So, which series can be considered Tokusatsu?
Good question! Some of the more known Tokusatsu series are:
Super Sentai
The series Power Rangers was based on. A team of heroes fight monsters, first as a team, and then with a mecha fight. Nowadays, Sentai series are more focused on a younger audience - however, most of them still have more mature themes and writing than their Power Rangers counterparts.
Some recommendations:
- Kagaku Sentai Dynaman (1983)
- Chojin Sentai Jetman (1991)
- Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (2004)
- Juken Sentai Gekiranger (2007)
- Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (2009)
- Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (2011)
- Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger (2013)
Kamen Rider
This started as insect, bug-themed heroes, riding motorcycles and destroying monsters, but nowadays the series has evolved and some of those elements aren't as present as in the past. Instead, current Rider focuses, normally, in one hero, and it's episodes are more serialized than Sentai. While every Rider series has their monsters, at times the focus can also be the conflict between Riders, or even at times more than one group. It's focused on older kids and women, so it may have a more complex plot and themes may be more complex and nuanced at times.
Some recommendations:
- Kamen Rider Agito (2001)
- Kamen Rider W (2009)
- Kamen Rider Fourze (2011)
- Kamen Rider Gaim (2013)
- Kamen Rider Drive (2014)
- Kamen Rider Ex-Aid (2016)
- Kamen Rider Build (2017)
Ultraman
Another classic series, where giant warriors from Nebula M78 fight giant monsters. Those series have stories that, at times, connect with older series, but most are easy enough to follow even if you didn't watch them. Oh, and they still use lots of practical effects, with the giant fights relying on miniature sets and flying ships, making the sense of scale and choreographies a big draw!
Ultraman is the inspiration for Platinum/Kamiya's new game, and Tsuburaya, their makers, are investing hard on the western market, so we'll probably get a lot of Ultraman in the near future!
Some recommendations:
- Ultraman (1966)
- Ultraseven (1967)
- Ultraman Nexus (2004)
- Ultraman Mebius (2006)
- Ultraman Orb (2016)
- Ultraman Geed (2017)
Power Rangers
Here are the one everyone knows, the western adaptations of Super Sentai. It follows pretty much the same formula as it's origins: team fight first, then a mecha fight at the end. Power Rangers seasons can either be a direct adaptation of it's origin season with western actors, or do a completely different thing with the series footage.
Some recommendations:
- Power Rangers In Space (1998)
- Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2000)
- Power Rangers Time Force (2001)
- Power Rangers Ninja Storm (2003)
- Power Rangers Dino Thunder (2004)
- Power Rangers SPD (2005)
- Power Rangers RPM (2009)
Godzilla
The classic monster movie franchise, where the star is a giant, nuclear-powered lizard. Godzilla has appeared in mediums, in many ways, so it's representation may vary wildly - some focus on Godzilla as a menace, others focus on the battle between Godzilla and other monsters, while in some, Godzilla may even ally with humans, if only to destroy a bigger menace.
Some recommendations:
- Godzilla (1954)
- Godzilla vs Hedorah (1971)
- Godzilla vs Destoroyah (1995)
- Shin Godzilla (2016)
Other Series!
While those are less common nowadays, there are many, many other tokusatsu series, from Japan and even other countries: Shotaro Ishinomori, creator of Kamen Rider and the two first Sentai series, also made many series in the 70s and 80s. Tsuburaya Productions, Takara Tomy and Toho also made some less known tokusatsu series, with varying degrees of success.
And there are, of course, the good old Metal Heroes and Garo, that are not quite active today, but have a couple new things from time to time!
Some recommendations:
- Kaiketsu Zubat (1977)
- Uchuu Keiji Gavan (1982)
- Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya (1988)
- Tokkei Winspector (1990)
- Garo (2005)
- Garo: Makai Senki (2011)
- Garo: Makai Retsuden (2016)
I wanna watch something fast, are there any good toku movies that need no previous knowledge of any series?
Yes! Those two are part of bigger series, but need absolutely no previous knowledge of it to understand, since they are soft resets or alternate reality series:
- Kamen Rider ZO
- Kamen Rider Den-O: The Onigashima Warship
- Doubutsu Sentai Go-Busters
And there are many standalone Ultra, Metal Hero and even some older Rider movies. If you have any suggestions of great standalone series to watch, please say so and I'll add it to the list!
Is anything outside of those lists worth watching?
Of course! This list was made with suggestions from many members, and I tried to pick things with different tones, settings and eras, so there's probably something here for everyone - but different people like different things, and there are many divisive series that some people love and other people hate.
If you want more specific suggestions, feel free to ask! We will gladly suggest something that may be of your liking.
What are the current series?
Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger
This is an anniversary season! One human hero, Zenkaiser, joins four robots to protect all the parallel universes! Both Zenkaiser and the other members are based on previous sentai mecha.
Kamen Rider Saber
A writer gains powers from a book he had since he was a child, and becomes the swordsman of flames. He joins other swordsmen to fight the enemies who menace reality itself!
Power Rangers Dino Fury
When an army of powerful alien beings is unleashed on Earth threatening life as we know it, a brand-new team of Power Rangers, fueled by the pre-historic power of the dinosaurs, are recruited to deal with the threat. Yay, dinosaurs again!
Where can I watch those series?
Watching toku outside of Japan is easier than ever nowadays! Well, at least in select countries: Ultra series are being released on Bluray on North America, and there's ShoutTV!, that streams Sentai.
For everything else, fansubbers are doing a great work, subbing many older series and, of course, the current series still airing in Japan. There are very few Rider, Sentai and Metal Hero series not subbed nowadays, and many more obscure series are also being subbed every day.
- If you are in Japan, or have access to japanese channels, TV Asashi airs Kamen Rider and Super Sentai every Sunday Morning, 9AM and 9:30AM Japan Time.
- Shout Factory has MANY older Super Sentai series for streaming.
- Netflix has Power Rangers
- Prime Video has Kamen Rider Amazons, and depending on your region, a couple more things.
- For non-licensed series, there are fansubs. Won't link them here, since they are at best at a grey area, but it's pretty easy to find subs for most series, be them recent or older.
- Official Kamen Rider Streaming by Shout! ou Tubi!
- Toei's international Toku channel launches April 6th.
Where can I get tokusatsu news?
Do you guys have a Discord where we can discuss tokusatsu?
Yes!
Hidden content
Is it true that Sentai is dead?
Yes, this is a Precure thread now.
Truth to be told, rumors of Sentai's demise were greatly exaggerated. While it was supposedly downgraded to a "Tier B" property. What does it mean? In theory, it'll have less budget and toys. However, Arakawa, the writer for Kirameiger has an impressive track record (Kamen Rider Kuuga, Abaranger, Dekaranger, Gokaiger).
Special Thanks!
Thank you ShadowSwordmaster, WarRock, WillyFive, LordVas, KingDirk, javadoze, Murasaki and everyone at our Discord group! Without you, this OT wouldn't be possible.
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