Nowadays, Tokusatsu is specifically associated with the Henshin Hero (Kamen Rider & Sentai), Kaiju Eiga (Godzilla), or a mix-between both mediums (Ultraman). While the common definition of "tokusatsu" is geared towards live-action shows using “special effects", it's more of so evolved from just that surface term. Toku underwent an evolution as it had implemented VFX and CGI. Sure there are some toku that are not the typical Henshin Hero or Kaiju Eiga, like the 90’s Toei Fushigi Comedy series, but it retains that same style that is familiar to most tokusatsu. Tokusatsu is a term that has a slightly different meaning in Japan compared to the West. Westerners use it to refer almost exclusively to Japanese superhero shows, while in Japan it simply refers to any live-action productions that make heavy use of special effects. If there are some people who consider Dr. Who, Star Wars, RoboCop as tokusatsu… they certainly fits the literal definition of "a special effects work”. However, this cannot be said for Marvel and DC movies which do not emulate the style of tokusatsu. I think that’s the key thing, STYLE. It's whether the creators are following the style of a tokusatsu. Films like Pacific Rim has practically emulated the style of Kaiju Eiga. That's why the more I realize, the tokusatsu as a term itself only an umbrella nickname associated to the Henshin Hero and Kaiju Eiga genres. Tokusatsu really defines the Japanese content and its particular style, but there are a lot of crossing over, and there are a lot of equally good content from around the world.

@danishhadi740

Жыл бұрын

Best Comment Ever

@NamakuKaz

Жыл бұрын

I like these term and kinda agree with you.

@ronaldzamora8850

Жыл бұрын

Marvel and DCEU movies can be considered as Tokusatsu, let me remind you that the Revoltech figures of Ironman from MCU, Batman from Nolan Trilogy and even Optimus and Bumblebee from Bayformer movies was released by Kaiyodo under its subline Tokusatsu Revoltech.

@BaronSenki

Жыл бұрын

​@@ronaldzamora8850 That's only applying the broad definition of Tokusatsu as "special effects work", not the associated term. Again, Marvel and DC could technically be viewed as "special effect works" to most, but aren't emulating the STYLE of common tokusatsu. Style refers to the practicality and execution of such elements.

@Mackeriv

Жыл бұрын

Makes sense. I'm still confused about Garo, though. It doesn't really fit the henshin/kaiju requirements (with some exceptions), yet everyone seems to agree it's tokusatsu.

Honestly? Big Time Rush is my favorite Tokusatsu. Bandana Man and the super squad was incredible. 👏🏼 Thumbs up if you too stan the BTR toku!💞

@mungdaal9643

Жыл бұрын

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide is my favorite toku. The Steel Eagle makes all Kamen Riders look like chumps.

Doctor Who technically does count as tokusatsu. The same could be said about Gerry Anderson's shows like Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, and UFO.

@Tedris4

Жыл бұрын

Gerry Anderson absolutely is the closest to British Toku considering he went on to inspire Ultraman and work with Tsubaraya on Ultraseven

@tylerpreston699

Жыл бұрын

@@Tedris4 Plus having a big influence on Hideaki Anno for Evangelion

@spinaking360w

Жыл бұрын

Also Torchwood

@Private-Potato

10 ай бұрын

I want a Doctor Who episode to feature a Kamen Rider or ultraman parody to drive home the connections more. Especially since the show tackles many different sci-fi subgenres.

@MJCline

8 ай бұрын

Sorry but Tokusatsu includes SciFi so clearly Doctor Who is Tokusatsu.

I think it's like the "anime' definition. In the west we see only Japanese animation being "anime". But to a Japanese view point "anime" means anything animated.

if we're going by the bases, its safe to say the following shows ARE toku: -Batman (1966) -Wonder Woman (1975) -The incredible Hulk (1978) -The amazing spiderman (1976) (do not confuse with SUPAIDAMAN) -Superboy (1988) -Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) -Nightman (1997) -Disney's Aaron Stone (2009) and im sure theres a lot more shows like those out there that fit all the basic Toku trope bills.

@christiandacanay3086

Жыл бұрын

Does Mech-X4 count too?

@TsukiCondor

Жыл бұрын

Ironic given Bruce Kalish worked on Aaron Stone

@kaijufan313

Жыл бұрын

There’s a Fox Kids live-action show called Los Luchadores. That show is basically is a Tokusatsu as well.

Actually, I've heard of this term called "ANIMATED Tokusatsu", which are animated versions of Tokusatsu shows, which are kind of rare. Including the Chinese Shen Shou Jin Gang (Celestial Warriors), the Korean Miniforce, and yes, SSSS. Gridman. The genre of Tokusatsu is broadening for some reason. I first heard of animated toku from fandoms.

@SpaceWizardCosplay

Жыл бұрын

That's correct, especially in regards to SSSS.Gridman and SSSS.Dynazenon. They are animated as if they were "filmed" in live-action.

i think it being low budget is essential to making it feel like toku. Doctor who definetly feels toku in places because of this

People will be wondering what parallel universe they stepped into where marcosatsu uploads content consistently.

Tokusatsu basically refers to any TV show or movie that heavily uses special effects. Hence, that's why certain Western TV shows or movies such as Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who are considered as Tokusatsu shows.

Knightrider is 80s American Tokusatsu, being KR Drive without the belt, suit, and monster.

And just like that I want Marcosatsu to do a retrospective video on Miraculous Ladybug.

@haisei

Жыл бұрын

Hehe that is my endgoal. Writing an MLB video would go so hard 😎

I love the 1 second of furbus in the start and end of this video

@ferbusgddc

Жыл бұрын

Big thankies

Overall a pretty great video, but I'm kind of sad that you did not address the argument that tokusatsu is in fact a loanword, because for me that's one of the most important parts: Tokusatsu might apply to any live-action media with (practical) special effects IN JAPAN, mostly because it literally is just the Japanese word for "special filming". But in other languages, it is a loanword that specifically became a loanword to be able to refer to a certain subset of special effects shows, aka the Japanese variety, when those became popular outside Japan with the whole kaiju boom This happens a lot in languages, most famously the terms manga and anime. If you go to the English wikipedia page for manga and then go to the language tab and switch to Japanese, it will bring you to the Japanese page for "Japanese manga", the article of which will mention it as a subset of all manga. All manga in the west is manga in Japanese, but not all manga in Japanese is manga in the west. Calling The Adventures of Tintin a manga is ridiculous in the west, even though the Japanese wikipedia article literally calls it a manga. Same goes for the good old "Family Guy is my favorite anime" joke. A bento is just a portable lunch in Japan, but outside of Japan, it will specifically refer to certain Japanese dishes popular for lunch, even though just bringing some homemade sandwiches and some fruit to work for lunch could constitute as bento in Japan. Personally, I feel that using terms too broadly dilutes their meaning and is counterintuitive to why they were adopted in the first place. I don't feel like there's a single scenario where referring to Doctor Who as tokusatsu is beneficial, it only serves to confuse outsiders and newcomers. For me, to be tokusatsu, media has to: - be live-action - use practical special effects (full CGI endresults might also qualify, kind of a case by case thing) - be Japanese, or if not Japanese, (attempt to) emulate the somewhat hard to define "flavor" Japanese liveaction media has (tropes, designs, choice of practical effects,...) Armor Hero, Legend Heroes and Bima Satria Garuda are tokusatsu. Power Rangers is toku. I haven't seen it, but given the influence of Power Rangers and the very henshin hero-ish transformations, I'm sure Mystic Knights Of Tir Na Nog could qualify Doctor Who, nor The Flash, nor the MCU are tokusatsu. Anime will never be tokusatsu even if it's a direct, frame-by-frame recreation of a toku show, the same way that Black Panther 2 is a superhero movie and not a superhero comic. Toku-inspired anime is ofcourse a very real thing, though ofcourse there we still have to be aware that a lot of toku tropes are also just Japanese media tropes in general. Gatchaman were a sentai years before Goranger first aired, and the first superhero ever even originated in Japan on paper theaters (Oogon Bat) decades before the first tokusatsu hero show. Those are just my opinions ofcourse and everyone can feel free to disagree or call anything by whatever name they choose :) Anyway, huge rant over, Keep up the good work Marcosatsu!

@mafirasyaharani7836

Жыл бұрын

Bima is tokusatsu cause it's technically a legal localization of toku, isn't it? Man, I wish I was excited back then when Bima was airing... how I took that show for granted...

Tokusatsu = Special Filming not necessary mean only practical special effects or henshin hero / Kaiju shows / movie

Woah, a whole week of videos in a row? This wouldn't have been possible without the help of my team!!

They made a Live Action Sailor Moon (which is a series heavily influenced by Super Sentai). Would that count?

@ride-playerbb2818

Жыл бұрын

It's considered toku, yes

UniKitty is a Magical Girl while Doctor Who is a Tokusatsu.

Lets call the CGIs (Shin series) as Evo-satsu.

@zjzr08

Жыл бұрын

Or maybe Neo-Toku right?

Imagine a cross over between the Doctor with Kamen Riders and meeting characters like Decade and Ohma Zi-O

@INeedLore

Жыл бұрын

I will pay to see that xD

Doctor Who used to be very Tokusatsu back in 70s, specifically in Third Doctor era, with more actions and recurring nemesis (The Master). That's pretty interesting for me

The Next Mutation is tokusatsu featuring The Ninja Turtles play even if Foot Soldier characters that are not the Foot Clan in the form of dragon Lords cronies

"Doctor Who is Tokusatsu" I don't know how I feel about that, next thing you know, I'm gonna the think about Decade's music during David Tennant's era

@dementia3499

Жыл бұрын

I mean if you count the many faces of the Doctor as a “mask”, you can argue that the Doctor is fits the name “Kamen Rider” more since I’m pretty sure he rode the TARDIS way more than any rider actually ride their vehicles LMAO

Doctor Who gives really heavy Toku vibes for whatever reason.

The similarities between Kamen Rider and Doctor Who don’t end there. Christopher Eccleston and Joe Odagiri, both the leads of their franchises 00s reboots have refuse to reprise their roles on screen to this day

Doctor Who is probably the closest western show to getting the Tokusatsu style down that has no direct lineage from an equivalent Japanese property like Power Rangers. Doctor Who was even doing the monster thing on TV before Kamen Rider. It's actually really interesting because Dr Who in the 80s going toward its cancelation was always made fun of by the public for looking cheap compared to imported sci-fi shows like Star Trek TNG. But compared to 80s Kamen Rider it's not that much worse. When you reframe Dr Who as a tokusatsu it totally flips your understanding of it. Although it's missing one thing toku is known for, fight scenes. Nowhere near as many traditional brawls in Dr Who as other toku shows.

@rayvenkman2087

Жыл бұрын

Did you forget the Third Doctor pacifistically whooping ass during his five year tenure in the early 70’s and having Bessie for a signature vehicle?

I believe that animated shows with tokusatsu like elements should count as tokusatsu, but just a different type of tokusatsu.

I'm scared, am I in the wrong universe!? Is this all decades fault!? Or is this Zi-O's!?

@thatman666

Жыл бұрын

Why not both?

It's the pornography argument: I know it when I see it

@haisei

Жыл бұрын

Bro is saying what I couldn’t 😭😭😭

my weird kamen rider special interest brain at 11pm at night: *thinking back to that awful kamen rider 555 x doctor who fanfic called open your eyes i wrote when i was 13 in my notes app on my phone*

I would have to slightly disagree in regards to SSSS.Gridman and SSSS.Dynazenon the anime series, as well as the Gridman Universe anime movie releasing this April. They are all animated and "filmed" in the same "style" (camera angles angles, mostly) as their live-action counterparts. From how the transformations are done, to how the kaiju and heroes move about as if they were done with suitmation and how vehicles bounce around like they were toys. That's just my opinion of course. :)

shin ultra man was so so good

2:32 you also forgot about the Brave Series, too

I saw the littlest bit of TMNT footage and now I'm happy

Barney is the ultimate Tokusatsu

Ive always considered DoctorWho as tokusatsu❤

I knew doctor who was a tokusastu

How about non Human Live Action series like X-Bomber (Star Fleet) Thunderbirds Capt Scarlet and the critically acclaimed Thunderbolt Fantasy which are all puppets

Is that Ferbus from Masked Rider?

I've wondered about this quite a bit. I know you were trying to widen the search to see what else would fit the definition, but I think it's important that the shows are Japanese, IMO. Sure there are attempts from other countries, and then there's Power Rangers. Those aside, and apart from the ones everyone agrees are Tokusatsu (Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, Metal Heroes, Godzilla, Ultraman, Garo), I wonder about other stuff, like all the live-action anime adaptations we see in places like Netflix (both series and movies). Stuff like Rurouni Kenshin, Gantz, Attack on Titan, Bleach, Full Metal Alchemist, and others. So my question is why are those NOT tokusatsu? Because they are adaptations? Not saying they should be though (probably shouldn't!).

@EditUnivers75

11 ай бұрын

Don’t see why being an adaptation makes it not tokusatsu, rules like that are kind of arbitrary. For example, Sailor Moon was inspired by Tokusatsu and later became one, think of how weird it would be if the live action version wasn’t considered tokusatsu because it was adapted from a series inspired by tokusatsu

YEAH DOCTOR WHO. My favorite Kamen Rider. Kamen Rider Tavid Dennant

@tokublwhovian

Жыл бұрын

Is he the only one you’ve watched?

@Pix3lWill

Жыл бұрын

@@tokublwhovian no ive seen them all. Minus lost episodes cause like. america aint gonna find them

@Marvin.626

Жыл бұрын

tbf dude is right, Doctor who does fit a good chunk of Toku tropes and production characteristics. so yeah, i at least do agree in calling that show a toku. at least on the sense that it is a live action serial show, that features sci-fi elements and heavy use of practical special effects.

@dementia3499

Жыл бұрын

The only question is: Does the regenerations count as henshin or do they count as forms?

@Pix3lWill

Жыл бұрын

Nah the costume/outfit changes mid series are the final forms lmao

This reminds me of the discussion around the definition of "Anime"

Marco, could you do a video on Pretty Cure with Kamen Rider and Super Sentai?

Apparently it's a short hand term that is used to describe live action in Japan make of that what you will.

A fascinating question

When I was a small kid I watched Yo Gabba Gabba. I’m almost 100% sure that it’s would count as a tokusatsu. I mean sure it wasn’t action but it was extremely similar

@christiandacanay3086

Жыл бұрын

Ironic you said that because Marcos mentioned it when he brought up The Aquabats Super Show back in the 5th episode of Tokusatsu outside Japan.

@MYHIVES12

Жыл бұрын

@@christiandacanay3086 interesting

@zjzr08

Жыл бұрын

I mean there are preschool toku in Japan like that old Beetle Fighter(?) spin-off.

The same concept about Avengers, Justice League and other team-up Superhero movies can be called Super Sentai 😅

So does this mean that some Disney Channel Original Series like Wizards of Waverly Place or Best Friends Whenever count or no? (As in any DCOS that is NOT down to earth)

What was the toku show shown at 5:14

@ferbusgddc

Жыл бұрын

It’s called “Cyber Lady Suzuka”

Had way way way too much fun writing this one. History of Miraculous Ladybug up next fr

You changed your channel name back to the og name?

And don’t forget Kidaider and the Godzilla anime’s

*EVERYTHING IS TOKUSATSU!!!!!!!* 🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀

I feel this is part of what I call the "People calling the monster Frankenstein effect" (look I'm reaching with this) It's a broad or wrong (again, reaching) term, but when you say it, people know exactly what you're referring to.

what's that anime with the blonde lady in the skull mask?

@ferbusgddc

10 ай бұрын

Love after world domination

@ruikirisame1744

10 ай бұрын

@@ferbusgddc thanks

lazytown is my fav toku

Super Inframan, Armor Hero and Giant Saver also is Tokusatsu But of China

i love Tokusatsu but when i see doctor i click too

Mexican novels could be a tokusatsu.....

i actually seen someone called dceu and mcu tokusatsu. i mean technically they are, i guess

Two things to consider would be 1. If the tokusatsu definition was developed at a time win cgi did not exist yet is it fair to exclude it. If practical effects where all that were available at that time should the term evolve to include the plethora of special effects available at any given time. 2. To my knowledge japanese consumers use terms like anime more broadly so that would include simpsons, rick and morty and phineas and ferb does that apply to tokusatsu aswell would a japense viewer consider the avengers a tokusatsu?

As much as some fans would be fine with potential animated Power Rangers series going forward (although it seems they're willing to still keep up to live action this time) I do think the hook of toku being live action diseappears and becomes part an arguably oversaturated animation crowd - as much toku can be cheap it is unique and in a way delivers something animated series don't do.

Transformers could also have tokusatsu related things as well, heck giant robots of any kind do have things that are toku-adjacent at times!!!

Thunderbirds is probably the best tokusatsu from the west.

Hey @Marcosatsu DC Marvel It's Not A Tokusatsu, Alright

DC's Green Arrow was basically a western Tokusatsu for me while watching. It felt like a Kamen Rider so many times that was pretty funny for me.

Could we count the 90s syndicated adventure TV shows too? Hercules, Xena, Beastmaster, The Lost World? All had the over the top cheesy fight scenes and creatures and exaggerated character tropes. Also some kids shows like the Icelandic/American series Lazytown? 😅😂 I mean. S Roboticus feels like a sentai villain. Lol

How bout spawn from the 1997 movie? He rides a freaking Honda motorcycle during the chase scene

This was a fun one to edit, solid script and crisp audio! Good video all around!

my favorite Tokusatsu is Knight Rider

Would wrestling count as tokusatsu?

Danger 5 kinda counts as tokusatsu as they have no cgi

No respect for Gatchaman or the Super Robot 😢why senpei !!!

Wait! I'm alive, and my teachers said I was special. Which had an effect on me! Am I, am I tokusatsu?!

Wuxia and Xianxia Tokusatsu

I refuse to believe that miracles lady bug is tokusatsu or like Kamen rider especially hesei 💀💀

Dr. who is Tokusatsu !!! Big Hero Six Is Tokusatsu ! Turning Red is Tokusatsu! Pikachu and Sonic! Godzilla!! Miraculous!!! Marvel! DC! For all I know , even Toxic Avenger can be Toku too!

Ben 10 is toku adjacent

I'll go as far and agree with Dr. Who but the MCU and DCU? No

Kamen rider doctor who

I’ve been telling my Japanese coworkers Dr. Who is essentially western tokusatsu, cringe and camp and all, to try and get them to watch it. You have no idea how happy I am to find that I’m not the only one who thinks so LMAO.

@jamesvanitas

Жыл бұрын

ALLONSY

@tokublwhovian

Жыл бұрын

If you think Doctor Who is “cringe”, why are you a fan and watching? if I found it cringe, I would waste my time on something else.

@SpriteGuard

Жыл бұрын

@@tokublwhoviancringe is fun.

@dementia3499

Жыл бұрын

@@tokublwhovian Because cringe is great. If its cringe done well then it makes for a great story that somehow hooks people in even though its cringe, its a testament to how well done it is. If it’s done bad, then I get to point and laugh at all the embarrassing things and anyone who takes it seriously. Either way, I win. Besides, you can’t expect me to enjoy a show about grown men screaming and dancing while putting on plastic armor with copious green screen edits to fight people in rubber suits and preach friendship power without being able to enjoy cringe. Why be embarrassed of something you like? Embrace that cringy childish silliness.

@jamesvanitas

Жыл бұрын

@@dementia3499 I’m a fan of Both

Cyrax, Sektor, and Smoke from the classic Mortal Kombat 3 game are considered toku, right? 😅 I mean, they were portrayed by a real person.

Gasp precure is not tokusatsu

Can’t wait to see how Doctor Who fits into this 😁

@videogamesworld01

Жыл бұрын

The japanese consider doctor who tokusatsu and since the effects have that cheap feeling they mostly agree

@ZEOAGITO

Жыл бұрын

Doctor Who went through its own Showa Era, Movie Era, Heisei, and now we are in Reiwa Doctor Who.

@videogamesworld01

Жыл бұрын

@@ZEOAGITO And it literally ended with the showa era too

@tokublwhovian

Жыл бұрын

@@ZEOAGITO I know, funny how two franchises I like end their original run in the same year 😂

@haisei

Жыл бұрын

👀

I Guyver? Come on man atleast add Guyver.

@Marcosatsu

11 ай бұрын

I've already made a video on Guyver, it's more clearly tokusatsu than any of these other mentioned.

I wonder if Thunderbirds counts as toku I mean it's not animated yet not live action

@ronaldzamora8850

Жыл бұрын

That still counts, not to mention it was heavily influenced in Japan which is evident in Ultraman, etc.

Cory in The House is the best Tokusatsu

I'd perfer to call it suitmation, I don't but.....

@joserobertosolismerlin5527

Жыл бұрын

Thats tecnically a tecnique considering thar say star wars used suite yet is a space opera

Very similar to the vid I made earlier this year.

Does Comedy Tv Show's Count As Tokusatsu

@tokublwhovian

Жыл бұрын

👀 if they don’t use special effects, what do you think?

@ronaldzamora8850

Жыл бұрын

@@tokublwhovian That will be like Sabrina The Teenage Witch or I Dream of Jeannie.

Ok but what about Henry danger

I watched Big hero 6 the movie,miraculous the tales of ladybug and cat noir, Sonic the hedgehog Live action movies Then Godzilla Versus Kong And Godzilla king of monsters.

tokusatsu is only in japan

Are cartoons anime? Are there Tokusatsu in China? Are there Chinese anime? The question has been answered. It's a type of lve action filming style when it comes to techniques, but there's more than that such as the live action visuals, live action story telling and most importantly the live action gimmicks. The easiest way to tell if it's a Tokusatsu or not is jut by straight up looking at the live action armors and the live action toys. The end.

Is the Filthy Frank Show a Toku?

@haisei

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely.

@lewiscoates96

Жыл бұрын

Fuck yeah

To me it feels weird to use a specifically Japanese term for something that isn't Japanese. Like calling Maus a manga or Looney Tunes anime.