"Henshin Hero" redirects here. For henshin heroines, see Magical girl.
Not to be confused with Tonkatsu.
Poster for Godzilla (1954). The techniques developed by Eiji Tsuburaya for Toho continue to be used in the tokusatsu film and television industry.
Tokusatsu (特撮, lit.'special photography') is a Japanese term for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special effects. Credited to special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, tokusatsu mainly refers to science fiction, war, fantasy, or horror media featuring such technology but is also occasionally dubbed a genre itself. Its contemporary use originated in the Japanese mass media around 1958 to explain special effects in an easy-to-understand manner and was popularized during the "first monster boom" (1966-1968). Prior to the monster boom, it was known in Japan as Tokushu gijutsu (特殊技術, lit.'special technology') or shortened Tokugi (特技, lit.'special skill').
Renowned subgenres of tokusatsu include kaiju such as the Godzilla and Gamera series; superhero such as the Kamen Rider and Metal Hero series; and mecha like Giant Robo and Super Robot Red Baron. Some tokusatsu television programs combine several of these subgenres, for example, the Ultraman and Super Sentai series.
Tokusatsu is one of the most popular forms of Japanese entertainment, but only a small proportion of tokusatsu films and television programs are widely known outside of Japan. Nevertheless, certain properties have attained popularity outside of Japan; Godzilla is featured in popular American-made movies, and the Super Sentai Series was adapted into the Power Rangers series and broadcast internationally beginning in 1993.
Tokusatsu (特撮（とくさつ）, lit. 'special photography') is a Japanese term for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special...
Tokusatsu Gagaga (トクサツガガガ, "Gaga for Tokusatsu") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Niwa Tanaba. It was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen...
theme of TV competition show Girls Planet 999 Kamen Rider OOO, a 2010–11 tokusatsu series Land of Ooo, the setting of animated series Adventure Time OOO...
Kamen Rider Gotchard (仮面ライダーガッチャード, Kamen Raidā Gatchādo) is a Japanese Tokusatsu drama, the 34th entry of Toei Company's Kamen Rider metaseries, and the...
on anime and tokusatsu dramas and films. He is the son of Masaru Igami (伊上勝, Igami Masaru), who himself was a screenwriter for tokusatsu dramas. He is...
episodes. Power Rangers is adapted from the 45-year-long line of Japanese tokusatsu television series known as Super Sentai; the first season, Mighty Morphin...
Rider Black Sun (仮面ライダーBLACK SUN, Kamen Raidā Burakku San) is a Japanese tokusatsu web political drama reboot of the 1987 television series Kamen Rider Black...
and video games), as well as in Japanese media (including kamishibai, tokusatsu, manga, anime and video games). Superheroes come from a wide array of...
Nozomu Sasaki (佐々木 望, Sasaki Nozomu, born January 25, 1967) is a Japanese voice actor and singer. He is represented by the voice actor management firm...
Fumiko Orikasa (折笠 富美子, Orikasa Fumiko, born December 27, 1974) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer. She has been the voice of Rukia Kuchiki...
Nobutoshi Hayashi (林 延年, Hayashi Nobutoshi, born June 10, 1968 in Shinagawa, Tokyo), better known by the stage name Nobutoshi Canna (神奈 延年, Kanna Nobutoshi)...
(2016), with the latter film marking the beginning of the Shin trilogy of tokusatsu franchise reboots, followed by Shin Ultraman (2022) and Shin Kamen Rider...
Hikari Tachibana (橘ひかり, Tachibana Hikari, born September 18, 1973) is a Japanese voice actress. Notably, she performs the voices of Princess Zelda and...
Kazunari Tanaka (田中 一成, Tanaka Kazunari, April 8, 1967 – October 10, 2016) was a Japanese voice actor from Osaka Prefecture who worked for Aoni Production...
The Agon monster suit, with some modifications, was later reused in the tokusatsu series The Space Giants, first as a generic dinosaur, later as Giant Fire...
Megumi Ogata (緒方 恵美, Ogata Megumi, born June 6, 1965) is a Japanese actress and singer from the Greater Tokyo Area. As a singer, she goes by the name em:óu...
Yuma Uchida (内田 雄馬, Uchida Yūma, born September 21, 1992) is a Japanese voice actor and singer who works for Intention. He is best known for his roles...
Kazuki Yao (矢尾 一樹, Yao Kazuki, born June 17, 1959) is a Japanese voice actor, actor and narrator who is currently affiliated with Max Mix. He is married...
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