Tokusatsu

Tokusatsu (??) (sometimes just called "Toku") is the Japanese term for special effects and often used to classify Japanese live-action sci-fi/fantasy/horror movie/TV productions.

Famous Tokusatsu Monsters and Superheroes

Whereas Godzilla has become a worlwide household name, Ultraman and Kamen Rider are considered the two greatest influential model Japanese superheroes to this very day. All three characters have created countless sequels and imitations, few of which rival their popularity (the Sentai Series, for example, is an offshoot of the Henshin Hero genre started by Kamen Rider).

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Metal Heroes (specifically Space Sheriffs) became a basis for the RoboCop movies. Toho and Daiei are well known companies in the Daikaiju category of tokusatsu. Tsuburaya is the company associated with Ultraman, while Toei is responsible for Sentai series, Metal Heroes and the Kamen Rider series.

Related Topics:
RoboCop - Toho - Daiei - Tsuburaya - Toei - Kamen Rider

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Not all of Toei's group of hero shows are classified as "sentai" (Sentai shows are exclusively produced by Toei). Toei's non-sentai group heroes include Akumaizer 3, Ninja Captor and Chojin Bibyun. The most notable non-Toei group series is perhaps Toho's Chouseishin (Super Star God) Series, which began in 2003 with Choseishin GranSazer (Ultra Star God GranSazer), continues in 2004 with Genseishin JustiRiser (Phantom Star God JustiRiser), and in 2005 with Chosei Kantai Sazer-X (Super Star Fleet Sazer X). The Sei Shin series is Toho's attempt at competing with Toei's Sentai series.

Related Topics:
Akumaizer 3 - Ninja Captor - Chojin Bibyun - Chouseishin - 2003 - 2004

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One last category is the Heroine Tokusatsu, which consists of a fighting team composed by females, or an individual female. Examples include Vanny Knights, Dimensional Detective Wecker, and the new live-action version of Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon.

Related Topics:
Vanny Knights - Dimensional Detective Wecker - Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon

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