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.

Tokusatsu Around the World

The tokusatsu technique has been copied around the world, thanks to the popularity of Godzilla films. One could say that this is the highest form of flattery.

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Famous Examples

• In 1961, England made its own Godzilla-style film, Gorgo, which used the same "suitmation" technique as the Godzilla films.
• That same year, Saga Studios in Denmark made another Godzilla-style giant monster film, Reptilicus. This film's monster was brought to life using a marionette on a miniature set.
• In 1967, South Korea, produced its own kaiju movie, Taekoesu Yonggary.
• In 1975, the famed Hong Kong film studio, Shaw Brothers produced a superhero film called The Super Inframan, based on the huge success of Ultraman and Kamen Rider there. The film starred Danny Lee in the title role. Although there were several other similar superhero productions in Hong Kong, The Super Inframan is the first, and considered the best by superhero fans. With help from Japanese SPFX artists under Sadamasa Arikawa, they also produced a Japanese-styled monster movie, The Mighty Peking Man, in 1977.
• The cult popularity of Japanese kaiju and superheroes in America have resulted in a wacky, action-packed program/event called Kaiju Big Battel in 1994. It continues to thrill audiences and fans to this day.

Fan Films

• In 1993, an independent US company called Two Guys With A Camera Productions (TG2WAC Productions) produced a series of films starring a Godzilla-like giant monster called Raki.
• In 2001, Buki X-1 Productions, a French fan-based production company, produced its own Sentai Series, Jushi Sentai France Five, which takes Toei's famous "Super Sentai" formula with a French twist!