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.

Tokushu Satsuei (or Tokushu Gijutsu)

The term "tokusatsu" is a shortened term for tokushu satsuei (特殊撮影), Japanese for "special photography" which implies camera tricks (which is a basic principle for special effects in general). Usually, in movies or shows, the special effects director is given the title of tokushu gijutsu (特殊技術), Japanese for "special techniques" (this was a term they had for "special effects" in the old days), or even tokusatsu kantoku (特撮監督), which is Japanese for, appropriately enough, "special effects director"!

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