What is your favorite non-Japanese tokusatsu?

[Pomegranate]

What non-Japanese tokusatsu do you love the best and why?

[AdamYJ]

I don't know how many of those really count as tokusatsu, non-Japanese or otherwise.

If we're going for a show that was clearly inspired by Japanese tokusatsu super-hero shows, then I'd go with Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog. What can I say? I was a big fan of Celtic mythology and it was interesting to see Saban come up with a show largely from whole cloth (rather than stock footage).

[Pomegranate]

I don't know how many of those really count as tokusatsu, non-Japanese or otherwise.

Those shows on the poll do indeed count as tokusatsu, because the term "tokusatsu" means "special effects" and those shows do have special effects.

There is more to tokusatsu than just armored warriors battling monsters. Harry Potter and Mutant X are a few good examples of non-Japanese tokusatsu about people who don't actually wear armor at all.


If we're going for a show that was clearly inspired by Japanese tokusatsu super-hero shows, then I'd go with Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog. What can I say? I was a big fan of Celtic mythology and it was interesting to see Saban come up with a show largely from whole cloth (rather than stock footage).

Mystic Knights was a decent show indeed, but it isn't completely non-Japanese, because some Japanese costumes were being utilized in that show.

[AdamYJ]

Those shows on the poll do indeed count as tokusatsu, because the term "tokusatsu" means "special effects" and those shows do have special effects.

There is more to tokusatsu than just armored warriors battling monsters. Harry Potter and Mutant X are a few good examples of non-Japanese tokusatsu about people who don't actually wear armor at all.

While it's true that "tokusatsu" just means "special effects" (or rather "special techniques"), I think the use of the term is just too broad if you apply it that way. If you just leave it as any show or movie that uses special effects, that gives you a range so broad that it goes from Saturday afternoon movie serials to syndicated action-adventure shows to the latest summer blockbuster movie. It's like the deal with "Global Manga". To the Japanese, "manga" just means "comic book". However, that doesn't make Superman or TinTin into a "global manga". In the case of "global manga" and "global tokusatsu", there should be some attempt by the creators to embrace a uniquely Japanese technique, style or format.

There actually has to be a reason for throwing the Japanese word in there.

[DarthGonzo]

What do any of these choice have to do with Japan in any way to warrent even mentioning "Japanese tokusatu"?

In fact, these choices don't even fit together logically. Some are prime-time television series, a few are film franchises and one is a childrens TV series. I don't really get it. I guess the theme is fantasy/sci-fi/special effects...but nothing here has anything to do with Japanese tokusatu. But I guess that's the point...which makes even less sense because why even mention Japanese tokusatu in the first place.

It's like asking "What is your favorite non-Japanese manga?" and then listing:
Garfield
X-Men
Batman
Superman
Archie
Calvin and Hobbes.

I dont get it. A Japanese term like "tokusatu" really ought to apply soley to anything Japanese. Sure you can make a case for it here, but I think it's a huge stretch.

[AdamYJ]

What do any of these choice have to do with Japan in any way to warrent even mentioning "Japanese tokusatu"?

In fact, these choices don't even fit together logically. Some are prime-time television series, a few are film franchises and one is a childrens TV series. I don't really get it. I guess the theme is fantasy/sci-fi/special effects...but nothing here has anything to do with Japanese tokusatu. But I guess that's the point...which makes even less sense because why even mention Japanese tokusatu in the first place.

It's like asking "What is your favorite non-Japanese manga?" and then listing:
Garfield
X-Men
Batman
Superman
Archie
Calvin and Hobbes.

I dont get it. A Japanese term like "tokusatu" really ought to apply soley to anything Japanese. Sure you can make a case for it here, but I think it's a huge stretch.

I think Darth Gonzo gets what I'm driving at here. However, I wouldn't be quite as exclusive. If movie and television people from elsewhere want to embrace Japanese techniques and style, I'll gladly hand out the term "American Tokusatsu" or something like that. However, there has to be a reason for it. There has to be something either unique to Japanese productions or pioneered by those people that the people are attempting to use. Whether it's "suitmation" monsters, armored martial arts heroes, Henshin sequences or whatever else may qualify (there's probably more out there, I'm not that well-versed in tokusatsu yet).

I think Emperor Merlin may have been trying to make a point, but I think it fell flat. He would have been better off just posting a thread that asked in plain old English: "What's your favorite special effects-driven movie or TV show?"

[DarthGonzo]

I think Emperor Merlin may have been trying to make a point, but I think it fell flat. He would have been better off just posting a thread that asked in plain old English: "What's your favorite special effects-driven movie or TV show?"

My guess is that he's the sort of person for which Japanese media comes first, and "non Japanese" media is second.

[Pomegranate]

My guess is that he's the sort of person for which Japanese media comes first, and "non Japanese" media is second.

That's not true! It's just that America or other countries don't have their own version for the Japanese term "tokusatsu", so I just used the term "non-Japanese tokusatsu".

[Hades]

None as there are no American Tokusatsu series out there. Oh, and the fact that you have Lois and Clark on there is a real joke, just like that show.

[DarthGonzo]

None as there are no American Tokusatsu series out there. Oh, and the fact that you have Lois and Clark on there is a real joke, just like that show.

Besides, how can you really compare the choices to each other? They're all so different in so many ways.

And while I get the reasoning behind using the word "tokusatu", it still doesn't fit.

[Gokou Ruri]

That's not true! It's just that America or other countries don't have their own version for the Japanese term "tokusatsu", so I just used the term "non-Japanese tokusatsu". It's called "special effects"... or "science fiction"


There has to be something either unique to Japanese productions or pioneered by those people that the people are attempting to use. Whether it's "suitmation" monsters, armored martial arts heroes, Henshin sequences or whatever else may qualify (there's probably more out there, I'm not that well-versed in tokusatsu yet). The thing is tokusatsu (at least of the Kamen Rider/Power Rangers varity) were all based off American superhero comics (such as Spiderman, which Kamen Rider's costume and posing looks extremely similar to) so you can find all those elements in superhero comics. So using the term "tokusatsu" seems a bit inaccurate, and they should just be called superheroes (or super heroines when it comes to characters like Sailor Moon and Wonder Woman)

[AdamYJ]

The thing is tokusatsu (at least of the Kamen Rider/Power Rangers varity) were all based off American superhero comics (such as Spiderman, which Kamen Rider's costume and posing looks extremely similar to) so you can find all those elements in superhero comics. So using the term "tokusatsu" seems a bit inaccurate, and they should just be called superheroes (or super heroines when it comes to characters like Sailor Moon and Wonder Woman)

Well, while I may not know much of tokusatsu beyond the superhero shows and monster movies, I do know a little bit about American superheroes. And while many of the same elements may exist in both, there are some things that the Japanese have embraced a lot more than the Americans have. Transformations, for instance. The only guy who's still allowed to do it is Captain Marvel. Others may "turn their powers on" like Iceman or Colossus, but they rarely do it with any sense of style or drama. Also, I don't remember the last time they had a giant robot in American comics, or at least one that was worth watching (the Sentinels that insist on baby-sitting the X-Men lately certainly don't count). There's at least a perceived difference between Japanese superhero shows and American superhero material, just like there is between manga and American comics.

However, if you're right and there is really no difference between Japanese superhero TV shows and American superhero comics, then answer me this: Why am I having more fun watching stuff like Magiranger, Boukenger and Kamen Rider Kabuto than I am reading Marvel or DC? :confused: :sad:

[Gokou Ruri]

And while many of the same elements may exist in both, there are some things that the Japanese have embraced a lot more than the Americans have. Transformations, for instance. The only guy who's still allowed to do it is Captain Marvel. Others may "turn their powers on" like Iceman or Colossus, but they rarely do it with any sense of style or drama. So? It's still there. Even Linda Carter Wonder Woman did her whole spin thing.


Also, I don't remember the last time they had a giant robot in American comics, or at least one that was worth watching (the Sentinels that insist on baby-sitting the X-Men lately certainly don't count).

Quality over quantity, I'd say. Just because there's a whole "genre" of giant robot anime and manga in Japan doesn't mean they have exclusive rights to the concept. There's just not a market for it in America judging by how fast the giant robot anime fade from Adult Swim and Toonami. But there have been some in comic history (the Sentinels, as you mentioned)



However, if you're right and there is really no difference between Japanese superhero TV shows and American superhero comics, then answer me this: Why am I having more fun watching stuff like Magiranger, Boukenger and Kamen Rider Kabuto than I am reading Marvel or DC? :confused: :sad: A matter of personal opinon. No one can really answer that for you since it all depends on why you watch them. For example, I don't like stuff in the vein of sentai or Kamen Rider because of how silly/cheesy they are. I like reading about DC Heroes because they're set in a more "real" world, like Batman. Who deal with things like murder, crime, rape, other super-powered freaks who abuse their power to get what they want, etc. I like the whole "mature" aspect of DC (Marvel's alright with Spider-Man and Runaways, but on a whole Marvel is a lot more light-hearted than DC is from the stuff I've noticed) Power Rangers is a fun little romp, but I can't really take it too seriously myself.

[AdamYJ]

So? It's still there. Even Linda Carter Wonder Woman did her whole spin thing.

Quality over quantity, I'd say. Just because there's a whole "genre" of giant robot anime and manga in Japan doesn't mean they have exclusive rights to the concept. There's just not a market for it in America judging by how fast the giant robot anime fade from Adult Swim and Toonami. But there have been some in comic history (the Sentinels, as you mentioned)

A matter of personal opinon. No one can really answer that for you since it all depends on why you watch them. For example, I don't like stuff in the vein of sentai or Kamen Rider because of how silly/cheesy they are. I like reading about DC Heroes because they're set in a more "real" world, like Batman. Who deal with things like murder, crime, rape, other super-powered freaks who abuse their power to get what they want, etc. I like the whole "mature" aspect of DC (Marvel's alright with Spider-Man and Runaways, but on a whole Marvel is a lot more light-hearted than DC is from the stuff I've noticed) Power Rangers is a fun little romp, but I can't really take it too seriously myself.


I suppose you're right on most accounts. I'm just really burnt out on the whole "Infinite Civil Crisis War 52" thing. I'm still buying comics, but I'm not quite as into it. The stuff I like is stuff that is often low-selling, less serious and easily ignored. Heck, the "YJ" in my username is in reference to Young Justice, a fun, light-hearted DC series that I loved a number of years ago but many other fans treated was an insult to comics in general.

If I were a comic book writer, one of the first series I'd try to create would be a Super Sentai inspired comic with lots of crazy monsters, giant robots, flashy transformations and martial arts.

Oh, and by the way, most people think of Marvel and DC the other way. Marvel's the more realistic one. DC's the more fantastic one.

[Chris Wood]

I just have to say that the Spiderman tokusatsu is the coolest thing ever. EVER.

Thank you.

[DarthGonzo]

I just have to say that the Spiderman tokusatsu is the coolest thing ever. EVER.


What Spiderman tokusatsu? You mean the American live-action films?:confused::confused:

[Hanshotfirst113]

No, there WAS a Toei Spider-Man tokussatsu series.

http://japanhero.com/tokusatsu%20images/spiderman_images.htm