Box of Bunnies said:Tokusatsu is a Japanese term that means "special filming". As a genre it refers to pretty much any live-action production that makes extensive use of special effects. In the literal sense, anything from Wonder Woman to Doctor Who could be considered tokusatsu but, much like "anime", it is used colloquially in English to refer specifically to shows and movies of Japanese origin or adapted from them.
THE SHOWS OF 2012
Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters
A more realistic and innovative take on the Super Sentai series, Go-Busters takes place in a world that runs on Enetron, a major power source for all electronics. The evil supercomputer Messiah wants to steal all the Enetron to power his giant robot army of Megazords, and it's up to the Go-Busters to stop them. It's Morphin' Time!
Kamen Rider Wizard
A mysterious ceremony held on the day of a solar eclipse released Phantoms out in the unsuspecting world. But luckily, a donut-loving magician with extraordinary rings rides to save the world from the Phantoms as Kamen Rider Wizard.
Kamen Rider Fourze
Celebrating 40 years of Kamen Rider and 50 years of manned space flight, it's all about making friends and fighting constellations in Kamen Rider Fourze. When a group of space aliens start turning students of AGHS into monsters, it's up to Gentarou and his friends to turn them back and make friends out of the evil invading aliens.
Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger
A trio of otaku and misfits are recruited by a local Super Sentai-themed Cafe to become a real life Super Sentai team.
Pirate Sentai Gokaiger
The massive crossover between all of the first 35 Super Sentai teams! Appreciation Thread.
Power Rangers Super Samurai
Current Power Rangers series, American adaptation of 2009's Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Fine for kids, but you should watch Shinkenger instead.
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
1999's Power Rangers season, American adaptation of 1998's Seijuu Sentai Gingaman. The show is currently headlining the new Vortexx block on The CW.
Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters
A more realistic and innovative take on the Super Sentai series, Go-Busters takes place in a world that runs on Enetron, a major power source for all electronics. The evil supercomputer Messiah wants to steal all the Enetron to power his giant robot army of Megazords, and it's up to the Go-Busters to stop them. It's Morphin' Time!
Where to watch:
Japan: 7:30 AM Sundays on TV Asahi, shows and movies available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Japan: 7:30 AM Sundays on TV Asahi, shows and movies available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Kamen Rider Wizard
A mysterious ceremony held on the day of a solar eclipse released Phantoms out in the unsuspecting world. But luckily, a donut-loving magician with extraordinary rings rides to save the world from the Phantoms as Kamen Rider Wizard.
Where to watch:
Japan: 8 AM Sundays on TV Asahi, shows and movies available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Japan: 8 AM Sundays on TV Asahi, shows and movies available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Kamen Rider Fourze
Celebrating 40 years of Kamen Rider and 50 years of manned space flight, it's all about making friends and fighting constellations in Kamen Rider Fourze. When a group of space aliens start turning students of AGHS into monsters, it's up to Gentarou and his friends to turn them back and make friends out of the evil invading aliens.
Where to watch:
Japan: All episodes and movies available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Japan: All episodes and movies available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger
A trio of otaku and misfits are recruited by a local Super Sentai-themed Cafe to become a real life Super Sentai team.
Where to watch:
Japan: All episodes available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand: Bandai's Official Channel
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Japan: All episodes available on Blu-Ray and DVD
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand: Bandai's Official Channel
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Pirate Sentai Gokaiger
The massive crossover between all of the first 35 Super Sentai teams! Appreciation Thread.
Where to watch:
Japan: All episodes and movies available on Blu-Ray and DVD
South Korea: Dubbed as Power Rangers Captain Force, airs on TV.
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Japan: All episodes and movies available on Blu-Ray and DVD
South Korea: Dubbed as Power Rangers Captain Force, airs on TV.
Elsewhere: Fan subs provided by Over-Time and TV-Nihon.
Power Rangers Super Samurai
Current Power Rangers series, American adaptation of 2009's Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Fine for kids, but you should watch Shinkenger instead.
Where to watch:
Airs on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons, schedule depends on your country. First season is on Netflix, both seasons are on DVD.
Airs on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons, schedule depends on your country. First season is on Netflix, both seasons are on DVD.
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
1999's Power Rangers season, American adaptation of 1998's Seijuu Sentai Gingaman. The show is currently headlining the new Vortexx block on The CW.
Where to watch:
Currently airing on CW's Vortexx, every Saturday at 8 AM. The show is also available on Netflix and DVD as part of Time Life's Power Rangers collection.
Currently airing on CW's Vortexx, every Saturday at 8 AM. The show is also available on Netflix and DVD as part of Time Life's Power Rangers collection.
2012 MOVIE LINEUP
Gokaiger vs. Gavan
The Space Sheriff Gavan makes his glorious return in this 30th Anniversary celebration, and he has to fight Bootleg Gavan, as well as
butt heads with the 35th Anniversary Super Sentai, Gokaiger! The best Gokaiger movie so far (even better than 199 Heroes), it's full
of thrills and action that will satisfy even the most jaded superhero fan.
Ultraman Saga
The 45th Anniversary of Ultraman is coming up, and what better way to celebrate it than with a movie! Featuring various Ultramen together fighting new villains, and the cast of 1997's Ultraman Dyna returning to their roles.
Kamen Rider vs. Super Sentai: Superhero Wars
The most anticipated and hyped Toku of the year is the long awaited crossover between Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. One of the
biggest productions Toei has ever done, it is in the process of being nominated for the Guinness World Record for most stuntmen used in a single shot.
Go-Busters: The Movie / Kamen Rider Fourze: The Movie
DOUBLE FEATURE
In the first feature, the Go-Busters must protect the Tokyo Enetower from Enter's new Zord in their big-budget theatrical short film.
The second feature is Kamen Rider Fourze's full length theatrical movie, featuring an homage of the Space Ironmen Kyodain as evil villains threatening the Earth. The Kamen Rider Club must find a way to travel to outer space and defeat them!
RECOMMENDED PAST SHOWS
KAMEN RIDER
Kamen Rider W
Kamen Rider Den-O
Kamen Rider Kabuto
Kamen Rider Kuuga
Kamen Rider Black
SUPER SENTAI
Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (Kaizoku = Pirate)
Samurai Sentai Shinkenger
Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger (Jyuken = Beast Fist)
Choujin Sentai Jetman (Choujin = Birdmen)
Choujuu Sentai Liveman (Choujuu = Mega Beast)
WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE?
POWER RANGERS
Power Rangers RPM
Power Rangers SPD
Power Rangers Dino Thunder
Power Rangers Ninja Storm
Power Rangers Time Force
Power Rangers In Space
Garo
Do you need mature toku for mature viewers such as yourself? Then Garo is the show for you. Their standout features are basically
"omg tits and blood!"
Metal Heroes
Running for 17 years, the Metal Heroes series featured 17 different shows. Generally using a technological motif, a handful of these
shows were adapted as VR Troopers and Big Bad Beetleborgs at the height of the Power Rangers phenomenon. A popular hero from
this series, Space Sheriff Gavan, was recently featured in a vs. movie with the Pirate Sentai Gokaiger.
Tomica Heroes
Comprised of Rescue Force and Rescue Fire, the Tomica Heroes series ran for two years. Skewing a little lower demographically than
Super Sentai, the Tomica Heroes shows are nevertheless fun watches that feature great CGI and consummate boss Hiroshi Fujioka.
Monkey
Popular in the UK and Australia, Monkey is a retelling of the Journey to the West story. Featuring a funky soundtrack, fun fights, the odd
bit of Buddhist philosophy and an over-the-top dub, Monkey is a true classic
- Box of Bunnies
I WANT TO LEARN MORE!