Tokusatsu

CONCEPT

Tokusatsu is the name for Japanese live-action entertainment with traditional special effects. Made popular in the West by the likes of Godzilla, Ultraman, and Power Rangers, many games use the genre's over-the-top style, such as Viewtiful Joe and The Wonderful 101.

Concept Images Related Pages

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Origin

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 (Character) to Doctor Who (Franchise) 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. Popular examples include kaiju movies like Godzilla (Franchise), superhero shows like Ultraman (Franchise) and Power Rangers (Franchise), and inter-galactic space operas such as Gorath and Warning from Space (known for influencing 2001: A Space Odyssey). The genre has its roots in early Japanese theater, which made extensive use of special effects. Another influence was Japan (Location)'s kamishibai medium, which introduced fantastical sci-fi elements such as mechs and flying caped superheroes like Golden Bat and Prince of Gamma (popular in early 1930's Japan, years before Superman (Character) and Batman (Character) were created in America).

Video games

The first video game to draw influence from Japanese tokosatsu movies was the American-developed Spacewar! (Game), the game responsible for launching the video game industry. Being a popular and influential genre in Japan, many Japanese developers apply inspiration from various Tokusatsu works into their games. Some popular examples include Viewtiful Joe (Franchise) and The Wonderful 101 (Game).

Games view all →]

• 2 Games in 1 Double Pack: Power Rangers Ninja Storm + Power Rangers Time Force (Game)
• 8-Colors Star Guardians (Game)
• All Kamen Rider: Rider Generation 2 (Game)
• All Kamen Rider: Rider Revolution (Game)
• Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale (Game)
• Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger (Game)
• Battle Baseball (Game)
• Battle Dodge Ball 3 (Game)
• Battle Soccer (Game)
• Battle Soccer 2 (Game)
• Bima-X (Game)
• Bomberman: Bakufuu Sentai Bomberman (Game)
• Bravoman: Binja Bash! (Game)
• Chroma Squad (Game)
• Cosmo Police Galivan (Game)
• Cosmo Police Galivan II: Arrow of Justice (Game)
• Cult Master: Ultraman ni Miserarete (Game)
• Cyber Cross (Game)
• Cyborg Hunter (Game)
• Daikaijū Battle: Ultra Monsters (Game)
• Daikaijū Rush: Ultra Frontier (Game)
• Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories (Game)
• Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention (Game)
• Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice (Game)
• Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten (Game)
• Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness (Game)
• Disgaea DS (Game)
• Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (Game)
• Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (Game)
• Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger: Battle Cube Puzzle (Game)
• Engine Sentai Go-Onger: Mach de Oboeru! AIUEO!! (Game)
• Ganbare! Bokura no Compati Heroes (Game)
• Gekisou Sentai Carranger: Zenkai! Racer Senshi! (Game)
• Genji Tsuushin Agedama (Game)
• Genseishin Justirisers Sochaku! Chikyuu no Senshi-tachi (Game)
• God Hand (Game)
• Golden Knight GARO (Game)
• Guardian (Game)
• Hanjuku Hero (Game)
• Jissen Pachi-Slot Hisshouhou! Single: Kamen Rider & Gallop (Game)
• Kaijuu Busters Powered (Game)
• Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger: Atsumete Henshin! 35 Sentai (Game)
• Kamen Rider (Game)
• Kamen Rider (Game)
• Kamen Rider (Game)
• Kamen Rider 555 (Game)
• Kamen Rider 555 (Game)
• Kamen Rider Agito & Kuuga: Wild Battle (Game)
• Kamen Rider Agito (Game)
• Kamen Rider Atsume (Game)
• Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbaride (Game)
• Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbaride Card Battle Taisen (Game)
• Kamen Rider Battride War (Game)
• Kamen Rider Black: Taiketsu Shadow Moon (Game)
• Kamen Rider Climax Scramble Zi-O (Game)
• Kamen Rider Club: Gekitotsu Shocker Land (Game)
• Kamen Rider Ghost: Game de Kaigan!! (Game)
• Kamen Rider Hibiki (Game)
• Kamen Rider Kiva: Hiragana Sūji Chie Battle!! (Game)
• Kamen Rider Kuuga (Game)
• Kamen Rider Ryuki (Game)
• Kamen Rider SD: GranShocker no Yabou (Game)
• Kamen Rider SD: Hashire! Mighty Riders (Game)
• Kamen Rider SummonRide (Game)
• Kamen Rider V3 (Game)
• Kamen Rider: Battride War Genesis (Game)
• Kamen Rider: Battride War II (Game)
• Kamen Rider: Climax Fighters (Game)
• Kamen Rider: Climax Heroes (Game)
• Kamen Rider: Memory of Heroez (Game)
• Kamen Rider: Seigi no Keifu (Game)
• Kamen Rider: Super Climax Heroes (Game)
• Kamen Rider: The Bike Race (Game)
• Kamen Rider: Travelers Senki (Game)
• Kamen no Ninja Akakage (Game)
• Kids Station: Kamen Rider Heroes (Game)
• Kids Station: Ultraman Cosmos (Game)
• Killer7 (Game)
• Kutar End Credits (Game)
• Kyouryu Sentai Zyuranger (Game)
• Lisa (Game)
• Live A Live (Game)
• Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus (Game)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Game)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Game)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Game)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind (Game)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition (Game)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (Game)
• My Mundane Life Is Threatened by the Tropes of an RPG!!! (Game)
• Nari Kids Park: Kaitō Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger (Game)
• Nari Kids Park: Ultraman R/B (Game)
• Ninja Sentai Hurricanger & Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger: Chou Sentai Super Battle (Game)
• PD Ultraman Battle Collection 64 (Game)
• PD Ultraman Invader (Game)
• Pachinko Kamen Rider (Game)
• Pachitte Chonmage Tatsujin 12: Pachinko Ultraman (Game)
• Pachitte Chonmage Tatsujin 5: CR Kamen Rider (Game)
• Power Fighters (Game)
• Power Pro-Kun Pocket 7 (Game)

Concept details

Name

Tokusatsu

Aliases

Games

• 2 Games in 1 Double Pack: Power Rangers Ninja Storm + Power Rangers Time Force (Game)
• 8-Colors Star Guardians (Game)
• All Kamen Rider: Rider Generation 2 (Game)
• All Kamen Rider: Rider Revolution (Game)
• Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale (Game)
• Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger (Game)
• Battle Baseball (Game)
• Battle Dodge Ball 3 (Game)
• Battle Soccer (Game)
• Battle Soccer 2 (Game)
• Bima-X (Game)
• Bomberman: Bakufuu Sentai Bomberman (Game)
• Bravoman: Binja Bash! (Game)
• Chroma Squad (Game)
• Cosmo Police Galivan (Game)
• Cosmo Police Galivan II: Arrow of Justice (Game)
• Cult Master: Ultraman ni Miserarete (Game)
• Cyber Cross (Game)
• Cyborg Hunter (Game)
• Daikaijū Battle: Ultra Monsters (Game)
• view all →

Franchises

• Has franchises: Capcom Versus (Franchise), Space Invaders (Franchise), Metal Gear (Franchise), Metal Gear Solid (Franchise), Tatsunoko (Franchise), Tatsunoko vs. Capcom (Franchise), Viewtiful Joe (Franchise), Battle Soccer (Franchise), Compati Hero Series (Franchise), Godzilla (Franchise), Power Rangers (Franchise), Ultraman (Franchise), Red Steel (Franchise), Kamen Rider (Franchise)

Characters

• Has characters: Cassie Chan (Character), Kamen Rider Ex-Aid (Character), Viewtiful Joe (Character), Godzilla (Character), Battra (Character), Destoroyah (Character), Gabara (Character), Gigan (Character), Hedorah (Character), King Ghidorah (Character), Megaguirus (Character), Megalon (Character), Orga (Character), Space Godzilla (Character), Gorosarurus (Character), Jet Jaguar (Character), Manda (Character), Moguera (Character), Dagarah (Character), Death Ghidorah (Character), Minori Amanohara (Character), Adam Park (Character), Aisha Campbell (Character), Billy Cranston (Character), Kimberly Hart (Character), Rocky DeSantos (Character), Tommy Oliver (Character), Goldar (Character), Lipsyncher (Character), Silver Horns (Character), Jason Lee Scott (Character), Kat Hillard (Character), Ninjor (Character), Trini Kwan (Character), Zack Taylor (Character), Baboo (Character), Scorpina (Character), Squatt (Character), Turban Shell (Character), King Sphinx (Character), Shellshock (Character), Gamera (Character), Gyaos (Character), Ultraman (Character), Alien Baltan (Character), Alien Mefilas (Character), Bemular (Character), Bullton (Character), Geronimon (Character), Neronga (Character), Zetton (Character), Ultraman Cosmos (Character), Ultraman Jack (Character), Ultraseven (Character), Zoffy (Character), Bemstar (Character), Alien Icarus (Character), Mikuras (Character), Cardiatron (Character), Cenozoic Blue Ranger (Character), Hatchasaurus (Character), Mighty Minotaur (Character), Nasty Knight (Character), Polluticorn (Character), Anubis Cruger (Character), Aurico (Character), Carter Grayson (Character), Kat Manx (Character), Leo Corbett (Character), Magna Defender (Character), Robert James (Character), Tanya Sloan (Character), Trey of Triforia (Character), Andros (Character), Cameron Watanabe (Character), Heckyl (Character), Antonio Garcia (Character), Ashley Hammond (Character), Brody Romero (Character), Calvin Maxwell (Character), Carlos Vallerte (Character), Cestro (Character), Cole Evans (Character), Conner McKnight (Character), Corcus (Character), Damon Henderson (Character), Dana Mitchell (Character), Delphine (Character), Eric Myers (Character), Ethan James (Character), Gemma (Character), Gia Moran (Character), Hayley Foster (Character), Justin Stewart (Character), Karone (Character), Kira Ford (Character), Koda (Character), Preston Tien (Character), Sarah Thompson (Character), T.J. Johnson (Character), Tideus (Character), Trent Fernandez-Mercer (Character), Wesley Collins (Character), Bridge Carson (Character), Dax Lo (Character), Mack Hartford (Character), Phantom Ranger (Character), Ronny Robinson (Character), Rose Ortiz (Character), Tori Hanson (Character), Tyzonn (Character), Will Aston (Character), Xander Bly (Character), Diabolico (Character), Jinxer (Character), Loki (Character), Prince Olympius (Character), Queen Bansheera (Character), Vypra (Character), Chad Lee (Character), Joel Rawlings (Character), Kelsey Winslow (Character), Ryan Mitchell (Character), Madame Woe (Character), Kamen Rider (Character), Ganikoumoru (Character), Garagaranda (Character), Hachi-Onna (Character), Hell Chameleon (Character), Kumo-Otoko (Character), Pirazarusu (Character), Sabotenguron (Character), Shinigami Chameleon (Character), Shocker Rider (Character), Shocker Shuryo (Character), Kamen Rider 2 (Character), Kamen Rider V3 (Character), Space Sheriff Gavan (Character), Kamen Rider Skull (Character), Wonder Blue (Character), Wonder Pink (Character), Wonder White (Character), Kamen Rider Gaim (Character), Doktor G (Character), Gama Boiler (Character), Hasami Jaguar (Character), Jishaku Inoshishi (Character), Kamakubi Game (Character), Kame Bazooka (Character), Sai Tank (Character), Shibito Koumori (Character), Zarigana (Character), Riderman (Character), Kamen Rider Black (Character), Shadow Moon (Character), Kamen Rider ZO (Character), Kamen Rider Agito (Character), Kamen Rider Dragon Knight (Character), Kamen Rider Kuuga (Character), Kamen Rider Faiz (Character), Kamen Rider Super-1 (Character), Kamen Rider OOO (Character), Kamen Rider Nadeshiko (Character), Kamen Rider Baron (Character), Luka Millfy (Character), Captain Marvelous (Character), Sanda (Character), Gaira (Character), Lucky Man (Character), Warz Gill (Character), Miss America (Character), Kamen Rider Spectre (Character), Kamen Rider Ghost (Character), Alien Borg (Character), Alien Guts (Character), Alien Metron (Character), Gandar (Character), Imit-Ultraseven (Character), King Joe (Character), Pandon (Character), Agira (Character), Windam (Character), Ramirez (Character), Yuko Fukui (Character), Gudon (Character), Twin Tail (Character), Midoranger (Character), Akaranger (Character), Aoranger (Character), Kiranger (Character), Momoranger (Character), Kamen Rider Stronger (Character), Denpa Ningen Tackle (Character), Kamen Rider Amazon (Character), Kamen Rider X (Character), King Dark (Character), Shelby Watkins (Character), Sledge (Character), Snide (Character), Chase Randall (Character), Kendall Morgan (Character), Riley Griffin (Character), Tyler Navarro (Character), Orion (Character), Emma Goodall (Character), Jake Holling (Character), Noah Carver (Character), Troy Burrows (Character), Kai Chen (Character), Maya (Character), Zhane (Character), Kamen Rider Amazon Omega (Character), Kamen Rider Amazon Alpha (Character), Kamen Rider Beast (Character), Kamen Rider Wizard (Character), Kamen Rider Den-O (Character), Ryu Tendo (Character), Ako Hayasaka (Character), Gai Yuki (Character), Raita Ooishi (Character), Ultraman Nexus (Character), Jamila (Character), Kilazee (Character), Ultraman Great (Character), Kodalar (Character), Majaba (Character), Zebokon (Character), Barrangas (Character), Gudis (Character), Degola (Character), Bogun (Character), Tooya (Character), Steeleto (Character), Splitface (Character), Scorpionic (Character), Rofer (Character), Robtish (Character), Rhinosnorus (Character), Madimot (Character), Yamiror (Character), Desperaino (Character), Arachnitor (Character), Moogers (Character), Deker (Character), Dayu (Character), Octoroo (Character), Master Xandred (Character), Jayden Shiba (Character), Lauren Shiba (Character), Kevin (Character), Mia Watanabe (Character), Robo Knight (Character), Choobo (Character), Dustin Brooks (Character), Hunter Bradley (Character), Shane Clarke (Character), Blake Bradley (Character), Zen-Aku (Character), Alyssa Enrilé (Character), Danny Delgado (Character), Max Cooper (Character), Taylor Earhardt (Character), Elizabeth Delgado (Character), Jack Landors (Character), Sam (Character), Sky Tate (Character), Icthior (Character), Jen Scotts (Character), Udonna (Character), Trakeena (Character), Sentinel Knight (Character), Gluto (Character), Creepox (Character), Bluefur (Character), Dragonflay (Character), Nojoke (Character), Yuffo (Character), Vrak (Character), Moltor (Character), Kamen Rider Build (Character), Psycho Red Ranger (Character), Leanbow (Character), Dai Shi (Character), Poisandra (Character), Ultraman Rosso (Character), Ultraman Blu (Character), Kamen Rider Kiva (Character), Katie Walker (Character), Lucas Kendall (Character), Trip (Character), Nick Russell (Character), Charlie Thorn (Character), Madison Rocca (Character), Vida Rocca (Character), Camille (Character), Jarrod (Character), Ziggy Grover (Character), Dillon (Character), Flynn McAllistair (Character), Scott Truman (Character), Summer Landsdown (Character), Devon Daniels (Character), Ecliptor (Character), Metal Alice (Character), Dreadhead (Character), Kamen Rider Zero-One (Character), Skyrider (Character), Kairi Yano (Character), Keiichiro Asaka (Character), Sakuya Hikawa (Character), Tsukasa Myoujin (Character), Witch Bandora (Character), Hiromu Sakurada (Character), Yoko Usami (Character), Kyosuke Jinnai (Character), Naoki Domon (Character), Misao Mondou (Character), Amu (Character), Haru Tokashiki (Character), Pumpkin Rapper (Character), AkaRed (Character), Ryouga Hakua (Character), Mikoto Nakadai (Character), Asuka (Character), Ranru Itsuki (Character), Yukito Sanjyou (Character), Sosuke Esumi (Character), Gunpei Ishihara (Character), Hant Jou (Character), Renn Kousaka (Character), Saki Rouyama (Character), Izzy Garcia (Character), Cybervillain Blaze (Character), Ultraman Tiga (Character), Camearra (Character), Ultraman Zearth (Character), Red King III (Character), Ultraman 80 (Character), Kamen Rider Hibiki (Character), Ranger Log (Character), Ranger Digi (Character), Divatox (Character), Kikaider (Character), Eggman (Character), Destroyman (Character)

Locations

• Has locations: Japan (Location), Santa Destroy (Location)

Objects

• Has objects: Laser (Object), Helmet (Object), Mech (Object), Beam Sword (Object), Lightspeed Megazord (Object)

People

• Has people: Hiroshi Fujioka (Person)

Related Concepts

• Has related concepts: Kid Friendly (Concept), Licensed Game (Concept), Games Based on Comic Books (Concept), Games Based On Movies Based On Comics (Concept), Mutant (Concept), Superhero (Concept), Super Strength (Concept), Super Speed (Concept), Adapted from Television (Concept), Super Suit (Concept), Games Based on Anime (Concept), Kaiju (Concept), Android (Concept), Supervillain (Concept), Visual Novel (Concept), Power Rangers (Concept), Sixth Ranger (Concept), Kamen Rider (Concept), Destron (Concept), Shocker (Concept), Games Based on Television Based on Comic Books (Concept), Mastodon Sentry (Concept), Comiket (Concept)