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TV Shows & Series: Best "tokusatsu" TV Shows/Series

Tokusatsu (特撮(とくさつ), lit. 'special photography') is a Japanese term (shortened from Tokushu satsuei gijutsu (特殊撮影技術, lit. 'special effects technology')) for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special effects. Credited to special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, tokusatsu mainly refers to science fiction, war, fantasy, or horror media featuring such technology but is also occasionally dubbed a genre itself. Its contemporary use originated in the Japanese mass media around 1958 to explain special effects in an easy-to-understand manner and was popularized during the "first monster boom" (1966-1968). Prior to the monster boom, it was known in Japan as Tokushu gijutsu (特殊技術, lit. 'special technology') or shortened Tokugi (特技, lit. 'special skill'). Renowned subgenres of tokusatsu include kaiju such as the Godzilla and Gamera series; superhero such as the Kamen Rider and Metal Hero series; and mecha like Giant Robo and Super Robot Red Baron. Some tokusatsu television programs combine several of these subgenres, for example, the Ultraman and Super Sentai series. Tokusatsu is one of the most popular forms of Japanese entertainment, but only a small proportion of tokusatsu films and television progr... ()

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96 TV shows/series found (page 1/4):

Uchuu Sentai Kyuranger(2017-2018)

3.8/5 (with 3 votes)

All across the universe, the Jark Matter empire has conquered everything they see. Meanwhile, the insurgent force called "Rebellion" is established and gathers nine ultimate saviors from across the galaxy who are chosen by the Kyu Globes, magical spheres with the power of the constellations.

Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger(2021-2022)

4.4/5 (with 7 votes)

When an all-powerful enemy appears to destroy all parallel worlds, a hero with the spirit of all Super Sentai will rise to fight back. Transforming into Zenkaiser, he joins forces with four robots called Kikainoids with the spirit of Super Sentai robos from across history.

Samurai Sentai Shinkenger(2009-2010)

3.6/5 (with 7 votes)

Takeru Shiba, the head of the Shiba family and Hikoma Kusakabe call four teenagers in order to battle the Gedoushu. They transform into Shinkengers by using Shodo Phones. Genta Umemori, a childhood friend of Takeru joined Shinkengers as Shinken Gold.

Mashin Sentai Kiramager(2020-2021)

4.6/5 (with 4 votes)

A princess from the Land of Jewels comes to Earth with the Kirama Stones to find individuals with strong "shining spirits" known as Kiramental to become the Kiramagers and fight the threat of the Yodon, an imperial army of darkness.

Fuuto PI(2022)

3.9/5 (with 15 votes)

Some time after events of Kamen Rider W, Shotaro Hidari and Philip solve crimes and fight evil as superhero detectives in the windy city of Fuuto.

GARO(2005-2020)

4.1/5 (with 11 votes)

"Where there is light, shadows lurk and fear reigns. But by the blade of Knights, Mankind was given hope." The Makai fight a secret war against the demon forces known as Horrors, evil creatures that manifest themselves through darkness to devour Humanity. On the frontlines are the Makai Knights, given the task of watching over a district and eliminating any Horrors that manifest there. GARO follows the tales of the Knights bearing the title of ‘Golden Knight Garo’, and their duty to vanquish the Horrors and protect Humanity from the darkness.

Avataro Sentai Donbrothers(2022-2023)

4.5/5 (with 6 votes)

21 years ago, a baby arrived on earth inside of a peach. Today, five warriors based on the legend of Momotaro fight enemies that are inhabiting humans, invisible to the naked eye. Together they fight to take back gears based on previous Super Sentai.

Ultraman Taiga(2019)

3.5/5 (with 5 votes)

Aliens have been emigrating to Earth secretly, but only a handful knows about this truth. Living in such a society, the main character Hiroyuki Kudo begins working at a private security organization E.G.I.S. (Enterprise of Guard and Investigation Services). The organization takes care of cases related with aliens, and Hiroyuki works day and night to protect peace. However, there lies a huge secret in him, which he himself is not aware of. He carries Ultraman Taiga’s “particle of light”. The new story begins as Taiga’s powers revive from Hiroyuki’s body!

Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan(1981-1982)

5.0/5 (with 2 votes)

Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan is the fifth season in Toei Company's Super Sentai tokusatsu television series. It was broadcast from February 7, 1981 to January 30, 1982 and is the only Super Sentai series to serve as a direct sequel to its previous series and the only all-male super sentai team. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Sun Vulcan.

Ōsama Sentai Kingu-Ōjā(2023-)

4.2/5 (with 5 votes)

There is an ancient prophecy shared amongst the kingdoms of Chikyu- 2,000 years after their fall, the Territorial Empire Bugnarok will once again rise up to kill all humans. However, five kings and their guardian deity, King-Ohger, will stand up to face them. This is the story of kings who will defend the Chikyu, as well as a Coming of Age Story for one young man who will achieve kingship henceforth.

With Taisei Sakai

Kamen Rider Kabuto(2006-2007)

3.9/5 (with 3 votes)

A man named Souji Tendo has trained his entire life to take up the name of Kamen Rider Kabuto. He attempts to accomplish his goal to destroy all the alien Worms that threaten humanity that arrived from a meteorite seven years ago.

Ultraman Blazar(2023-2024)

4.6/5 (with 4 votes)

Ultraman Blazar is a hero with a great sense of justice hailing from “M421,” an extragalactic astronomical object far from Earth. The main protagonist, Gento Hiruma, is the captain of the Special Kaiju Reaction Detachment (SKaRD), established by the Global Guardian Force (GGF) in a world where kaiju disasters are a common practice. When their strong desire for the power to save human lives resonates, the two unite.

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Ultraman Nexus(2004-2005)

24min per episode | Action & Adventure
4.6/5 (with 6 votes)

The TLT is a covert international anti-monster unit established secretly to combat Space Beasts, mysterious monsters that are out to attack humans in the year 2009. One of the TLT's new recruits, Kazuki Komon, is attacked by one of them prior to reporting for duty. However, he is saved by a silver giant that he names "Ultraman". What no one knows is that the silver giant is an Ultraman — to be precise, Ultraman Nexus, ready to fight the Space Beasts to save the planet Earth.

With Takuji Kawakubo

Himitsu Sentai Gorenger(1975-1977)

4.2/5 (with 3 votes)

The first heroes of the Super Sentai series! The heroes were brought together to defend the world from the Black Cross Army, who attempted to conquer the world. The five powers united as one to defeat the monsters.

Ultraman Ace(1972-1973)

4.4/5 (with 5 votes)

Yapool, an ancient interdimensional race of beings tries to conquer the Planet Earth with his army of monsters, called Terrible-Monsters. The newest member of the Ultra Brothers, Ultraman Ace, arrives on Earth to aid humanity in the battle against Yapool. Touched by the sacrifices of Seiji Hokuto and Yuko Minami, he revives them and grants them the Ultra Rings, which allows them to transform into Ultraman Ace in times of need.

Return of Ultraman(1971-1972)

4.3/5 (with 5 votes)

In a fight between two giant monsters named Takkong and Zazahn, young race car driver Hideki Go is killed while trying to rescue a little boy and a dog from the falling rubble. His valiant sacrifice is noted by everyone, even his friends and the new defense force MAT, but an unseen being also takes notice. Looking over Go is the "New Ultraman", who is so touched by Go's actions that he decides to combine his life force with that of Hideki, thus bringing him back to life. Hideki Go then joins the MAT and fights alongside them and Ultraman against monsters and alien invaders.

Kamen Rider Kuuga(2000-2001)

4.3/5 (with 3 votes)

Kamen Rider Kuuga (Japanese: 仮面ライダークウガ, Hepburn: Kamen Raidā Kūga, stylized in English as Masked Rider Kuuga) is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is the tenth installment of the popular Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu shows and the first of the series to air entirely in the Heisei period, as well as the first standalone Kamen Rider TV series since Kamen Rider Black RX and the first series of the revived run of Kamen Rider, bringing Kamen Rider into the 21st century.

Ultraman X(2015)

4.4/5 (with 4 votes)

A solar flare has awakened Spark Dolls from the depths of the earth and the ocean! Fifteen years later, Daichi Ozora transforms into Ultraman X to battle threats from both aliens and monsters. He is also a member of Xio, a team created to battle the monstrous threats.

Ressha Sentai ToQger(2014-2015)

4.0/5 (with 5 votes)

The evil empire, Shadow Line appeared to cover the world in darkness. Five childhood friends who have a great Imagination were selected as ToQger to fight the Shadow Line.

J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai(1977)

4.3/5 (with 2 votes)

Cyborg warriors were created by the Special Science Investigation Squad to bear nuclear, gravitational, magnetic, and electrical forces. They fight the crime empire known as "Crime".

With Yoshitaka Tamba, Mitchi Love, Hiroshi Miyauchi

Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger(1992-1993)

4.3/5 (with 6 votes)

Five young warriors from the ancient civilization of Dinosaur-evolved Humans are awakened in the present day after 170 million years of suspended animation when their sworn enemy, Bandora the Witch, is inadvertently released from her magical container on Planet Nemesis by two astronauts. The five warriors, the Zyurangers, must summon the power of mechanical-looking deities known as the Guardian Beasts, each modeled after a different prehistoric beast, in order to protect mankind from Bandora's evil forces.

Ultraman Geed(2017)

4.5/5 (with 3 votes)

After escaping from the raid of giant monster Skull Gomora, Riku Asakura and his partner Pega stumbled upon a secret base lied 500 m underground. Given the Geed Riser and Ultra Capsules by operating system Rem, he transforms into Ultraman Geed and becomes a hero that his childhood inspired.

Kamen Rider Black Sun(2022)

FSK: 18+ years
| 44min per episode | Action & Adventure, Drama, Science-Fiction & Fantasy
4.2/5 (with 25 votes)

The year is 2022. It is an era of chaos, half a century after the government announced the coexistence of humans and kaijins. Aoi Izumi, a young human rights activist calling for the elimination of discrimination, meets a man named Kotaro Minami, the one called "Black Sun," who is a candidate for the next Creation King.

Cellphone Investigator 7(2008-2009)

4.3/5 (with 2 votes)

Seeking an escape from his mundane life, high-schooler Keita Amishima stumbles into the secret life of an agent of UNDER ANCHOR - a covert organisation combating cyber terrorism. Keita isn't alone, as he is partnered with an A.I. - the Phone Braver "Seven". Together, Keita and Seven work to counter cyber crimes, all the while dealing with the machinations of a rogue Phone Braver, "Zero One".

Ultraseven(1967-1968)

3.9/5 (with 53 votes)

In the not-too-distant future, the Earth finds itself constantly under attack from extraterrestrial threats. The Terrestrial Defense Force establishes the Ultra Garrison, a team of six elite members who utilize high-tech vehicles and weaponry. Joining their fight is the mysterious Dan Moroboshi, secretly an alien from the Land of Light in Nebula M-78, who transforms into his true form in times of crisis, Ultraseven.

Ultraman Tiga(1996-1997)

4.0/5 (with 46 votes)

A high-tech squadron protects Earth from evil monsters and aliens with the help of a giant super-being named Ultraman Tiga.

With Hiroshi Nagano

Ultraman Leo(1974-1975)

3.9/5 (with 5 votes)

Ultraman Leo is an Ultra foreign to the Land of Light, instead hailing from the fallen Planet L77 of the Leo constellation, where he and his brother Astra were royalty. After his planet was destroyed by Alien Magma and his twin Giras kaiju, Leo traveled to Earth, intending to make it a second home. While there, he blended into human society as Gen Ohtori, and became a gym instructor at a fitness club for children. But, when the Alien Magma that destroyed L77 came to conquer Earth, he was forced to take action. Leo met Ultraseven during his initial fight against Alien Magma, and became the first Ultra Crusader of Earth to not hail from the Land of Light. Unlike most of the previous Ultras to visit Earth, Leo's fighting style specializes in martial arts giving him far greater physical abilities than any other known Ultras. Despite his foreign origins, he, along with Astra, were readily accepted into the pantheon of the Ultra Brothers. During his tenure on Earth, Leo and Seven became very close, and it was for this reason that Seven would eventually entrust the training of his son Ultraman Zero to Leo and Astra.

With Ryu Manatsu

Tokusatsu GaGaGa(2019)

45min per episode | Comedy, Drama, Action & Adventure
3.5/5 (with 5 votes)

The series is based on the manga Tokusatsu Gagaga, a comedy manga by Tanba Niwa. Tokusatsu Gagaga series follows Kano Nakamura, an office lady played by Fuka Koshiba, who is secretly a tokusatsu otaku, a toku-ota. She lives her life by the code of tokusatsu heroes and often envisions herself as one as a means to make it through her daily struggles.

Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive(1999-2000)

4.4/5 (with 4 votes)

Grandiene has been waiting for the day of resurrection, the day when the planets are in the alignment of the Grand Cross. Her children descend to the Earth to make it a realm of darkness for her. Ten years prior, Doctor Tatsumi of the Tatsumi Disaster Prevention Institute predicted this event, but nobody believed him. He left his family so he could secretly develop and construct the Rescue System. Now in 1999, Doctor Tatsumi appears again to give the means to save the world to his children as the GoGoFive team.

The Mobile Cop Jiban(1989-1990)

4.0/5 (with 107 votes)

The Mobile Cop Jiban is a Japanese tokusatsu television series which serves as the 8th entry in the Metal Hero franchise, and the first series to have toy commercials that were filmed on Videotape. Produced by Toei and aired by TV Asahi in Japan from January 29, 1989 to January 28, 1990, it ran for 52 episodes and a feature movie aired on July 17, 1989. According to Toei's International Sales & Promotion Department, the series' English title can be referred to as Jiban. Created by Keita Amemiya, the premise for the series combines elements from the American film Robocop and the 1970s tokusatsu Robot Detective. The opening catchphrase of the series is: "This is the drama of a girl's and a young man's hearts which love people and protect justice."

With Shoutaira Kusaka
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