Global Trends



It should come as no surprise as to the topic I chose for Global Trends is Japanese Tokusatsu television shows. Tokusatsu (literal translation is special filming) is a style of filmmaking that usually includes miniatures and a man-in-a-suit, although, in recent years, computer-generated imagery has been used in some form in traditional Tokusatsu shows and movies. Ultraman Geed Final Battle


 Tokusatsu originally started in 1954 with Toho Studio’s Gojira; the film was a major success and spawned the kaiju-ega (Japanese monster movie). In 1966, Eiji Tsuburaya (director of special effects for Toho Studios) started his own production company and released Ultra Q. Almost immediately after the release of Ultra Q, Tsuburaya productions began producing Ultraman, which began airing later that year. Ultraman became a huge hit and is often compared to being the “Mickey Mouse,” of Japan. Honda Commercial feat. The Ultra Brothers, The Ultra Brothers Go Hawaii, Ultra State Farm Agents.


After the runaway success of Ultraman, companies like Toei and Toho Studios began producing their superhero-themed tokusatsu shows. Specterman, Zone Fighter, Battle Fever J, and Kamen Rider all followed in the wake of Ultraman, bet few had the longevity as Ultraman. Zone Fighter feat. Godzilla.

In the 1970’s, Toei Studios partnered with Marvel Comics to produce a Japanese Spiderman television show in the vein of the superhero-themed tokusatsu shows. Toei's Spiderman, it was during this time that Toei Studios also began producing the Super Sentai Series. The Super Sentai Series is another Tokusatsu show that has been ongoing for over thirty years.

Between the birth of these shows and today. Toy company Bandi bought a majority share in the production of the companies that produce these videos, so now, the shows are written to promote the current toy line. Because of this, the quality of the shows have gone downhill and do not have the same charm as the original shows did. Still, tokusatsu is an ongoing television genre that continues in Japan.  Ultraman Bandi Promotion, Ultraman X, Kamen Rider Bandi Ad. 

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