Ask John: Is Tokusatsu for Everyone?

Question:
Is Tokusatsu for everyone?

Answer:
Japanese tokusatsu (special effects) television series like Ultraman, Kikaider, and Kamen Rider have been distributed in America for decades, yet the closest they’ve ever come to achieving breakthrough American success is their Americanized counterpart Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. Series like Power Rangers and Ultraman seem to cement the mainstream American impression that Japanese tokusatsu programs are exclusively for children, but especially these days, Japanese tokusatsu actually has a very broad viewer demographic.

Traditionally Japanese special effects, man-in-suit, and hero programs are targeted at children, but especially within the past several years the Japanese television industry has made significant effort to create tokusatsu programs for audiences apart from just children. Tokusatsu programs including 2005 series Garo and the 2006 series Lion Maru G were broadcast after midnight and were thus obviously intended for adult viewers. The 2007 series Bishoujo Celeb Panchanne targeted grown women viewers with its story about a 30-year-old housewife that gains that divine ability to transform into an anime style magical girl heroine.

While conventional tokusatsu and sentai programs continue to primarily target Japanese children, international viewers may be surprised to find that many of today’s children’s tokusatsu programs are much different from the vintage Ultraman and Masked Rider stereotypes. Many contemporary tokusatsu television programs feature attractive young actors, catchy pop music, high quality special effects, and sometimes even disturbing and frightening imagery and scenes. Despite being children’s series, shows including Kamen Rider 555 and Kamen Rider Kiva include horror and apocalyptic themes and frequent deaths.

Tokusatsu and sentai programs are typically based on a type of Japanese philosophy that doesn’t largely appeal to American sensibilities. While, in some respects, Japanese tokusatsu heroes like Garo, Skull Man, and Skull Soldier may superficially resemble American dark heroes like Batman and Spawn, the emphasis on using technology rather than innate powers, and a sense of responsibility to society rather than a feeling of desire to protect society subtly distinguish Japanese from American super heroes. As a result, viewers uninterested in effects heavy sci-fi and horror fantasy film certainly won’t be interested. And Americans who are deeply devoted to the unique characteristics of American comic book super heroes may not be able to enjoy the differences characteristic of Japanese super heroes. So despite making limited inroads into American popular culture and awareness, Japanese tokusatsu is unlikely to ever achieve massive American popular success. However, open minded American viewers may be surprised to find that contemporary Japanese hero shows are targeted at a wide audience. And many of them contain elements that make them interesting to more than just children viewers.