In this episode, our panel shares their obsession with Japanese special effects movies and series. From Godzilla to Kamen Rider, Mike Dent, Patrick Macias and Fernando Ramos discuss the highs and lows of a genre that is most commonly geared towards children and housewives. We also interview Peter Tatara from New York Anime Festival.

A3K PANEL

Episode Title: “Tokusatsu”
Episode Count: 18
Run Time: 01:04:01
Host(s): Sean Russell
Guest(s): Patrick Macias, Mike Dent, Fernando Ramos
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ABOUT OUR PANEL

Sean Russell – Host and owner of Anime 3000.
Fernando Ramos – Writer and Japan Correspondent for Anime 3000
Mike Dent – Host/Producer of R5 Central, writer for Otaku USA
Patrick Macias – Editor and Chief of Otaku USA

TIME STAMP

[0:00 – 2:06] Introduction
[2:06 – 20:11] Introduction to Tokusatsu
[20:11 – 21:04] Promos
[21:04 – 52:56] Tokusatsu in America
[52:56 – 1:02:23] Peter Tatara Interview
[1:02:23 – 1:03:37] A3K Promo
[1:03:37 – 1:05:50] Closing Remarks

MUSIC:

Masked Rider Ryuki opening on Piano
Power Rangers Theme
Godzilla Theme Song

NOTES FROM THE DISCUSSION

The History of Tokusatsu

Kaiju Series like Godzilla in the 1950s
Kyodai subgenre where normal sized characters grow to fight larger foes (Ambassador Magama and Ultraman)
Kaijin – Supervillians as the lead characters
Yoaki – appairitions, spirits or demons
Super Sentai
Metal Hero

American Adaptations

Godzilla, King of Monsters: appeared in English in 1956 (Rather than a simple dub of the Japanese-language original, this was an entirely re-edited version of the Japanese original which restructured the plot to incorporate a new character played by American actor Raymond Burr).
Ultraman gained popularity when it too was dubbed for American audiences in the 1960s.

In 1990, Saban purchased footage from various Super Sentai series to make a collection of shows.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993) – Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, Toei’s sixteenth installment of their long-running Super Sentai series.
VR Troopers – Footage from Choujinki Metalder, Jikuu Senshi Spielban, and Uchuu Keiji Shaider several series in theMetal Hero Series, became VR Troopers in 1994.
Saban’s Masked Rider – There followed an adaptation of the ninth series in the Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider BLACK RX
Big Bad Beetleborgs (1996) – Juukou B-Fighter
Beetleborgs Metallix (1997) – B-Fighter Kabuto
Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad (1994) – Tsuburaya Productions’ Denkou Choujin Gridman
Kamen Rider Dragon Knight – twelfth Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Ryuki

PROMOS:

Anime World Order
Finally, the right time and place to play their Sentai promo.
http://www.animeworldorder.com

Anime 3000 Promo:

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http://www.anime3000.com