[mdo7]

I didn't know where to put this. I know the definition of Tokusatsu is usually monster, suitmation, and probably a 5 member superhero team (like Super Sentai/Power Rangers). But Tokusatsu can fit sci-fi genre (like Godzilla) and fantasy genre. There are non-traditional tokusatsu program too like this Dinosaur/anime toku hybrid. When it comes to Tokusatsu, we've seen Tokusatsu shows outside of Japan like the UK did Gorgo, and US/Ireland did the Mystic Knight of Tir Na Nog. But however, there are some shows that I think should maybe in my opinion be consider as tokusatsu too and these are not from Japan, let me show you an example:

How many of you watch (or are fans of) Kung fu film?? I think many of you may have heard of Inframan? Do you know Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain (trailer below):

The movie also inspired 2 TV shows from TVB (a famous Hong Kong TV station, if you don't know TVB, I recommend reading this article from Dramafever):

The god and demon of Zu Mountain (again like the movie, this had a lot of tokusatsu-style special effect):

The Zu Mountain Saga (sequel to the show above):

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh1...991_shortfilms

I used to watch Zu Mountain Saga (dubbed in Vietnamese, no English sub sorry folks ) when I was younger and the special effect used in the show did reminded me of Power Ranger a lot. The show didn't have a "monster of the week" like you seen in Super Sentai/Kamen Rider/Ultraman, but it did have a complex plot, and the villain was not human, but a devil.

And it's not only Hong Kong that made show that had toku-style special effect or carry some similarities to Toku shows from Japan. South Korea's K-drama (well beside Erexion) have started to carry Toku-influenced special effect and (some tropes too):

How many of you watch K-dramas? Do you know The Night Watchman's Journal??

The plotline of The Night Watchman's Journal: In Joseon, the night watchmen patrol after curfew hours (9:00 at night to 5:00 in the morning) to hunt and catch evil supernatural beings as they are the only ones that can see and fight these monsters and ghosts. One of them is the crown prince Lee Rin, who, like his father before him, becomes a night watchman rather than performing his royal duties and staying in the palace. In chasing evil spirits and experiencing the plight of citizens firsthand, he eventually learns to be a good ruler while learning that his supernatural gift can also be a weakness and a curse.

Does this plot sound something like out of a Tokusatsu show??

Another K-drama (from the same company that made The Night Watchman Journal) also has toku-influence on it, here's Gu Family Book:

and here is a clip from the show which makes me question if this should be classify as toku or not:

Gu Family Book is a fusion martial arts action historical K-drama about a half man-half monster who is searching for a centuries-old book that according to gumiho legend, contains the secret to becoming human.

I know when it comes to Tokusatsu, we think of Godzilla, Gamera, Super Sentai/Power Ranger, Kamen Rider, and Ultra-man. But Tokusatsu doesn't always mean that way, it means special effect show (and usually suitmation).

So my question is: These shows I mention above, should they be classify as Tokusatsu? What non-Japanese show you watch that doesn't resemble Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Godzilla, or Ultraman did you watch and you thought this is like a Tokusatsu? I love to hear your input on this.