[TokuKnight89]

I'm wondering (and fearing) that people have a misguided notion with regards to streaming. Wouldn't Netflix USA have to make a direct deal with Tsuburaya or Toei for the rights to Kamen Rider, Sentai, and Ultraman? By the same token, wouldn't Netflix USA also have to make a deal with Hasbro, the current rights holder to Power Rangers, to stream Sentai since the one holds the rights to Power Rangers also holds the rights to Western Distribution of Sentai!? Since SHOUT! has long since had the rights to the Sentai they've already distributed, and they have their own streaming resources and an alignment at the hip with Tubi, it seems unrealistic to assume that Netflix or Hulu would ever get the rights nor fight in a bidding war for the rights to Sentai. Kamen Rider is also touchy, since Western Distribution for Rider has always been touchy. However, since SHOUT! has successfully distributed Rider '71, Kuuga, and Heisei Generations Forever, then it stands to reason that SHOUT! has Toei's attention. One also shouldn't forget the rights that TokuHD has acquired over the years (despite the hit-and-miss aspect of their subs). The way the deals currently work and how distribution has worked up to this point seems to dissuade against the big streamers from ever getting in on this at the current time. The closest approximation I see would be if that animated W series which is to be distributed by Funimation somehow finds its way onto Netflix or Hulu. Going even further into the meat of it all, Mill Creek and Tsuburaya are on very good terms these days, and Mill Creek set owners can stream on MovieSpree with the redeemable code or just stream on SHOUT!, Tubi, or TokuSHOUTsu! Going even further, Garo Vanishing Line is on Crunchyroll and/or Hulu, but the original Garo is still mostly available on HIDIVE.

Ranting and raving aside, the general point is (if there even is one) is that so many older and newer deals don't bode well for the big streamers to get in on this anytime soon. And honestly, I don't mind that at all! I'll admit, the "free-but-with-ads" model is a little tiresome at times, but it does provide the possibility for greater access, especially when some are tightening their finances these days. The release of the Gorenger Manga might have been a little too much of a "But Why?" circumstance with most not getting the reason much less the context, especially since one can't view Gorenger in an official capacity at the present time.

The appeal of Toku in the West is still stuck amongst the die-hards, but it's still very niche and hasn't found mass approval yet. I would even dare to say that it has to start small, largely through friends sharing it amongst friends via social media or word-of-mouth. Many of the old horror/slashers that the mainstream balked at in the old days became popular because they were niche and because fans in those days engaged in word-of-mouth and told someone else about the thing they just saw. They may be what's needed here, but in a more modern context. Toku isn't going to suddenly become popular overnight, but I'm also wary of the big streamers getting it cause I wonder if they can be trusted with it. Netflix Japan might be good with it (if the Asian variant to Netflix is streaming it at all), but it has the longtime appeal and success amongst Japanese fans to back that up.

Toku hasn't gotten big enough in the West yet appeal to the shareholders of the big streamers...yet! However, I do have a mild hope that the appeal will steadily good upward. Remember, Marvel and Tsuburaya are also on good terms given the current Ultraman comics. Maybe one day we'll get a Western Comic Interpretation to Kamen Rider or Garo!? That would help with the distribution dilemma and overall knowledge amongst people that something like that even exists. That might be the biggest hurdle of all: Most don't even know something like Kamen Rider exists at all!

For now, let it stand as it is and build-up momentum through the lesser-known services. It needs a little more time, and don't hesitate to put Tokusatsu down as a personal interest in a survey or resume!