History Main / Toku

''Franchise/SuperSentai'', ''Franchise/MetalHeroes'' and ''Franchise/KamenRider'' franchises on this list were adapted, with varying degrees of success, by Creator/SabanEntertainment to produce the U.S. series ''PowerRangers'', ''Series/VRTroopers'', ''BigBadBeetleborgs'' and ''MaskedRider''. ''KamenRiderRyuki'' was later adapted into ''KamenRiderDragonKnight'', which considered better than ''MaskedRider''.

* ''{{Inframan}}'' - while Chinese rather than Japanese, it's an obvious effort by the Shaw Bros. to cash in on ''Ultraman'''s success.

* ''WarriorOfLoveRainbowman''- Toho's first henshin hero and an EnhancedRemake of {{7-Color Mask}} from 1959. It was remade into a giant robot anime in 1982.

* TsuburayaProductions ([[UltraSeries Ultraman]])
* ToeiCompany (Franchise/KamenRider, SuperSentai)

* KenjiOhba

* ''AmbassadorMagma'' (first color toku)

* ''Series/NinjaCaptor'' (a Sentai-esqe series that was apparently once classed as part of the ''SuperSentai'' franchise)

* ''{{Spectreman}}''

* ''BioPlanetWoO'''

* ''Series/DenkouChoujinGridman'' - Adapted in America as ''SuperhumanSamuraiSyberSquad'', featuring TimCurry as the voice of the BigBad.

* ''{{Fireman}}'' - Possibly the first "Giant Hero" made for adults in 1973.

* ''MightyJack''

* ''SilverKamen''

** ''Series/GaroTheOneWhoShinesInTheDarkness''

* ''KamenNoNinjaAkakage''

Interestingly, a number of Western television programs are considered Toku by the Japanese due to their use of special effects and certain themes; this list includes such names as ''{{Smallville}}'', ''{{Stargate SG-1}}'', ''Series/DoctorWho'', ''KnightRider'', and ''Series/RedDwarf''. This list also includes shows that use puppetry, like Gerry Anderson's {{Supermarionation}} series ''{{Thunderbirds}}'' and ''{{Terrahawks}}'', and even ''ThomasTheTankEngine''.

* ''ToeiFushigiComedySeries''

* ''BishoujoKamenPoitrine''

* ''DennouKeisatsuCybercop'' - Toho's late-[[TheEighties 80s]] entry in the genre. Essentially a mix between ''MetalHeroes'' and ''SuperSentai''.

* ''MetalHeroes''

''SuperSentai'', ''MetalHeroes'' and ''Franchise/KamenRider'' franchises on this list were adapted, with varying degrees of success, by Creator/SabanEntertainment to produce the U.S. series ''PowerRangers'', ''Series/VRTroopers'', ''BigBadBeetleborgs'' and ''MaskedRider''. ''KamenRiderRyuki'' was later adapted into ''KamenRiderDragonKnight'', which considered better than ''MaskedRider''.

* ''BIMA Satria Garuda'' - An Indonesian toku produced by MNC Group, RCTI, and Ishinomori Productions. The title translates to ''BIMA the Garuda Knight''.

* ''BIMA Satria Garuda'' - An upcoming Indonesian toku produced by MNC Group, RCTI, and Ishinomori Productions. The title translates to ''BIMA the Garuda Knight''.

''SuperSentai'', ''MetalHeroes'' and ''Franchise/KamenRider'' franchises on this list were adapted, with varying degrees of success, by Haim Saban to produce the U.S. series ''PowerRangers'', ''VRTroopers'', ''BigBadBeetleborgs'' and ''MaskedRider''. ''KamenRiderRyuki'' was later adapted into ''KamenRiderDragonKnight'', which considered better than ''MaskedRider''.

* ''{{Japanese Spider-Man}}'' - Notable for being the spiritual predecessor to ''Super Sentai''[='=]s HumongousMecha elements.

* ''Series/DenkouChoujinGridman''

* ''KaiketsuZubat'' - Take a SuperHero toku show, [[MixAndMatch stir in a helping of]] NewOldWest, and then cast HiroshiMiyauchi, [[HeyItsThatGuy a veteran actor who already had multiple leading roles in toku]] as the title character.

* ''KaiketsuLionmaru'' - '70s SuperHero toku show about a man in feudal Japan who can turn into a swordsman with lion head. No links with Zubat despite the title. Spawned the immediate sequel ''FuunLionMaru''.

* ''BIMASatriaGaruda'' - An upcoming Indonesian toku produced by MNC Group, RCTI, and Ishinomori Productions.

* ''ChoukouSenshiChangerion''

* ''DemonHunterMitsurugi'' - an early-70s JidaiGeki series, about a trio of {{Ninja}}s who fight of alien invaders by [[FusionDance fusing]] into a giant warrior. Notable for using StopMotion puppetry to create its {{Kaiju}}, rather than the standard PeopleInRubberSuits.

* ''DinosaurPrince''

** ''{{Godzilla 2000}}''

* ''JumborgAce''
* ''TheKagestar''

* ''KankyouChoujinEcogainder'' - A series by Japan's Ministry of the Environment to teach kids {{Green Aesop}}s.
* ''{{Kodai Shoujo Dogu-chan}}'', a.k.a. ''TheAncientDogooGirl''

Originally, Toku differentiated itself from western visual effects genres by its preference for "live" effects (ie. PeopleInRubberSuits) over the equally phony special effects created during editing (at the time of the genre's birth, specifically the stop-motion techniques pioneered by [[HarryhausenMovie Ray Harryhausen]], now CGI). Modern Toku uses both forms of effect, but "live" effects are still preferred. Toku is closely identified with WireFu.

* ''BioPlanetWoO''

----
* [[NoExportForYou Good luck finding official releases outside of Asia]]

* ''{{GARO}}'' - A comparatively darker take on the genre.

* NaoNagasawa