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It vaguely approximates to such American television programs such as MCA/Universal's KNIGHT RIDER (NBC, 1982-1986), Paramount Picture's STAR TREK (and any of its spin-offs and movies), Warner Bros. LOIS AND CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, AIRWOLF, MCA/Universal's THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS OF HERCULES and XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, et cetera. However, tokusatsu, unlike these programs, are marketed towards children (even though the "intelligence" in the writing between the shows are marginally similar).
In fact, HERCULES and XENA may be the closest American representation of tokusatsu because one of the key elements in tokusatsu is the extensive use of martial arts, special effects, costumes and weapons with theoretically magical (or even technological) powers. As well as the large following of young (7-14+ year old) viewers.
Tokusatsu currently covers two primary genres: Sentai (1975-Now), Metal Heroes (with its own sub-genres: Space Sheriff from 1982-84, Special Investigation programs from 1990-1994 and the B-FIGHTER series' from 1995-now) lasting from 1982-Now. However, other tokusatsu have been in existence long before, such as the internationally popular Godzilla movies.
Tokusatsu, much like anime (Japanimation), is still a generally unknown and unrecognized form of entertainment outside of Asia, Europe and South America. Though, since the mid-80s, the special effects and quality of stunts have been on the rise. Hopefully, like anime had conventions (where producers saw the massive following of anime), conventions will be bring tokusatsu to the foreground more. However, some tokusatsu otaku would argue that designs of giant robots have regressed, the stories have become less COMPELLING and the kaijin (monster of the week) have hurt the credibility of, specifically, sentai as a high-end entertainment genre.
"The earliest tokusatsu TV series aired in English known to me is ULTRAMAN 1966-67; dubbed 1967 by United Artists), which was syndicated. There are many other 1960s dubs such as JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT (GIANT ROBO, 1967-68; dub 1968?), THE SPACE GIANTS (AMBASSADOR MAGMA, 1966-67; dub 196?), etc. The oldest tokusatsu TV series that has been dubbed is THE SAMURAI (SPY SWORDSMAN, 1962-64; dub 19??)."
Tokusatsu has been aired by Hawaii's local syndication stations (KIKU-TV, now KHNL-TV and a NBC affiliate) since 1974 including 1972's tokusatsu Kikaider. However, the first tokusatsu to make it to mainland United States was Himitsu Sentai GORANGER (Secret Task Force Goranger) from 1975 and made of a surprising 84 episodes. Ironically, this is the first real sentai to ever have existed! This sentai aired 8pm Sundays (a prime time slot, surprisingly enough). What is even more of a surprise is that Goranger was left entirely untranslated! However they only aired five episodes in Sacramento and San Francisco, California in the mid 1970s (Episodes #38, #39, #25, #26 & #47).
A 1967 tokusatsu known as ULTRA SEVEN (dub title "Ultra 7") aired on TNT in the '80s but got a more complete run in 1994. The USA Network's variety program NIGHT FLIGHT featured parody of Japanese action television programs with 1982's sentai Kagaku Sentai DYNAMAN (Science Task Force Dynaman) in 1987 (this was later repeated when Night Flight became syndicated on independent television stations in America). In 1988, Nickelodeon aired DYNAMAN #1 and #2 as one long pilot episode (by itself and not inside of the NIGHT FLIGHT program).
DYNAMAN #1, #2, #3, #10, #11 and #13 were broadcasted in four episodes of Night Flight. These episodes of DYNAMAN were dubbed over with a parody script including a pop & rock music from the '80s soundtrack.
In 1993, Kyouruu Sentai ZYURANGER (Dinosaur Task Force Beast Ranger, 14th Super-Sentai, 16th of the sentai series from 1992) was seen in an edited and dubbed over version as MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS#153; by Saban Entertainment. Saban also brought Gosei Sentai DAIRANGER (Five Star Task Force Dai/Great Ranger) to the USA in Power Rangers' 2nd season (1994-95). The 3rd season in '95-96 was composed of 1994's Ninja Sentai KAKURANGER (Ninja Task Force Hiding Ranger). Chouriki Sentai OHRANGER (Super Power Task Force Kingranger) from 1995 became POWER RANGERS ZEO#153;. 1996's Bakusou Sentai CARRANGER (Violent Dash Task Force Carranger) is the source footage for POWER RANGERS TURBO#153; (1997). Now Denji Sentai MEGARANGER (Electromagnetic Task Force Megaranger) completing its run in 1997 becomes the source of Saban's Spring 1998 series Power Rangers in Space.
In 1994, Choujinki Metarudaa (Super Man Machine Metalder) from 1987 (which only had 39 episodes) became VR TROOPERS. VR TROOPERS footage for characters Kaitlin and J.B. (played by Sarah Brown and Michael Bacon) came from 1986's JIKUU SENSHI SUPIRUBAN (Dimensional Warrior Spielban). When Ryan Steele (Brad Hawkins) changed uniforms, they went to the Older (?!) UCHII KEIJI SHAIDAA (Space Sheriff Shaider). Aired entirely in syndication, VR Troopers had a total run of 92 episodes between two seasons.
Also in 1994, DIC Entertainment noticed Saban's extreme profit with ZYURANGER & Power Rangers so they produced SUPERHUMAN SAMURAI SYBER-SQUAD using Denkou Choujin GRIDMAN (Electric-Light Superman GridMan) from 1993. The quality of acting on this program was worse than the quality of film used for the American scenes and died after its one year run. DIC bounced back with a 1992 anime enormously popular in Japan known as Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon ported to be what we know as SAILOR MOON. Despite it's unsuccessful year-long run in America, over a dozen more episodes have been broadcasted in Canada featuring undubbed portions of the Sailor Moon R series.
For Sailor Moon fans: The best that could be done, however, is a deal
between Andy Hayward, president of DIC and the Program Exchange to sell
the original 65 episodes to stations, however, it is more likely to be on
more stations in Canada than in the US (due to the amount of superior
popularity in Canada). The day-time syndication market has been locked
into a perpetual slump since networks intruded into the market of day-time
children's television programing (and since they aren't willing to take
risks than can be taken with syndicated programming--a large hunk of
today's children television programing is very stale).
From the Kamen Rider Black-RX (Masked Rider Black RX) series in 1987 comprised of 47 episodes came Saban's MASKED RIDER in 1995-96 (this is the only Saban live-action show that went from being on a network, Fox, to syndication). Some footage from Kamen Rider ZO (1993) and Kamen Rider J (1994) was used as well. Jyuu Kou B-Fighter (Heavy Armor B-Fighter) from 1995 became Saban's BIG BAD BEETLE BORGS in 1996-'97 (sadly enough, the only other Saban produced live-action series to release a single/album from the show). Juukou Biifaitaa Kaubto (Heavy Armor B-FIGHTER KABUTO) from 1996 became the source footage for the somewhat improved BEETLE BORGS METALIX.