IS IT TOKUSATSU? | BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

[@ShunSenshi]

I appreciate all the feedback and suggestions in the comments! Keep em coming guys >:) This video is going crazy it’s amazing. And we’re so close to 1000 views! This video took us from like 27 subs to 55 which is INSANE so welcome all new friends ‼️

[@Thundarr100]

I am guessing that you haven't gotten to Season 7 of Buffy yet, because she does have a signature weapon, one that would make for a great toy. The Slayer's Scythe. It's like a spear/axe/sword all rolled into one. However she doesn't acquire it until maybe 2/3 of the way through the final episode. So that would bring her rank up to 6.5/8.

[@brendenesguerra8488]

Is the 1995 Goosebumps series tokusatsu or "Ameri-Toku"?

[@Pixxeria]

Three words: XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS

[@Pixxeria]

Seriously, the only thing Xena doesn't have is a henshin sequence. She even has something that's not on the list: a battle cry!

[@ShunSenshi]

OH MY GOD YES

[@MakiPcr]

@@ShunSenshi I guess that means that's next episode

[@jeffersonwatson58]

By my count the Linda Carter Wonder Woman gets all 8 points.

[@ShunSenshi]

I’ve never seen that before :O I’ll definitely check it out

[@joaojahnke9684]

Oh yeah abso fucking lutely

[@MrBobPilarski]

It's not as campy as Adam West's Bat-man and when it is its not intentional ​@@ShunSenshi

[@Zomdra]

Buffy does _eventually_ get a cool, unique signature weapon, The Slayer Scythe, but it's not until the last few episodes of the last series. Also, sorry if you knew this already, but you didn't mention it in the "superhero" section; Buffy has actual superpowers, so she's definitely a superhero. Being "The Slayer" in the show doesn't just mean anyone who kills vampires, she's a magical chosen one with super strength, skill and durability.

[@ShunSenshi]

@@Zomdra I actually didn’t know she gets a scythe later on! That’s really cool! Might have to revamp her toku rating later 👀 But I was aware that she had actual super powers haha :)

[@claudiooyarce]

I would have granted the point for her stakes. Unlike other pop culture vampire hunters, Buffy is 99% of the times pictured with a wooden stake in hand. All the toys, posters, costumes will have a wooden stake. It's not technically a signature weapon (unless we count mr. pointy), but it is very signature of Buffy to have a stake in hand. Id say I'd barely give it the point just for Mr.Pointy and the Slayer Scythe.

[@KevinSmithGeo]

@@ShunSenshi It's called a "scythe" but it's really more like an axe or a really short halberd in design.

[@Shelf0808]

​@@KevinSmithGeobecause it's a war scythe, which looks more like an axe or a glaive typa thing

[@russellwilliams3727]

@@ShunSenshi faith douse get a signature weapon for series 3 and spike has hi leather coat

[@paulieswalnut]

When I was a teenager, I was big into making my own Power Rangers comics that coincided with what the series was actually up to. At the same time, I had become a HUGE BtVS fan too. Power Rangers in Space aired around the same time as Buffy season 3 when the (at the time) evil Slayer Faith showed up in the series but eventually loses a fight to Buffy and winds up in a coma. I made a whole crossover where Faith, after waking up and ultimately losing to Buffy again after a failed bidy swap, runs away to Angel Grove where she meets the Space Rangers, manages to steal Ashley's morpher and because of the combined Slayer + Ranger strength, becomes a real problem they wind up stopping only by teaming up with Buffy and the Scoobies. It was more than a little contrived and sorta forced but I have a lot of fond memories of writing and drawing that back in the day. Great video, Man.

[@cristiantiniguar-sevilla467]

One might say a... Ranger Slayer? 😉

[@mungdaal9643]

I wanna read that comic

[@Dunybrook]

Buffy Anne Summers. She saved the world. A lot. This show had all this and also incredible drama and writing that puts most other shows to shame.

[@trexinvert]

Absolutely, she has friends, family and a real life. BTVS is not a cartoon.

[@ThessiDeluxe]

Tokusatsu needs to be more wildly recognized, its such an influental genre! Great Video btw, got a new Sub :3

[@ShunSenshi]

Welcome and thanks for the sub! Hopefully we can spread some love for Tokusatsu here on the channel

[@Gengh13]

It's hard to come up with an original idea given how big KZbin is but I think you managed to do it, good work and may the algorithm bless you.

[@ShunSenshi]

Thanks!

[@Dunsparce99]

this video actually makes me want to watch buffy.

[@fitzytail896]

7:00 Hold up! Buffy gets a Scythe that is made for Slayers by a group of women who want to help the fight but not strong like Slayers. Yes it was only in the final few episodes of the Series but that signiture weapon should be a Check marks so it's 6/8 + that bonus for Giles the Watcher

[@serenitysilvermoon]

Also, season 2 onward, she has Mr Pointy, which DOES show up a lot, even if it's more subtle. Mr Pointy was a stake given to her by Kendra in season 2, and stayed with Buffy for seasons after that

[@aquariotutu]

I'm thinking this since my sister introduced me Buffy !!!! Thank u for that video xD

[@benjiammin]

Is Doctor Who Dr. Toku? Also the Kiva theme over Buffy opening is pretty dope

[@LiMe251]

Great video, loved it,

[@KevinSmithGeo]

Here's a suggestion: Highlander: The Series. Based on your criteria it has a bunch of interesting hard to decide edge cases (Does a "Quickening" count as a "Henshin Sequence", do the historical clothing the Immortals are wearing in the flashback sequences count as being "costumes", do hostile immortals count as "monsters of the week"?, Do the swords the immortals use to fight one another count as "signature gear"). Plus it's just cheesy 90s goodness. Seriously I think "Cheese Factor" should also be on your list of criteria. It's seriously hard to get hold of it these days though.

[@ShunSenshi]

You're spitting rn- CHEESE FACTOR IS SUCH A GOOD CRITERIA. It's in omg

[@bbrbbr-on2gd]

It's on Heroes & Icons late at night on basic cable. So it's at least still on the air somewhere.

[@nathanvertil7355]

For the weapons part, I think it should get half a point. While Stakes and Crossbows aren't marketable, another important character uses a sword, and that is their signature weapon... I do get leaving that category unchecked. It does make sense in that the weapons do have to be "toyetic" to sell to the viewers.

[@ShunSenshi]

Oooh actually that would’ve been a good half point! I’ll keep that in mind for future vids!

[@Comet_charm]

Sorry I gotta ask because I can't for the life of me remember who uses a sword often enough to be a signature weapon? Please help a fan out🤝

[@helenmccarthy2135]

My mom bought me a replica of a stake from the show. Appears to be a table leg whittled down. Does that count?

[@AnatoleVGC]

Dont forget the scythe from season 7 and it follow up in the comics as a signature weapon. It took a long time but she does have a signature weapon

[@Comet_charm]

@@AnatoleVGC Exactly what I was thinking! I also consider Faith's knife a signature weapon 🔪

[@GenericProtagonist118]

I've always felt that the CW Arrowverse and The Flash were kinda the closest thing we had to American Toku.

[@tokuduelist5538]

Do you wish that Arrowverse use actual Tokusatsu, if that franchise ever gets revived?

[@TheMrAman]

need some work on the sound and your delivery but overall great vid. definitely good premise. would love to see you tackle the flash because i'm pretty sure it's like a 7/8 on the scale

[@ShunSenshi]

@@TheMrAman Thank you for the constructive criticism :) hoping to get better as we go! The Flash is definitely gonna happen eventually I’m sure of it

[@RG-Zeldaplayer]

I'd suggest Doctor Who is clearly Tokusatsu - Monster of the week format, rubber costumes for many of them, lots of special effects and explosions - and it incorporates the best of British weirdness in the same way most Tokusatsu shows incorporate Japanese Quirkiness. Oh and each series changes up the roster of heroes.

[@CubesBR67]

Don't forget the doctor's signature tools: sonic screwdriver and the tardis

[@Phoenix-zy1cx]

The signature outfits for each Doctor are so unique that they function as costumes. Perhaps each Doctor's transformation functions as a very rare henshin sequence?

[@JStillPending]

That video is straight fire! 🔥

[@omechron]

The 60s Adam West Batman series as well as the CW DC comics shows like Arrow, Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow all seem like obvious targets. Also Supernatural.

[@ShunSenshi]

Putting these on the lists for the next ones ✍️

[@123iceboy]

You forgot mentioning Smallville the og CW DC show

[@LostChrisB]

Kind of think live action cartoon shows are a little bit of a cheat, just a little. That said, the live action teenage mutant ninja turtles show is an easy suggestion to make.

[@BThings]

I'm curious how _Xena: Warrior Princess_ would fare in the Tokusatsu test!

[@TheBloobster]

Really liked the vid... But i will say the Slayer Scythe she gets in the final season is signature to the point where it doesnt even work for people who arent The Slayer. But it happens so late in the series, its hard to count. She only has it for like 1℅ of the show lol

[@pillmuncher67]

Buffy has, in fact, a special weapon: It's her stake, it's named Mr. Pointy.

[@AeonLumen.]

im really gonna enjoy this channel lol

[@PlatyNews]

Also, I wonder if Buffy's spinoff Angel have more points since he is a vampire so he technically transforms into another form to fight xD

[@serenitysilvermoon]

Buffy literally has a toy made on her signiture stake, Mr Pointy, who was, in universe, a gift from a friend of hers who dies, and Buffy carries into battle for multiple seasons

[@ronmikkelsen9443]

This was fun. Dropping a sub to see what you come up with. and "Supernatural" should fit fairly good. And Buffy is brilliant!

[@saxdczxc3]

Angel?

[@julianelson972]

Yes! Love buffy!

[@BuffyngtonPost]

I love the jet grind radio music in the background!

[@Ektalon]

2:26 Okay, those two are just straight-up swing dancing . . .

[@cristiantiniguar-sevilla467]

There was a show filmed in my hometown called Grimm that follows a police detective who inherits his family's ability to see monsters called Vesin, creatures who can disguise themselves as humans that inspired the writings of the Brothers Grimm, the detective's ancestors. Yeah, they took classic fairytales and put them in a blender with Buffy. I still want to see how it could perform in a future video!

[@PlatyNews]

I would love to hear your opinion on doctor who, specially in the costume and henshin parts.... does renerations counts as a transformation sequence ? Does the fact that the doctor is always dressed the same counts as a costume?

[@AnatoleVGC]

Unfortunately she only gets the signature weapon at season 7. So close

[@henry_crossley]

I was about to bring that up

[@DS-Akin]

Big wolf on campus, Galidor: defenders of the outer dimension, Mortal Kombat: Conquest and the ‘96-‘98 ‘The adventures of Sinbad’ show w/Zen Gesner (as the title character) and George Buza (as a sibling and crew mate of the title character) plus maybe The beast master (w/one Daniel Goddard as the protagonist) and the Marvel license but not at all X-men connected ‘Mutant X’

[@rburch20]

I’d almost give it a half point for transformations because of the vampires shift. It is so much a part of the show and often used as a surprise reveal.

[@jacquecortez5014]

I think according to the show Buffy is a descendent of a line vampire slayers that she didn't know about but she is also the prophesized Vampire Slayer of legend. But also the cool thing about Buffy is that she has a innate fighting ability specifically against vampires than what normal humans don't have. She also cannot turn into a vampire. Fighting and Killing Vampires is just built into her.

[@paultuck]

Very interesting idea!

[@wobaguk]

Doctor Who seems like an obvious way to go given the checklist.

[@FrostCHNOS]

Definitely check out Big Wolf on Campus. An absolute favourite of mine, Definitely monster of the week and even has a transformation sequence in most episodes!

[@DIOBrando-ij2bp]

I started rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer when Comet started airing reruns a couple years ago. I watched it when it originally aired, but because of games and practice the first season and last season were about all of Buffy I really got to watch with any consistency. The first season of Buffy is extremely Tokusatsu feeling. In fact it’s extremely Sailor Moon feeling. The only way it could be more like Sailor Moon or Power Rangers (with adding in a henshin transformation sequence) is if the Master was the one behind all the monster of the week villains she fights in the first season as opposed to only a handful of them. First season of Buffy is like they took the Buffy movie, added in Sailor Moon elements, and took some vampires stuff from the recent From Dusk till Dawn movie. This gets lessened as the series goes on, and by the time they’re in college the show has taken a turn more into soupy primetime teen drama territory, but the high school years of the show are pretty Tokusatsu feeling, with the first season in particular being the most like that.

[@jasonbray8693]

The first things that came to mind were already mentioned a few times, but still would love to see your ranking for definitely Doctor Who. The patella it has with Kamen Riders history alone always have me think of it first. Both shows became franchises because something happened to the main actor, both shows originally ended in the late 80s, had 90s reboots and restarted new versions that continue today starting in the early 2000s.

[@gGabrielleRuiz]

Nice video 👍

[@TheNewSam]

1987's Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future checks a lot of the boxes you put forth, only really missing out on the monster of the week format.

[@Elementa2006]

A lot of people made some great suggestions, here are mine: - SMALLVILLE. - The Highlander TV series - The live action Witchblade TV series. - Now here's a lesser known one, Super Force.

[@pwao]

Hi Shun, following the line of Buffy, you should talk about “Los Luchadores”, “Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog”, “Big Bad Beetleborgs” and other western Tokusatsu-like series. There are also series like “Animorphs” and “Charmed” that have some similar elements.

[@ajdynon]

Series suggestions for this: Doctor Who Batman (1960s) Wonder Woman (1970s) Star Trek (any) Dark Angel - a sci-fi series from the early 2000s that lasted two series, and I have fond memories of. And the last one is pretty obscure, but there were a few Australian sci-fi children's shows from the 80s-2000s, a lot of them by a guy called Jonathan M. Shiff (The Girl From Tomorrow and Ocean Girl are two of the titles I remember off the top of my head).

[@Comet_charm]

I suggest Star Trek: The Next Generation! Mostly because it would be very entertaining. They're not very similar but maybe just enough?

[@sora_9997]

verty cool video!!!

[@ShunSenshi]

Thanks for checking it out :D

[@brianpbillingsley3687]

I'm sure he's verty grateful. 🙃

[@romaldomadrid3819]

1. Smallville 2. Charmed 3. Stargate SG-1 4. Maybe the six million dollar man?

[@TylerAStinson]

Is GWAR the band tokusatsu?

[@GBlastMan]

Oh this is something i always bring up everytime people say to me that Tokusatsu cant be a thing in this side of the planet, here let me give you some more ideas. -Supernatural -Dark Angel (this is a very good example because James Cameron did this series based on Battle Angel Alita since he wanted to test if an Alita live action movie/series can be possible) -Angel -Xena the Warrior Princess -The Renegade -The Bionic Man/Woman -Wonder Woman (1970) -The Flash -All of the Superman live action series/movies (including Smallville) -The Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) -Both US Spiderman Live Action series -Charmed

[@BobbyMoore2-mp8wb]

Top 10 favorite episodes of Big Bad Beetleborgs

[@CliffCutterActual]

I love learning new genre terms

[@ShunSenshi]

I welcome you to the world of Tokusatsu! :) I might make an introduction to Tokusatsu video! (Even though dozens of bigger ppl made that already haha)

[@SpontaneousAndStructured]

I hope they refer to Spider-man in the next movie as a “Messenger from Hell” 😂

[@blacksailsfan4life]

fun! i second checking out xena

[@mungdaal9643]

The Aquabats Super Show is basically tokusatsu. It almost feels like a fusion of Super Sentai and Adam West's Batman but without the transformations.

[@tbessie]

If Giles's (pronounced like "Jiles") other names are ever used, it's only Rupert, never Edmund (unless it was mentioned once or twice in passing). Rupert, Giles, or Rupert Giles (usually just "Giles").

[@LG5694]

Is Smallville Tokusatsu?

[@shmikex]

10:25: His name is Rupert Giles (with a G making a J sound).

[@botal2910]

I’m going to have to disagree with the weapon point. Her stakes are iconic! Loved the video though good fun

[@animatsuri]

That was about how I expected the scoring to go.

[@iannmichael]

Wouldn’t her stake be her signature weapon?

[@shad0w_pp344]

how toku is Max Steel???

[@HenshinHead]

Alright I feel I need to point something out with the henshin sequence point: Buffy herself obviously doesn't change herself, or have some special slayer outfit, so no hero henshin sequences. BUT there are a ton of monster transformation sequences, straight out of any Japanese toku or Hollywood horror film. They had two different vampires on the Scooby Gang, and a werewolf for a time. Not to mention plenty of magical power up sequences, even if it didn't lead to and radical transformations most of the time. My point being, there's plenty of legit henshin sequences to work from, even if they'd fit better in a movie directed by John Landis.

[@milestrombley1466]

Go Go Slayer!

[@aitachikawa3963]

I was thinking along the lines of Dr. Who, since they have a few gadgets and there is a bit of action. Also was thinking of the older live action DC shows, since the only thing I think they lack is a henshin sequence

[@Wungolioth]

Henshin sequences- not to spoil anything, but if you haven't gotten to the end of season 4, I would submit that the conclusion to Adam's story arc, is in essence a transformation, a level up, it's sort of spiritually akin to a Henshin sequence, albeit brief, not something that happens every show(or ever again), but I'd put that up for appeal.

[@brendenesguerra8488]

If you think Buffy The Vampire Slayer tokasatsu,is the 1995 Goosebumps TV Show on Fox Kids tokasatsu? I mean there is an "Ameri-Toku" show called Big Bad Beetleborgs,which had a haunted house with monsters in it and an episode that had a Goosebumps homage called "Fright Files",which makes it very similar to the 1995 Goosebumps TV series on Fox Kids,and Goosebumps has a lot of bizarre and flashy similar to the Power Rangers,so is Goosebumps tokusatsu? #rlstinesgoosebumps #slappythedummy #goosebumps2hauntedhalloween #viewerbewareyoureinforascare #goosebumpshorrorland #readingisascream #goosebumpsdisneyplus #goosebumps

[@akirahellfire]

I would say the spinoff Angel is a little more Toku since he technically Henshins sometimes Suggestions for series to cover: Big Wolf On Campus and Teen Wolf

[@jasonmahoney3392]

Id love to agree but signature weapon was always a stake. Being that she was a vampire slayer. And vampire and stabbed thru the heart hand in hand with stake. Even with Dracula. So only gripe other than that spot on.

[@charlesdivittorio9424]

Captain Power from the 80s. 8/8. Plus a bonus .5 for their unique interactive play gimic with the show.

[@DragonTrainer201]

Big Wolf on Campus ^_^ For something more recent, maybe Teen Wolf (2014)?

[@kobybarnes3035]

Supernatural could meet a lot of that criteria, Star Trek(The Orignal series) with Kirk also would surprisingly meet a lot of those criteria. Doctor Who as well both the old and new series.

[@RavenStorm332]

so 5.5 Toku points for Buffy sounds fair, and yes I called them Toku Points there will be no discussions

[@PhanthomMaster]

Another show you could add: dr who. It even has shifting leads over seasons (though there are doctors with multiple seasons.)

[@Acidonia150reborn]

Demons, Primeval,the 90s mortal kombat tv show and thinderbirds would count i think

[@danielramsey6141]

Do Check out the Superhero TV series Black Scorpion. It’s another Female Superhero show. The Movie Version is sort of the Origin story for it. It was Made by Roger Corman (remember that name). Directed by Jonathan Winfrey, and written by Craig J. Nevius.

[@lonzipoo]

I'm sorry but she does have a costume. Chucky heeled boots with tight/leather pants and slinky satin top/halter is a signature for demon fighting. 😂 the charmed ones wore it too. Speaking of which, you should do the original charmed too!

[@LateNiteFilmWatcher]

7:01 last season she got her scythe

[@VictorLiso]

If you're discussing Giles, you cannot leave out Commander Ibuki, though Ibuki's story is more similar to Wesle Wydam-Pryce. Please tell me you've watched Dengeki Sentai Changeman.

[@Keffinated]

Have you seen Los Luchadores? 2001 Canadian/USA series about Mexican wrestler crime-fighters. All 16 episodes are on KZbin.

[@matta344]

I feel like Stargate SG-1 would tick a few boxes.

[@charlesdivittorio9424]

Between their p90s, C4, staff weapons, and Zats, they own the signature weapons category. They really love their C4.

[@matta344]

@charlesdivittorio9424 while they don't have the transformation sequence, they do have the costumes point as well. They also almost always have a "monster of the week" format, as well as the special/practical effects

[@charlesdivittorio9424]

@@matta344 Daniel Jackson's bandanas alone give them a check in the costume category. While they have many recurring villains, the sheer volume of named villains gives them villain of the week. By my count, they have 6 out of 8. However, Cater's genius intelligence, and Jackson's ascensions almost give them a superhero check. Carter blew up a star. That's a superhero feat.

[@olaoluwapowilliams5169]

¡Mucha Lucia! could be an animated tokusatsu

[@zuffin1864]

I figured it out, next best one is: Karate Kid (or Cobra Kai the tv show). the Adam West Batman Series others have mentioned fits this well too.

[@joaojahnke9684]

Curious for a 60's Batman and 70's Wonder Woman episodes, also Star Trek

[@chronogaruda2003]

It may not be a TV show, but van you do Alien Romulus? I'm Japanese, and this was my first horror movie in the theater, and it instantly stopped being scary as I noticed everything was practical, therefore, it's a tokusatsu!

[@Elohim-i9z]

If you compare Buffy to toku, Kamen Rider is the better parallel. She's mostly a lone hero, her power is related to her enemies, her final power up was a weapon and she was a reluctant hero. Buffy was chosen against her will and she couldn't give the power back. A lot of Kamen Riders are permanently changed against their will

[@ShubhamGupta-ir2gn]

Can you look at a classic Indian series called "Shaktimaan"? I recently started watching it for the first time and it just screams 'Tokusatsu" to me.

[@Germania9]

Somewhat related, maybe you can check out Cybercop, a Tokusatsu take on Robocop?

[@hexelnov7D9]

There are two series that comes to mind the flash and Grimms

[@aionicthunder]

Just a bit of advice for future videos: your voice isn't picking up on the mic that well (audio quality's fine: not noticing pops), so what you need to do is project your voice more. That'll make you sound a lot clearer

[@sighberspook2021]

I look forward to the doctor who episode, as a fan of doctor who and Tokusatsu I hope it passes the toku test

[@darkdesigns]

Stargate Sg-1 (Certainly doesn't fit all of them, but I feel like the Zat gun feels very Tokusatsu worthy and there's quite a bit of overlap with other aspects)

[@JesterRosetherandombard67]

How toku is no more heros series

[@DonutDMerlot]

is Bananaman tokusatsu

[@squidboitoys]

Omg do Agatha all along left. Ik Its a marvel show but you could possibly find something there idk.

[@ShunSenshi]

You know I’ve been meaning to watch that since it just came out basically! Might be a good reason to watch it

[@junocrespo1774]

This may count as spoilers but Buffy does have a signature weapon and i love it but she doesn't get it until the last season

[@milestinker2178]

Here's a few lesser known TV series suggestions to analyze how toku they are: Animorphs, Ace Lightning, Aaron Stone, and Bibleman (yes, that is a thing, it's very Adam West Batman-esque in both production style and corniness).

[@DarkINsides06]

Can you buy a replica of the scythe from buddy That's the only thing and she has/had an ongoing comic series.