Author / Filmmaker S. Craig Zahler's tokusatsu show list (from favorite to least favorite)
by S_Craig_Zahler | created - 14 Feb 2015 | updated - 3 months ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Kamen Rider Gaim (2013–2014)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Yggdrasill Corporation transformed Zawame City into a feudal-like city. To escape the city authority, many of the youth formed dance crews along with the rising of a game that uses the mysterious Lockseeds that can summon Inves monsters.
Stars: Gaku Sano, Seiji Hiratoko, Hôchû Ôtsuka, Mahiro Takasugi
Votes: 672
Surprising turns, cool speculative concepts, and a big likable cast make this my favorite tokusatsu series to date. Despite the inherent silliness of the fruits concept, Kamen Rider Gaim is an emotional, exciting, and philosophically deep fantasy adventure. An incredibly ambitious fighting science fantasy show only hindered by some pretty nutty fruit costumes and the overacting typically found in tokusatsu, though some of the cast is very solid--Kouto and Mitsuzane in particular. It's not surprising that this show was scripted by Gen Urobuchi, who also was behind Puella Magi Madoka Magica, a truly boundary pushing, beautiful, and superb magical girl anime. Kamen Rider Gaim is wholly unpredictable and smart--this one's a great gateway into tokusatsu for those who wonder at its merits, though I've not yet seen it's equal.
2. Kamen Rider Build (2017–2018)
TV-PG | 24 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
10 years ago when the Pandora Box was discovered on Mars and brought to Earth, it's activated and creates a Skywall which divides Japan into Touto, Seito, and Hokuto resulting into untold chaos.
Stars: Atsuhiro Inukai, Eiji Akaso, Kaho Takada, Katsuya Kobayashi
Votes: 762
3. Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (2009–2010)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
For eighteen generations, samurai of the Shiba Clan have suppressed the evil intentions of the Gedoushu, malevolent spirits that enter the world of the living from gaps between buildings ... See full summary »
Stars: Tôri Matsuzaka, Hiroki Aiba, Shôgo Suzuki, Suzuka Morita
Votes: 327
A very likable cast, some surprising turns, and an atypically strong final ten episode arc make this show worth the investment of time. Robots are preposterously clumsy and clunky, but kudos to the creative team for bringing to (stilted) life an origami robot lobster that turns into a four headed samurai. The twists in the final ten episodes, the group dynamic and the deftly woven philosophies about servitude and responsibility evince the skills of the prolific tokusatsu and anime writer Yasuko Kobayashi.
4. Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters (2012–2013)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
In the year Neo AD 2012 the city runs on massive energy source enetron The Go-Busters young Spy's fight to it and innocent people from the evil Vaglass.
Stars: Katsuhiro Suzuki, Ryôma Baba, Arisa Komiya, Keiji Fujiwara
Votes: 221
Without question, Go-Busters has the best robot battles I have seen in an tokusatsu show---really well done suits and staging with the mecha. The series might crescendo twice, but the likable cast and the mystery of the central premise keeps things fun in every single episode, even if it is a bit sillier than most of my other favorites. Tons of great mecha with multiple forms and a more modern take on the sentai suit designs. Yet another thoughtful well planned work by writer Yasuko Kobayashi. Beware of chickens!
5. Ultraman X (2015)
TV-14 | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A solar flare has awakened Spark Dolls from the depths of the earth and the ocean. Fifteen years later, Daichi Ozora transforms into Ultraman X to battle threats from both aliens and monsters.
Stars: Kensuke Takahashi, Akane Sakanoue, Yoshihiko Hosoda, Ukyô Matsumoto
Votes: 180
Ultraman X is perhaps the most consistently enjoyable tokusatsu show of the 30+ I've watched in their entirety, though it lacks the engrossing larger narrative and emotional crescendos of shows like Gaim, Go-Busters, and Shinkenger and even the dramatic highs of less solid shows like Jetman, K.R. W, Kuuga, and Fourze. The protagonist/Ultra-partner Daichi looks and acts a bit too slack-jawed and clueless throughout the show, but the rest of the cast is earnest and likable, especially the two commanding officers. The original monster designs, classic creature reinventions (esp. Red King, Mecha Gamora, and Cyber Gamora), ultra-armor, occasional forays into slice of life drama, and 24 episode length make this show a pleasure to watch from the very first episode. The sense of scale is quite good, and the miniatures constructed for the city buildings and cars are especially good---though I wish the Xio Team vehicles were all practical objects as well (they resorted to CG for these). Ultraman X is lots of fun, and a good entry point for anybody who wants to see what tokusatsu shows are about.
6. Choujin Sentai Jetman (1991–1992)
TV-14 | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
In the late 90's, an orbiting Earth space center run by the Earth Defense Force Sky Force has commissioned a ceremony on the "J-Project". Lead by Commander Aya Odagiri who has selected five... See full summary »
Stars: Mikiko Miki, Kôtarô Tanaka, Rika Kishida, Sayuri Uchida
Votes: 314
Okay heroes (excepting Gai, a really good hothead biker) and great villains (especially the robotic Grey) and more than a little bathos distinguish this older series, which is quite violent and dark for a Sentai show. Some tedious and risible stuff in the monster-of-the-week treadmill that is the first half (eg. the Cup o' Noodles monster), but once things get more serious, this show proves to have some philosophical depth and more than a few violent surprises.
7. Kamen Rider Black (1987–1988)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Kidnapped foster brothers Kôtarô Minami and Nobuhiko Akizuki were turned into cyborgs by the evil empire Golgom. Having managed to escape, Kôtarô transforms into Kamen Rider Black, dedicated to fighting Golgom, and searching for Nobuhiko.
Stars: Tetsuo Kurata, Shôzô Îzuka, Toshimichi Takahashi, Hitomi Yoshii
Votes: 621
This one has some great relationships between the Rider...and his motorcycles. Long live Battle Hopper! (And Roadsect ain't too shabby either.) It's nice to see a Rider rip wings, karate chop pincers, and punch off heads from the villains rather than just knock them over and wait for them to explode. Monster suits are made of a variety of materials, rather than the plastic/vinyl of later Heisei years. And like Kamen Riders V3, X, and Kuuga, the vibe of this show is that of of a horror movie (albeit one that is family friendly) rather than fight fantasy.
8. Kamen Rider W (2009–2010)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A detective, Hidari Shotaro, and an unknown library-boy, Phillip, combine to become a half-green half-black hero to protect Fuuto City by using Gaia Memories.
Stars: Ren Kiriyama, Masaki Suda, Hikaru Yamamoto, Ami Namai
Votes: 740
The villains are pretty interesting in this one, and the lead monsters are good, as is the gradually revealed back story. The concept of the dual rider opens up a lot of possibilities, some of which are explored, and the two lead guys are pretty decent, though the female sidekick is annoying. The emotional climax of this series is heartbreaking and elevates the quality of the entire show.
9. Ultraman (1966– )
TV-PG | Sci-Fi
An English language version of Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series (1966) following a man named Hayata who transforms into a giant superhero named Ultraman to fight alien invaders and giant monsters that threatened earth.
Stars: Peter Fernandez, Earl Hammond, Corinne Orr, William Kiehl
Votes: 593
10. Kamen Rider X (1974)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
From the dark corners of the world comes another fanatical terrorism group, this time it's the Government of Darkness, aka G.O.D. Keisuke Jin is transformed into the next generation cyborg,... See full summary »
Stars: Ryô Hayami, Shinji Nakae, Akiji Kobayashi, Miyuki Hayata
Votes: 107
11. Tekkôki Mikazuki (2000– )
Action, Drama, Fantasy
Stars: Akira Ohashi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Akira Koieyama, Kenpachirô Satsuma
Votes: 39
12. Kamen Rider Kuuga (2000–2001)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Having himself telepathically linked to a mysterious stone belt, Yusuke Godai believes that he is fated to be the warrior Kuuga, who fights the Gurongi monsters that keeps murdering humans.
Stars: Joe Odagiri, Shingo Katsurayama, Kazumi Murata, Kitarô
Votes: 647
Great mood, strong characters, and badass music are hampered by clumsy early CG, mediocre fights, and a very unsatisfying conclusion. Sorta closer to Garo than Kamen Rider in tone. Seems like they ran out of money and time to realize what they had set up.
13. Kamen Rider Fourze (2011–2012)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A high school student uses a mysterious belt to fight the Zodiarts, who plot to take over the world.
Stars: Sôta Fukushi, Ryûki Takahashi, Fumika Shimizu, Rikako Sakata
Votes: 484
14. Ultraman Leo (1974–1975)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
After being brutally maimed by evil aliens, Dan Moroboshi (Ultra Seven) takes under his wing a fierce young Ultra-like being from L-77, and christens him "Ultraman Leo," to continue his mission to defend the Earth.
Stars: Ryû Manatsu, Yû Fujiki, Keiko Yamada, Mîna Tominaga
Votes: 203
The first dozen episodes of Ultraman Leo are quite special. These have great Showa era kitchen sink monster designs with tons of textures and spew real fire or vapor or soap. The fights end with lots of violent dismemberments---Leo often rips out fangs and fins and then stabs his enemies with these weaponized bits. And the drama portions of these shows are largely brutal martial arts training sequences akin to those found in Lau Kar Leung's Enter the 36th Chamber and 8 Diagram Pole Fighter. BUT then the show progresses to more toddler-centric story lines with shrill kids shrieking and overacting and making the non-fight stuff a bit of a chore to sit through. The monsters remain cool, though the battles get a bit less violent by the last third as well.
15. Ultraman Ginga (2013–2014)
TV-14 | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
All of the Ultramen and monsters have been turned into figures known as Spark Dolls and became scattered throughout the universe. A young man named Hikaru Raido finds an item called the ... See full summary »
Stars: Takuya Negishi, Takuya Kusakawa, Hiroya Ishimaru, Kiyotaka Uji
Votes: 145
16. Ultra Q (1965–1967)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
The first entry of Tsuburaya Productions' "Ultra Series," in which an aviator/amateur sci-fi writer, his plucky assistant, and a young female newspaper reporter investigate strange phenomena, usually involving aliens and giant monsters.
Stars: Kenji Sahara, Yasuhiko Saijô, Hiroko Sakurai, Yoshifumi Tajima
Votes: 329
17. Garo: Makaisenki (2011– )
Action, Drama, Fantasy
Stars: Yuriko Hishimi, Mika Hijii, Rei Fujita, Ozuno Nakamura
Votes: 75
18. Kamen Rider Agito (2001–2002)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
An amnesiac, happy go lucky boy uses the power of Agito to battle the Unknowns and unravel the mystery of his past.
Stars: Toshiki Kashû, Takeshi Masu, Jun Kaname, Rina Akiyama
Votes: 527
19. Kamen Rider Den-O (2007–2008)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Ryotaro Nogami transforms into Kamen Rider Den-O traveling to different times using the time-traveling train DenLiner to battle the Imagin monsters and preventing them from altering the past to affect the present and future.
Stars: Takeru Satoh, Rina Akiyama, Toshihiko Seki, Kenjirô Ishimaru
Votes: 553
20. Ultraman Max (2005–2006)
TV-Y7 | 24 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
In the very first episode a strange visitor from space notices Toma's bravery when the young man risks his own life to help save a lost little boy from danger. The alien gives Toma the ... See full summary »
Stars: Sota Aoyama, Kai Shishido, Hitomi Hasebe, Nobuyuki Ogawa
Votes: 149
21. Spider-Man (1978–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Motorcross racer Takuya Yamashiro battles the evil forces of Professor Monster and his Iron Cross Army as the superhero Spider-Man, aided by the transforming mecha Leopardon.
Stars: Shinji Tôdô, Mitsuo Andô, Yukie Kagawa, Tôru Ôhira
Votes: 671
22. Kamen Rider V3 (1973–1974)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
As Masked Rider V3, Shiro Kazami carries on for Riders 1 and 2, and fights the evil Destron organization.
Stars: Hiroshi Miyauchi, Akiji Kobayashi, Hizuru Ono, Gorô Naya
Votes: 151
23. Juken Sentai Gekiranger (2007–2008)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
RinJyuDen, the evil Jyuken school led by Rio, turns the city into chaos by gathering people's screams and despair. Opposing them are the Gekirangers, who fight in justice to protect. ... See full summary »
Stars: Hiroki Suzuki, Mina Fukui, Manpei Takagi, Ichirô Nagai
Votes: 172
24. Ultraman: Tiga (1996–1997)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A high-tech squadron protects Earth from evil monsters and aliens with the help of a giant super-being named Ultraman Tiga.
Stars: Hiroshi Nagano, Takami Yoshimoto, Akitoshi Ohtaki, Shigeki Kagemaru
Votes: 607
25. Garo (2005–2006)
24 min | Action, Fantasy, Horror
Garo focuses on Kouga Saezima, the current possessor of the title, Golden Knight Garo, who protects humanity against dark demonic infestations called Horrors. One day he meets a young girl ... See full summary »
Stars: Mika Hijii, Ryosei Konishi, Anri Okamoto, Ai Higa
Votes: 260
26. Ultraseven (1967–1968)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
An alien superhero from M-78 protects Earth from extraterrestrial threats in this popular classic follow-up to the original "Ultraman" TV series.
Stars: Kôji Moritsugu, Yuriko Hishimi, Sandayû Dokumamushi, Shôji Nakayama
Votes: 504
27. Tomica Hero: Rescue Force (2008–2009)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
In 2008, disasters beyond the common sense of mankind "super disasters" were occurring frequently all over the world. It was the work of the evil organization Neo Terror that plans to ... See full summary »
Stars: Kenta Izuka, Seigo Noguchi, Haruno, Emi Hasegawa
Votes: 59
28. Kamen Rider Zero-One (2019–2020)
TV-PG | 24 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Humagears, robots equipped with artificial intelligence. Will they bring hope or despair to humanity? A young president of a new company specializing in A.I. technology fights to bring his dreams to life.
Stars: Fumiya Takahashi, Ryutaro Okada, Noa Tsurushima, Hiroe Igeta
Votes: 493
29. Kamen Rider Drive (2014–2015)
TV-PG | 24 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
When he is chosen by the Drive Driver and Tridoron, Shinnosuke transforms into Kamen Rider Drive and is tasked with battling the Roidmudes who wish to take over the world by eliminating humanity.
Stars: Ryoma Takeuchi, Rio Uchida, Rei Yoshii, Chris Peppler
Votes: 353
30. Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot (1967–1968)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A young boy aids in the fight against a terrorist organization as the sole controller of a prototype giant robot.
Stars: Mitsunobu Kaneko, Toshiyuki Tsuchiyama, Kôichi Chiba, Akio Itô
Votes: 584
31. Super Robot Red Baron (1973–1974)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Super Science Institute member Ken Kurenai pilots the giant robot Red Baron, entrusted to him by its inventor, his older brother, to avenge his murder at the hands of the Iron Mask Party, led by the evil President Deviler.
Stars: Yôsuke Okada, Hisashi Katô, Rei Maki, Isao Tamagawa
Votes: 39
32. Garo: Yami o Terasu Mono (2013– )
Action, Drama, Fantasy
Stars: Yasuaki Kurata, Kanji Tsuda, Wataru Kuriyama, Kumi Imura
Votes: 22
33. Gosei Sentai Dairanger (1993–1994)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Angered by the Dairanger's lack of confidence in each other in dealing with the Key Jester, Master Kaku forces the team to learn a history lesson regarding the Gorma and the consequences of their failure.
Stars: Keiichi Wada, Tatsuya Nômi, Ei Hamura, Keisuke Tsuchiya
Votes: 291
34. Dinosaur Squadron Zyuranger (1992–1993)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger is a Japanese tokusatsu television series and the sixteenth installment in the long-running Super Sentai franchise of superhero programs.
Stars: Yuuta Mochizuki, Seiju Umon, Hideki Fujiwara, Takumi Hashimoto
Votes: 383
35. X Bomber (1980–1982)
30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Created by Go Nagai, this sci-fi/fantasy puppet series sees heroes Shiro Ginga, Bongo Heracles, and Bigman Lee protect a girl named Lamia from the evil Gelma Armada, with the supership X Bomber and its giant robot component, Big Dai-X.
Stars: Toshio Furukawa, Jay Benedict, Mikio Terashima, Peter Marinker
Votes: 355
36. Ultraseven X (2007)
TV-14 | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A re-imaging of Ultraseven (1967), a man name Jin who has amnesia has the ability to transform into a giant hero to fight against aliens and save the world
Stars: Eriku Yoza, Saki Kagami, Tomohito Wakizaki, Anri Ban
Votes: 101
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