Toei Launches Toei Tokusatsu World Official Channel to Stream Classic TV Shows with English Subtitles

Toei Company have announced that classic live-action Japanese TV shows, such as National Kid, Suki Suki Majo Sensei, Robot 8-chan and Magical Girl Chukana Paipai, will be streamed in English on the brand new streaming channel known as Toei Tokusatsu World Official Channel.

But what exactly is Tokusatsu? Well Toei have kindly provided the answer as part of the official announcement:

Simply translated, it means SFX, or special effects, but Japan’s “TOKUSATSU” is something different. It is its own genre in Japan, known for a filming technique that makes use of miniatures, costumes, CG, and special effects. One characteristic of the TOEI TOKUSATSU series is the heroes are life-sized. TOEI started making TOKUSATSU in the 1950s, and has since created shows that widely vary in genre and style. Some especially popular series include Kamen Rider (a.k.a. Masked Rider) and Super Sentai, first created in 1971 and 1975 respectively, and they continue to this day. The genre has since seen success outside of Japan as well. The 1992 series “ZYURANGER” was remade in America as “Power Rangers”, which became a hit there, and continues to the present. Nowadays, “TOKUSATSU” is a word that is understood all over the world! The series uploaded to this channel created the foundation of TOEI’s TOKUSATSU culture. From the strange world view of the TOEI Fushigi Comedy Series (TOEI Mysterious Comedy Series), to the heroes of the Metal Hero Series and more, we hope you enjoy the variety of TOKUSATSU culture.

A schedule, of when content is expected to be added to the service, can be found below:

• Monday April 6, 2020:    Episodes 1 and 2 of all 70 shows (with English subtitles)
• Monday April 13, 2020:     Episode 3 and 4 of National Kid (to be updated on Mondays)
• Tuesday April 14, 2020:    Episode 3 and 4 of Suki Suki Majo Sensei (to be updated on Tuesdays)
• Wednesday April 15, 2020:    Episode 3 and 4 of Robot 8-chan (to be updated on Wednesdays)
• Thursday April 16, 2020:     Episode 3 and 4 of Space Cop Gavan (to be updated on Thursdays)
• Friday April 17, 2020:     Episode 3 and 4 of Jaspion (to be updated on Fridays)
  Episode 3 and 4 of Hard Gumi (to be updated on Fridays)
• Saturday April 18, 2020:     Episode 3 and 4 of Magical Girl Chukana Paipai (to be updated on Saturdays)
  Episode 3 and 4 of Winspector (to be updated on Saturdays)
• Sunday April 19, 2020:     Episode 3 and 4 of Combattler V (to be updated on Sundays)
  Episode 3 and 4 of Gorenger (to be updated on Sundays)

In addition the selection of content is also expected to be added to the service in the near future:

From the 60s: CAPTAIN ULTRA, YOKAI BUGEICHO, and more
From the 70s: JAKQ, DEAR ROBOTTIE!, MESSAGE FROM SPACE, and more
From the 80s: SPACE COP SHARIVAN and more
From the 90s: POITRINE, CHANZERION, and more
Anime: DALTANIUS, DAIMOS, and more

The Toei Tokusatsu World Official channel will be available from 6th April 2020 and further details can be found on the official announcement website.