CGI in Toku - What will it become?

[Khaiden]

I think The Power Chamber is a better place for this thread as it may not only apply to Tokusatsu.

I've been wondering and possibly some of you too, what if the Japanese bust their asses and improve their CGI?
After watching things like All Riders vs DaiShocker, I think (again) that nowadays it's impossible to have most of the Showa Riders without their suit and henshin-ing into it because they're supposed to be kaizo-ningen (cyborgs) and they don't age. So, if they get the original actors, all that can be done is adding the original voice to the Rider, which isn't really bad.
It doesn't only apply to them, there are some instances in which the actor/actress is already dead, and the comeback of that hero can only be done in-suit.

I believe, that someday, cgi will go so far as to simulate perfectly or at least near perfectly a human, or whatever looks like a human, making it look like there's actually someone there. And yes, getting rid of uncanny valley.
I'm saying this to be done only with people out of suit, not with the actual costumes, because it's awesome to have a suit created and being able to wear it in real life, not to mention the suit actors make an outstanding job.
Also, this is only for people who are unable to come back, not for new heroes, this should be portrayed by real people and if you can get the original actor/actress with a canonical look, then do so.

Now, imagine the cgi has reached this stage... how much time do you give it to reach it?
Imagine in an anniversary Rider movie and/or series, or hell not even anniversary, Hongo Takeshi and Ichimonji Hayato appear out-of-suit and Henshin into Ichigo and Nigo with new effects (but proper sounds nonetheless).
Something along those lines.
The only problem would be voicing of course, but it has been proven that voicing can be done very close to the original, sometimes even the same, and hopefully they'd put effort into hiring voice actors.

I know it may sound stupid for some, but seriously, it would be great if this happened, if they pull it off correctly.

What do you think?

 

[Forever Knight]

**** CGI. Keep **** real and live in Tokusatsu.

 

[toranoko]

Not going to happen in our lifetime.

Even if we could get realistic looking CGI, it would be way too expensive to implement in tokusatsu shows. Unless there's a major leap in both computer graphics and computer hardware, not going to happen. I honestly can't imagine it happening ever.

For some perspective, it took an average of 2 hours to render one frame in the original Toy Story. It took an average of 15 hours to render one frame in Cars.

This is with an increase in computing power. So even though we're getting better computers, we're also demanding more from them.

One frame. And there's what, about 24 frames per second? Too costly. And rendering an actual, realistic human? That's an insane task. Throw in the cost to model a human, then animate it... Yeah. :/


I'm sure there are methods of motion capture and editing and other computer stuff that can be done. But if you're hoping for holistic 3D computer generated actors... Well. I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[ryuuseipro]

One also has to remember that the Japanese entertainment industry is not union-based. These studios work with tight deadlines, fairly low budgets, and the actors/actresses are paid low salaries. So going all-CGI can be difficult and time-consuming. Films and series with longer schedules are rare.

Plus, most SPFX artists prefer working with manual FX anyway. Others prefer a mix between the two, which has great results. (See the Heisei Gamera films and Ultra Galaxy Legends as a great example.) You could say it's become a Japanese tradition, like kabuki theater.

One thing I love about manual FX in tokusatsu, such as suitmation and miniatures, is not so much that they look real, but that they have always FELT more real to me. As great a tool as CGI is, it's only a tool, and should never be completely taken for granted. I prefer a blend of the two.

 

[CaptainB_Money]

Nobody here mentioned Rescue Force? Probably the only series to actually use CGI RIGHT in a tokusatsu series. each and every episode.

 

[DSP]

I don't understand people's problems with cgi, isn't it a special effect you know, what tokusatsu is bloody known for. Sure it may not look as nice as the real thing, but its all the same, and you still get your proper explosions coupled with some battles that couldn't be done back in day.

CGI is as much a staple of tokusatsu as live special effects, and will get better over time, its early years in cgi usage in a full series so it won't be up to scratch just yet.

 

[jwk94]

Personally i dont like CGI in toku, i remember when there used to be lots of real explosions and real sparks coming of the suits, and then they started replacing it with CGI, it made me mad, especially GO-Onger's constant use of CGI.

 

[CaptainB_Money]

...Gekiranger and Shinkenger used just as much CGI as Go-onger.

 

[monkeyjb1988]

...Gekiranger and Shinkenger used just as much CGI as Go-onger.

That's funny, I always liked Go-onger for using a tad less CGI than other series.

I'm more of a fan of models and suits than CGI. Bad models look better than bad CGI and there's no way we can replace the actors of classic Riders with CGI. Either write the stories to age the cyborgs or pull a Dr. Who or Decade and cast different actors (the second option should only be done in the terrible event the original actors are dead :bawling. They should only be CGI if the show they're appearing in, and thus everything else, is CGI as well, aka a CGI anime.

CGI isn't the be all end all it used to be. Check out these two videos. They're even cooler if you're Gremlins fans. (I recommend watching the first video, the actual fan film, before the second, a making-of, but it really doesn't matter).

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REGCV6z3VkM&feature=PlayList&p=20856633D3DC38FE&index=170[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDvBVFv-7LM&feature=PlayList&p=20856633D3DC38FE&index=169[/ame]

 

[MetalSymphony]

I am a huge advocate for CGI. It can do things that Manual FX ether can't do or can but it would be extremely expensive.

Just take to Tomica Hero series. If it had giving CGI a pass and used only Manual FX for everything it would be a far cry from what it is now. You can only do so much with miniatures and men in rubber suits......

Will CGI supplant real FX so every effect will be added in later?
Only time will tell.