Too vague? Okay then why don't you tell the rest of us what sort of definition supposedly exists for tokusatsu? Tell me, what is it that is present in
all Japanese media called tokusatsu, (all of it, not just most toku) that you only see in Japan, and pretty much never in any western media, besides the country of Japan itself? Is there some sort of "rule" that shows have to follow to be considered as tokusatsu besides "Japanese show with special effects"? Is there something that shows must have to be counted as tokusatsu that I'm missing here? Would you say that Ultra Q or the original Godzilla aren't tokusatsu because they weren't about super heroes?
Yes, tokusatsu shows do have their own style, but that style is not
what makes them count as tokusatsu.
As far as I can tell, there isn't any real definition of tokusatsu besides the use of special effects. Or else things like Ultra Q wouldn't count.
The term "tokusatsu" is applied to pretty much any sort of show with special effects. Even super hero tokusatsu can vary in style.
being a japanese show with special effects is the bare minimum a film/series would have to apply to, to be considered a a tokusatsu. over the years the genre has developed into a very specific kind of show, they tend to feature certain kinds of narratives, certain reoccurring character archetypes. Ultra Q is an earlier type of tokusatsu before the genre had become more focused in terms of structure, design, etc. I'm not proclaiming to be some sort of expert, but i don't think its as simple as just having special effects
anymore.
Now days when a new kamen rider or super sentai gets announced, each series will obviously have certain unique twists, but overall you still
in general what you're going to get.
Kamen Rider: (usually) one guy fights against some mysterious organization/ancient evil, a second rider will show up around a quarter/halfway through and they will save the world.
Super Sentai: A selection of 3-5 youths are given the power to transform/discover their true inner power or whatever to fight against some new threat coming to destroy earth. They will use giant robots that combine to fight the weekly enemies when the enemies are killed off and resurrected/use something to make themselves grow. A 6th ranger tends to show up eventually with his own robot, which can combine with the rest (most of the time) as a mid season upgrade
These are both traditional/staple formulas that are used all of the time (and other misc. toku series borrow from these long running toku series all the time) and while they are used all over the world they are still associated with Japan.
When Sentai was brought to America and turned into Power Rangers, it was not the fact that it was a live action show with special effects that made it different from everything else on TV. Its because most people had not seen anything like Sentai before. Yes the series had been Americanized, but the unique Japanese structure/design/filming/effects(applying to the Japanese footage)/and costumes were still there. It was a unique way of doing things that because of earlier imported Toku such as Ultraman and Godzilla, registered immediately as Japanese in peoples minds therefor cementing things like fights with guys in rubber monster suits in the middle of model cities as something Japanese film makers did more often, which they did as the Japanese took components that were already being used and made the Toku genre, which has become immediately iconic and recognizable. Once again: yes, tokusatsu are special effects shows from Japan, BUT tokusatsu series/film have a distinctive and iconic style that produces a one of a kind final product. Not only did Japan pioneer the genre, they also still do it better than anyone else. A number of studios world wide have tried to make their own Toku, and no one even comes close, there has to be more to it than just adding special effects to a show, i refuse to believe that deep down its that simple.
