#i'm not super familiar with this genera

[hylianengineer]

I’ve seen a lot of posts going around lately along the lines of ‘what if eldritch horrors treated humans the way we treat animals in a well-meaning but terrifying sort of way?’ There was a comic about a shadow creature dragging a human out of a carbon-monoxide-filled house? I can’t find it now, curse this site’s search system.  Anyways, it kinda inspired something.

Ya know how people accidentally kidnap baby birds thinking they’re abandoned when really they’re fledglings and actually 100% fine? Now I’m imagining sea monsters kidnapping random humans swimming or on boats because they think the human is lost at sea and in danger of drowning. Either taking them in to care for or dumping them back on land and the humans are like Hey! What the hell?! But there's a language barrier so everyone's confused. "Hey, little fella, chill! I'm not tryin'a hurt ya!" "Let me go you big ugly slime-ball!  I'm gonna crawl up your nose and punch you in the brain if you don't PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!" *descends into incoherent shouting and flailing* "Ow, hey! Calm down, little guy!" *human shrieks louder as another tentacle covers them, further restraining their limbs - which they have been using to punch and kick at anything within reach* "Okay, okay, just a couple more minutes, I promise! We're almost to land and then I can put you down." *human eventually goes silent, preserving their strength as they furiously plan future escape attempts* By the time they get dumped out on the beach, the human is too tired and in shock to do much except sit in the sand and watch as the sea monster swims away. "Bye little friend! Take care!" "What the hell was that for, you dumb pile of spaghetti?!"

[megiddo-ichi]

hey i got a questions. whats... a good starting point to get into tokusatsu? i know its a long running genre with a lot going on, but my knowledge is limited to osmosis via power rangers and a small amount of super sentai. oh and viewtiful joe

To be honest it really depends on what you're after. Since Toku can kinda go anywhere and far beyond Kamen Rider and Sentai, you don't exactly lack options for where you want to go with it. To give some ideas of what I recommend tho:

Kamen Rider Black(1987): Generally one of the most highly rated rider seasons and one of the best in the showa era for getting into the franchise in genera.

Kamen Rider Kuuga(2000): Best as a slow burn character drama as well as easing into the 2000s as a sort of rebirth season since the franchise took a bit of a hiatus in the 90s. Ultimately a really good starting point. Also directly available for streaming thanks to Shout Factory TV.

Chojin Sentai Jetman(1991): While I am less familiar with sentai, I know Jetman generally gets a lot of fanfare in terms of its writing and presentation(to the point that it's referenced heavily and visibly in persona to the point of being a major plot point in 2). It's also the season that came out directly before the season that became Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, so that's something to keep in mind.

Garo: Chapter of the Black Wolf(2005): Now this is the toku series I'm most familiar with. If you like mature, higher budget productions by toku alums for adult audiences, while also staying true to the nature of the henshin hero genre, you can't go wrong here. Also another easily accessible show due to being officially subbed on the Garo Project youtube channel.

Also Jam project. Love me some Jam project.

Also for some anime related recommendations.

Garo: The carved seal of flames(2014): Pre-JJK Mappa at its finest imo, in terms of animation, music, and staying true to the themes of the live action series. Plus CG that actually looks good and gets used well.

Samurai Flammenco(2013): A generally fun and fine show about a man following his dreams of being a hero. Mostly put here because no one talks about shows made by Studio Manglobe anymore(RIP).

Miss Kuroitsu from the Monster Development Department(2022): A dumb fun series about an evil faction that makes Kaijin. About what you'd expect in terms of 'girl responsible for evil science has to go through the board and deal with the local toku hero at the same time'.

Love after World Domination(2022): If you've ever seen that one clip of Gekisou Sentai Carranger, where the red ranger asks out the female villain general, this is what that show is essentially. Like word for word bar for bar.

Ranger Reject(currently airing): I could be unkind and call it the boys but Sentai, but I mean that in a good way. Essentially it's 'what if the rangers were evil and using the villain faction as everyday entertainment for the masses' and one lone foot soldier infiltrating their group. Generally highly recommended among most.

Still don't like them localizing it as "Go Go Loser Ranger" tho.