Tokusatsu (特撮とくさつ, lit. 'special photography') is a Japanese term for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special effects. Tokusatsu mainly refers to science fiction, war, fantasy, or horror media featuring such technology but is also occasionally dubbed a genre itself.

Renowned subgenres of tokusatsu include kaiju such as the Godzilla and Gamera series; superhero such as the Kamen Rider and Metal Hero series; and mecha like Giant Robo and Super Robot Red Baron. Some tokusatsu television programs combine several of these subgenres, for example, the Ultraman and Super Sentai series.