King-Ohger Forever

Publication: July 1, 2026

In Memoriam…Ohba Kenji

In memory of Ohba Kenji-san, who was stronger and kinder than anyone else.

written by: Igarashi Koji (representative of TARKUS Co.)

It should probably go without saying that my first encounter with Ohba Kenji-san was through a crt television. I remember it was around the time that "Battle Fever J" (1970), which originally began on Aomori Broadcasting's 6 a.m. Sunday morning block, had its time slot changed and became an evening program.

During the opening credits, Ohba-san's Akebono Shiro, who looked like Tarzan, is seen performing tremendous jumps and then walking down Nishishinjuku with a baby elephant at his side. I had watched both "Himitsu Sentai Gorenger" and "J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai" too, but no other character had made such an impactful entrance. I felt that the "animal action" in Battle Kenya that Shiro transforms into (who I later found out Ohba-san was also the Suit Actor for) was even more powerful than the Amazon Rider, who I had really loved during my kindergarten days. Putting it simply, Ohba-san was a person who made an impact in every aspect.

The following year, Ohba-san played Oume Daigoro, also known as DenziBlue, in "Denshi Sentai Denziman" (1980). Ohba-san was the first cast member to appear in two consecutive seasons of Super Sentai without time to rest, and this too was unprecedented. He also broke the pattern of Blue's being cool and handsome, and the way he was characterized as someone who loved anpan to an addictive level was also great. Daigoro managed to lighten things up even as the final episode approached and the mood was serious, which only made Ohba Kenji-san's presence in my life grow stronger

And then, if things had continued as they had been, this would've been about my memories of "Space Sheriff Gavan" (1982), but I didn't watch Gavan as it aired. For some reason, Gavan wasn't broadcast in my hometown.

Before long, I moved to Tokyo, and began connecting with people who shared my interests. It was then that I was finally able to watch Space Sheriff Gavan. Having watched Gavan nearly 6 years after the finale of Denziman, the scenes contained constant surprises, and Ohba-san's acting had become sharp and refined. While maintaining a semi good looking image and approachable demeanor, Ichijoji Retsu expressed a full range of emotions, from his serious expressions to the sadness he carried on his shoulders. Moreover, his smile was as gentle as that of Akebono Shiro or Oume Daigoro…I believe that Ichijoji Retsu was a character that represented the culmination of Ohba-san's talent. It was undoubtedly his defining role.

Of course, Ohba-san wasn't just an actor known for Gavan. I'll personally never forget him as Inukai Genpachi from the 1983 film "Satomi Hakkenden." Despite being introduced as a samurai general on the side of evil, he eventually opened his eyes to justice through a "transition of emotions." And, during his harrowing final scene, I felt as if I witnessed the vast range of Ohba-san's expressive prowess as an actor.

Many years passed as I held onto those memories, when I then had the opportunity to directly meet Ohba-san. I remember it was through my involvement as a planning consultant for the manga "Space Sheriff Gavan: Kuroki Eiyuu". When I headed to the ryotei in Kagurazaka with Editor T-san, sure enough, Ohba-san was there. Forgive me for saying such a cliche thing, but Ohba-san was an openhearted, truly good person. The saying goes, "The stronger they are, the gentler their smile is," which I think perfectly describes someone like him.

On our way back home, we took Ohba-san to his lodging by taxi. The words he spoke and the bow he gave as he got out of the car are still burned into my memory. "Ohba-san was thankful from the bottom of his heart, wasn't he"……I found myself saying something like that to T-san as we headed home.

The other day, his time came. When news of Ohba Kenji-san's passing broke, lots of people posted photos of themselves with Ohba-san, along with words of their condolences. Ohba-san was smiling in every photo, and so were the people next to him.