The tokusatsu world is mourning the loss of a legendary actor and stunt performer. It was announced today, May 7th, 2026, that beloved actor Kenji Ohba passed away following a lengthy illness, leaving behind one of the most profound tokusatsu and henshin hero legacies in history.
Born Kenji Takahashi, Ohba became one of the most recognizable and coveted actors of the Tokusatsu genre. His ties to toku go all the way back to the original Gamera film from 1965, where he is credited as Self Defense Soldier B. Later in his career, Ohba began to transition into being a suit actor for numerous Toei toku shows, including Android Kikaider and Akumaizer 3. Ohba’s most incredible qualities were his ability to perform his own stunts while also portraying the unmasked hero onscreen.
Most famously, Ohba became iconic for the role of Shiro Akebono, aka Battle Kenya, in the Super Sentai series, Battle Fever J, in 1979. He returned to the franchise in Denshi Sentai Denjiman as Daigoro Oume/Denji Blue in 1980. But it didn’t start there; his history with Super Sentai started from the series’ very beginning, as he appeared as an EAGLE soldier and did stunts for Aka-Ranger in Himitsu Sentai Gorenger. But perhaps his best-known, and most recurring role, especially for this author, is as Retsu Ichijouji, also known as Space Sheriff Gavan. Ohba would return to these roles numerous times, further endearing the fanbase to him.
To this day, he’s the only actor in Tokusatsu who’s played multiple characters in the same shared universe, with all 3 of his characters appearing together in the final scene of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie.
© Toei Company Ltd. 2012.
Through these roles, Kenji Ohba was able to not only display his skill as a martial artist and stuntman but also as an actor. It’s kind of a rare thing to have the suit actor and the “unmasked” actor be the same, and Ohba did it flawlessly. Unmatched charisma and striking features made him stand out, which is no wonder Quentin Tarantino would eventually cast him in the Kill Bill films as Shiro, Bald Guy.
Kaiju United extends its heartfelt condolences to Kenji Ohba’s family, friends, and fans around the world. His legacy will never be forgotten.
