Kenji Ohba
Japanese actor and stuntman (1955–2026)
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Kenji Takahashi (高橋 健二, Takahashi Kenji; February 5, 1955 – May 6, 2026), known professionally as Kenji Ohba (大葉 健二, Ōba Kenji) was a Japanese actor and stuntman best known for his roles in the Super Sentai and Metal Heroes series, especially as Retsu Ichijouji/Gavan in the 1982 television series Space Sheriff Gavan.
February 5, 1955
Kenji Ohba | |
|---|---|
| 大葉 健二 | |
Ohba in 2008 | |
| Born | Kenji Takahashi February 5, 1955 Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan |
| Died | May 6, 2026 (aged 71) |
| Occupations | Actor, stunt |
| Years active | 1972–2026 |
| Children | 1 |
Life and career
Ohba was born as Kenji Takahashi in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, on February 5, 1955.[1]
He also played Shiro Akebono/Battle Kenya in Battle Fever J and Daigoro Oume/DenziBlue in Denshi Sentai Denziman. Ohba was the president of his own action/stunt troupe called "Luck JET" ("JET" being an acronym for "Jaunty Eventful Troupe").[2]
In May 2018, Ohba was reportedly hospitalized after he fainted at his house.[3][4] He subsequently recovered from the incident.[5]
Ohba died following a long illness on May 6, 2026, at the age of 71. His death was announced the following day.[6] A funeral was held privately with his family only in attendance.[7]
Personal life
Ohba's daughter, Nao Wakaba, is an actress.[6]
Filmography
Film
- Sister Street Fighter (1974) – Combatant #1
- Akane iro no kûdô (1976)
- Dasso yugi (1976)
- Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon (1977) – Karate Brother 1
- J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai vs. Gorenger (1978, Suit actor)
- Denshi Sentai Denziman Movie (1980) – Daigoro Oume / Denzi Blue
- Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983) – Inukai Genpachi Nobufuchi
- Kotaro makari-toru! (1984) – Teruhiko Tenkouji
- Space Cop Shaider: Pursuit! Shigi Shigi Abduction Plan (1984) – Retsu Ichijôji / Space Sheriff Gavan
- Shogun's Samurai (1985) – Gamahachi
- Kamen Rider ZO (1993) – Kuroda
- Battle Royale II: Requiem (2003) – Maki's father
- Kill Bill Volume 1 (2003) – Shiro, Bald Guy
- Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004) – Shiro, Bald Guy
- Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (2004) – Shiro, Bald Guy
- Sekiryû no onna (2006)
- Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle (2011) – Daigoro Oume
- Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie (2012) – Retsu Ichijouji / Gavan, Shiro Akebono / Battle Kenya, Daigoro Oume / Denzi Blue
- Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie (2012) – Retsu Ichijouji / Gavan
- Super Hero Taisen Z (2013) – Commander Retsu Ichijouji/Gavan
- Dragon Emperor (2016)
- Space Squad: Gavan vs. Dekaranger (2017) – Retsu Ichijouji / Gavan
- HE-LOW (2018)
Television
- Android Kikaider (1972, Jiro's suit actor)
- Kikaider 01 (1973, Jiro's suit actor)
- Robot Detective (1973)
- Symbol of Justice Condorman (1975)
- Akumaizer 3 (1975, Suit actor)
- Himitsu Sentai Gorenger (1975) – Akarenger suit actor
- Choujin Bibyun (1976)
- J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai (1977) – Hayato Kono (episode 3)
- Message from Space: Galactic Wars (1978)
- Battle Fever J (1979) – Shiro Akebono / Battle Kenya
- Denshi Sentai Denjiman (1980) – Daigoro Oume / Denji Blue
- Space Sheriff Gavan (1982) – Retsu Ichijouji / Gavan
- Space Sheriff Sharivan (1983) – Retsu Ichijouji / Gavan (episode 1-6, 13-24, 34, 48 & 51)
- Space Sheriff Shaider (1984) – Retsu Ichijouji / Gavan (episode 49)
- Kage no Gundan IV (1985) – Gamahachi
- Choujinki Metalder (1987) – (episodes 25 & 26)
- Hissatsu Shigotonin V Fuunryūkohen (1987) (episode 13)
- Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya (1988) – Yajiro (episode 27)
- Kamen Rider Black RX (1989) – Masaru Kujo (episode 34)
- Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger (2002) – Shurikenger disguise (episode 45)
- Juken Sentai Gekiranger (2007) – Dan Kenshi (episodes 40 and 42)
- Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (2011) – Shiro Akebono (episode 44)
Video games
- The Space Sheriff Spirits (2006) – Retsu Ichijouji/Gavan (voice)
Stage
- Tiger & Bunny the Live (2012) – "Hero Academy Teacher"[8]
