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| Kenji Ohba addresses the crowd in March 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
Japan Action Enterprise broke the news today on its website, which has quickly gone viral on social media. While the JAE press release claims that Ohba died at the age of 72, this is almost certainly based on traditional Japanese age reckoning and should be taken with a grain of salt.
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| Kenji Ohba shakes Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima's hand in March 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
Ohba, who was born on February 5, 1955, made his mark on film and television throughout the decades. As a regular performer, his credits include: Battle Fever J (1979-80) as Battle Kenya, Denshi Sentai Denjiman (1980-81) as Denji Blue, Space Sheriff Gavan (1982-82) as Gavan, and Space Sheriff Sharivan (1983-84) as Gavan once again.
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| Kenji Ohba shakes the hand of Toho actor Akira Kubo in March 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
A number of his other roles are: Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon (1977), Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983), and Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), among many other credits. Ohba-san started as a suit actor on such classic Toei programs as Kamen Rider (1971-73), Android Kikaider (1972-72), and Robot Detective (1973).
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| Kenji Ohba shakes the land of Toho actress Yukiko Kobayashi in March 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
I first saw Space Sheriff Gavan about 20 years ago, thanks to some overpriced "gray market" DVDs of the show I bought at a convention. Admittedly, I lost interest in the proceedings kind of quickly and never revisited the show after that. Who knows -- maybe I would enjoy it more now -- but Toei Metal Heroes were never really my bag.
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| Kenji Ohba in March 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
To this day, I still remember a particular subtitle line from that DVD set: While an exciting battle is raging beyond their doorstep, a confused child turns to his/her mother and comments, "Mom, it's weird outside!"
Of course, no obituary for Kenji Ohba should contain any mention of RoboCop (1987). I think we've all heard enough of that tall tale by now!
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| Kenji Ohba is joined by fellow Battle Fever J alums Narimitsu Kurachi and Daisuke Ban in April 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
I only met Kenji Ohba once, though maybe it was twice, and I just no longer remember the other time. I saw him in person at a March 2015 tokusatsu gathering that featured such Toho luminaries as Akira Kubo, Yukiko Kobayashi, and Haruo Nakajima. I photographed Ohba there but have no recollection of talking to him. If I did, it was essentially hello and goodbye.
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| Kenji Ohba in April 2016. |
I certainly did meet him in April 2016 and have the photos to prove it! But that encounter wasn't much longer, as it took place at an autograph show. But I remember him as a friendly chap who seemed enthused about meeting his fans. I'm glad our paths crossed.
Rest in peace, Ohba-san.
