Kenji Ōba
February 5, 1955 – May 6, 2026, known professionally as Kenji Ohba 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.
Also recorded as Kenji Oba · Kenji Takahashi · Kenji Ohba
Kenji Ōba
Georges Seguin (Okki) · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Kenji Ohba
- Birth Name
- Kenji Takahashi
- Born
- 5 February 1955
- Birthplace
- Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan
- Died
- 6 May 2026
- Occupation
- Actor, stunt
- Full name
- 高橋 健二.
- Nationality
- Japan.
- Known for
- Space Sheriff Gavan, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Legend of the Eight Samurai, Igano Kabamaru, Kōtarō Makaritōru!, Denshi Sentai Denziman and Battle Fever J.
- Languages
- Japanese.
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Kenji Ohba • Native Name — 大葉 健二 • Birth Name — Kenji Takahashi • Born — 5 February 1955 • Birthplace — Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan • Died — 6 May 2026 • Occupation — Actor, stunt • Years Active — 1972–2026 • Children — 1
Life and career
Life and career
Ohba was born as Kenji Takahashi in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, on February 5, 1955. 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"). In May 2018, Ohba was reportedly hospitalized after he fainted at his house. He subsequently recovered from the incident. Ohba died following a long illness on May 6, 2026, at the age of 71. His death was announced the following day. A funeral was held privately with his family only in attendance.
Personal life
Personal life
Ohba's daughter, Nao Wakaba, is an actress.
Television
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
Video games
• The Space Sheriff Spirits (2006) – Retsu Ichijouji/Gavan (voice)
Stage
Stage
• Tiger & Bunny the Live (2012) – "Hero Academy Teacher"
Autograph session with Kenji Ōba at Chibi Japan Expo 2008 (Paris, France).
Georges Seguin (Okki)
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)
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Kenji Ohba”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q736403: Kenji Ōba
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
authority file
- VIAF cluster 251679529 for Kenji Ōba, aggregating national library name authorities.
General reference · OCLC
Text attribution
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Kenji Ohba, revision 1359022380 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202605070001495.html
- 2.Luck Jet official site.
- 3.石垣佑磨、『宇宙刑事ギャバン』大葉健二との思い出語る「皆様の勇気が大葉さんに届いてほしい」. Ameba News [アメーバニュース].
- 4.Space Sheriff Gavan’s Kenji Ohba Hospitalized. May 15, 2018.
- 5.https://web.archive.org/web/20260511043315/https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20260508_2108566.html/2
- 6.俳優・大葉健二さんが死去、72歳 「宇宙刑事ギャバン」主演、「キル・ビル」でハリウッド進出. Sports Nippon. 2026-05-07.
- 7.https://www.malaymail.com/news/showbiz/2026/05/07/japanese-tokusatsu-legend-kenji-ohba-star-of-super-sentai-and-space-sheriff-gavan-dies-at-71/219110
- 8.Tiger & Bunny the Live cast of characters.
References
Citations
References
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authority file
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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