Sadly, Kenji Ohba, the actor who played the main character in the Space Sheriff Gavan series (Uchû keiji Gyaban) or better known in Malaysia as Polis Angkasa Gaban, passed away on May 6. Ohba died at the age of 72 but the cause of his death was not disclosed and his death was only announced late last night. But in 2018, he reportedly collapsed at home due to a stroke.
After the end of the Gaban series, Kenji Ohba continued to act in TV series in Japan. In 2012, he returned to wear the Gaban armor in the Kaizoku sentai films Gôkaijâ vs Uchuu keiji Gyaban the Movie and Uchû keiji Gyaban: The Movie. He also lent his voice in the Gaban video game. In regular films, he appeared in Kill Bill: Vol 1 and Kill Bill: Vol 2 as Hattori Hanzo's assistant played by the late Sonny Chiba.
Although the Gaban series only aired for two years between 1982-1983, covering 44 episodes, the impact of the space police character who fought the Maque Crime Syndicate on popular culture can be seen to this day. The term “Gaban” as a substitute for a great, powerful and powerful name is still used in Malay even though the series was last aired over 30 years ago in Malaysia. In fact, I dare to bet that as you read this report, the theme song of Gaban is playing in your head.
You may be wondering why the news of Kenji Ohba’s death was reported on a technology news site? The answer is simple. For Generation X and Millennials, Gaban was the introduction to the Metal Hero series by Toei which later opened the door to the release of the Kesatria Baja Hitam series (Mask Rider Black) in the Action Kamen genre and then Flash Man in the Super Sentai genre.
In all the series published by Toei, the main character uses giant robot technology, cyber, space, and futuristic weapons to eliminate enemies every week. This is completely different from the Ultraman genre which is just a human being becoming a giant superhero against Kaiju.
Thank you Kenji Ohba for the funny memory of skipping evening religious school just to watch Gaban Space Police. May you continue to fight and destroy your enemies with Gaban Z action, cutting them in half in 0.05 seconds in the Demonic Space.
