Farewell Mr. Ikeda

Last week Thursday, one of my childhood heroes, Mr. Ikeda Shunsuke passed away (6/10/11). It came as quite a shock as earlier in the evening some of us were talking about him and I said last I heard, he wasn't feeling well, he was sick but he seemed ok. Two hours later, I get the bad news that he had passed on earlier in the evening.

I was fortunate enough to meet him for the first time back in 2001. The All Collectors Expo at the Blaisdell featured Mr. Ikeda and Mr. Ban in an autograph session. For many of us fans, it was the chance to meet them for the first time. Little did I know that I would not only get the opportunity to work with them in the years to come but get to know them as more than childhood heroes. Can I say as friends?


The following year (2002), I was asked to be a part of the "Generation Kikaida" crew. First in January when Mr. Ban came down to help with the New Years festivities at the JCCH. I along with another kid got the opportunity to bring Kikaida to life for the fans of Hawaii.

It was in April though when both Mr. Ban and Mr. Ikeda came back to Hawaii for an event called Gill's Gala. A three day Kikaida event, it was also the first "show" that we as the new Generation Kikaida crew had to do.
I'm not sure about the other guys but I was nervous because not only were we performing an action show but I got the opportunity to work in a show with two of my childhood heroes. I remember Mr. Ikeda and I trying to have a conversation...me with my limited Japanese and Mr. Ikeda with limited English. I stopped the conversation and was going to get a translator when he told me that "No...don't worry. We are doing fine.". He always made an attempt to make you feel at ease.

I remember during the show, I kinda messed up but we were able to recover and continue and after the show as I attempted to apologize to him for my 'snafu', he laughed and said don't worry, he thought he was the one that messed up.

In 2003 he and Mr. Ban came down again for a stage show called Kikaida Brothers Live. The first stage show with dialog and action that the Generation Kikaida crew had done. Most of us are not actors or stunt men/women so it was exciting for us to work with Mr. Ban and Mr. Ikeda in this capacity.

A few months later a few of us CBG guys got the chance to go to Japan. The first time there for many of us. We were lucky enough to meet up for lunch with Mr. Ban and Mr. Ikeda. During lunch, Mr. Ikeda gave me a autographed photo of me Ban and himself. Mr Ikeda also took us around town and played tour guide.

We were fortunate enough to get to hang out with Mr. Ikeda over the years. From working with him at various Kikaida events to him and his wife coming to the islands for a vacation, he would always make sure he spent some time with us. And not just spend time but make an attempt to connect with you.

In 2004, on a non Kikaida related visit to the islands, we got a chance to have dinner with the Ikeda's. After dinner we all went out for a little bit of karaoke. We had secretly brought a cake to the karaoke studio. Mid-way through the evening in between various tokusatsu theme songs, we played Happy Birthday and brought the cake in along with a card we had all signed. He was so thrilled and happy. Mrs. Ikeda began to cry. He joked about not wanting to have to cut the cake when someone cried out "01 cut!".

2 years later in 2006, he returned the favor and surprised me on my birthday by appearing on a birthday video wishing me a Happy Birthday. He also wrote me a nice little birthday note and gave me his special 01 Spel Delfin mask.


Sadly, as much as he wanted to come down to do a show with us or visit, he wasn't able to the last 2 years. We last saw him in 2008. He was in good spirits then and oddly Ban was sick at the time. As Ban's health returned, Ikeda's slowly declined. I heard some stories that he had gotten sick but didn't know how serious it was. In some pictures I would see, he was thinner but looked happy and energetic.

The night he passed away, I was talking on the phone and for some reason, the subject of "how Ban and Ikeda were doing?" came up. I said that Ikeda was kinda sick but I wasn't sure...last I hear, he was ok. Two hours later I get the sad sad news that he had passed 3 hours before my conversation.

R.I.P. Mr. Ikeda. Thank you for all the memories. As sad as this is, with all of the memories you have given us, you won't be forgotten and will be with us always...