In Loving Memory: ‘Jaspion’ Star Hikaru Kurosaki Passes Away at 64

TOKYO — Konichiwa, pop culture historians and metal hero enthusiasts from all over the world. From right here in the Japanese capital, with a heavy heart and amidst a deep atmosphere of respect within the international entertainment community, I bring you the sad confirmation of the passing of a legend who shaped the golden age of tokusatsu: Hikaru Kurosaki, the eternal protagonist of the sci-fi series “Kyoju Tokuso Jaspion” (MegaBeast Investigator Jaspion), has passed away at the age of 64.

The news was confirmed through social media by Masaki Sekiguchi, a close friend and member of the Okinawa Diving Association. Kurosaki, who lived a peaceful life in Japan’s island prefecture, passed away last Monday, June 29, 2026.

The Global Legacy of the “Metal Hero”

Produced by the legendary Toei Company between 1985 and 1986 as part of the iconic Metal Hero franchise, the Jaspion series was a pioneer in expanding the boundaries of Japanese television entertainment.

• International Impact: While in Japan the production paved the way for the evolution of giant robots in a live-action format, the work crossed oceans and transformed into an overwhelming cultural phenomenon in various international markets, reaching absolute fever status in Latin America and being distributed across countries in Asia and Europe (where it became known as Spitfire).
• A Visual Icon: With his unique charisma, impressive agility, and metallic armor, Kurosaki gave a face to the space warrior who traveled the galaxy to protect planets from the awakening of giant monsters, establishing a hero standard that influenced global sci-fi productions for decades.

From the Japan Action Club (JAC) to Martial Arts Mastery

Before donning the shining armor that would make him world-famous, Kurosaki was an elite athlete and stuntman. He was a member of the prestigious Japan Action Club (JAC), the legendary stunt group founded by international martial arts star Sonny Chiba.

• Real Stunts: Thanks to his rigorous physical training, Kurosaki performed the vast majority of his own high-risk action scenes and fights without the use of body doubles. This physical dedication granted the series a realistic dynamism that hypnotized global audiences.
• Stellar Career: In addition to Jaspion, the actor left his mark on other seminal Japanese TV and film productions, including the Japanese version of Spider-Man (1978), Battle Fever J (1979), and Choudenshi Bioman (1984).

Returning to Nature and the Final Farewell

In the early 1990s, at the peak of his fame, Kurosaki made the drastic decision to permanently step away from the spotlight and the entertainment world. Driven by his passion for the ocean, he moved to Okinawa, where he rebuilt his life away from the cameras as a respected professional diving instructor and guide at the Mother Earth agency.

The loss of Kurosaki echoed deeply among his former JAC colleagues. Actor Hiroshi Watari, one of the biggest names in the tokusatsu genre and his co-star in the series, expressed his grief publicly: “I am shocked. I will never forget what I learned from him on stages and filming sets. Thank you for everything”.

The metal armor now rests permanently, but the bold spirit and the smile of the galactic defender remain forever immortalized in global pop culture history.