Remembering Ramirez's Role In Kyoryuger As A Spirit Ranger

Cancer sucks and it's a bad way to go. Robert Baldwin died of colon cancer on December 26, 2024, after a two-year battle. Yuka Motohashi also died of cancer in 2024. I believe Boonboomger gave Yuka a tribute episode in a way. I wasn't a huge fan of Kyoryuger's story but I sure enjoyed its unmorphed fights. It can be easy to accept Olf Otsuki's death at 86. Ichiro Mizuki died of cancer in his 70s. Baldwin was only 59. This young death reminds me that Shotaro Ishinomori left us so soon at only 60 years old -- due to LYMPHATIC CANCER. Soga Machiko left the world due to pancreatic cancer at 68 years old. These can be heavy. Right now, I can imagine how the seven year olds last 2013 may still be too hurt as young adults over this incident!

It might be interesting to know that Power Rangers Jungle Fury had the Spirit Ranger concept. It's too obvious Super Sentai and Power Rangers have been copying from popular culture. Gekiranger had references to popular Chinese martial arts movies. Power Rangers is a localization of Super Sentai. The concept of Spirit Ranger may have been taken from several martial arts movies or Manga. It would mean it's a chain of "Let's follow this AND add our own twist." 

Robert's a Canadian who's half-Caucasian and half-Japanese. What amused me was how his body size changed during morphing sequences. Was it true that Robert wanted to do the role in Dino Charge? I thought that would be cool AND awkward. It was already funny to have Tyler Navarro whistle the Kyoryuger theme song. Tyler's actor even reviewed Kyoryuger merchandise and I'd like, "Did he just learn Japanese?" Fortunately, Dino Charge fixed it by using Tyler's father James Navarro (who's living) as Kyoryu Cyan's American counterpart, Dino Charge Aqua Ranger. Tyler's father had the same frame. I always laughed whenever Ramirez lost weight in spandex! 

This reminds me of Kyoryuger's 10th anniversary but not everyone was there Some people had valid reasons for not showing up during episodes 32-33. Marie Iitoyo was probably unavailable due to her marital arrangements. Ryo Ryusei was probably too busy with other shows. Atsushi Maruyama was probably busy too. What I wish I knew was that Robert had cancer since 2022. The cancer may explain why Robert didn't show up. Yuka managed to show up during Donbrothers' finale though in early 2023. I didn't think too much about Robert because Ramirez was just a sideline character. Masayuki Deai also played as Tessai -- another spirit ranger. Neither Robert nor Masayuki ever showed up in the follow-up King-Ohger vs. Kyoryuger either. 

Japan isn't as racially diverse as America -- something that can provide a reason why Super Sentai isn't that racially diverse. That may be the reason why Diane Martin arranged for her graceful exit. King-Ohger was one show that had Japanese celebrities playing parts that were "more fitting" for white people -- except it'd be impractical to carry out! Ramirez and Tessai were non-Japanese characters. Tessai was Chinese (but played by a Japanese actor) and Ramirez was obviously a white man. Hearing Robert speak English and Japanese fills me with admiration for the actor. 

Right now, I still wonder if there's a curse of Super Sentai too. Some alumni died too soon from natural causes too. Daisuke Tachi was only in his 50s when he died -- the cause of death is somehow left out for a reason. Mana Kinjo died too soon at only 24 years old. Outside Super Sentai, one may have heard of Kamen Rider premature deaths too. Kyoko Okada of Kamen Rider Stronger only died at 27 years old. Miyuki Kanbe only died at 24 years old of sudden heart failure. Power Rangers also had cancer deaths such as Edward Laurence Albert's death from lung cancer at only 55 years old. Should I be surprised that Robert joined them too? It's depressing even if I wasn't too fond of Kyoryuger. 

Anyway, it's time to finally give my last respects. Robert did a lot of stuff for Japanese entertainment. It's sad to see him go away so soon. Robert's daughter announced his death on January 4, 2025. I may have not known him much. However, thanks for giving a lot of people good memories!