New Super Sentai Series' Character, Played by Kohaku Shida, Sparks Buzz for Resemblance to Her Previous Role

In the highly anticipated debut of Ichigawa Tsuno, also known as 'Gojyu Unicorn' and portrayed by Kohaku Shida, in the new Super Sentai series, No. 1 Sentai Gojuuger, social media is abuzz. Fans have noticed a striking resemblance in both appearance and mannerisms to 'Oni Sister / Haruka Kito,' the popular character Shida played in the previous series, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers.

Many fans have expressed their surprise and delight with comments like, "Isn't that just Haruka Kito?!" and "She's too much like Haruka Kito from start to finish!" They point out that Tsuno's rather unsettling nickname, "teacher-killing Haruka Kito," and her bold personality, described as "a brash individual who proudly claims the disgrace of plagiarism," strongly evoke characteristics and memorable episodes of Haruka Kito.

Within the story, Tsuno explains that her face got stuck after 'Tegasword' changed it for an undercover mission. This has led to various cross-series theories, such as, "Tegasword must have memories of the Sentai robot from the Universe War, and when it tried to create Tsuno's face from Haruka Kito, who was the person inside Don Onitaijin, this is what happened."

Even Toei's official channels have reacted to this unusual situation. The official X account for Avataro Sentai Donbrothers announced: "#KohakuShida 🦄 Commemorating her appearance in #Gojuuger❗️ #Donbrothers selection streaming, DON🎊 Five episodes where Haruka Kito👹 particularly shined are now available for free for a limited time!" Specifically, episode 10, "Oni's Pants," which deeply explores Haruka Kito's character, and episode 40, "Dangerous Ride," which highlights her quirky charm, are cited as must-watch episodes. Fans are urging others to tune in, saying, "You absolutely have to watch this!" and "It's packed with Haruka Kito's charm."

Kohaku Shida's acting ability, particularly her comedic delivery, is highly praised. Comments such as "Both characters are so good with comedic acting" and "I love how she's earthy and thick-skinned" have been received. Despite being a new character, Ichigawa Tsuno, who incorporates many elements of a past popular character, is truly embraced by fans as a "hybrid character that combines the best of Tsuno and Haruka.".

Further attention is focused on the future activities of Kohaku Shida, who portrays the beloved Haruka Kito across old and new series, and the unfolding developments of Gojuuger.

The Context

The Super Sentai series is a long-running Japanese tokusatsu (live-action special effects) franchise featuring colorful superhero teams. Each year, a new series is introduced, typically with a new cast and storyline, though subtle connections or references between series are not uncommon. Avataro Sentai Donbrothers (2022-2023) was notable for its unconventional storytelling, meta-humor, and unique character dynamics, making its characters, like Haruka Kito (Oni Sister), particularly popular. No. 1 Sentai Gojuuger is the newest installment. The article highlights a meta-narrative phenomenon where an actress, Kohaku Shida, is playing a new character in the latest series who bears an intentional and striking resemblance to her beloved previous role in a predecessor series. This playful blurring of lines between characters and series, often for comedic effect and fan engagement, is a hallmark of the tokusatsu genre, particularly evident in franchises like Super Sentai.