Kinji Takigawa

Kinji Takigawa (キンジ・タキガワ) is StarNinger (スターニンジャー), the Sixth Ranger of the Ninningers.

Past
Kinji Takigawa was born in America, to a family of Yokai Hunters (his father and older brother). When he was still young, his family was killed by an unknown Yokai, and thus he aimed to become a stronger Yokai Hunter than them. Sometime before the series, he met Yoshitaka Igasaki and was so impressed with his ninja techniques that Takigawa begged to become the latter's pupil to fulfil his goals. Igasaki refused on the grounds that Takigawa lacked Ninjaity. However, Takigawa was so insistent that Igasaki finally relented, telling him that he would take on Takigawa as an apprentice, but only if the latter could defeat him in battle, in the hopes that Takigawa would give up upon such an impossible task. After Igasaki left for lands unknown, Takigawa began his own training by copying some of Yoshitaka's ninjutsu.

Arrival to Japan
"Yee-haw! They are the grandchildren of the Last Ninja. It's getting exciting now!"

- StarNinger voices his observation of the Ninningers in his native English.

As time goes, Kinji built his own StarNinger's arsenal and OtomoNin Rodeomaru, based on instructions from Yoshitaka's autobiography "I am The LAST NINJA", and arrived to Japan after finishing his own training.

He first appeared on his OtomoNin when witnessing the Ninningers' battle against Youkai Nekomata. Impressed by the Last Ninja's grandchildren, he decides to withdraw. Originally, he tried to search for the End Shuriken in hopes for it's power so that he can defeat Yoshitaka. However to his disappointment, he learns that the Sealing Shuriken-imbued Youkai does not contain such item, evidenced with one Youkai he kills before. He attacked Yoshitaka as promised to become his pupil if he won, however Yoshitaka escaped.

The injured Yoshitaka then appeared at the dojo, leading Takaharu, Yakumo, and Fuuka to lure and fight the culprit, Kinji, only to be defeated easily. As time went, the Ninningers learned that Kinji is not evil, and is in fact just a fan of Yoshitaka, much like Takaharu. After defeating Daidarabotchi, Kinji received a new challenge from Yoshitaka: defeat his grandchildren, and the apprenticeship would be his.

Personality
As mentioned by Fuuka (and presumably other Ninningers), Kinji bears a likeness to Takaharu, since both are fans of Yoshitaka Igasaki and wishes to follow his path as the Last Ninja. Due to this, he labels himself with the title of Youkai Hunter, hunting Youkai to become stronger. Ever since he learned of Yoshitaka being a Ninja, Kinji displays fanaticism over things related to ninjas and Youkai, even likes to take pictures and footprints of any Youkai he comes across with.

StarNinger
"StarNinger! Wow!"

- Transformation announcement

Arsenal
 * Nin Shuriken
 * Ninja StarBurger
 * Star Sword-Gun

Mecha
 * BisonKing
 * OtomoNin Rodeomaru
 * OtomoNin Bison Buggy

Portrayal
Kinji Takigawa is portrayed by Hideya Tawada (多和田 秀弥).

As StarNinger, his suit actor is Masashi Takada (高田 将司).