Televi-Kun confirmed that Watanabe died of heart failure on June 23. His work at Toho included hits like the legendary super robot show Mazinger Z, Getter Robo Go, and Transformers: Victory, the final series of the first generation.
The first six entries in the Super Sentai franchise were composed by Watanabe. Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, J.A.K. Q. Dengekitai, Battle Fever J, Denshi Sentai Denjiman, Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan, and Dai Sentai Goggle-V were all composed by Watanabe. The legacy of Watanabe is still felt in the long-running series to this day, not only would he occasionally return to the franchise to compose songs for individual series, but he also returned full-time to compose the retro-inspired soundtrack for the anniversary team.
There is a good chance that you have heard the theme song to Toei's 1978 Spider-Man series, written by a man who is not well known in the West. Both compositions were written by Watanabe. The Spider-Man show gained cult status outside of Japan as a result of its opening and ending themes and the original soundtrack.
He is survived by his son, who has composed the music for many of his own films.
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