Spiderman in Japan: TV Tokyo’s “Supaidāman”
Most people know the hidden identity of Spiderman to be Queens highschooler Peter Parker.
In other versions of the mythology, such as the 2018 film “Into the Spiderverse '', it’s Miles Morales. Not many people, however, would think of Takuya Yamashiro, star of TV Tokyo’s late 70s adaptation of the story. [スパイダーマン東映版]
Created from a unique licensing contract between Marvel and Toei Company, Japan’s Spiderman serial ran for one year, producing 41 episodes.
This version of the character gained his exceptional abilities at age 22 when he was injected by a magic serum from Planet Spider. Throughout the series, Yamashiro primarily takes on the evil Iron Cross Army that killed his father, with avenging his death serving as a primary motivation not unlike Uncle Ben’s death to Peter Parker. In very 1970s Japanese TV fashion, this character also pilots a massive robot called Leopardon.
Aside from the decidedly Japanese atmosphere of the show’s universe, the action sequences are very reminiscent of similar American shows of the time such as “The Incredible Hulk” and Adam West’s “Batman” with highly choreographed action sequences and exaggerated comic book-esque writing.
There are numerous versions of Spiderman and plenty of Marvel characters have held the title, but Takuya Yamashiro’s version is certainly a unique take, adapted specially to appeal to Japanese values and pop culture.
Yamashiro is set to be returning alongside Parker, Morales, and his other web slinging colleagues in the upcoming animated “Spiderverse” sequel, set to hit US theatres next year.
