Spider-Man (Japanese TV series)
Japanese live-action tokusatsu series with a giant robot.
Spider-Man (Japanese: スパイダーマン, Hepburn: Supaidāman), also referred to as Japanese Spider-Man or Toei Spider-Man, is a Japanese live-action tokusatsu superhero television series produced by Toei Company. It is loosely based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name through a contract negotiated by producer Gene Pelc. The series aired for 41 episodes on Tokyo Channel 12 from May 17, 1978, to March 14, 1979, with a theatrical episode shown at the Toei Manga Matsuri film festival on July 22, 1978. From March 5 to December 24, 2009, Marvel uploaded English subtitled versions of the episodes to their website.
- field
- Television / Tokusatsu
- nationality
- Japanese
- known_for
- Introducing the giant robot concept later used in Super Sentai
- producer
- Gene Pelc
- episodes
- 41
- original_run
- May 17, 1978 – March 14, 1979
Lore & Background
The series follows motorcycle racer Takuya Yamashiro, who witnesses a UFO crash to Earth. His father, space archaeologist Dr. Hiroshi Yamashiro, is killed investigating the spaceship, the Marveller. Takuya discovers Garia, the last surviving warrior of Planet Spider, who injects him with spider blood, granting spider-like powers, and gives him a bracelet that activates his costume, shoots web-lines, and controls the Marveller. Takuya fights Professor Monster and the Iron Cross Army as Spider-Man.
Spider-Man's civilian identity is 22-year-old motocross racer Takuya Yamashiro, portrayed by Kōsuke Kayama (Shinji Tōdō). He has enhanced strength, wall-crawling, and spider-senses, but is sensitive to cold. He hides his identity, acting weak in front of friends. His costume, the Spider Protector, is stored in the Spider Bracelet. He uses the Spider Machine GP-7 and the Marveller for transportation, and summons the giant mecha Leopardon to fight enlarged monsters. The series also introduced a Venom character named Yaleo in a 2025 crossover comic event.
Reader's Guide
The Japanese Spider-Man series is significant for its unique blend of tokusatsu and superhero elements, notably introducing the giant robot Leopardon, which influenced Toei's Super Sentai franchise. While the costume and basic powers mirror the Marvel Comics version, the storyline and origin differ substantially, with Takuya Yamashiro receiving his powers from an alien injection rather than a radioactive spider bite. The series ran for 41 episodes and a theatrical film, and later gained international exposure when Marvel uploaded subtitled episodes in 2009. Its legacy includes appearances in comic storylines Spider-Verse and Spider-Geddon, and a 2025 crossover event introducing a Venom counterpart. The show's budget constraints led to limited web-swinging and reliance on stock footage for Leopardon battles, but its creative contributions to the superhero genre remain notable.
Did You Know?
- The giant robot Leopardon concept was later used in Toei's Super Sentai franchise.
- Spider-Man's costume in the series has slanted lens rather than circular lens, modified from The Amazing Spider-Man costume.
- The Spider Machine GP-7 is named after producer Gene Pelc.
- Leopardon's suit was damaged and later lost, forcing future fight scenes to use stock footage.
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