In Japan, Spider-Man has a Giant Robot!

EDIT: Updated the embedded Youtube video of the show's opening sequence as someone had taken down the first video!


Supaida-Man!

Strangely enough, it seems that the style of Japanese superhero show that was popularized in the English-speaking world by the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers may actually have it's origins in a true-blue American superhero- Spider-Man. It's true! In 1978, Toei (the same studio that produced Kamer Rider and the shows that the footage for Power Rangers was taken from) made a Spider-Man TV series. Instead of following the comic book storyline, this series gave Spider-Man a uniquely Japanese spin. Here's a synopsis, taken from Wikipedia (emphasis added by moi):

Young motorcycle racer Takuya Yamashiro sees a UFO falling to earth, in fact a combat spacecraft named the "Marveller". Takuya's father Dr. Hiroshi Yamashiro, a space archaeologist, investigates the case. The incident also brings the attention of Professor Monster and his evil Iron Cross Army (Tetsu-Jyuuji-Gun), an alien group that plans to rule the universe.

The Iron Cross Army murders Dr. Yamashiro, and also attempts to kill Takuya. Takuya's life is saved by Gallia, prince of the Spider Planet, who came to Earth in the spacecraft. Gallia gives Takuya a bracelet that injects him a liquid which not only heals his wounds but also gives him super strength, the ability to climb walls and a special sense of danger (i.e. Spider-sense). The bracelet give him his web-shooting ability, is also a communication device used to summon Marveller, and finally can be used to store the costume.

Takuya battles Professor Monster's "Iron Cross Army". After Spider-Man beats up on the human sized monsters they turn into giants. Spider-Man then calls on the Marveller to fire missiles at the monster, then transform into a giant robot, Leopardon.

What'd I tell ya? The Japanese Spider-Man totally has a giant robot! According to this review on Japanhero.com, this series was responsible for popularizing the Japanese superhero standards of giant transforming robots and monsters that enlarge in size when defeated (and hence need to be defeated again, by said giant transforming robots)! That's incredibly cheesy, and yet totally awesome. Mmm... Giant Robots and Spider-Man, two of my favourite things. Who'd have thought they had such a deep connection?

You can watch the entire first episode here, as well as a comedy fansubbed version. It's actually pretty entertaining. Even though the show strays far, far, faaaaaaaar away from the original Spider-Man in terms of plot, they did a great job in depicting the way he moves and fights- heck, he strikes all the right poses, too! Oh and I love this clip where Spidey gets saved by an el mariachi singer with a machine-gun guitar. Brilliance!

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