Last week, Disney+ premiered Marvel's 616, an anthology documentary series "that explores the historical, cultural and societal impacts of the Marvel Comics Universe and its intersection with the world." The premiere episode focused on Supaidaman, also known as "Japanese Spider-Man."
Although hardcore Marvel fans may be familiar with the character, many have never heard of him before Marvel's 616, which prompted the company to offer a deeper dive into this version of the icoic hero and his history. Here are the highlights from Marvel's recent post.
Takuya Yamashiro is the Spider-Man of Earth-51778 and is one of the earliest live-action depictions of the wall-crawler. He's a motocross racer, which sounds a bit more rad than Peter Parker's job as a scientist/photographer. While Parker's powers are the result of a spider bite, Takuya's powers are given to him by Garia, the last survivor of the planet Spider. Like Parker, Takuya also experiences the loss of a close family member, but how it unfolds is quite different.
Garia’s ship crash-landed on Earth after being attacked by Professor Monster and the Iron Cross Army. The crash also causes the death of Takuya’s father. To help protect the Earth and gain revenge for his father’s death, Takuya takes on the mantle of Spider-Man.
Takuya posses "Spider-Senses" and his powers consist of super strength, agility and wall-climbing. But what really sets Takuya apart from Parker is his Spider-Bracelet, which is powered by alien technology that houses his costume, the Spider-Protector, and helps him utilize his Spider-String and Spider-Net. Basically, it's an advanced version of Parker's web-shooters. Takuya also has access to Garia's ship, the Marveller, which transforms into a giant robot, Leopardon.
Japanese Spider-Man existed as a live-action Japanese TV series starring Shinji Tōdō as Takuya. Hirofumi Koga and Ryusuke Sakitsu played the suited-up version of the hero. A total of 41 episodes aired between 1978 and 1979 but unfortunately, there's no current way to watch them. The series was featured on the Marvel YouTube channel for a while back in 2015; however, they are no longer there. All that's left are episodes of Earth's Mightiest Show that offer insight into Takuya and Leopardon.
In the meantime, Takuya is featured in Marvel Comics and is officially canon and part of the Marvel Universe. Takuya first appears in 2014's Amazing Spider-Man #9, but makes his official debut in Amazing Spider-Man #12.
If this is the first time you're hearing about Japanese Spider-Man and want to learn more, be sure to check out the first episode of Marvel's 616, now streaming on Disney+.