Summary
- Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse may introduce Japanese Spider-Man, adding to the diverse array of variants in the franchise.
- The inclusion of Japanese Spider-Man in the Spider-Verse series would bring unique weapons, vehicles, and powers to the animated films.
- Despite significant differences, Japanese Spider-Man captures the selflessness and heroism that are core to the character of Spider-Man.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is on the horizon, and the movie has the chance to bring in another Spider-Man variant that has surprisingly been missing from the previous entries in the franchise. The Spider-Verse franchise has become one of the premiere comic-book movie franchises of all time, earning countless accolades, including being nominated for two Oscars and winning one. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse will presumably kick off from the cliffhanger ending of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse took its multiverse concept further and featured a significantly larger number of variants of the iconic Marvel hero than Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. With the trilogy set to conclude with the release of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, this means even more variants have a good chance of showing up before it’s over. Because of this, one variant could (and should) be included in the finale.
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Japanese Spider-Man Was Teased For Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Japanese Spider-Man (also known as Supaidāman) was one of the first live-action adaptations of the iconic web crawler, running for 42 episodes from 1978 to 1979. He hasn’t appeared in much else since then outside of comics, but his Spider-Verse inclusion seems possible after one of the franchise’s key producers, Phil Lord, teased the character for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse several years ago. Of course, Supaidāman didn’t show up in the film, but knowing that he is on the minds of the creatives behind the franchise makes it possible he could finally show up in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Japanese Spider-Man Is Perfect For The Spider-Verse Series
One of the biggest appeals of the Spider-Verse movies is the vast number of Spider-Man variants that pop up in the story. Whether they have a significant part in the film or a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo, seeing the different variants, no matter how popular or obscure, is one of the core premises (and appeal) of the franchise. Their unique skill sets and differing animation styles in the Spider-Verse are some of the key driving forces behind the films, and Supaidāman fits into that idea perfectly.
The Toei Spider-Man sports a unique array of weapons and powers, including a Spider-net for ensnaring enemies, a sports-style vehicle that helps the wall-crawler get around, and a larger spaceship that transforms into a giant mech named Leopardon complete with a power sword. All these unique and exciting characteristics of his would shine in the kinetically animated Spider-Verse movies. Just seeing the hero pilot Leopardon would be worth it, and his inclusion in the greater universe wouldn’t feel out of place among the vastly different variants already established.
How Japanese Spider-Man Differs From Peter Parker
Supaidāman differs greatly from the classic Peter Parker that most people are aware of. Takuya Yamashiro is the titular hero who received his powers from an alien named Garia who died shortly after bestowing Yamashiro with unique abilities, various gadgets, and vehicles. His main villains all stem from an organization called the Iron Cross Army, who are led by Professor Monster. None of Peter Parker’s classic villains ever show up, and virtually all of Spider-Man lore is discarded in favor of a uniquely Japanese tokusatsu take on the hero.
Despite the overwhelming number of differences between Supaidāman and the classic Spider-Man, the adaptation gets the heart of the character right. His inherent selflessness and willingness to always try and do the right thing, no matter how tough it might be, allows the character to stand alongside other iconic takes on the web crawler. Takuya Yamashiro may battle it out with kaiju villains and traverse his city mostly in a vehicle that can fly, but he is still Spider-Man.
The Japanese Spider-Man show is a fun and unique take on the classic Marvel hero who should absolutely be included in the Spider-Verse films. Even though he was teased by producer Phil Lord, he hasn’t made his debut in the franchise, which is surprising given that he fits into the Spider-Verse universe perfectly. When Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse finally comes out, Japanese Spider-Man could definitely be a strong addition to the franchise.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is the direct continuation of 2023’s Across the Spider-Verse, and is the third film in the Miles Morales animated Spider-Man franchise. Miles continues his interdimensional journey to change the fates of those he loves while finding his own path to become a Spider-Man.
- Director
- Joaquim Dos Santos , Kemp Powers , Justin K. Thompson
- Studio(s)
- Sony Pictures Animation , Arad Productions , Lord Miller , Pascal Pictures
- Writers
- Dave Callaham , Phil Lord , Christopher Miller
- Cast
- Shameik Moore