Get ready True-Believers!
Turn on your Disney+ streaming service and check out the new documentary series Marvel 616. The first episode features the cult-favorite Japanese Spider-Man series and the history of how this came to be.
And maybe – if we’re lucky – this is just the beginning of a new future for Japanese Spider-Man!
Because two announcements of new Toei Spider-Man product isn’t enough for one day – here’s a third!
Figsoku.net has posted up preview images of an upcoming Super Minipla Leopardon. For those uneducated on what Leopardon was – it was the mecha that accompanied the Toei Spider-Man character and has become quite a cult classic favorite. A drawing was even seen in the background of the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse animated feature from 2019 and the Toei Spider-Man is heavily rumored to appear in the sequel to the film.
Here’s the rough, Google-translated version of the product details.
Commercialized Leopardon that appeared in “Spider-Man Toei TV Series” from Super Minipla!
You can transform from Marveler to Leopardon.
In addition to the Sword Vicker and Spider Protector, effect parts that reproduce the scene of storing the Spider Machine GP-7, the scene of throwing the Sword Vicker, and the scene of launching the arm rocket are also included.
It is a volume kit with a special pedestal that can decorate the marveler in flight.
Super Minipla Leopardon is set to release in August 2020 for 4,950 yen and should be available to pre-order soon.
The Emissary of Hell, Spider-Man!
Big news from Bandai Tamashii Nations as a recent magazine reveals the production of an S.H. Figuarts Toei Spider-Man! Star of the 1978 TV series that helped introduce mecha to the Super Sentai franchise, Spider-Man is due for release in August for the price of 6500 yen. Like Bandai’s other Spider-Man Figuarts he will come loaded with a number of web effect parts, as well as an opening Spider Bracelet!
But that might not be all! If you check out the image attached you’ll also see that the magazine features images of the 2006 Soul of Chogokin Leopardon figure. Could a reissue also be on the way to coincide with this surprise release? Stay tuned to Tokunation for more news as it comes!
“I am the emissary of Hell!
And I shall fight this great evil for the fate of all spiders!”
400 years ago, Professor Monster came to invade Earth with his Iron Cross Army. Active once again in 1978, his legions would cross paths with the young motocross racer Takuya Yamashiro. With a fate greater than he knew, Takuya was both destined to lose his father to Iron Cross, and encounter the strange race of the Planet Spider. Now infused with the Spider Extract, and given command of the mighty Spider-Machine GP-7 and Marveller, Takuya has become the Spider-Man! This Emissary of Hell will fight to defend the Earth for as long as it takes to stop Professor Monster and his hordes!
The classic 1978 Toei produced Spider-Man series has become a cult classic in the US, particularly after the character’s involvement in Marvel Comics Spider-Verse event series (which the above quote comes from). Mattel has been the first toy company to capitalize on the series US popularity with merchandise though, giving us the SDCC exclusive Hot Wheels Spider Machine GP-7! A welcome addition for any 1/64 Hot Wheels collector, and a wonderful one for any fan of Spider-Man, the Spider Machine is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
We’ve got a full 50 image gallery of the Spider Machine GP-7 after the jump as well as a full review. Just click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post to see it all. Next time, we dive into another SDCC Exclusive from Hasbro’s Power Rangers Lightning Collection line!
If you haven’t been following Marvel’s current run of Amazing Spider-Man then now may be the time. Though we wouldn’t typically cover this kind of thing today’s latest issue, Amazing Spider-Man #12 featured the return of 2 very familiar faces for the tokusatsu community. Making his first official appearance since his 1979 TV Series is Toei’s Spider-Man! And along for the ride is his faithful transforming mecha Marveler/Leopardon!
The currently ongoing Spider-verse storyline has seen the entire Marvel Multiverse assaulted by the Morlun family of killers. They’ve been hopping between dimensions plotting to and in some cases succeeding in murdering various Spider-heroes. Now a ragtag team of the remaining spiders with the Earth-616 Peter Parker at the lead are trying desperately to win the war. Just in time to lend a helping hand (and maybe a gigantic sword?!) Spider-man & Leopardon enter the fray! Though it’s only briefly seen Leopardon is soundly defeated with Spider-Man AKA Takuya Yamashiro (or Supaidaman) escaping with his brothers and sisters from other worlds.
A fun and interesting nod to the the beloved 1978-1979 series. Most likely a one-off instance, but personally I’d love to see more of this duo in official Marvel comics of this nature.