Spider-Man J
Cover OfSpider-Man J, Volume 2
スパイダーマン J (Supaidāman J)
Genre	Superhero
Manga
Written by	Yamanaka Akira [ja]
Published by	Kodansha
English publisher	NA:Marvel Comics
Magazine	Comic BomBom
Demographic	Children
Original run	November 9, 2004 –May 11, 2005

Spider-Man J (Japanese:スパイダーマンJ,Hepburn:Supaidāman J) is amanga byYamanaka Akira [ja], followingKakeru Amano as Spider-Man J. It ran in thechildren's magazine,Comic BomBom, from November 9, 2004, to May 11, 2005. The manga is not connected toRyoichi Ikegami'sSpider-Man: The Manga and takes place in its independent continuitynumbered asEarth-7041.^[1]

In the year 200X, a supervillain who goes by the name Lord Beaustius (Lord Gokibu in the Japanese version) wants to steal the fossil of the Insect King,^[2] 15 year-old Peter Parker (Kakeru Amano in the Japanese version) uses his new spider powers to become Spider-Man J, to prevent this from happening. During his time as a superhero, he meets Japanese versions ofElektra,Doctor Doom,Blade, and theFantastic Four.

The story does not provide an extensive introduction to the character like previousSpider-Man series published in Japan did. Daniel Stein, author of "Of Transcreations and Transpacific Adaptations: Investigating Manga Versions of Spider-Man", said that "no reintroduction of Spider-Man through a recap or revision of his origin story was necessary[...]".^[3]

Kakeru Amano (天野翔,Amano Kakeru, カケルKakeru) is a boy with the paranormal abilities of a spider. He keeps his identity as Spider-Man J a secret, fearing his family or friends might get hurt. The only person who knows Kakeru is Spider-Man J is Detective Makoto. He specializes in a number of weapons that he creates using his web-shooters. He is shy and clumsy, and barely has any friends. In the English version, he is known asPeter Parker.

• His parents are located in the United States.^[3]
• Stein described theSpider-Man J Peter Parker as "a small, preadolescent kid who still sleeps with stuffed animals".^[3]

Makoto Jujo (十条 真,Jūjō Makoto) is a detective who became a police officer because he wanted to protect people. He has a goofy sense of humor, but has a good heart and believes in justice. In the English version, he is known asDetective Flynn.

• Stein described Flynn as "a paternal figure less given to emotional outbursts and childish fantasies than [Spider-Man J's] Peter".^[4]

Mami Amano (天野真美,Amano Mami) is Kakeru's young, happy go-lucky aunt. She loves Kakeru like he is her own son, and is overprotective of him. She owns her own dress shop. She is quite relaxed, and is known for her spicy curry.^[5] In the English version, she is known asAunt May.

• Stein described theSpider-Man J Aunt May as "a somewhat overbearing mother figure".^[3]

Megumi (めぐみ) is Kakeru's classmate and girlfriend. She is atomboy, and is very careful for everyone, especially Kakeru.

• In the English version, she is known asJane-Marie, a name based on that ofMary Jane Watson from the American series.^[3]
• Stein describes Jane-Marie as "a friend but not yet a potential love interest".^[3]

Densuke (デンスケ) is Kakeru's/Spider-Man J Peter's classmate and friend. He is a fan ofSpider-Man J andComic BomBom, judging by his shirt that reads "Bom".^[6] In the English version, he is known asHarold.

Lord Gokibu (ゴキブ・リーダー,Gokibu Rīdā) is the main villain of the manga. Not much is known about him, or his past. In the English version, he is known asLord Beastius.

Elektra

• TheSpider-Man J Peter is against forming an alliance with her.^[3]

TheSpider-Man J Peter/Kakeru has three pets, a cat namedLeo (レオReo), a bird namedPal (パルParu), and a dog namedDon (ドン), a nod toToei'sSpider-Man Show, whereSpider-Man had a giant robot named Leopardon.

There is noBen Parker-esque character in the story.^[3]

During theSpider-Verse crossover, Kakeru Amano is recruited by Peter Parker from Earth-616 along withMangaverse Spider-Man andTakuya Yamashiro in a battle against Solus and the Inheritors.^[7]

The marketing in the United States focused on the manga's country of origin, Japan.^[8]

When the manga came out in Japan, it enjoyed a loyal fanbase ofotakus.^[9] The response from American fans was mixed.^{[10][unreliable source?]}

The manga was translated into English inSpider-Man Family, starting in issue #1, volume 2^[11] and has been released also in 2 English sizedtankōbon, called "Digests" byMarvel Comics. The first volume was called "Japanese Knights" and the second was called "Japanese Daze".^[12][13]

• Japanese Spider-Man

• Stein, Daniel (2013-03-28)."Of Transcreations and Transpacific Adaptations: Investigating Manga Versions of Spider-Man"(PDF). In Daniel Stein; Shane Denson; Christina Meyer (eds.).Transnational Perspectives on Graphic Narratives: Comics at the Crossroads.A&C Black.ISBN 9781441185235. - This is Chapter #9, in Part II: Transnational and Transcultural Superheroes

• Takiguchi, Akira (2019-03-17)."「スパイダーマン: スパイダーバース」に燃えた方必読!日本で独自の進化を遂げた「和物スパイダーマン」の歴史がこれだ!" (in Japanese).IGN.

• Manga series
• 2004 manga
• Alternative versions of Spider-Man
• Children's manga
• Kodansha manga
• Spider-Man in manga

• Webarchive template wayback links
• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Articles containing Japanese-language text
• All articles lacking reliable references
• Articles lacking reliable references from May 2023
• CS1 Japanese-language sources (ja)